Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/222

202 to direct taxation; and, in order to ascertain the alterations in the direct taxation which may be required, from time to time, by the changes in the relative circumstances of the states,—

"Resolved, That a census be taken within two years from the first meeting of the legislature of the United States, and once within the term of every years afterwards, of all the inhabitants of the United States, in the manner, and according to the ratio, recommended by Congress in their resolution of April 18, 1783; and that the legislature of the United States shall proportion the direct taxation accordingly."

It was moved and seconded to strike out the word "two," and insert the word "six;" which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, 5. Nays: Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, 4. Divided: Delaware, 1.

It was moved and seconded to fill up the blank with the number "twenty." Passed in the negative.

Yeas: Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 3. Nays: Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 7.

It was moved and seconded to fill up the blank with the word "ten;" which passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 8. Nays: Connecticut, New Jersey, 2.

It was moved and seconded to strike out the words "in the manner, and according to the ratio, recommended by Congress in their recommendation of April 18, 1783;" and to substitute the following, namely, "of every description and condition;" which passed in the negative.

Yeas: South Carolina, Georgia, 2. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 8.

The question being about to be put on the clause as amended, the previous question was called for, and passed in the negative.

Yea: New Jersey, 1. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 8. Divided: Delaware, 1.

On the question to agree to the clause as amended, namely,—

"Provided always, That representation ought to be proportioned according to direct taxation; and, in order to ascertain the alterations in the direct taxation which may be required, from time to time, by the changes in the relative circumstances of the states,—

"Resolved, That a census be taken within six years from the first meeting of the legislature of the United States, and once within the term of every ten years afterwards, of all the inhabitants of the United States, in