414 liECOl%DS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Saturday MADISON Mr. Randolph moved to postpone the clause in favor of the following "All debts contracted & engagements entered "into, by or under the authority of Congs. shall be as valid "agst the U. States under this constitution as under the Con- "federation" Docr Johnson. The debts are debts of the U-- 8-- of the great Body of America. Changing the Government cannot change the obligation of the U-- S-- which devolves of course on the New Government. Nothing was in his opinion neces- sary to be said. If any thing, it should be a mere declaration as moved by Mr. Randolph. Mr. Govr. Morris, said he never had become a public Cred- itor that he might urge with more propriety the compliance with public faith. He had always done so and always would, and preferr'd the term ".rhall" as the most explicit. As to buying up the debt, the term ".?hall" was not inconsistent with it, if provision be first made for paying the interest: if not, such an expedient was a mere evasion. He was content to say nothing as the New Government would be bound of course- but would prefer the clause with the term ".rhall"? because it would create many friends to the plan. On Mr. Randolph's Motion N-- H-- ay-- Mas. ay. Ct ay-- N.J. ay-- Pa. no Del. ay--(Maryd. ay)o Va. ay-- N. C--. ay m S.C. ay Geo. ay-- [Ayes-- IO; noes-- L] Mr. Sherman thought it necessary to connect with the clause for laying taxes duties &c an express provision for the object of the old debts &c- and moved to add to the Ist. clause of ?st. sect-- of art VII "for the payment of said debts and for the derraying the expences that shall be incurred for the common defence and general welfare". The proposition, as being unnecessary was disagreed to, Connecticut alone, being in the affirmative. The Report of the Committee of eleven (see friday the 2?th. instant) being taken up,' ? Taken from Journal. ? Compromise upon importation o� slave, and navigation acts. Upon this sub- iect and upon the compromise in general see above July z:t, August 8? August zI?
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