Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia: In the Year 1787, for the Purpose of Forming the Constitution of the United States of America. From the Notes Taken by the Late Robert Yates ... and Copied by John Lansing, Jun. ... Including "The Genuine Information," Laid Before the Legislature of Maryland, by Luther Martin ... Also, Other Historical Documents Relative to the Federal Compact of the North American Union |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
adopted agreed alter amendment appointed approve articles of confederation Carolina chosen citizens clause congress Connecticut consideration considered consist constitution convention danger Delaware divided duties Edmund Randolph elected electors ernment establish executive federacy federal government foreign Georgia Gerry gislature give honor house of representatives impeachment important individual inhabitants interest Jersey plan JOHN LANSING judges judiciary JUNE jurisdiction lature laws legislative liberty Madison majority manner Maryland Massachusetts ment militia motion moved national government national legislature necessary negative New-Jersey New-York object opinion opposed peace Pennsylvania person Pinkney Present 11 preserve president principles proceedings proportion proposed propositions pursuant to adjournment question ratified reason regulations reported representation resolutions Resolved respective Richard Bassett second branch Sect senate South Carolina suppose supreme court taxes territory thereof tion tive treasury treaties United vention vested Virginia plan whole number Wilson Yates
Popular passages
Page 14 - Acts; that the national Legislature ought to be empowered to enjoy the Legislative Rights vested in Congress by the Confederation and moreover to legislate in all cases to which the separate States are incompetent, or in which the harmony of the United States may be interrupted by the exercise of individual Legislation...
Page 262 - It is obviously impracticable in the federal government of these States, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all : Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.
Page 268 - Congress it is expedient that on the second Monday in May next a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several States, be held at Philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein as shall, when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States, render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the...
Page 249 - To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures; To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States; To establish post-offices and post-roads; To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors the...
Page 244 - That after such publication the electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected : That the electors should meet on the day fixed for the election of the President, and should transmit their votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States...
Page 227 - ... that all acts of the United States in Congress, made by virtue and in pursuance of the powers hereby, and by the Articles of Confederation, vested in them, and all treaties made and ratified under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the respective States, so far forth as those acts or treaties shall relate to the said States or their citizens ; and that the Judiciary of the several States shall be bound thereby in their decisions, any thing in the respective laws of...
Page 262 - That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every State, is not, perhaps, to be expected ; but each will doubtless consider that, had her interest been alone consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe ; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish.
Page 247 - Sect. 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to th.e places of choosing senators.
Page 223 - Committee, that a national Government ought to be established, consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.
Page 239 - Congress for the security of the parties concerned : provided, that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath, to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the state, where the cause shall be tried, " well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgment, without favor, affection, or hope of reward :" provided also, that no state shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.