Debates in the Several State Conventions/Volume 5/September 15
Saturday, September 15.
In Convention.—Mr. CARROLL reminded the House that no address to the people had yet been prepared. He considered it of great importance that such a one should accompany the Constitution. The people had been accustomed to such, on great occasions, and would expect it on this. He moved that a committee be appointed for the special purpose of preparing an address.
Mr. RUTLEDGE objected, on account of the delay it would produce, and the impropriety of addressing the people before it was known whether Congress would approve and support the plan. Congress, if an address be thought proper, can prepare as good a one. The members of the Convention can, also, explain the reasons of what has been done to their respective constituents.
Mr. SHERMAN concurred in the opinion that an address was both unnecessary and improper.
On the motion of Mr. Carroll,—
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, ay, 4; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 6; North Carolina, absent. (In the printed journal. North Carolina, no; South Carolina, omitted.)
Mr. LANGDON. Some gentlemen have been very uneasy that no increase of the number of representatives has been admitted. It has, in particular, been thought that one more ought to be allowed to North Carolina. He was of opinion that an additional one was due both to that state and to Rhode Island; and moved to reconsider for that purpose.
Mr. SHERMAN. When the committee of eleven reported the appointments, five representatives were thought the proper share of North Carolina. Subsequent information, however, seemed to entitle that state to another.
On the motion to reconsider,—
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 8; Massachusetts, New Jersey, no, 2; Pennsylvania, divided.
Mr. LANGDON moved to add one member to each of the representations of North Carolina and Rhode Island.
Mr. KING was against any change whatever, as opening the door for delays. There had been no official proof that the numbers of North Carolina are greater than before estimated; and he never could sign the Constitution, if Rhode Island is to be allowed two members, that is, one fourth of the number allowed to Massachusetts, which will be known to be unjust.
Mr. PINCKNEY urged the propriety of increasing the number of representatives allowed to North Carolina.
Mr. BEDFORD contended for an increase in favor of Rhode Island, and of Delaware also.
On the question for allowing two representatives to Rhode Island, it passed in the negative.
New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, ay, 5; Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, no, 6.
On the question for allowing six to North Carolina, it passed in the negative.
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 5; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, no, 6.
Article 1, sect. 10, (the second paragraph,)
"No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay imposts or duties on imports for exports; nor with such consent, but to the use of the treasury of the United States."
In consequence of the proviso moved by Col. Mason, and agreed to on the 13th of Sept., (page 540,) this part of the section was laid aside in favor of the following substitute, viz.:—
"No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress."
On the motion to strike out the last part,—
"and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress,"—
Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, no, 7; Pennsylvania, divided.
The substitute was then agreed to, Virginia alone being in the negative.
The remainder of the paragraph being under consideration, viz.,—
"nor keep troops nor ships of war in time of peace, nor enter into any agreement or compact with another state, nor with any foreign power, nor engage in any war, unless it shall be actually invaded by enemies, or the danger of invasion be so imminent as not to admit of delay until Congress can be consulted,"—
Mr. M'HENRY and Mr. CARROLL moved, that
"No state shall be restrained from laying duties of tonnage for the purpose of clearing harbors and erecting light-houses."
Col. MASON, in support of this, explained and urged the situation of the Chesapeake, which peculiarly required expenses of this sort.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. The states are not restrained from laying tonnage, as the Constitution now stands. The exception proposed will imply the contrary, and will put the states in a worse condition than the gentleman (Col. Mason) wishes.
Mr. MADISON. Whether the states are now restrained from laying tonnage duties, depends on the extent of the power "to regulate commerce." These terms are vague, but seem to exclude this power of the states. They may certainly be restrained by treaty. He observed, that there were other objects for tonnage duties, as the support of seamen, &c. He was more and more convinced that the regulation of commerce was in its nature indivisible, and ought to be wholly under one authority.
Mr. SHERMAN. The power of the United States to regulate trade, being supreme, can control interferences of the state regulations, when such interferences happen; so that there is no danger to be apprehended from a concurrent jurisdiction.
Mr. LANGDON insisted that the regulation of tonnage was an essential part of the regulation of trade, and that the states ought to have nothing to do with it.
On motion "that no state shall lay any duty on tonnage without the consent of Congress."—
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina, ay, 6; Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, no, 4; Connecticut, divided.
The remainder of the paragraph was then remoulded and passed, as follows, viz.,—
"No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay."
Article 2, sect. 1, (the sixth paragraph,) the words "or the period for choosing another President arrive," were changed into "or a President shall be elected," conformably to a vote of the 7th of September.
