The constitution gives the franchise to white male citizens (to colored also since the 15th amendment to the federal constitution) who have lived a year in the state and a month in the county, and paid certain taxes. Elections and legislative sessions am held biennially. There is a senate of nine members, three from each county, and a house of representatives of 21-seven from each county, chosen for two years. Senators must be 27 years of age or over, and be freeholders in their own counties; representa tives must be 24 or over, and both must have been citizens of the state three years, and of the county one year to be eligible to seats in the legislature. Their pay is ,$3 per clay and mileage. The governor must be 30 years old, six years a resident, and 12 years a citizen of the United States; lie is not eligible for immediate re-election. There are five judges, one of whom is chancellor, and one the chief justice. Ministers of thegos pel are not permitted to hold any civil office. The real property, stocks, plate, etc., owned by a woman at her marriage are not subject to the husband's control or liable for his debts; but a wife cannot make a conveyance without the husband's consent. Trea son, murder in the first degree, arson of a dwelling, rape, and burglary at night with intent to commit high crimes, are punishable with death. The whipping-post is in use for petty offenders. Adultery by a wife, or impotence on either side, are causes for divorce; and divorce may be granted for cruelty, abandonment, etc. The state has the honor of being the first to ratify the federal constitution, Dec. 8, 1787. Though a slave holding state, she did not join in the rebellion of 1S60. Many of her people were in strong sympathy with the confederate cause, and some of them-how large a number is unknown-privately joined the rebel forces. On the other hand, the state furnished the union army seven regiments of infantry, a battalion of cavalry, and two or three batteries of artillery-in all, about 10,000 men. After the rebellion was subdued,
the state, in conformity with the conditions of reconstruction, reluctantly acquiesced in the freedom of her slaves, and permitted negroes to vote on the same terms with white men. Until 1828, the presidential electors of Delaware were chosen by the legislature; since then, they have been elected by the pbpular vote. In 1812, 1816, and 1820, Dela ware had 2 representatives in congress and therefore cast 4 electoral votes; but at all other times, having but one such representative, she has had but three electoral votes. The votes of the state for president and vice-president at the several elections have been as follows: 1789, Washington and Jay; 1792, Washington and John Adams; 1706, John Adams and Thomas Pinckney; 1800, John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney; 1SO4, Charles C.Piuckney and Rufus King; 1808, Charles C. Pinckney and Rufus King; 1812, DeWitt Clinton and Jared Ingersoll; 1816, Rufus King and Robert G. Harper (one vacancy); in 1820, Monroe and Daniel Rodney; 1S24, for president, William H. Craw ford 2, John Q. Adams 1; vice-president, Clay 2, Calhoun 1; in 1828, John Q. Adams and Richard Rush; 1832, Clay and John Sergeant; 1836, Harrison and Francis Granger; 1640, Harrison and Tyler; 1844, Clay and Frelinghuysen; 1848, Taylor and Fillmore; 1852, Pierce and William R. King; 1856, Buchanan and John C. Breckenridge; 1860, John C. Breckenridge and Joseph Lane; 1864, no vote; 1868, Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair; 1S72, Grant and Wilson; 1876, Tilden and Hendricks. Delaware has furnished of federal officers, two secretaries of state, one of the treasury, and one attorney general. (For latest statistics, sec Appendix.)