Plan of Charles Pinckney (SC)

by Charles Pinckney

IN CONVENTION

29 May 1787

Mr Charles PINCKNEY introduced the following resolution

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Resolution

Proposing changes to the existing Articles of Confederation among the 13 United States of America.

[1] A Confederation between the free and independent states of NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC and GA is hereby solemnly made uniting them together under one general superintending Govern-ment for their common benefit and for their defence and security against all designs and leagues that may be injurious to their interests and against all force and attacks offered to or made upon them or any of them.

[2] The stile

[3] Mutual Intercourse—Community of Privileges—Surrender of Criminals—Faith to Proceedings, etc.

[4] Two Branches of the Legislature—the Senate and the House of Delegates—together the United States in Congress assembled.

House of Delegates to consist of one Member for every one thousand inhabitants; three-fifths of Blacks included.

Senate to be elected from four districts—to serve by rotation of four years—to be elected by the House of Delegates either from among themselves or the People at large

[5] The Senate and House of Delegates shall by joint ballot an-nually choose the President of the United States from among themselves or the People at large.

In the President the executive authority of the United States shall be vested.

His Powers and Duties: he shall have a right to advise with the heads of the different departments as his Council.

[6] Council of Revision, consisting of the President, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Secretary of War, Heads of the Departments of Treasury and Admiralty or any two of them together with the President.

[7] The Members of Senate and House of Delegates shall each have one vote, and shall be paid out of the common Treasury.

[8] The Time of the election of the Members of the House of Delegates and of the meeting of United States in Congress assembled.

[9] No State to make treaties — lay interfering duties — keep a naval or land force—militia excepted, to be disciplined etc. according to the regulations of the United States.

[10] Each State retains its rights not expressly delegated—But no bill of the legislature of any state shall become a law till it shall have been laid before the Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled and received their approbation.

[11] The exclusive power of the Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled.

[12] The Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall have exclusive power of regulating trade and levying imposts—each State may lay embargoes in times of scarcity.

[13] The Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall have exclusive power of establishing Post-Offices.

[14] The Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall be the dernier resort on appeal in disputes between two or more States; which authority shall be exercised in the following manner, etc.

[15] The Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall institute offices and appoint officers for the Departments of For-eign Affairs, War, Treasury and Admiralty. They shall have the exclusive power of declaring what shall be treason and misp. of treason against the United States — and of instituting a federal judicial court, to which an appeal shall be allowed from the judicial courts of the several states in all causes wherein questions shall arise on the construction of treaties made by the United States — or on the laws of nations — or on the regulations of the United States concerning trade and revenue — or wherein the United States shall be a Party — The Court shall consist of Judges to be appointed during good Behaviour — Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall have the exclusive Right of instituting in each State a Court of Admiralty and appointing the Judges, etc of the same for all maritime Causes which may arise therein respectively.

[16] Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall have the exclusive right of coining money—regulating its alloy and value—fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout United States.

[17] Points in which the assent of more than a bare majority shall be necessary.

[18] Impeachments shall be by the House of Delegates before the Senate and the judges of the Federal Judicial Court.

[19] Senate and House of Delegates in Congress assembled shall regulate the militia through the United States.

[20] Means of enforcing and compelling the payment of the quota of each state.

[21] Manner and conditions of admitting new states.

[22] Power of dividing annexing and consolidating states, on the consent and petition of such states.

[23] The assent of the legislature of states shall be sufficient to in-vest future additional powers in United States in Congress assembled and shall bind the whole Confederacy.

[24] The Articles of Confederation shall be inviolably observed, and the Union shall be perpetual; unless altered as before directed.

[25] The said States of NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC and GA guarantee mutually each other and their rights against all other powers and against all rebellion, etc.