:

sir, I can say with truth, that so far was I from being influenced in my conduct by interest, or the consideration of office, that I would cheerfully resign the appointment I now hold; I would bind myself never to accept another, either under the general government or that of my, own state I would do more, sir, so destructive do I consider the present system to the happiness of my country, I would cheerfully sacrifice that share of property with which heaven has blessed a life of industry-I would reduce myself to indigence and poverty, and those who are dearer to me than my own existence I would entrust to the care and protection of that providence who hath so kindly protected myself, if on those terms only I could procure my country to reject those chains which are forged for it.

SECRET DEBATES

OF THE

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Notes of the Secret Debates of the Federal Convention of 1787, taken by the late Hon. ROBERT YATES, Chief Justice of the State of New-York, and one of the Delegates from that State to the said Convention.

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1787.

Attended the convention of the states, at the state house in Philadelphia, when the following states were

NORTH-CAROLINA, Alexander Martin,

William Richardson Davie,

Richard Dobbs Spaight,

Hugh Williamson.

SOUTH-CAROLINA, John Rutledge,

Charles Cotesworth Pinkney,

Charles Pinckney,

Pierce Butler.

A motion by R. Morris, and seconded, that General Washingtou take the chair-unanimously agreed to.

When seated, he (Gen. Washington) declared, that as he never had been in such a situation, he felt himself embarrassed; that he hoped his errors, as they would be unintentional, would be excused.

Mr. Hamilton, in behalf of the state of New-York, moved that Major Jackson be appointed secretary; the delegates for Pennsylvania, moved for Temple Franklin: by a majority Mr. Jackson carried it-called in and took his seat.

After which, the respective credentials of the seven states were read. N. B. That of Delaware restrained its delegates from assenting to an abolition of the fifth article of the confederation, by which it is declared that each state shall have one vote.

Door keeper and messengers being appointed, the house adjourned to Monday the 28th day of May, at ten o'clock.

MONDAY, MAY 28, 1787.

Met pursuant to adjournment.

A committee of three members, (whose appointment I omitted in the entry of the proceedings of Friday last,) reported a set of rules for the order of the convention; which being considered by articles, were agreed to, and additional ones proposed and referred to the same committee. The representation was this day increased

to nine states-Massachusetts and Connecticut becoming represented. Adjourned to next day.

TUESDAY, MAY 29th, 1787.

The additional rules agreed to.

His excellency Governor Randolph, a member from Virginia, got up, and in a long and elaborate speech, shewed the defects in the system of the present federal government as totally inadequate to the peace, safety and security of the confederation, and the absolute necessity of a more energetic government.

He closed these remarks with a set of resolutions, fifteen in number, which he proposed to the convention for their adoption, and as leading principles whereon to form a new government-He candidly confessed that they were not intended for a federal government-he meant a strong consolidated union, in which the idea of states should be nearly annihilated. [I have taken a copy of these resolutions, which are hereunto annexed.] He then moved that they should be taken up in committee of the whole house.

Mr. C. Pinkney, a member from South-Carolina, then added, that he had reduced his ideas of a new government to a system, which he read, and confessed that it was grounded on the same principle as of the above resolutions.

The house then resolved, that they would the next day form themselves into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the union.

Adjourned to next day.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30th, 1787.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

The convention, pursuant to order, resolved itself into a committee of the whole-Mr. Gorham (a member from Massachusetts) appointed chairman.

N

Mr. Randolph then moved his first resolve, to wit: "Resolved, that the articles of the confederation ought "to be so corrected and enlarged, as to accomplish the "objects proposed by their institution, namely, common "defence, security of liberty, and general welfare."

Mr. G. Morris observed, that it was an unnecessary resolution, as the subsequent resolutions would not agree with it. It was then withdrawn by the proposer, and in licu thereof the following were proposed, to wit:

1. Resolved, That a union of the states, merely federal, will not accomplish the objects proposed by the articles of the confederation, namely, common defence, security of liberty, and general welfare.

2. Resolved, That no treaty or treaties among any of the states as sovereign, will accomplish or secure their common defence, liberty or welfare.

3. Resolved, That a national government ought to be established, consisting of a supreme judicial, legislative and executive.

In considering the question on the first resolve, various modifications were proposed, when Mr. Pinkney observed, at last, that if the convention agreed to it, it appeared to him that their business was at an end; for as the powers of the house in general were to revise the present confederation, and to alter or amend it as the case might require; to determine its insufficiency or incapability of amendment or improvement, must end in the dissolution of the powers.

This remark had its weight, and in consequence of it, the 1st and 2d resolve was dropt, and the question agitated on the third.

This last resolve had also its difficulties; the term supreme required explanation-It was asked whether it was intended to annihilate state governments? It was answered, only so far as the powers intended to be granted to the new government should clash with the states, when the latter was to yield.