Mr. RUTLEDGE and Dr. FRANKLIN moved to annex to the end of the seventh paragraph of article 2, sect. 1,—
"and he (the President) shall not receive, within that period, any other emolument from the United States or any of them."
On which question,—
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, ay, 7; Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, no, 4.
Article 2, sect. 2,—
"He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States," &c.
Mr. RANDOLPH moved to except "cases of treason." The prerogative of pardon in these cases was too great a trust. The President may himself be guilty. The traitors may be his own instruments.
Col. MASON supported the motion.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS had rather there should be no pardon for treason, than let the power devolve on the legislature.
Mr. WILSON. Pardon is necessary for cases of treason, and is best placed in the hands of the executive. If he be himself a party to the guilt, he can be impeached and prosecuted.
Mr. KING thought it would be inconsistent with the constitutional separation of the executive and legislative powers, to let the prerogative be exercised by the latter. A legislative body is utterly unfit for the purpose. They are governed too much by the passions of the moment. In Massachusetts, one assembly would have hung all the insurgents in that state: the next was equally disposed to pardon them all. He suggested the expedient of requiring the concurrence of the Senate in acts of pardon.
Mr. MADISON admitted the force of objections to the legislature, but the pardon of treasons was so peculiarly improper for the President, that he should acquiesce in the transfer of it to the former, rather than leave it altogether in the hands of the latter. He would prefer to either an association of the Senate, as a council of advice, with the President.
Mr. RANDOLPH could not admit the Senate into a share of the power. The great danger to liberty lay in a combination between the President and that body.
Col. MASON. The Senate has already too much power. There can be no danger of too much lenity in legislative pardons, as the Senate must concur; and the President moreover can require two thirds of both Houses.
On the motion of Mr. Randolph,—
Virginia, Georgia, ay, 2; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, no, 8; Connecticut, divided.
Article 2, sect. 2, (the second paragraph.) To the end of this Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS moved to annex,—
"but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments."
Mr. SHERMAN seconded the motion.
Mr. MADISON. It does not go far enough, if it be necessary at all. Superior officers below heads of departments ought in some cases to have the appointment of the lesser officers.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. There is no necessity. Blank commissions can be sent.
On the motion,—
New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, ay, 5; Massachusetts, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 5; Maryland, divided.
The motion being lost, by an equal division of votes, it was urged that it be put a second time, some such provision being too necessary to be omitted; and, on a second question, it was agreed to, nem. con.
Article 2, sect. 1. The words, "and not per capita" were struck out as superfluous; and the words, "by the representatives," also, as improper, the choice of President being in another mode, as well as eventually by the House of Representatives.
Article 2, sect. 2. After the words "officers of the United States whose appointments are not otherwise provided for," were added the words "and which shall be established by law."
Article 3, sect. 2, (the third paragraph,) Mr. PINCKNEY and Mr. GERRY moved to annex to the end, "and a trial by jury shall be preserved as usual in civil cases."
Mr. GORHAM. The constitution of juries is different in different states, and the trial itself is usual in different cases, in different states.
Mr. KING urged the same objections.
Gen. PINCKNEY also. He thought such a clause in the Constitution would be pregnant with embarrassments.
The motion was disagreed to, nem. con.
Article 4, sect. 2, (the third paragraph,) the term "legally" was struck out; and the words "under the laws thereof," inserted after the word "state," in compliance with the wish of some who thought the term legal equivocal, and favoring the idea that slavery was legal in a moral view.
Article 4, sect. 3,—
"New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the Congress."
Mr. GERRY moved to insert, after, "or parts of states," the words "or a state and part of a state;" which was disagreed to by a large majority; it appearing to be supposed that the case was com- prehended in the words of the clause as reported by the committee.
Article 4, sect. 4. After the word "executive," were inserted the words "when the legislature cannot be. convened."
Article 5.
"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the legislatures of the several states, shall propose, amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part thereof, when the same shall have been ratified by three fourths at least of the legislatures of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress: provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 1808 shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of article 1."
Mr. SHERMAN expressed his fears that three fourths of the states might be brought to do things fatal to particular states; as abolishing them altogether, or depriving them of their equality in the Senate. He thought it reasonable that the proviso in favor of the states importing slaves should be extended, so as to provide that no state should be affected in its internal police, or deprived of its equality in the Senate.
Col. MASON thought the plan of amending the Constitution exceptionable and dangerous. As the proposing of amendments is in both the modes to depend, in the first immediately, and in the second ultimately, on Congress, no amendments of the proper kind would ever be obtained by the people, if the government should become oppressive, as he verily believed would be the case.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS and Mr. GERRY moved to amend the article, so as to require a convention on application of two thirds of the states.
