Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/171

1787.] Butler, it passed in the affirmative ; and the resolution, as agreed to, is as follows:—

"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that a national government ought to be established, consisting of a supreme legislative, judiciary, and executive."

Yeas: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 6. Nay: Connecticut, 1. Divided: New York, 1.

The following resolution was then moved by Mr. Randolph:—

"Resolved, That the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be proportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of free inhabitants, as the one or the other rule may seem best in different cases."

It was moved by Mr. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Spaight, that the resolution be altered so as to read,—

"Resolved, That the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be proportioned to the number of free inhabitants."

It was moved and seconded, that the resolution be postponed; and on the question to postpone, it passed in the affirmative.

The following resolution was moved by Mr. Randolph, seconded by Mr. Madison:—

"Resolved, That the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be proportioned——"

It was moved and seconded to add the words, "and not according to the present system."

On the question to agree to the amendment, it passed in the affirmative.

It was then moved and seconded so to alter the resolution that it should read,—

"Resolved, That the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought not to be according——"

It was then moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the last resolution.

And on the question to postpone, it passed unanimously in the affirmative.

The following resolution was then moved by Mr. Madison, seconded by Mr. G. Morris:—

"Resolved, That the equality of suffrage, established by the Articles of Confederation, ought not to prevail in the national legislature; and that an equitable ratio of representation ought to be substituted."

It was moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the last resolution.

And on the question to postpone, it passed in the affirmative.