Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/272

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TREASON DEFINED.
[August 20

of the 2d section, 7th article, in order to take up the following:—

"Whereas it is essential to the preservation of liberty to define, preciselv and exclusively, what shall constitute the crime of treason,—it is therefore ordained, declared, and established, that if a man do levy war against the United States, within their territories, or be adherent to the enemies of the United States within the said territories, giving to them aid and comfort within their territories, or elsewhere, and thereof be probably attainted of open deed by the people of his condition, he shall be adjudged guilty of treason."

On the question to postpone, it passed in the negative.

Yeas: New Jersey, Virginia, 2. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 5.

It was moved and seconded to strike out the words "against the United States," 1st line, 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, 8. Nays: Virginia, North Carolina, 2.

It was moved and seconded to insert the words "to the same overt act "after the word "witnesses," 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, 8. Nays: New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, 3.

It was moved and seconded to strike the words "some overt act" out of the 1st line, 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the affirmative.

It was moved and seconded to insert the words "sole and exclusive" before the word "power," in the 2d clause, 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the negative.

Yeas: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, 5. Nays: Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, 6.

It was moved and seconded to reinstate the words "against the United States," in the 1st line, 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, 6. Nays: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, 5.

It was moved and seconded to strike out the words "of the United States," in the 3d line, 2d section, 7th article; which passed in the affirmative.

It was moved and seconded to amend the 1st clause of the 2d section, 7th article, to read:—