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42
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

this convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification; and that each convention assenting to, and ratifying the same, should give notice thereof to the United States in congress assembled.

Congress to fix a day for appointing electors of president, &c. 2. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention, that as soon as the conventions of nine states shall have ratified this constitution, the United States in congress assembled, should fix a day on which electors should be appointed by the states which shall have ratified the same, and a day on which the electors should assemble to vote for the president, and the time and place for commencing proceedings under this constitution. That after such Mode recommended for carrying the constitution into effect. publication, the electors should be appointed, and the senators and representatives elected. That the electors should meet on the day fixed for the election of the president, and should transmit their votes, certified, signed, sealed, and directed, as the constitution requires, to the secretary of the United States, in congress assembled; that the senators and representatives should convene at the time and place assigned; that the senators should appoint a president of the senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, opening, and counting the votes for president; and, that after he shall be chosen, the congress, together with the president, should, without delay, proceed to execute this constitution.

By the unanimous order of the convention,
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.

William Jackson, Secretary.




IN CONVENTION, September 17th, 1787.

Sir,

Letter from the convention that framed the constitution, to the president of congress. 1. We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in congress assembled, that constitution which has appeared to use the most advisable.

2. The friends of our country have long seen and desired, that the power of making war, peace, and treaties; that of levying money, and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the general government of the union: but the impropriety of delegating such extensive trust to one body of men, is evident; hence results the necessity of the different organization.