Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/243

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
1787.]
REPORT OF A CONSTITUTION.
223
July "XVII. Resolved, That provision ought to be mace for the admission of new states lawfully arising within the limits of the United States, whether from a voluntary junction of government and territory, or otherwise, with the consent of a number of voices in the national legislature less than the whole.
"XVIII. Resolved, That a republican form of government shall be guarantied to each state; and that each state shall be protected against foreign and domestic violence.
23. "XIX. Resolved, That provision ought to be made for the amendment of the articles of union whensoever it shall seem necessary.
"XX. Resolved, That the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers, within the several states, and of the national government, ought to be bound, by oath, to support the articles of union.
"XXI. Resolved, That the amendments which shall be offered to the Confederation by the Convention ought, at a proper time or times after the approbation of Congress, to be submitted to an assembly or assemblies of representatives, recommended by the several legislatures, to be expressly chosen by the people, to consider and decide thereon.
"XXII. Resolved, That the representation in the second branch of the legislature of the United States consist of two members from each state, who shall vote per capita.
26. "XXIII. Resolved, That it be an instruction to the committee, to whom were referred the proceedings of the Convention for the establishment of a national government, to receive a clause or clauses, requiring certain qualifications of property and citizenship, in the United States, for the executive, the judiciary, and the members of both branches of the legislature of the United States."

The propositions offered to the Convention, on the 29th of May, by Mr. C. Pinckney, and on the 15th of June, by Mr. Patterson, were referred to the committee, with the above resolutions.

Monday, August 6, 1787.

The house met agreeably to adjournment.

The Hon. John Francis Mercer, Esq., one of the deputies from the state of Maryland, attended, and took his seat.

The Hon. Mr. Rutledge, from the committee to whom were referred the proceedings of the Convention for the purpose of reporting a constitution for the establishment of a national government, conformable to the proceedings, informed the house that the committee were prepared to report.

The report was then delivered in at the secretary's table; and, being read once throughout, and copies thereof given to the members, it was moved and seconded to adjourn till Wednesday morning; which passed in the negative.

Yeas: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, 3. Nays: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, 5.