Source material

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 19 Jun 1787, 11:00
First Resolution (Tripartite Government)

People: Robert Yates

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 22 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mason's Amendment Redrafting the Third Clause

People: George Mason

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 22 Jun 1787, 11:00
Motion that the Question Be Taken on Ellsworth's Amendment

People: John Rutledge

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 22 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Hamilton. It has been often asserted, that the interests of the general and of the state legislatures are precisely the same. This cannot be true. The views of the governed are often materially different from those who govern. The science of policy...

People: James Wilson Oliver Ellsworth Alexander Hamilton

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 22 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Rutledge’s motion was then put — 4 states for the clause — 5 against — 2 states divided. New-York divided.

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 23 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Wilson. I perceive that some gentlemen are of opinion to give a bias in favor of state governments — This question ought to stand on the same footing. Mr. Sherman. By the conduct of some gentlemen, we are erecting a kingdom to act against itself....

People: James Wilson Roger Sherman

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 26 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Madison. Congress heretofore depended on state interests — we are now going to pursue the same plan. Mr. Wilson. Congress has been ill managed, because particular states controlled the union. In this convention, if a proposal is made promising...

People: James Wilson Charles Cotesworth Pinckney James Madison Pierce Butler

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 28 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Sherman. In society, the poor are equal to the rich in voting, although one pays more than the other. This arises from an equal distribution of liberty amongst all ranks; and it is, on the same grounds, secured to the states in the confederation —...

People: Roger Sherman James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 30 May 1787, 10:00
First Resolution (Revision of Articles of Confederation)

People: Edmund Randolph

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 30 May 1787, 10:00
Mr. G. Morris observed, that it was an unnecesaary [sic] resolution, as the subsequent resolutions would not agree with it.

People: Gouverneur Morris

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 30 May 1787, 10:00
This remark had its weight, and in consequence of it, the 1st and 2d resolve was dropt, and the question agitated on the third.

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 09 Jun 1787, 11:00
Consider the Second Resolution

People: William Paterson David Brearley

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 09 Jun 1787, 11:00
On motion of Mr. Patterson, the consideration of the 2d resolve was taken up, which is as follows: Resolved, therefore, that the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be apportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of...

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 23 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Butler. The proposed amendment does not go far enough. How easily may this be evaded. What was the conduct of George the second to support the pragmatic sanction? To some of the opposers he gave pensions — others offices, and some, to put them out...

People: George Mason James Wilson Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer Elbridge Gerry James Madison John Rutledge Pierce Butler Rufus King

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 23 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Mason. We must retain this clause, otherwise evasions may be made. The legislature may admit of resignations and thus make members eligible — places may be promised at the close of their duration, and that a dependency may be made. Mr. Gerry. And...

People: Elbridge Gerry George Mason Alexander Hamilton John Rutledge

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 25 Jun 1787, 11:00
Fourth Resolution (Second Branch of Legislature)

People: Edmund Randolph

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 25 Jun 1787, 11:00
Fourth Resolution - First Clause (Selection of Members)

People: Nathaniel Gorham

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 25 Jun 1787, 11:00
Read's Amendment for Membership to Last as Long as Good Behaviour

People: George Read

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 25 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Madison. We are proceeding in the same manner that was done when the confederation was first formed — Its original draft was excellent, but in its progress and completion it became so insufficient as to give rise to the present convention. By the...

People: James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 28 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Martin in continuation. On federal grounds, it is said, that a minority will govern a majority — but on the Virginia plan a minority would tax a majority. In a federal government, a majority of states must and ought to tax. In the local government...

People: Luther Martin

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 07 Jun 1787, 11:00
Dickinson's Amendment for the Second Branch of the National Legislature to be Chosen by the State Legislatures

People: Roger Sherman John Dickinson

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 11 Jun 1787, 11:00
Madison's Amendment on Partition of States

People: James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 11 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Read against the resolve in toto. We must put away state governments, and we will then remove all cause of jealousy. The guarantee will confirm the assumed rights of several states to lands which do belong to the confederation.

People: George Read

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 11 Jun 1787, 11:00
Madison's Amendment Reworking the Eleventh Resolution

People: Edmund Randolph James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 12 Jun 1787, 11:00
The 15th or last resolve was taken into consideration. No debate arose on it, and the question was put and carried — 5 states for it, 3 against, and 2 divided. New-York in the negative. [Editors' note: The Journal records this vote in full in the...

