Convention of Westerners

The Convention of Westerners was held on 10 Nov. 1823 in Raleigh in response to a call by western legislators in the final days of the previous General Assembly. These lawmakers wished to reform the state constitution and to provide for public schools and internal improvements. Delegates from 24 western counties attended the convention and formulated constitutional amendments to be laid before the legislature when it convened the following week. Disputes arising on the convention floor over minor questions on several amendments divided the delegates and prevented unanimous action. This harmless division among the reformers gave eastern legislators an excuse to kill the convention bill. A constitutional convention was not held until 1835.