Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v5.djvu/561

1787.] on the application of the executives of the states—on the want of a more definite boundary between the general and state legislatures, and between the general and state judiciaries—on the unqualified power of the President to pardon treasons—on the want of some limit to the power of the legislature in regulating their own compensations. With these difficulties in his mind, what course, he asked, was he to pursue? Was he to promote the establishment of a plan which he verily believed would end in tyranny? He was unwilling, he said, to impede the wishes and judgment of the Convention, but he must keep himself free, in case he should be honored with a seat in the convention of his state, to act according to the dictates of his judgment. The only mode in which his embarrassment could be removed was that of submitting the plan to Congress, to go from them to the state legislatures, and from these to state conventions, having power to adopt, reject, or amend; the process to close with another General Convention, with full power to adopt or reject the alterations proposed by the state conventions, and to establish finally the government. He accordingly proposed a resolution to this effect.$261$

Dr. FRANKLIN seconded the motion.

Col. MASON urged and obtained that the motion should lie on the table for a day or two, to see what steps might be taken with regard to the parts of the system objected to by Mr. Randolph.

Mr. PINCKNEY moved,—

"that it be an instruction to the committee for revising the style and arrangement of the articles agreed on, to prepare an address to the people, to accompany the present Constitution, and to be laid, with the same, before the United States in Congress."

The motion itself was referred to the committee, ''nem. con.''

Mr. RANDOLPH moved to refer to the committee, also, a motion relating to pardons in cases of treason; which was agreed to, ''nem. con.''

Adjourned. 

, September 11.

In Convention.—The report of the committee of style and arrangement not being made, and being waited for,—

The House adjourned. 

 , September 12.

In Convention.—Dr. JOHNSON, from the committee of style, &c., reported a digest of the plan, of which printed copies were ordered to be furnished to the members. He also reported a letter to accompany the plan to Congress.

