The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2

by United States. Constitutional Convention; James Madison

M^r King thought this amend^t necessary, otherwise as the Constitution now stands it will operate on the whole though ratified by a part only. Adjourned.

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Friday August 31^st 1787. In Convention.

M^r King moved to add to the end of Art: XXI the words "between the said States" so as to confine the operation of the Gov^t to the States ratifying it.

On the question

N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. M^d no. Virg^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.

M^r Madison proposed to fill the blank in the article with "any seven or more States entitled to thirty three members at least in the House of Representatives according to the allotment made in the 3 Sect: of Art: 4." This he said would require the concurrence of a majority of both the States and the people.

M^r Sherman doubted the propriety of authorizing less than all the States to execute the Constitution, considering the nature of the existing Confederation. Perhaps all the States may concur, and on that supposition it is needless to hold out a breach of faith.

M^r Clymer and M^r Carrol moved to postpone the consideration of Art: XXI in order to take up the Reports of Committees not yet acted on. On this question, the States were equally divided.

N. H. ay. Mas. no. C^t div^d. N. J. no. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a no. N. C. no. S. C. no. G. ay.