The 12th section, abolishing the 30th article of the constitution of this state, (relative to appointing delegates to the general congress) was read.

Mr. Wheaton moved to strike out this section. He did not perceive the necessity of it. The article in question provided for the appointment of delegates to the old continental congress. When this state adopted the federal constitution, the article was impliedly repealed. It had therefore become obsolete. There was precisely the same necessity of submitting to the people a distinct proposition for abolishing the court of admiralty, recognized in the constitution of 1777, and in active existence in this state until the adoption of the national constitution, by which we ceded to the Union all admiralty and maritime jurisdiction. Unless, therefore, it was the intention of the Convention to establish an entire new constitutional code, which he hoped would not be the case, this harmless article might be suffered to remain as an historical monument. If the amendment were to be submitted separately to the people, their attention would be distracted by being called on to consider so many complicated propositions, some of which it was perfectly immaterial whether they ratified or not.

The motion was supported by Messrs. Kent, Fairlie, and King, and opposed by Mr. Van Buren, when the question was put and lost, and the section passed without amendment.