Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/380

 374 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Wednesday MADISON lugst 2 Mr Govr. Morris wished the whole subject to be com- mitted including the clauses relating to taxes on exports & to a navigation act. These things may form a bargain among the Northern & Southern States. Mr. Butler declared that he never would agree to the power of taxing exports. Mr. Sherman said it was better to let the S. States import slaves than to part with them, if they made that a sine qua non. He was opposed to a tax on slaves imported as making the matter worse, because it implied they were property. He acknowledged that if the power of prohibiting the impor- tation should be given to the Genl. Government that it would be exercised. He thought it would be its duty to exercise the power. Mr. Read was for the commitment provided the clause concerning taxes on exports should also be committed. Mr. Sherman observed that that clause had been agreed to & therefore could not committed. Mr. Randolph was for committing in order that some middle ground might, if possible, be found. He could never agree to the clause as it stands. He wd. sooner risk the constitution -- He dwelt on the dilemma to which the Convention was ex- posed. By agreeing to the clause, it would revolt the Quakers, the Methodists, and many others in the States having no slaves. On the other hand, two States might be lost to the Union. Let us then, he said, try the chance of a commitment. On the question for committing the remaining part of Sect 4 & 5. of art: 7. N.H. no. Mas. abst. Cont. ay N.J. ay Pa. no. Del. no Maryd ay. Va ay. N. C. ay S.C. ay. Geo. ay. [Ayes -- 7; noes -- $; absent -- I.] Mr. Pinkhey & Mr. Langdon moved to commit sect. 6. as to navigation act (by two thirds of each House.) Mr. Gorham did not see the propriety of it. Is it meant to require a greater proportion of votes ? He desired it to be remembered that the Eastern States had no motive to Union but a commercial one. They were able to protect themselves. They were not afraid of external danger, and did not need the aid of the Southn. States.

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