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 29 Jun 1787, 10:00
Judge Elsworth. I now move the following amendment to the resolve — that in the second branch each state have an equal vote. I confess that the effect of this motion is, to make the general government partly federal and partly national. This will...

People: Oliver Ellsworth Abraham Baldwin James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 09 Jun 1787, 11:00
He [Gerry] supposed that in the national legislature there will be a great number of bad men of various descriptions — these will make a wrong appointment. Besides, an executive thus appointed, will have his partiality in favor of those who appointed...

People: Elbridge Gerry Edmund Randolph

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 12 Jun 1787, 11:00
Consider Postponed Parts

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 12 Jun 1787, 11:00
Having thus gone through with the resolves, it was found necessary to take up such parts of the preceding resolves as had been postponed, or not agreed to.

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 12 Jun 1787, 11:00
Postpone Sixth Resolution - Fifth Clause (Coercion of States)

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 12 Jun 1787, 11:00
6th resolve agreed to be postponed, sine die. [Editors' note: Yates is the only account that mentions this decision, which presumably refers to the final clause alone. He does not include a vote count.]

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 13 Jun 1787, 11:00
The committee having now gone through the whole of the propositions from Virginia — Resolved, That the committee do report to the convention their proceedings — This was accordingly done. (See a copy of it hereunto annexed.) The house resolved on the...

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 30 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Martin. Mr. Wilson’s motion or plan would amount to nearly the same kind of inequality. Mr. King. The Connecticut motion contains all the vices of the old confederation. It supposes an imaginary evil — the slavery of state governments. And should...

People: James Madison Gunning Bedford Jonathan Dayton Oliver Ellsworth Luther Martin Robert Yates Rufus King

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 09 Jun 1787, 11:00
Credentials for the State of Massachusetts

People: William Paterson

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 11 Jun 1787, 11:00
Dickinson's Amendment for Representation based on Taxation

People: John Dickinson

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 11 Jun 1787, 11:00
He [Wilson] supposed that the impost will not be the only revenue — the post office he supposes would be another substantial source of revenue. He observed further, that this mode had already received the approbation of eleven states in their...

People: James Wilson Elbridge Gerry James Madison

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 16 Jun 1787, 11:00
Postpone First Resolution

People: Oliver Ellsworth

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 19 Jun 1787, 11:00
Motion to Rise and Report Inadmissibility of New Jersey Plan

People: Rufus King

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 19 Jun 1787, 11:00
Mr. Dickinson supposed that there were good regulations in both. Let us therefore contrast the one with the other, and consolidate such parts of them as the committee approve.

People: John Dickinson

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: First Committee on Representation, Date: 03 Jul 1787, 11:00
The grand committee met. Mr. Gerry was chosen chairman.

People: Elbridge Gerry

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: First Committee on Representation, Date: 03 Jul 1787, 11:00
Proposals for the Consideration of the First Committee on Representation

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 15 Jun 1787, 11:00
Thereupon it was agreed, that the report be postponed, and that the house will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration both propositions to-morrow.

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: Committee of the Whole House, Date: 07 Jun 1787, 11:00
Consider the Mode of Electing the Second Branch of the National Legislature

People: John Rutledge

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: First Committee on Representation, Date: 03 Jul 1787, 11:00
By the proceedings in the convention they were so equally divided on the important question of representation in the two branches, that the idea of a concilatory adjustment must have been in contemplation of the house in the appointment of this...

People: Robert Yates

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: First Committee on Representation, Date: 03 Jul 1787, 11:00
Report of the First Committee on Representation

People: Benjamin Franklin

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: First Committee on Representation, Date: 03 Jul 1787, 11:00
These remarks gave rise to a motion of Dr. Franklin, which after some modification was agreed to, and made the basis of the following report of the committee. The committee to whom was referred the eighth resolution, reported from the committee of the...

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 15 Jun 1787, 11:00
Postpone Consideration of New Jersey Plan for a Day

People: John Lansing

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition), Committee: The Convention, Date: 15 Jun 1787, 11:00
Col. Hamilton cannot say he is in sentiment with either plan — supposes both might again be considered as federal plans, and by this means they will be fairly in committee, and be contrasted so as to make a comparative estimate of the two.

People: Alexander Hamilton

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U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)

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