The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
By several it was observed that no just construction of the Act of
Delaware, could require or justify a secession of her deputies, even if
the resolution were to be carried thro' the House as well as the
Committee. It was finally agreed however that the clause should be
postponed: it being understood that in the event the proposed change of
representation would certainly be agreed to, no objection or difficulty
being started from any other quarter than from Delaware.
The motion of Mr. Read to postpone being agreed to,
The Committee then rose. The Chairman reported progress, and the House
having resolved to resume the subject in Committee to-morrow,
Adjourned to 10 O Clock.
THURSDAY MAY 31[40]
[40] "This day the state of New Jersey was represented, so that
there were now ten states in Convention."--Yates, _Secret
Proceedings_, etc., 99. But in the _Journal of the Federal
Convention (1819)_, as in Madison's account, New Jersey is
entered as present May 25th. On May 30 two votes are
recorded by Madison and in the _Journal_ without New Jersey.
It is probable that an error was made in the _Journal_ and
that Madison followed it.
William Pierce, from Georgia took his seat.[41]
[41] Rufus King kept a few notes of the proceedings of the
convention from May 31st to August 8th. They are meagre, but
corroborate Madison's report. See King's _Life and
Correspondence of Rufus King_, i., 587.
Pierce also kept a few rough notes of the proceedings which
were printed in the _Savannah Georgian_, April 19, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, and 28, 1828, and reprinted in _The American
Historical Review_, iii., 317 _et seq._ They throw little
additional light on the debates, but wherever they do are
quoted here, as are King's.
In Committee of the whole on Mr. Randolph's propositions.
The 3^d Resolution "that the national Legislature ought to consist of
two branches" was agreed to without debate or dissent, except that of
Pennsylvania, given probably from complaisance to Doc^r Franklin who was
understood to be partial to a single House of Legislation.
Resol: 4. first clause, "that the members of the first branch of the
National Legislature ought to be elected by the people of the several
States," being taken up,
M^r Sherman opposed the election by the people, insisting that it ought
to be by the State Legislatures. The people he said, immediately should
have as little to do as may be about the Government. They want
information and are constantly liable to be misled.
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