"Ordered, That the said draft be referred to the committee of the whole house appointed to consider of the state of the American Union."
And then the house adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
The Hon. Roger Sherman, Esq., a deputy of the state of Connecticut, attended and took his seat. The order of the day being read, the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole house to consider of the state of the American Union. The president left the chair.
In Committee of the whole House.
Mr. Gorham, chosen by ballot, took the chair of the committee.
The propositions offered yesterday to the consideration of the house, by Mr. Randolph, were read; and, on motion of Mr. Randolph, seconded by Mr. G. Morris, "That the consideration of the 1st resolution contained in the said propositions be postponed," it was passed in the affirmative.
It was then moved by Mr. Randolph, and seconded by Mr. G. Morris, to substitute the following resolution in the place of the 1st resolution:—
"Resolved, That a union of the states, merely federal, will not accomplish the objects proposed by the Articles of Confederation, namely, 'common defence, security of liberty, and general welfare.'"
It was now moved by Mr. Butler, seconded by Mr. Randolph, to postpone the consideration of the said resolution, in order to take up the following resolution, submitted by Mr. Randolph, viz.:—
"Resolved, That a national government ought to be established, consisting of a supreme legislative, judiciary, and executive."
It was moved by Mr. Read, seconded by Mr. C. C. Pinckney, to postpone the consideration of the last resolution, in order to take up the following:—
"Resolved, That, in order to carry into execution the design of the states, in forming this Convention, and to accomplish the objects proposed by the Confederation, 'a more effective government, consisting of a legislative, judiciary, and executive, ought to be established.'"
On the question to postpone, in order to take up the last resolution, the question was lost.
Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, South Carolina, 4. Nays: New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, 4.
On motion to agree to the said resolution, moved by Mr.
