History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States, Vol. 2 / With Notices of Its Principle Framers

by George Ticknor Curtis

[310] "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

[311] The Constitution, Art. VI. (See Appendix.)

[312] July 17. Elliot, V. 322.

[313] The Constitution. Art. VI.

[314] Ibid. Art. III. § 2.

[315] Articles XXI., XXII., XXIII. of their draft. Elliot, V. 381.

[316] The Constitution, Art. VII.

[317] Ante, p. 177, et seq. The resolutions may be found in Elliot, V. 541 (Sept. 13). But the proceedings on them are not found in Mr. Madison's Minutes, or in the Journal of the Convention. The official record of their unanimous adoption was laid before Congress on the 28th of September, 1787, and it bears date September 17th. It recites the presence in Convention of all the states that attended excepting New York, and in the place of that State stands "Mr. Hamilton from New York." This record precedes the official letter addressed by the Convention to Congress. See Journals of Congress for September 28, 1787, Vol. XII. pp. 149-165.

[318] See a speech made by Hamilton in the Convention of New York. Works, II. 462.

[319] 4 Blackstone's Com., Book IV. ch. 6.