M^r Wilson moved to insert, "two thirds of" before the words "several States"--on which amendment to the motion of M^r Sherman N. H. ay. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no. M^r Wilson then moved to insert "three fourths of" before "the several Sts." which was agreed to nem: con: M^r Madison moved to postpone the consideration of the amended proposition in order to take up the following, "The Legislature of the U. S. whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part thereof, when the same shall have been ratified by three fourths at least of the Legislatures of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Legislature of the U.S:" M^r Hamilton 2^{ded} the motion. M^r Rutlidge said he never could agree to give a power by which the articles relating to slaves might be altered by the States not interested in that property and prejudiced against it. In order to obviate this objection, these words were added to the proposition:[66] "provided that no amendments which may be made prior to the year 1808 shall in any manner affect the 4 & 5 sections of the VII article."--The postponement being agreed to, [66] The Printed Journal makes the succeeding proviso as to sections 4 & 5, of the art: VII moved by M^r Rutlidge, part of the proposition of M^r Madison.--Madison's Note. On the question on the proposition of M^r Madison & M^r Hamilton as amended N. H. div^d. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. M^r Gerry moved to reconsider Art: XXI and XXII. from the latter of which "for the approbation of Cong^s" had been struck out. He objected to proceeding to change the Government without the approbation of Congress, as being improper and giving just umbrage to that body: He repeated his objections also to an annulment of the confederation with so little scruple or formality. M^r Hamilton concurred with M^r Gerry as to the indecorum of not requiring the approbation of Congress. He considered this as a necessary ingredient in the transaction. He thought it wrong also to allow nine States as provided by Art XXI. to institute a new Government on the ruins of the existing one. He w^d propose as a better modification of the two articles (XXI & XXII) that the plan should be sent to Congress in order that the same if approved by them, may be communicated to the State Legislatures, to the end that they may refer it to State conventions; each Legislature declaring that if the Convention of the State should think the plan ought to take effect among nine ratifying States, the same sh^d take effect accordingly.