The Journal of the
Debates in the Convention
Which Framed
The Constitution of the
United States
May-September, 1787
As Recorded by
James Madison
Edited by
Gaillard Hunt
In Two Volumes
Volume II.
G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1908
The Knickerbocker Press, New York
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
PAGE
Chronology [vii]
Journal of the Constitutional Convention [1]
Index [417]
FAC-SIMILE.
FACING
PAGE
First Page of the Constitution, reduced [a]414]
CHRONOLOGY OF JAMES MADISON.
1787.
1787
July 19. Advocates election of the Executive by the people.
July 20. Speaks in favor of making the Executive impeachable.
July 21. Seconds proposition to include the Judiciary with the Executive in power to revise laws.
Moves that judges be appointed by the Executive with concurrence of two-thirds of Senate.
July 25. Shows the difficulty of devising satisfactory mode of selecting Executive.
August 7. Advocates liberal suffrage.
August 8. Moves that basis of representation in House of Representatives be one to not more than 40,000 inhabitants.
Opposes proposition that money bills originate only in House of Representatives.
August 9. Opposes incorporation in constitution of provision against persons of foreign birth holding office.
August 10. Moves that legislature have power to compel attendance of members.
August 11. Moves that Congress publish its journals, except such parts of Senate proceedings as may be ordered kept secret.
Advocates a centrally located capital.
August 13. Seconds motion in favor of liberal treatment of foreigners.
Speaks in favor of participation of Senate in making appropriations.
August 15. Moves that all bills be passed upon by the Executive and Judiciary before becoming laws.
August 16. Advocates national power to tax exports.
August 17. Moves that legislature have power to declare war.
August 18. Submits propositions for national power over public lands, to form governments for new States, over Indian affairs, over seat of government, to grant charters of incorporation, copyrights, to establish a university, grant patents, acquire forts, magazines, etc.
Speaks in favor of national control of militia.
August 22. Appointed on committee to consider navigation acts.
Moves that States have power to appoint militia officers under rank of general officers.
Moves to commit question of negative of State laws.
Moves to include the Executive in treaty-making power.
August 25. Declares it is wrong to admit the idea of property in men in constitution.
August 27. Suggests that in case of death of President his council may act.
Moves form of oath for President.
Moves that judges' salaries be fixed.
Expresses doubt whether Judiciary should have power over cases arising under constitution.
August 28. Moves that States be forbidden to lay embargoes, export and import duties.
August 29. Speaks in favor of navigation acts.
August 31. Moves that ratification of constitution be by a majority of States and people.
Advocates ratification by State conventions.
Appointed on committee to consider parts of constitution and propositions not yet acted upon.
Sept 3. Thinks eventual election of President by legislature should be made difficult.
Sept 7. Moves that Senate have power to make treaties of peace without President.
Sept 8. Moves that quorum of Senate be two-thirds of all the members.
Seconds motion to increase representation.
Sept 14. Suggests that legislature should have power to grant charters of incorporation.
Sept 17. Signs constitution.