Col. MASON seconded the motion, declaring that he would sooner chop off his right hand than put it to the Constitution as it now stands He wished to see some points, not yet decided, brought to a decision, before being compelled to give a final opinion on this article. Should these points be improperly settled, his wish would then be to bring the whole subject before another General Convention.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS was ready for a postponement. He had long wished for another Convention, that will have the firmness to provide a vigorous government, which we are afraid to do.
Mr. RANDOLPH stated his idea to be, in case the final form of the Constitution should not permit him to accede to it, that the state conventions should be at liberty to propose amendments, to be submitted to another General Convention, which may reject or incorporate them, as may be judged proper.
On the question for postponing,—
New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, ay, 3; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 8.
On the question on article 22, ten states, ay; Maryland, no.
Article 23 being taken up, as far as the words "assigned by Congress," inclusive, was agreed to, nem. con., the blank having been first filled with the word "nine," as of course.
On a motion for postponing the residue of the clause, concerning the choice of the President, &c.,—
Massachusetts, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, ay, 4; New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, no, 7.
Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS then moved to strike out the words "choose the President of the United States, and," this point, of choosing the President, not being yet finally determined; and, on this question,—
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, (in the printed Journal, South Carolina, no,) Georgia, ay, 9; New Hampshire, no, 1; Maryland, divided.
Article 23, as amended, was then agreed to, nem. con.
The report of the grand committee of eleven, made by Mr. Sherman, was then taken up. (See the 28th of August.)
On the question to agree to the following clause, to be inserted after article 7, sect. 4,—
"nor shall any regulation of commerce or revenue give preference to the ports of one state over those of another,"—
agreed to, nem. con.
On the clause,—
"or oblige vessels bound to or from any state to enter, clear, or pay duties, in another,"
Mr. MADISON thought the restriction would be inconvenient, as in the River Delaware, if a vessel cannot be required to make entry below the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.
Mr. FITZSIMONS admitted that it might be inconvenient, but
