RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION z[I 7 Saturday MADISON ,'l ugust 2 5 Mr Govr, Morris remarked that as the clause now stands it implies that the Legislature may tax freemen imported. n Mr. Sherman in answer to Mr. Ghorum observed that the smallness of the duty shewed revenue to be the object, not the discouragement of the importation. Mr. Madison thought it wrong to admit in the Constitu- tion the idea that there could be property in men. The reason of duties did not hold, as slaves are not like merchandise, consumed. &c Col. Mason (in answr. to Govr. Morris) the provision as it stands was necessary for the case of Convicts in order to prevent the introduction of them. It was finally agreed nem: contrad: to make the clause read "but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation not exceeding ten dollars for each person", and then the 2d. part as amended was agreed to. Sect 5--art--VII was agreed to nem: con: as reported? Sect. 6. art. VII. in the Report was, postponed. On motion of Mr. Madison 2ded. by Mr Govr Morris art VIII was reconsidered and after the words "all treaties made?" were inserted nero: con: the words "or which shall be made" This insertion was meant to obviate all doubt concerning the force of treaties praexisting, by making the words "all treaties made" to refer to them, as the words inserted would refer to future treaties. Mr. Carrol & Mr. L. Martin expressed their apprehensions, and the probable apprehensions of their constituents, that under the power of regulating trade the General Legislature, might favor the ports of particular States, by requiring vessels destined to or from other States to enter & clear thereat, as vessels belonging or bound to Baltimore, to enter & clear at Norfolk &c They moved the following proposition "The Legislature of the U--S. shall not oblige vessels belonging to citizens thereof, or to foreigners, to enter or pay duties or imposts in any other State than in that to which they may be bound, or to clear out in any other than the See Appendix A, CXLVI]?I, CLVIII(57), CCLXXX, CCCXXXII- CCCXXXIV. ?a "No capitation tax" etc.
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