Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/217

1787.] were prepared to report. He then read the report in his place; and the same, being delivered in at the secretary's table, was read once throughout, and then by paragraphs; and is as follows, namely:—

The committee, to whom was referred the 1st clause of the 1st proposition reported from the grand committee, do beg leave to report:—

"1. That in the first meeting of the legislature of the United States, the first branch thereof consist of fifty-six members; of which number

"2. But as the present situation of the states may probably alter, as well in point of wealth as in the number of their inhabitants,—that the legislature be authorized from time to time to augment the number of representatives. And in case any of the states hereafter be divided, or any two or more states united, or any new state created within the limits of the United States, the legislature shall possess authority to regulate the number of representatives, in any of the foregoing cases, upon the principles of their wealth and number of inhabitants."

It was moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the 1st paragraph of the report, in order to take up the 2d; which passed in the affirmative.

On the question to agree to the 2d paragraph of the report, it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 9. Nays: New York, New Jersey, 2.

It was moved and seconded to refer the 1st paragraph of the report to a committee of one member from each state; which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, 9. Nays: New York, South Carolina, 2.

And a committee was appointed, by ballot, of the Hon. Mr. King, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Yates, Mr. Brearly, Mr. G. Morris, Mr. Read, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Madison, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Houston.

And then the house adjourned till to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, A. M.

, July 10, 1787.

The Hon. Mr. King, from the grand committee to whom was referred the 1st paragraph of the report of a committee consisting of Mr. G. Morris, Mr. Gorham, Mr. Randolph,