own
from a very early period. Sufficient influence was brought to
bear upon the Legislature to secure the passage of an act
(approved November 5th of that year) authorizing a special
election, at which "the inhabitants" of the county, "qualified to
vote in elections for members of the State Legislature," etc.,
were described as the qualified electors to determine by their
votes where the buildings should be located. The contest caused a
great excitement throughout the county, and, under the existing
laws, when the election was held in February, 1807, women of
"full age," whether single or married, possessing the required
property qualification, were permitted by the judges of election
to vote. But as the conflict proceeded, and the blood of the
combatants waxed warmer, the number of female voters increased,
and it was soon found that every single and every married woman
in the county was not only of "full age," but also "worth fifty
pounds proclamation money, clear estate," and as such entitled to
vote if they chose. And not only once, but as often as by change
of dress or complicity of the inspectors, they might be able to
repeat the process.

This was not confined to any one precinct, but was more or less
the case in all, and so apparent were these and many other frauds
that the Legislature at the ensuing session did not hesitate to
sat it aside as having been illegally conducted; and, by
repealing the act authorizing it, left the buildings to be
erected in Newark, to which they legitimately belonged. And, in
order that no future occurrence of the kind should take place, an
act was passed (approved November 16, 1807), the preamble to
which is as follows:

"Whereas, doubts have been raised and great diversities in
practice obtained throughout the State in regard to the admission
of aliens, females, and persons of color or negroes to vote in
elections, as also in regard to the mode of ascertaining the
qualifications of voters in respect to estate; and whereas, it is
highly necessary to the safety, quiet good order and dignity of
the State to clear up the said doubts by an act of the
representatives of the people declaratory of the true sense and
meaning of the Constitution, and to ensure its just execution in
these particulars acc