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:
Alto L. Adams
After gaining admission to the bar, Adams "moved to Ft. Pierce to practice law". In 1936, he campaigned for the election of Fred P. Cone as Governor of Florida, "and was rewarded for his
support by an appointment to the circuit bench in 1938 and to the supreme court in 1940". In 1940, the Florida Constitution was amended to add a seventh Justice to the Florida Supreme Court, the seat to which Governor Cone appointed Adams. Adams served on the court until 1951, when resigned to undertake an unsuccessful campaign for governor.