To define & punish piracies and felonies on the high seas, and "punish" offences against the law of nations. M^r Gov^r Morris moved to strike out "punish" before the words "offences ag^{st} the law of nations," so as to let these be _definable_ as well as punishable, by virtue of the preceding member of the sentence. M^r Wilson hoped the alteration would by no means be made. To pretend to _define_ the law of nations which depended on the authority of all the civilized nations of the world, would have a look of arrogance, that would make us ridiculous. M^r Gov^r Morris. The word _define_ is proper when applied to _offences_ in this case; the law of nations being often too vague and deficient to be a rule. On the question to strike out the word "punish" it passed in the affirmative N. H. ay. Mas. no. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a no. Del. ay. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no. Doc^r Franklin moved[97] to add after the words "post roads" Art. I. Sect. 8. "a power to provide for cutting canals where deemed necessary." [97] This motion by D^r Franklin not stated in the printed Journal, as are some other motions.--Madison's Note. Wilson 2^{ded} the motion. M^r Sherman objected. The expence in such cases will fall on the U. States, and the benefit accrue to the places where the canals may be cut. M^r Wilson. Instead of being an expence to the U. S. they may be made a source of revenue. M^r Madison suggested an enlargement of the motion into a power "to grant charters of incorporation where the interest of the U. S. might require & the legislative provisions of individual States may be incompetent." His primary object was however to secure an easy communication between the States which the free intercourse now to be opened, seemed to call for. The political obstacles being removed, a removal of the natural ones as far as possible ought to follow. M^r Randolph 2^{ded} the proposition. M^r King thought the power unnecessary. M^r Wilson. It is necessary to prevent _a State_ from obstructing the _general_ welfare. M^r King. The States will be prejudiced and divided into parties by it. In Philad^a & New York. It will be referred to the establishment of a Bank, which has been a subject of contention in those Cities. In other places it will be referred to mercantile monopolies. M^r Wilson mentioned the importance of facilitating by canals, the communication with the Western settlements. As to Banks he did not think with M^r King that the power in that point of view would excite the prejudices & parties apprehended. As to mercantile monopolies they are already included in the power to regulate trade. Col: Mason was for limiting the power to the single case of Canals. He was afraid of monopolies of every sort, which he did not think were by any means already implied by the Constitution as supposed by M^r Wilson. The motion being so modified as to admit a distinct question specifying & limited to the case of canals,