f Boylston, believed that the same reasoning that
would deny the divine right of kings to govern men without their
consent, would also deny a similar right of men over women. The
Committee had given the best of reasons for granting the prayer
of the petitioners, and then reported that they have leave to
withdraw. He expatiated on the grievances to which women are
subjected, and concluded by moving as an amendment to the report,
that the prayer of the petitioners ought to be granted.

The Committee then rose, and had leave to sit again. Wednesday
the first business of importance was the taking up in Committee
of the report "leave to withdraw," relative to giving certain
privileges to women. Question on the amendment of Mr. Whitney to
amend the conclusion of the report, by inserting "that the prayer
of the petitioners be granted." Debate ensued on the subject
between Messrs. Marvin, of Winchendon; Kingman, of West
Bridgewater; when the question was taken, and Mr. Whitney's
amendment rejected. Mr. Marvin then moved to substitute
"inexpedient to act" for "leave to withdraw"; which was adopted.
The Committee then rose, and recommended the adoption of the
report as amended, by a vote of 108 to 44.

The prejudices of the 108 outweighed all the able arguments made by
those who represented the petitioners, and all the great principles of
justice on which a true republic is based.

We find the following comments on the character and duties of the
gentlemen who composed the Convention, from the pen of Mr. Higginson,
in _The Una_ of June, 1853:

_To the members of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention:_

The publication in our newspapers of the list of members of your
honorable body, has won the just tribute of men of all parties to
the happy result of the selection. Never, it is thought, has
Massachusetts witnessed a political assembly of more eminent or
accomplished men. And yet there are those to whom the daring
thought has occurred, that to convoke such ability and learning,
only to decide whether our Legislature shall be hereafter elected
by towns or districts, is somewhat like the course of Columbus in
assembling the dignitaries of his nation to decide whether an egg
could be best poised upon the larger or the smaller end. A
question which was necessarily settled