Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/31

 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 2 7 Tuesday MADISON July x? Mr. Bedford. It is not more extensive or formidable than the clause as it stands: no State being separately competent to legislate for the general interest of the Union. On question for agreeing to Mr. Bedford's motion. (it passed in the affirmative.) Mas. ay. Cont. no. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. ay. Md. ay. Va. no. N. C. ay. S.C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes--6; noes--4.] On the sentence as amended, (it passed in the affirmative.) Mas. ay. Cont. ay. N.J. ay. Pa. ay. Del. ay. Md. ay. Va. ay. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no. [Ayes- 8; noes- z.] {The next. --) "To negative all laws passed by the several States {contravening in the opinion of the Nat: Legislature the articles of Union, or any treaties subsisting under the authority of ye Union") 9 Mr. Govt. Morris opposed this power as likely to be ter- rible to the States, and not necessary, if sufficient Legislative authority should be given to the Genl. Government. Mr. Sherman thought it unnecessary, as the Courts of the States would not consider as valid any law contravening the Authority of the Union, and which the legislature would wish to be negatived. Mr. L. Martin considered the power as improper & inad- missable. Shall all the laws of the States be sent up to the Genl. Legislature before they shall be permitted to operate? Mr. (Madison,) considered the negative on the laws of the States as essential to the efficacy & security of the Genl. Govt. The necessity of a general Govt. proceeds from the propensity of the States to pursue their particular interests in opposition to the general interest. This propensity will continue to disturb the system, unless effectually controuled. Nothing short of a negative on their laws will controul it. They can pass laws which will accomplish their injurious objects before they can be repealed by the Genl Legislre. or be set aside by the National Tribunals. Confidence can (not) be put in the State Tribunals as guardians of the National author- ity and interests. In all the States these are more or less Revised from Journal.

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