"To fix and permanently establish the seat of Government of the U. S. in which they shall possess the exclusive right of soil & jurisdiction."
"To establish seminaries for the promotion of literature and the arts & sciences."
"To grant charters of incorporation."
"To grant patents for useful inventions."
"To secure to Authors exclusive rights for a certain time."
"To establish public institutions, rewards and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, commerce, trades and manufactures."
"That funds which shall be appropriated for the payment of public Creditors, shall not during the time of such appropriation, be diverted or applied to any other purpose and that the Committee prepare a clause or clauses for restraining the Legislature of the U. S. from establishing a perpetual revenue."
"To secure the payment of the public debt."
"To secure all creditors under the new Constitution from a violation of the public faith when pledged by the authority of the Legislature."
"To grant letters of mark and reprisal."
"To regulate Stages on the post roads."
Mr Mason introduced the subject of regulating the militia. He thought such a power necessary to be given to the Genl Government. He hoped there would be no standing army in time of peace, unless it might be for a few garrisons. The Militia ought therefore to be the more effectually prepared for the public defence. Thirteen States will never concur in any one system, if the disciplining of the Militia be left in their hands. If they will not give up the power over the whole, they probably will over a part as a select militia. He moved as an addition to the propositions just referred to the Comittee of detail, & to be referred in like manner, "a power to regulate the militia."
Mr Gerry remarked that some provision ought to be made in favor of public Securities, and something inserted concerning letters of marque, which he thought not included in the power of war. He proposed that these subjects should also go to a Committee.
Mr Rutlidge moved to refer a clause "that funds appropriated to public creditors should not be diverted to other purposes."
Mr Mason was much attached to the principle, but was afraid such a fetter might be dangerous in time of war. He suggested the necessity of preventing the danger of perpetual revenue which must of necessity subvert the liberty of any country. If it be objected to on the principle of Mr Rutlidge's motion that public Credit may require perpetual provisions, that case might be excepted; it being declared that in other cases, no taxes should be laid for a longer term than –— years. He considered the caution observed in Great Britain on this point as the paladium of public liberty.
Mr Rutlidge's motion was referred–He then moved that a Grand Committee be appointed to consider the necessity and expediency of the U. States assuming all the State debts–A regular settlement between the Union & the several States would never take place. The assumption would be just as the State debts were contracted in the common defence. It was necessary, as the taxes on imports the only sure source of revenue were to be given up to the Union. It was politic, as by disburdening the people of the State debts it would conciliate them to the plan.
Mr King and Mr Pinkney seconded the motion. (Col. Mason interposed a motion that the Committee prepare a clause for restraining perpetual revenue, which was agreed to nem. con.)
Mr Sherman thought it would be better to authorize the Legislature to assume the State debts, than to say positively it should be done. He considered the measure as just and that it would have a good effect to say something about the matter.
Mr Elseworth differed from Mr Sherman. As far as the State debts ought in equity to be assumed, he conceived that they might and would be so.
Mr Pinkney observed that a great part of the State debts were of such a nature that although in point of policy and true equity they ought, yet would they not be viewed in the light of federal expenditures.