Mr. MADISON did not see why Congress would not be as much bound to propose amendments applied for by two thirds of the states, as to call a convention on the like application. He saw no objection, however, against providing for a convention for the purpose of amendments, except only that difficulties might arise as to the form, the quorum, &c., which in constitutional regulations ought to be as much as possible avoided.
The motion of GOUVERNEUR MORRIS and Mr. GERRY was agreed to, nem. con.
Mr. SHERMAN moved to strike out of article 5, after "legislatures," the words, "of three fourths," and so after the word "conventions," leaving future conventions to act in this matter, like the present convention, according to circumstances.
On this motion,—
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, ay, 3; Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 7; New Hampshire, divided.
Mr. GERRY moved to strike out the words, "or by conventions in three fourths thereof." On which motion,—
Connecticut, ay, 1; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 10.
Mr. SHERMAN moved, according to his idea above expressed, to annex to the end of the article a further proviso,—
"that no state shall, without its consent, be affected in its internal police, or deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate."
Mr. MADISON. Begin with these special provisos, and ever" state will insist on them, for their boundaries, exports, &c.
On the motion of Mr. Sherman,—
Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 8.
Mr. SHERMAN then moved to strike out article 5 altogether.
Mr. BREARLY seconded the motion; on which,—
Connecticut, New Jersey, ay, 2; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 8; Delaware, divided.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS moved to annex a further proviso,—
"that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate."
This motion, being dictated by the circulating murmurs of the small stales, was agreed to without debate, no one opposing it, or on the question, saying no.
Col. MASON, expressing his discontent at the power given to Congress, by a bare majority, to pass navigation acts, which he said would not only enhance the freight, (a consequence he did not so much regard,) but would enable a few rich merchants in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, to monopolize the staples of the Southern States, and reduce their value perhaps fifty per cent., moved a further proviso,—
"that no law in the nature of a navigation act be passed before the year 1808, without the consent of two thirds of each branch of the legislature."
On which motion,—
"Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, no, 7; North Carolina, absent.
Mr. RANDOLPH, animadverting on the indefinite and dangerous power given by the Constitution to Congress, expressing the pain ne felt at differing from the body of the Convention on the close of the great and awful subject of their labors, and anxiously wishing for some accommodating expedient which would relieve him from his embarrassments, made a motion importing,
Col. MASON seconded and followed Mr. RANDOLPH in animadversions on the dangerous power and structure of the government, concluding that it would end either in monarchy or a tyrannical aristocracy—which, he was in doubt,—but one or other, he was sure. This Constitution had been formed without the knowledge or idea of the people. A second Convention will know more of the sense of the people, and be able to provide a system more consonant to it. It was improper to say to the people, take this or nothing. As the Constitution now stands, he could neither give it his support or vote in Virginia; and he could not sign here what he could not support there. With the expedient of another Convention, as proposed, he could sign.
Mr. PINCKNEY. These declarations, from members so respectable, at the close of this important scene, give a peculiar solemnity to the present moment. He descanted on the consequences of calling forth the deliberations and amendments of the different states, on the subject of government at large. Nothing but confusion and contrariety will spring from the experiment. The states will never agree in their plans, and the deputies to a second Convention, coming together under the discordant impressions of their constituents, will never agree. Conventions are serious things, and ought not to be repeated He was not without objections, as well as others, to the plan. He objected to the contemptible weakness and dependence of the executive. He objected to the power of a majority, only, of Congress, over commerce. But, apprehending the danger of a general confusion, and an ultimate decision by the sword, he should give the plan his support.
Mr. GERRY stated the objections which determined him to withhold his name from the Constitution: 1, the duration and reëligibility of the Senate; 2, the power of the House of Representatives to conceal their Journals; 3, the power of Congress over the places of election; 4, the unlimited power of Congress over their own compensation; 5, that Massachusetts has not a due share of representatives allotted to her; 6, that three fifths of the blacks are to be represented, as if they were freemen; 7, that under the power over commerce, monopolies may be established; 8, the Vice-President being made head of the Senate. He could, however, he said, get over all these, if the rights of the citizens were not rendered insecure—first, by the general power of the legislature to make what laws they may please to call "necessary and proper;" secondly, to raise armies and money without limit; thirdly, to establish a tribunal without juries, which will be a Star Chamber as to civil cases. Under such a view of the Constitution, the best that could be done, he conceived, was to provide for a second General Convention.267
On the question, on the proposition of Mr. Randolph, all the states answered, no.
On the question to agree to the Constitution, as amended, all the states, ay.
The Constitution was then ordered to be engrossed, and the House adjourned.