Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/62

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58 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Thursday MADISON July x9 Mr. Gerry preferred the motion of Mr. Elseworth to an appointmt. by the Natl. Legislature, or by the people; tho' not to an appt. by the State Executives. He moved that the electors proposed by Mr. E. should be 2 5 in number, and allotted in the following proportion. to N.H. I. to Mas. 3. to R. I. x. to. Cont. 2-to N.Y. 2-N. J. 2. Pa. 3- Del. L Md. 2. Va. 3. N. C. z. S.C. z. Geo. ?. The question as moved by Mr. Elseworth being divided, on the Ist. part shall ye. Natl. Executive be appointed by Electors ? Mas-divd. Cont. ay. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. ay. Md. ay. Va. ay- N. C. no. S.C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes--6; noes--3; divided -- x.] On zd. part shall the Electors be chosen by State Legisla- tures ? Mas. ay. Cont. ay. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. ay. Md. ay. Va. no. N. C. ay. S.C. no. Geo. ay. [Ayes- 8; noes- 2.] The part relating to the ratio in which the States sd. chuse electors was postponed nero. con. Mr. L. Martin moved that the Executive be ineligible a 2d. time. Mr. Williamson zds. the motion. He had no great con- fidence in the Electors to be chosen for the special purpose. They would not be the most respectable citizens; but per- sons not occupied in the high offices of Govt. They would be liable to undue influence, which might the more readily be prac- ticed as some of them will probably be in appointment 6 or 8 months before the object of it comes on. Mr. Elseworth supposed any persons might be appointed Electors, excepting solely, members of the Natl. Legislature. On the question shall he be ineligible a 2d. time ? Mas. no. Ct. no. N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. no. Md. no. Va. no. N. C. ay. S.C. ay. Geo. no. [Ayes- 2; noes- 8.] On the question shall the Executive continue for 7 years ? (It passed in the negative) Mas. divd. Cont. ay.* N -- J. no.* Pa. no. Del. no. Md. no. Va. no. N. C. divd. S.C. ay. Geo. ay. [Ayes -- 3; noes -- 5; divided -- z.]

  • <In the printed Journal Cont. no. N. Jersey