Florida Constitutional Convention of 1838
A handwritten copy of the 1838 Constitution or "Form of Government for the People of Florida," signed by Convention President, Robert Raymond Reid, and Convention Secretary, Joshua Knowles resides at the State Archives of Florida. Considered "a secretary's copy" this document is the only known copy of the 1838 Constitution. The original Constitution, signed by all the delegates, has never been found. The preamble to the Constitution of 1838:
Constitution of Florida
Two constitutions were submitted to General Meade; the Committee on Reconstruction adopted the "moderate" one, on Meade's recommendation. Through the reapportionment, less than a fourth of voters could elect a majority of the State Senate, and less than a third the Assembly. As said in a letter to Senator David Yulee, "Under our Constitution the Judiciary & State officers will be appointed & the apportionment will prevent a negro legislsture." Freedmen's Bureau agent William J. Furman later bragged that he had prevented Florida from being "niggerized".