16th. In the 5th paragraph of the 9th article, after the words "in any term of," strike out "three," and insert "two."
Passed in the negative; 3 ayes, 7 noes, 1 divided.
17th. In the 6th paragraph of the 9th article, for "unless nine states," read "unless eleven states."
Passed in the negative; 2 ayes, 9 noes.
18th. At the end of the same paragraph, strike out the words "in Congress assembled."
Passed in the negative; 1 ay, 10 noes.
19th. In the last paragraph of the 9th article, after the words "and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each state on," for "any," read "every," and strike out the words "when it is desired by any delegate."
Passed in the negative; 2 ayes, 9 noes.
20th. In the same sentence, strike out "a state or," and also "at his or their request;" and after the words "and the," insert "respective states of the," and after "shall," insert "upon requisition."
Passed in the negative; 1 ay, 10 noes.
21st. Amend the last clause of the 13th article, so as to read "unless such alteration be agreed to by eleven of the United States in Congress assembled, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of eleven of the United States."
Passed in the negative; 3 ayes, 6 noes, 2 divided.
PROCEEDINGS WHICH LED TO THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Saturday, February 3, 1781.—The order of the day (being a report concerning the laying a duty of five per cent.) was called for, when a motion was made by Mr. Witherspoon, seconded by Mr. Burke,—
"That it is indispensably necessary that the United States in Congress assembled should be vested with a right of superintending the commercial regulations of every state, that none may take place that shall be partial or contrary to the common interest; and that they should be vested with the exclusive right of laying duties upon all imported articles; no restriction to be valid, and no such duty to be laid, but with the consent of nine states; provided, that all duties and imposts laid by the United States in Congress assembled, shall always be a certain proportion of the value of the article or articles on which the same shall be laid; and the same articles shall bear the same duty and impost throughout the said states without exemption; and provided, that all such duties and imposts shall be for the perfecting of certain specified purposes, which purposes being perfected, the said duties and imposts so appropriated shall cease; provided also, that the United States in Congress assembled shall not be empowered to appropriate any duties or imposts for perpetual annuities, or other perpetual or indefinite interests, or for annuities for more than three lives at the same time in being, or for a longer term than———years."
On the question to agree to this, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Mathews, it passed in the negative.
