D Resolutions preparatory to the formation of the Constitution. Recommended Sep 17. 1787. I Resolved that the Articles of 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. 2 Resolved therefore that the right of Suffrage in the National Legislature ought to be, proportioned to the quotas of Contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other, may serve best in different cases. 3 Resolved that the National Legislature ought to consist of two branches. devotion 4 Resolved that the Members of the first Branch of the National Legislature, ought to be elected by the people of the several States every for the term of three years, to be of the age of at least. To receive liberal stipends, by which they may be compensated for the ["duration" stricken out] of their time to public service-to be ineligible to any office established by a particular State, or under the authority of the United States, (except those peculiarly belonging to the functions of the first Branch) during the term of service, and for the space of one after the expiration; after the to be incapable of re-election for the space of expiration of their term of service, and to be subject to recal. devotion 5 Resolved, that the members of the second Branch of the Legislature, ought to be elected by the individual Legislatures: to be of the age of years at least; to hold their Offices for a term sufficient to ensure their independancy; to receive liberal Stipends by which they may be compensated for the ["devtion" stricken out] of their time to the public service; and to be in-eligible to any office established by a particular State, or under the authority of the United States (except those peculiarly belonging to the functions of the second Branch) during the term of service, and for the space of after the expiration thereof. er Λ 6 Resolved that each, Branch aught to possess the right of originating acts, that the National Legislature ought to be empowed to enjoy, the Legislative rights vested in Congress. by the Confederation, and moreover to Legislate in all cases to which the Separate States are incompetent; or in which the harmony of the United States may be interrupted, by the exercise of individual Legislation-to negative all Laws passed by the several States, contravening, in the opinion of the National Legislature, The articles of Union; or any Treaty subsisting under the Authority of the Union-and to call forth the force of the Union, against any Member of the Union, failing to fulfil its duties under the articles thereof 7th Resolved that [“the” stricken out] national Executive be ["consti" stricken out] tuted to consist of a single person, with . powers to carry into execution the National Laws, and to appoint to Offices, in cases not otherwise provided for, to be chosen by the National Legislature, for the term of seven years to receive punctually at stated times a fixed Compensation, for the services rendered, in which no increase or diminution shall be made, so as to affect the Magistracy insti a existing at the time of such increase or diminution, and to 8th Resolved that the Executive and a convenient number of 9 Resolved that a National Judiciary be established to Con- That the jurisdiction of the inferior Tribunals, shall be to hear and determine in the first instance, and of the Supreme Tribunal to hear & determine in the dernier resort; all piracies and felonies on the high Seas, Captures from an Enemy; cases in which Foreigners, or Citizens of other States applying to such jurisdictions, may be interested, or which respect the collection of the national Revenue, Impeachment of any national officer and questions which may involve, the National peace and harmony. to 10 Resolved that provision ought be made for the admisagreed sion of States, Lawfully arising within the limits of the United States whether from a voluntary junction of Government and the whole. II Resolved that a republican Government of each State agreed (except in the Voluntary junction of Government & Territory) ought to be garranteed by the United States to each State. to 12 Resolved that provision ought be made for the Continuagreed ance of a Congress and their authorities, and privileges, ["untill". stricken out] a given day, after the reform of the until Λ Articles of the Union shall be adopted, and for the Completion of all their engagements. 13 That provision ought to be made for the amendment of agreed the Articles of the Union, when soever it shall seem necessary (and that the assent of the National Legislature, ought to be required thereto) 14 Resolved that the Legislative, Executive and judicial agreed powers of the several States, ought to be bound by oath to support the Articles of Union. 15 Resolved that the amendments which shall be offered to postponed. the Confederation, by the Convention, ought at a proper time, or times, after the approbation of Congress, to be submitted to an assembly or assemblies of representatives, recommended by the several Legislatures, to be expressly chosen by the people to consider and decide thereon. [INDORSEMENT.] D Resolutions preparatory to the formation of the Constitution recommended 17 Sep1 1787 E Report of the Grand Committee July 5, 1787 The Committee to whom were refered the eighth Resolution reported from the Committee of the whole House, and so much of the 7th as hath not been decided on, submit the following Report That the subsequent propositions be recommended to the Convention, on condition that both shall be generally adopted ["of" stricken out] I That in the first Branch of the Legislature each of the That all Bills for raising and appropriating Money and for fixing the Salaries of the Officers of the Government of the United States, shall originate in the first Branch of the Legislature, and shall not be altered or amended by the second Branch: and that noney shall be drawn from the publick no Λ Treasury, but in pursuance of appropriations, to be originated by the first Branch agreed 2nd That in the second Branch of the Legislature each State 6 ay. 3. no 2 divided shall have an equal Vote. |