644. RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Monday MADISON September the clause declaring "the number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every forty thousand ?" which had pro- duced so much discussion, might be yet reconsidered, in order to strike out 4%0oo & insert "thirty thousand" This would not he remarked establish that as an absolute rule, but only give Congress a greater latitude which could not be thought unreasonable. ? Mr. King & Mr Carrol seconded & supported the ideas of Mr Gorham. When the President rose, for the purpose of putting the question, 3 he said that although his situation had hitherto restrained him from offering his sentiments on questions depending in the House, and it might be thought, ought now to impose silence on him, yet he could not forbear expressing his wish that the alteration proposed might take place. It was much to be desired that the objections to the plan recom- mended might be made as few as possible- The smallness of the proportion of Representatives had been considered by many members of the Convention, an insufficient security for the rights & interests of the people. He acknowledged that it had always appeared to himself among the exceptionable parts of the plan; ? and late as the present moment was for admitting amendments, he thought this of so much conse- quence that it would give much satisfaction to see it adopted.* No opposition was made to the proposition of Mr. Gorham and it was agreed to unanimously On the question to agree to the Constitution enrolled in order to be signed. It was agreed to all the States answering ay. Mr Randolph then rose and with an allusion to the obser- vations of Docr Franklin, apologized for 5 his refusing to sign the Constitution, notwithstanding the vast majority & vener-
- This was the only occasion on which the President entered at all into the
discussions of the Convention. s Upon this change to 3o,ooo see Appendix A, CXLVII, CLVIII (39), CCXYIII, CCXLVI. ? Crossed out "he made a few observations". 4 Crossed out "of such peculiar importance was its amendmenta, he could not therefore suppress his approbation of the too". ? Crossed out: "yielding to his own judgment against so".
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