M^r Randolph & M^r Madison expressed doubts as to the propriety of giving such a power, & wished for a postponement. M^r Gov^r Morris thought it so plain a case that no postponement could be necessary. M^r Wilson thought the power involved, and the express insertion of it needless. It might beget doubts as to the power of other public bodies, as Courts &c. Every Court is the judge of its own privileges. M^r Madison distinguished between the power of Judging of privileges previously & duly established, and the effect of the motion which would give a discretion to each House as to the extent of its own privileges. He suggested that it would be better to make provision for ascertaining by _law_, the privileges of each House, than to allow each House to decide for itself. He suggested also the necessity of considering what privileges ought to be allowed to the Executive. Adjourned. WEDNESDAY SEP^R 5. 1787. IN CONVENTION. M^r Brearley from the Committee of Eleven made a farther report as follows, (1) To add to the clause "to declare war" the words "and grant letters of marque and reprisal." (2) To add to the clause "to raise and support armies" the words "but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years." (3) Instead of sect: 12. art 6. say--"All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, and shall be subject to alterations and amendments by the Senate: no money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." (4) Immediately before the last clause of sect. 1. art. 7. insert "To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States and the acceptance of the Legislature become the Seat of the Government of the U. S. and to exercise like authority over all places purchased for the erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, Dock Yards, and other needful buildings." (5) "To promote the progress of Science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors & inventors, the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." This report being taken up,--The (1) clause was agreed to nem: con: To the (2) clause M^r Gerry objected that it admitted of appropriations to an army, for two years instead of one, for which he could not conceive a reason, that it implied that there was to be a standing army which he inveighed against as dangerous to liberty, as unnecessary even for so great an extent of Country as this, and if necessary, some restriction on the number & duration ought to be provided: Nor was this a proper time for such an innovation. The people would not bear it.