M^r Gerry enlarged on the idea of M^r L. Martin in which he concurred, represented the system as full of vices, and dwelt on the impropriety of destroying the existing Confederation, without the unanimous consent of the parties to it. Question on M^r Gov^r Morris's & M^r Pinkney's motion N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no. M^r Gerry moved to postpone art: XXII. Col: Mason 2^{ded} the motion, declaring that he would sooner chop off his right hand than put it to the Constitution as it now stands. He wished to see some points not yet decided brought to a decision, before being compelled to give a final opinion on this article. Should these points be improperly settled, his wish would then be to bring the whole subject before another general Convention. M^r Gov^r Morris was ready for a postponement. He had long wished for another Convention, that will have the firmness to provide a vigorous Government, which we are afraid to do. M^r Randolph stated his idea to be, in case the final form of the Constitution should not permit him to accede to it, that the State Conventions should be at liberty to propose amendments to be submitted to another General Convention which may reject or incorporate them, as may be judged proper. On the question for postponing N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. ay. P^a no. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no. On the question on Art: XXII N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d no. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. Art: XXIII being taken up, as far as the words "assigned by Congress" inclusive, was agreed to nem: con: the blank having been first filled with the word "nine" as of course. On a motion for postponing the residue of the clause, concerning the choice of the President &c. N. H. no. Mas. ay. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. ay. M^d no. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no. M^r Gov^r Morris then moved to strike out the words "choose the President of the U. S. and"--this point, of choosing the President not being yet finally determined, & on this question N. H. no. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d div^d. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay.[48] Geo. ay. [48] In printed Journal--S. C.--no.--Madison's Note. Art: XXIII as amended was then agreed to nem: con: The Report of the Grand Committee of eleven made by M^r Sherman was then taken up (see Aug: 28). On the question to agree to the following clause, to be inserted after sect. 4. art: VII. "nor shall any regulation of commerce or revenue give preference to the ports of one State over those of another." Agreed to nem: con: On the clause "or oblige vessels bound to or from any State to enter clear or pay duties in another" M^r Madison thought the restriction w^d be inconvenient, as in the River Delaware, if a vessel cannot be required to make entry below the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.