M^r Sherman said it was better to let the S. States import slaves than to part with them, if they made that a sine qua non. He was opposed to a tax on slaves imported as making the matter worse, because it implied they were _property_. He acknowledged that if the power of prohibiting the importation should be given to the Gen^l Government that it would be exercised. He thought it would be its duty to exercise the power. M^r Read was for the commitment provided the clause concerning taxes on exports should also be committed. M^r Sherman observed that that clause had been agreed to & therefore could not be committed. M^r Randolph was for committing in order that some middle ground might, if possible, be found. He could never agree to the clause as it stands. He w^d sooner risk the constitution. He dwelt on the dilemma to which the Convention was exposed. By agreeing to the clause, it would revolt the Quakers, the Methodists, and many others in the States having no slaves. On the other hand, two States might be lost to the Union. Let us then, he said, try the chance of a commitment. On the question for committing the remaining part of Sect. 4 & 5. of Art: 7. N. H. no. Mass. abt^t Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a no. Del. no. Mary^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. M^r Pinkney & M^r Langdon moved to commit Sect. 6. as to navigation act by two thirds of each House. M^r Gorham did not see the propriety of it. Is it meant to require a greater proportion of votes? He desired it to be remembered that the Eastern States had no motive to Union but a commercial one. They were able to protect themselves. They were not afraid of external danger, and did not need the aid of the South^n States. M^r Wilson wished for a commitment in order to reduce the proportion of votes required. M^r Elseworth was for taking the plan as it is. This widening of opinions has a threatening aspect. If we do not agree on this middle & moderate ground he was afraid we should lose two States, with such others as may be disposed to stand aloof, should fly into a variety of shapes & directions, and most probably into several confederations and not without bloodshed. On Question for committing 6 Sect. as to navigation act to a member from each State-- N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. The Committee appointed were M^r Langdon, King, Johnson, Livingston, Clymer, Dickenson, L. Martin, Madison, Williamson, C. C. Pinkney, & Baldwin. To this committee were referred also the two clauses above mentioned, of the 4 & 5. Sect: of Art. 7. M^r Rutlidge from the Committee to whom were referred on the 18 & 20^{th} instant the propositions of M^r Madison & M^r Pinkney made the Report following:[38] [38] Madison's Note says: ("Here insert Report from Journal of the Convention of the date.") It is found on p. 227, 228, of the Journal and is as above.