M^r Madison opposed the motion, insisting that the Western States neither would nor ought to submit to a union which degraded them from an equal rank with the other States. Col: Mason. If it were possible by just means to prevent emigrations to the Western Country, it might be good policy. But go the people will as they find it for their interest, and the best policy is to treat them with that equality which will make them friends not enemies. M^r Gov^r Morris did not mean to discourage the growth of the Western Country. He knew that to be impossible. He did not wish however to throw the power into their hands. M^r Sherman, was ag^{st} the motion & for fixing an equality of privileges by the Constitution. M^r Langdon was in favor of the motion, he did not know but circumstances might arise which would render it inconvenient to admit new States on terms of equality. M^r Williamson was for leaving the Legislature free. The existing _small_ States enjoy an equality now, and for _that_ reason are admitted to it in the Senate. This reason is not applicable to new Western States. On M^r Gov^r Morris's motion for striking out. N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. M^r L. Martin & M^r Gov^r Morris moved to strike out of art XVII, "but to such admission the consent of two thirds of the members present shall be necessary." Before any question was taken on this motion, M^r Gov^r Morris moved the following proposition as a substitute for the XVII Art: "New States may be admitted by the Legislature into this Union; but no new State shall be erected within the limits of any of the present States, without the consent of the Legislature of such State, as well as of the Gen^l Legislature." The first part to Union inclusive was agreed to nem: con: M^r L. Martin opposed the latter part. Nothing he said would so alarm the limited States as to make the consent of the large States claiming the Western lands, necessary to the establishment of new States within their limits. It is proposed to guarantee the States. Shall Vermont be reduced by force in favor of the States claiming it? Frankland & the Western county of Virginia were in a like situation. On M^r Gov^r Morris's motion to substitute &c. it was agreed to. N. H. no. Mass. ay. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d no. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. Art: XVII--before the House, as amended. M^r Sherman was against it. He thought it unnecessary. The Union cannot dismember a State without its consent. M^r Langdon thought there was great weight in the argument of M^r Luther Martin, and that the proposition substituted by M^r Gov^r Morris would excite a dangerous opposition to the plan. M^r Gov^r Morris thought on the contrary that the small States would be pleased with the regulation, as it holds up the idea of dismembering the large States.