Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/468

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?.6Z i?ECOP. D$ OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION TAursday MADISON ?lu?ust 3o guard was provided for the right of the U. States to the back lands. He suggested that it might be proper to provide that nothing in the Constitution should affect the Right of the U.S. to lands ceded by G. Britain in the Treaty of peac% and proposed a committment to a member from each State. He assurred the House that this was a point of a most serious nature. It was desirable above all things that the act of the Convention might be agreed to unanimously. But should this point be disregarded, he believed that all risks would be run by a considerable minority? sooner than give their con- currence. Mr. L. Martin zded. the motion for a committment. Mr. Rutlidge is it to be supposed that the States are to be cut up without their own consent. The case of Vermont will probably be particularly provided for. There could be no room to fear, that Virginia or N-- Carolina woulkl call on the U. States to maintain their Government over the Mountains. Mr. Williamson said that N. Carolina was well disposed to give up her Western lands, but attempts at compulsion was not the policy of the U.S. He was for doing nothing in the constitution in the present case, and for leaving the whole matter in Statu quo. Mr Wilson was against the committment. Unanimity was of great importance, but not to be purchased by the majorit�'s yielding to the minority. He should have no objec- tion to leaving the case of New States as heretofore. He knew of ?othing that would glve greater or juster alarm than the doctrine, that a political society is to be tome asunder with- out its own consent-- On Mr. Carrol's motion for commitment N.H. no g Mas. no. Ct. no. N.J. ay. Pa. no. Del-- Md. ay-- Va. no-- N-- C. no. S.C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes -- 3; noes -- 8.1 Mr Sherman moved to postpone the substitute {or art: XVII agreed to yesterday in order to take up the following amendment "The Legislature shall have power to admit 9 New Hampshire's vote was changed from "ay" to "no". This may have been later corrcctlon.