Mr Randolph considered it necessary to prevent that competition between the National Constitution & laws & those of the particular States, which had already been felt. The officers of the States are already under oath to the States. To preserve a due impartiality they ought to be equally bound to the Natl Govt. The Natl authority needs every support we can give it. The Executive & Judiciary of the States, notwithstanding their nominal independence on the State Legislatures are in fact, so dependent on them, that unless they be brought under some tie to the Natl System, they will always lean too much to the State systems, whenever a contest arises between the two.
Mr Gerry did not like the clause. He thought there was as much reason for requiring an oath of fidelity to the States from Natl officers, as vice versa.
Mr Luther Martin moved to strike out the words requiring such an oath from the State officers, viz "within the several States," observing that if the new oath should be contrary to that already taken by them it would be improper; if coincident the oaths already taken will be sufficient.
On the question for striking out as proposed by Mr. L. Martin
Massts no. Cont ay. N. Y. no. N. J. ay. Pa no. Del. ay. Md ay. Va no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
Question on whole Resolution as proposed by Mr Randolph;
Massts ay. Cont no. N. Y. no. N. J. no. Pa ay. Del. no. Md no. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Come rose & House Adjd.