The Constitution. Agreeably to the Resolve the Legislature in May, freemen may be qualified on the first Monday of October ... Those who will adopt the Constitution will write the word YES – those who would reject it will write the word NO .

[New Haven], 1804. Letterpress broadside, text in two columns. 13-1/4 x 10-1/2 inches. Minor browning and staining. Letterpress broadside, text in two columns. 13-1/4 x 10-1/2 inches. Much of the broadside is comprised of an argurment in favor of the new state Constitution, under the caption heading To the Freeman of New Haven County. The various controversial points are reviewed, including the sections on religious conscience and on qualifications of electors, noting in the latter that although many felt that men of all colors are born free, only white men were deemed eligible under the proposed Constitution.

Following independence in 1776, (truncated) Connecticut decided to continue their governance under their colonial charter. Several attempts were made to adopt a state constitution, including in 1804, though it was not accomplished until 1818 when Episcopalians, Baptists, Methodists, and members of other dissident denominations to the established Congregationalist church combined with the Democratic-Republican party to form the Toleration Party and take political control of the state. (Inventory #: 345227)