“Mr. Wilson moved to insert ‘two thirds of’ before the words ‘several States’—on which amendment to the motion of Mr. Sherman
“N. H. ay. Mas. (no). Ct. no. N. J. (no). Pa. ay. Del. ay. Md. ay. Va. ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no. (Ayes—5; noes—6).
“Mr. Wilson then moved to insert ‘three fourths of’ before ‘the several Sts.’ which was agreed to nem: con:
“Mr. Madison moved to postpone the consideration of the amended proposition in order to take up the following,
“‘The Legislature of the U.S. whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem necessary, or on the application of two thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as parts thereof, when the same shall have been ratified by three fourths at least of the Legislatures of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Legislature of the U.S.’
“Mr. Hamilton 2ded. the motion.
“Mr. Rutlidge said he never could agree to give a power by which the articles relating to slaves might be altered by the States not interested in that property and prejudiced against it. In order to obviate this objection, these words were added to the proposition: ‘provided that no amendments which may be made prior to the year 1808, shall in any manner affect the 4 & 5 sections of the VII article.’ The postponement being agreed to,
“On the question On the proposition of Mr. Madison & Mr. Hamilton as amended
“N.H. divd. Mas. ay. Ct. ay. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. no. Md. ay. Va. ay. N.C. ay. S.C. ay. Geo. ay. (Ayes—9; noes—1; divided—1.)”
II Farrand, 558, 559.