since liberty may exist and be as well secured without it. But it was not only unnecessary, but on this occasion it was found impracticable—for who will be bold enough to undertake to enumerate all the rights of the people?—and when the attempt to enumerate them is made, it must be remembered that if the enumeration is not complete, everything not expressly mentioned will be presumed to be purposely omitted.
ⅭⅩⅬⅥ. James Wilson in the Pennsylvania Convention.[1]
November 28, 1787.
The truth is, Sir, that the framers of this system were particularly anxious, and their work demonstrates their anxiety, to preserve the state governments unimpaired—it was their favorite object; and, perhaps, however proper it might be in itself, it is more difficult to defend the plan on account of the excessive caution used in that respect than from any other objection that has been offered here or elsewhere.… I trust it is unnecessary to dwell longer upon this subject; for, when gentlemen assert that it was the intention of the federal convention to destroy the sovereignty of the states, they must conceive themselves better qualified to judge of the intention of that body than its own members, of whom not one, I believe, entertained so improper an idea.
ⅭⅩⅬⅥa. James McHenry before the Maryland House of Delegates.[2]
Maryland Novr. 29th 1787 —
The Delegates to the late Convention being call’d before the House of Representatives to explain the Principles, upon which the proposed Constitution for the United States of America were formed
Mr. McHenry addressed the House in the followg. terms
Mr. Speaker,
Convention having deposited their proceedings with their Worthy President, and by a Resolve prohibited any copy to be taken, under the Idea that nothing but the Constitution thus framed and sub-
- ↑ McMaster and Stone, Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution, p. 265.
- ↑ This document and the one following (ⅭⅩⅬⅥb), in the possession of the Library of Congress, were among the manuscripts of John Leeds Bozman. Mr. Bernard C. Steiner of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, identifies them as a part of the legislative records of Maryland and as in the handwriting of one of the clerks of the legislature. (Maryland Historical Magazine, December, 1909.)
The documents having become accessible since the manuscript of the present work was completed, the editor has been unable to give as complete a series of cross-references to them as their importance would warrant.
