M^r Randolph thought such a provision necessary: for though the U. States will be bound, the new Gov^t will have no authority in the case unless it be given to them. M^r Madison thought it necessary to give the authority in order to prevent misconstruction. He mentioned the attempts made by the Debtors to British subjects to shew that contracts under the old Government, were dissolved by the Revolution which destroyed the political identity of the Society. M^r Gerry thought it essential that some explicit provision should be made on this subject, so that no pretext might remain for getting rid of the public engagements. M^r Gov^r Morris moved by way of amendment to substitute--"The Legislature _shall_ discharge the debts & fulfil the engagements of the U. States." It was moved to vary the amendment by striking out "discharge the debts" & to insert "liquidate the claims," which being negatived, The amendment moved by M^r Gov^r Morris was agreed to all the States being in the affirmative. It was moved & 2^{ded} to strike the following words out of the 2^d clause of the report "and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by the U. S." Before a question was taken The House adjourned. THURSDAY IN CONVENTION AUG: 23, 1787 The Report of the Committee of Eleven made Aug: 21. being taken up, and the following clause being under consideration to wit "To make laws for organizing, arming & disciplining the Militia, and for governing such parts of them as may be employed in the service of the U. S. reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed." M^r Sherman moved to strike out the last member "and authority of training" &c. He thought it unnecessary. The States will have this authority of course if not given up. M^r Elseworth doubted the propriety of striking out the sentence. The reason assigned applies as well to the other reservation of the appointment to offices. He remarked at the same time that the term discipline was of vast extent and might be so expounded as to include all power on the subject. M^r King, by way of explanation, said that by _organizing_, the Committee meant, proportioning the officers & men--by _arming_, specifying the kind size & caliber of arms--& by _disciplining_, prescribing the manual exercise evolutions &c. M^r Sherman withdrew his motion. M^r Gerry. This power in the U. S. as explained is making the States drill-sergeants. He had as lief let the Citizens of Massachusetts be disarmed, as to take the command from the States, and subject them to the Gen^l Legislature. It would be regarded as a system of Despotism. M^r Madison observed that "_arming_" as explained did not extend to furnishing arms; nor the term "_disciplining_" to penalties & Courts Martial for enforcing them.