Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/396

 39 � RECORI)S OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Thursday MADISON lugust z 3 of the x8 clause "enforce treaties" as being superfluous since treaties were to be "laws" ...... which was agreed to nem: contrad: Mr Govr Morris moved to alter Ist. part. of I8. clause- sect. i. art. VII so as to read "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, x�press insur- rections and repel invasions". which was agreed to hem: con- trad On the question then to agree to the I8 clause of sect. x. art: 7. as amended it passed in the affirmative nero: contra- dicente. Mr C--Pinkhey moved to add as an additional power to be vested in the Legislature of the U.S. "To negative all laws passed by the several States interfering in the opinion of the Legislature with the General interests and harmony of the Union;" provided that two thirds of the members of each House assent to the same" This principle he observed had formerly been agreed to.n He considered the precaution as essentially necessary: The objection drawn from the pre- dominance of the large (States) had been removed by the equality established in the Senate-- Mr. Broome 2ded. the proposition. Mr. Sherman thought it unnecessary; the laws of the Gen- eral Government being Supreme & paramount to the State laws according to the plan, as it now stands. Mr. Madison proposed that it should be committed-- He had been from the beginning a friend to the principle; but thought the modification might be made better. Mr. Mason wished to know how the power was to be exer- cised. Are all laws whatever to be brought up? Is no road nor bridge to be established without the Sanction of the Gen- eral Legislature? Is this to sit constantly in order to receive & revise the State Laws? He did not mean by these remarks to condemn the expedient, but he was apprehensive that great objections would lie agst. it. x0 See Appendix A, CCX. n See above June 8 (with references under note 3), July 17 and Appendix A, XCI, CCCXXVI, CCCLXXXIII.

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