Free Republic

Two Thirds Treaty Requirement. Lawful Officers. Impeachment. Supreme Court Trial. Money Bills & Appropriations. Oaths. Calling Congress into Session. Committee of Style. Hamilton & More Congressmen. In Convention. The last Report of [FN1] Committee of Eleven (see Sepr. 4) was resumed. Mr. KING moved to strike out the "exception of Treaties of peace" from the general clause requiring two thirds of the Senate for making Treaties Mr. WILSON wished the requisition of two thirds to be struck out altogether If the majority cannot be trusted, it was a proof, as observed by Mr. Ghorum, that we were not fit for...

Down in the Electoral Weeds. Disabled President. Natural Born Citizen. The Useless Vice President. Ambassadors. Treaties. New Corps of Officers. Recess Appointments. Two Thirds Treaty Requirement. Privy Council. In Convention. The mode of constituting the Executive being resumed, Mr. RANDOLPH moved, to insert in the first Section of the report made yesterday [FN2] "The Legislature may declare by law what officer of the U. S. shall act as President in case of the death, resignation, or disability of the President and Vice-President; and such officer shall act accordingly until the time of electing a President shall arrive." Mr. MADISON observed...

Presidential Elections. James Wilson Speech. Aristocratic Senate. Hamilton Speech. Electors. Same Day Election Throughout US. In Convention. Mr. KING and Mr. GERRY moved to insert in the (4) [FN2] clause of the Report (see Sepr. 4 [FN3]) after the words "may be entitled in the Legislature" the words following-"But no person shall be appointed an elector who is a member of the Legislature of the U. S. or who holds any office of profit or trust under the U. S." which passed nem: con: Mr. GERRY proposed, as the President was to be elected by the Senate out of the...

Marque & Reprisal. Standing Armies. Seat of Government. Forts, Magazines, . . . Copyrights. Representation in first Congress. Presidential Elections. Four or Seven Year Terms. Aristocracy. In Convention. Mr. BREARLEY from the Committee of Eleven made a farther report as follows, (1) To add to the clause "to declare war" the words "and grant letters of marque and reprisal" (2) To add to the clause "to raise and support armies" the words "but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years" (3) Instead of sect: 12. art 6. say-"All bills for raising...

Committee of Eleven Report. Taxing Power. Common Defense & General Welfare. Commerce Clause. Four Year Presidential Terms. No Term Limits. Vice President. Electoral College. Five Highest. In Convention. Mr. BREARLY from the Committee of eleven made a further partial Report as follows, "The Committee of Eleven to whom sundry resolutions &c were referred on the 31st. of August, report that in their opinion the following additions and alterations should be made to the Report before the Convention, viz [FN2](1.) The first clause of sect: 1. art. 7. to read as follow-'The Legislature shall have power to lay and collect taxes...

Bankruptcies. Full Faith & Credit. Appointive Office Corruption. In Convention. Mr. Govr. MORRIS moved to amend the Report concerning the respect to be paid to Acts Records &c of one State, in other States (see Sepr. 1.) by striking out "judgments obtained in one State shall have in another" and to insert the word "thereof" after the word "effect" Col: MASON favored the motion, particularly if the "effect" was to be restrained to judgments & Judicial proceedings Mr. WILSON remarked, that if the Legislature were not allowed to declare the effect the provision would amount to nothing more than what...

Article 6 Section 9. Civil Office Holders. Bankruptcies. Full Faith & Credit. In Convention. Mr. BREARLEY (NJ) from the Comme. of eleven to which were referred yesterday, the postponed parts of the Constitution, & parts of Reports not acted upon, made the following partial report. That in lieu of the 9th. Sect: of art: 6. the words following be inserted viz "The members of each House shall be ineligible to any civil office under the authority of the U. S. during the time for which they shall respectively be elected, and no person holding an office under the U. S....

Articles XXI-XXIII. How Many States to Form a Government? Popular or State Government Ratification. Congressional Endorsement. Implement a Government. Section 4 Article VII. No Interstate Duties. In Convention. Mr. KING moved to add to the end of art: XXI the words "between the said States" so as to confine the operation of the Govt. to the States ratifying it. On the question N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Ct. ay. N. J. ay. Pa. ay. Md. no. Virga. ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. [FN2] Mr. MADISON proposed to fill the blank in the article with "any seven...

Articles XVII-XXI. Western Lands & New States, A Real Mess. More Threats to Leave the Convention. Republican Government. Rebellion. Amendment Process. Oaths. How Many States to Form a Government? In Convention. Art XVII [FN2] resumed for a question on it as amended by Mr. Govr. Morris's substitutes. [FN3] Mr. CARROL moved to strike out so much of the article as requires the consent of the State to its being divided. He was aware that the object of this prerequisite might be to prevent domestic disturbances, but such was our situation with regard to the Crown lands, and the sentiments of...

Bankruptcies. Full Faith. William Blackstone & Ex Post Facto Law. Commerce as Trade. Sectional Rivalry. Navigation Acts. Randolph Resists the Constitution. Article VII Section 6 Navigation Acts Struck. New States. Article XVII. In Convention. Art: XVI. [FN2], [FN3], taken up. Mr. WILLIAMSON moved to substitute in place of it, the words of the Articles of Confederation on the same subject. He did not understand precisely the meaning of the article. Mr. WILSON & Docr. JOHNSON supposed the meaning to be that Judgments in one State should be the ground of actions in other States, & that acts of the Legislatures...

