governments; and their states cannot recall them, _nor exercise any control over them_.” Such was his understanding of the constitution, and of the rights of senators and state legislatures, under it. His objection was that _they are not_ precisely what the advocates for instructions say _they are_. He saw nothing in the instrument that gives the state legislatures any right to instruct their senators, accompanied by a duty on the part of the senators to obey or resign. This is practically to give the legislatures a power to recall their senators, as instructions may always be given which must be disobeyed by an honest man. On considering the question whether the second branch of the general legislature should or should not be appointed by the state legislatures, Mr. Wilson (the most democratic of all the members of the convention) said, “It is improper that the state legislatures should have the power contemplated to be given to them. A citizen of America may be considered in two points of view; as a citizen of the general government, and as a citizen of the particular state in which he may reside. We ought to consider in what character he acts, in forming a general government. I am both a citizen of Pennsylvania and of the United States; I must, therefore, _lay aside my state connexions and act for the general good of the whole_. We must forget our local habits and attachments. There ought to be a leading distinction between the one and the other; nor ought the general government _to be comprised of an assemblage of different state governments_.” Mr. Wilson was opposed to the election of the senators by the state legislatures. Mr. Ellsworth was for the state legislatures. He thought the choice by them would be more judicious. “In the second branch we want _wisdom and firmness_, to check hasty and inconsiderate proceedings of the first branch.” Gov. Randolph, speaking of the senate, says: “This body must act with firmness. The state governments will always attempt to counteract the general government.” His opinion, of course, was, that it was the duty of the senators to resist these attempts, to protect the general government against them, and not to yield to them as bound and bidden slaves, and abandon to their caprices and will the sacred trust reposed in them.