Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v1.djvu/337

1787.] "that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate;" which passed in the affirmative.

It was moved, as a further proviso,— "that no law, in nature of a navigation act, be passed, prior to the year 1808, without the consent of two thirds of each branch of the legislature;" which passed in the negative.

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

It was moved,— " that amendments to the plan might be offered by the conventions, which should be submitted to, and finally decided on, by another General Convention;" which passed in the negative—all the states concurring.

It was moved and seconded,— "that amendments to the plan might be offered by the state conventions, which should be submitted to, and finally decided on, by another General Convention."

Passed unanimously in the negative.

The blanks in the 5th article of the revised draft were filled up; and it was otherwise amended to read as follows:—

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress: Provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 1808 shall in any manner affect the 1st and 4th clauses in the 9th section of the 1st article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate."

On the question to agree to the Constitution as amended, it passed in the affirmative—ALL THE STATES CONCURRING.

Ordered, That the Constitution be engrossed. The house adjourned.

, September 17, 1787.

Close of the General Convention.

The engrossed Constitution being read, it was moved that the Constitution be signed by the members in the following, as a convenient form:—

"Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present the 17th September, &,c. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names."