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Drafted primarily by John Adams and enacted in 1780, the Massachusetts State Constitution is the oldest written constitution that is still in use. Based on a series of lectures given at Harvard University, Frothingham's excellent brief study analyzes the constitution, its history and the changes that grew out of the amending conventions held in 1820 and 1853. The general court, governor and legislative procedure are examined in detail. Frothingham [1871-1928] was speaker of the Massachusetts house of representatives, the state's lieutenant-governor and a lecturer at Harvard University.