Mr Sherman. To examine and compare the States in relation to imports and exports will be opening a boundless field. He thought the matter had been adjusted, and that imports were to be subject, and exports not, to be taxed. He thought it wrong to tax exports except it might be such articles as ought not to be exported. The complexity of the business in America would render an equal tax on exports impracticable. The oppression of the uncommercial States was guarded agst by the power to regulate trade between the States. As to compelling foreigners, that might be done by regulating trade in general. The Government would not be trusted with such a power. Objections are most likely to be excited by considerations relating to taxes & money. A power to tax exports would shipwreck the whole.
Mr Carrol was surprised that any objection should be made to an exception of exports from the power of taxation.
It was finally agreed that the question concerning exports shd lie over for the place in which the exception stood in the report: Maryd alone voting agst it.
Sect: 1. (Art. VII) agreed to; Mr Gerry alone answering, no.
Clause for regulating commerce with foreign nations &c. agreed to nem. con.
for coining money. agd to nem. con.
for regulating foreign coin. do do.
for fixing standard of weights & measures. do do.
"To establish post-offices," Mr Gerry moved to add, and post-roads. Mr Mercer 2ded. & on question
N.H. no. Mass. ay. Ct no. N.J. no. Pena no. Del. ay. Md ay. Va ay. N.C. no. S.C. ay. Geo. ay.
Mr Govr Morris moved to strike out "and emit bills on the credit of the U. States"–If the United States had credit such bills would be unnecessary; if they had not, unjust & useless.
Mr Butler, 2ds the motion.
Mr Madison, will it not be sufficient to prohibit the making them a tender? This will remove the temptation to emit them with unjust views. And promissory notes in that shape may in some emergencies be best.