A history of the American people, Vol. 2 [of 5] : $b Colonies and nationWilson, Woodrow
History
A history of the American people, Vol. 2 [of 5] : $b Colonies and nation
Wilson, Woodrow
United States -- History
It was thought, that if the least Colony was allowed two, and
the others in proportion, the number would be very great,
and the expense heavy; and that less than two would not be
convenient, as, a single person being by any accident prevented
appearing at the meeting, the Colony he ought appear for would
not be represented. That, as the choice was not immediately
popular, they would be generally men of good abilities for
business, and men of reputation for integrity, and that
forty-eight such men might be a number sufficient. But, though
it was thought reasonable that each Colony should have a share
in the representative body in some degree according to the
proportion it contributed to the general treasury, yet the
proportion of wealth or power of the Colonies is not to be
judged by the proportion here fixed: because it was at first
agreed, that the greatest Colony should not have more than
seven members, nor the least less than two; and the setting
these proportions between these two extremes was not nicely
attended to, as it would find itself, after the first election,
from the sum brought into the treasury by a subsequent article.
PLACE OF FIRST MEETING.
—Who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadelphia in
Pennsylvania, being called by the President-General as soon as
conveniently may be after his appointment.
Philadelphia was named as being nearer the centre of the
Colonies, where the commissioners would be well and cheaply
accommodated. The high roads, through the whole extent, are for
the most part very good, in which forty or fifty miles a day
may very well be, and frequently are, travelled. Great part
of the way may likewise be gone by water. In summer time, the
passages are frequently performed in a week from Charleston to
Philadelphia and New York, and from Rhode Island to New York
through the Sound, in two or three days, and from New York to
Philadelphia, by water and land, in two days, by stage boats,
and street carriages that set out every other day. The journey
from Charleston to Philadelphia may likewise be facilitated by
boats running up Chesapeake Bay three hundred miles. But if
the whole journey be performed on horseback, the most distant
members, viz., the two from New Hampshire and from South
Carolina, may probably render themselves at Philadelphia in
fifteen or twenty days; the majority may be there in much less
time.
NEW ELECTION.
That there shall be a new election of the members of the Grand Council
every three years; and, on the death or resignation of any member, his
place should be supplied by a new choice at the next sitting of the
Assembly of the Colony he represented.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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