On Mr Govr Morris's motion to substitute &c. it was agreed to.
N. H. no. Mass. ay. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa ay. Del. no. Md no. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Art: XVII–before the House, as amended.
Mr Sherman was against it. He thought it unnecessary. The Union cannot dismember a State without its consent.
Mr Langdon thought there was great weight in the argument of Mr Luther Martin, and that the proposition substituted by Mr Govr Morris would excite a dangerous opposition to the plan.
Mr Govr Morris thought on the contrary that the small States would be pleased with the regulation, as it holds up the idea of dismembering the large States.
Mr Butler. If new States were to be erected without the consent of the dismembered States, nothing but confusion would ensue. Whenever taxes should press on the people, demagogues would set up their schemes of new States.
Docr Johnson agreed in general with the ideas of Mr Sherman, but was afraid that as the clause stood, Vermont would be subjected to N. York, contrary to the faith pledged by Congress. He was of opinion that Vermont ought to be compelled to come into the Union.
Mr Langdon said his objections were connected with the case of Vermont. If they are not taken in, & remain exempt from taxes, it would prove of great injury to N. Hampshire and the other neighbouring States.
Mr Dickinson hoped the article would not be agreed to. He dwelt on the impropriety of requiring the small States to secure the large ones in their extensive claims of territory.