Ports & Trade Report Tabled. Appellate Review. Article XI Sections 3 & 4. Habeas Corpus. Impeachment. Gold & Silver Coin. Paper Money Ban. Contracts. Madison & Judicial Review. Ex Post Facto. Article XII. Commerce. Embargoes. State Imposts. Article XIII. Mississippi. Clymer Outburst. Article XIV. Privileges and Immunities. Fugitive Slaves. Article XV. In Convention. Mr. SHERMAN from the Committee to whom were referred several propositions on the 25th. instant, made the following report- [FN2] That there be inserted after the 4 clause of [FN3] 7th. Section "Nor shall any regulation of commerce or revenue give preference to the ports of one...

Article X. Pardons. Militia. Interim Presidents. Preserve, Protect and Defend. Oaths. Article XI Sections 1-3. Judiciary. Gusts of Faction. Judicial Salaries & Jurisdiction. Samuel Johnson & Judicial Review. Judiciary Nature. Madison & Morris Judicial Power. In Convention. Art X. Sect. 2. [FN2] being resumed. Mr. L. MARTIN moved to insert the words "after conviction" after the words "reprieves and pardons" Mr. WILSON objected that pardon before conviction might be necessary in order to obtain the testimony of accomplices. He stated the case of forgeries in which this might particularly happen- Mr. L. MARTIN withdrew his motion. Mr. SHERMAN moved to...

Article VII Section 1 Clause 1. Taxation & Speculation. Committee of Eleven. Article VII Sections 4-6. Slave Import Tax. $10. Article VIII. Commerce Clause & Ports. Article X Section 2. Executive Duties. In Convention. The 1st. clause of 1 Sect. of art: VII [FN2] being reconsidered Col. MASON objected to the term "shall" -fullfil the engagements & discharge the debts &c as too strong. It may be impossible to comply with it. The Creditors should be kept in the same plight. They will in one respect be necessarily and properly in a better. The Government will be more able to...

Article VII Sections 4-6. Slavery. Taxes. Navigation Acts. Article IX Sections 2-3. Judiciary. Article X. Congress Appoints the President. Public Good. Morris Speech. Popular Electors. Public Offices. In Convention. Governour LIVINGSTON, from the Committee of Eleven, to whom were referred the two remaining clauses of the 4th. Sect & the 5 & 6 Sect: of the 7th. art: [FN2] delivered in the following Report: "Strike out so much of the 4th Sect: as was referred to the Committee and insert-"The migration or importation of such persons as the several States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be...

Article VII Sections 1, 6 & 7. Second Grand Committee Report: Militias and RKBA. Civil War. Princes. Articles VIII, IX. Congressional Veto of State Law. James Wilson and Judicial Review. State Debt. Speculators. Treaties. In Convention. The Report of the Committee of Eleven made Aug: 21. [FN2] being taken up, and the following clause being under consideration to wit "To make laws for organizing, arming & disciplining the Militia, and for governing such part [FN3] of them as may be employed in the service of the U. S. reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and authority...

Article VII Section 4. Slavery. Memorable Mason Speech. Navigation Acts. Second Grand Committee Report. Bills of Attainder. Ex Post Facto. Judicial Review. Old Engagements & Debt. In Convention. Art VII sect 4. [FN1], [FN2] resumed. Mr. SHERMAN was for leaving the clause as it stands. He disapproved of the slave trade; yet as the States were now possessed of the right to import slaves, as the public good did not require it to be taken from them, & as it was expedient to have as few objections as possible to the proposed scheme of Government, he thought it best to...

Grand Committee Report. State Debt & Militias. Article VII Sections 3 & 4. Reconcile Old Requisitions. Article VI Section 12, Origination of Bills and Money Bills. More Commerce Clause. Taxation of Exports. Necessary and Proper Insight. Slave Import Tax. In Convention. Governour LIVINGSTON from the Committee of Eleven to whom was referred the propositions respecting the debts of the several States and also the Militia entered on the 18th. inst: delivered the following report: "The Legislature of the U. S. shall have power to fulfil the engagements which have been entered into by Congress, and to discharge as well the...

Article VII Section 1 Clause 18. Article VII Sections 2 & 3. Pinckney and Morris Amendments. Council of Revision. Council of State. Sumptuary Laws. Necessary & Proper. Treason. What is Direct Taxation? In Convention. Mr. PINKNEY submitted to the House, in order to be referred to the Committee of detail, the following propositions- "Each House shall be the Judge of its own privileges, and shall have authority to punish by imprisonment every person violating the same; or who, in the place where the Legislature may be sitting and during the time of its Session, shall threaten any of its members...

Article VII Section 1 Clauses 15-17. More Enumerated Powers. Seat of Government. Forts & Magazines. Regulate the Militia. Perpetual Taxes. Assumption of State Debt. Raise Armies. Maintain a Navy. More Militia. In Convention. Mr. MADISON submitted in order to be referred to the Committee of detail the following powers as proper to be added to those of the General Legislature "To dispose of the unappropriated lands of the U. States" "To institute temporary Governments for New States arising therein" "To regulate affairs with the Indians as well within as without the limits of the U. States "To exercise exclusively Legislative...

Article VII Section 1 Clauses 9-14. Enumerated Powers. Inferior Tribunals. Piracy and Punishments. Rebellions. Militia. War. In Convention. Art VII. Sect. 1. [FN1], [FN2] resumed. on the clause "to appoint [FN3] Treasurer by ballot." Mr. GHORUM moved to insert "joint" before ballot, as more convenient as well as reasonable, than to require the separate concurrence of the Senate. Mr. PINKNEY 2ds. the motion. Mr. SHERMAN opposed it as favoring the larger States. Mr. READ moved to strike out the clause, leaving the appointment of the Treasurer as of other officers to the Executive. The Legislature was an improper body for...