Col. Mason was for opening a wide door for emigrants; but did not chuse to let foreigners and adventurers make laws for us & govern us. Citizenship for three years was not enough for ensuring that local knowledge which ought to be possessed by the Representative. This was the principal ground of his objection to so short a term. It might also happen that a rich foreign Nation, for example Great Britain, might send over her tools who might bribe their way into the Legislature for insidious purposes. He moved that "seven" years instead of "three," be inserted.
Mr Govr Morris 2ded the Motion, & on the question, all the States agreed to it except Connecticut.
Mr Sherman moved to strike out the word "resident" and insert "inhabitant," as less liable to misconstruction.
Mr Madison 2ded the motion, both were vague, but the latter least so in common acceptation, and would not exclude persons absent occasionally for a considerable time on public or private business. Great disputes had been raised in Virga concerning the meaning of residence as a qualification of Representatives which were determined more according to the affection or dislike to the man in question, than to any fixt interpretation of the word.
Mr Wilson preferred "inhabitant."
Mr Govr Morris, was opposed to both and for requiring nothing more than a freehold. He quoted great disputes in N. York occasioned by these terms, which were decided by the arbitrary will of the majority. Such a regulation is not necessary. People rarely chuse a nonresident–It is improper as in the 1st branch, the people at large, not the States, are represented.
Mr Rutlidge urged & moved, that a residence of 7 years shd be required in the State Wherein the Member shd be elected. An emigrant from N. England to S. C. or Georgia would know little of its affairs and could not be supposed to acquire a thorough knowledge in less time.
Mr Read reminded him that we were now forming a Natl Govt and such a regulation would correspond little with the idea that we were one people.
Mr Wilson. enforced the same consideration.
Mr Madison suggested the case of new States in the West, which could have perhaps no representation on that plan.