THE DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION INCLUDING THE ORGANIC ACT OF THE TERRITORY, WITH THE ENABLING ACT OF CONGRESS, THE ACT OF THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE RELATIVE TO THE CONVENTION, AND THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE CONSTITUTION. REPORTED OFFICIALLY BY FRANCIS H. SMITH

Saint Paul: Earle S. Goodrich, Territorial Printer. Pioneer and Democrat Office, 1857. xix, [3], [1]-685, [1 blank] pp. Scattered foxing [generally light]. Bound in original half sheep and marbled boards [lightly rubbed], gilt-lettered morocco spine title. Very Good.

This is the record of the Democrats' Convention. Congress's Enabling Act of February 1857 invited Minnesota to enter the Union as a State. The process began inauspiciously: "An important chapter in the history of Minnesota and an invaluable commentary on the fundamental law of the State. The Republican delegates walked out and set up a rival convention" [Eberstadt]. The Reporter's Preface notes that "a portion of the Delegates-elect to the Convention, representing one of the great political parties of the Territory, not only refused to co-operate with the Convention in its proceedings, but constituted for themselves a rival organization, leaving the body composed entirely of Democratic members."
Each Convention produced a Constitution. Eventually a conference committee would iron out the differences.
110 Eberstadt 178. Imprints Inventory 139. (Inventory #: 31646)