Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/459

 IECOKD$ OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 45 Wednesday MADISON .,t g ust 9 majority, drawn from the opportunity foreign powers would have of obstructing retaliating measures, if two thirds were made requisite. He did not think there was weight in that consideration-- The difference between a majority & two thirds did not afford room for such an opportunity. Foreign influence would also be more likely to be exerted on the Presi- dent who could require three fourths by his negative-- He did not mean however to enter into the merits. What he had in view was merely to pave the way for a declaration which he might be hereafter obliged to make if an accumulation of obnoxious ingredients should take place, that he could not give his assent to the plan. Mr Gorham. If the Government is to be so lettered as to be unable to relieve the Eastern States what motive can they have to join in it, and thereb 7 tie their own hands from meas- ures which they could otherwise take for themselves. The Eastern States were not led to strengthen the Union by fear for their own safety. He deprecated the consequences of dis- union, but if it should take place it was the Southern part of the Continent that had the most reason to dread them. lie urged the improbability of a combination against the interest of the Southern States, the different situations of the Northern & Middle States being a security against it. It was more- over certain that foreign ships would never be altogether excluded especially those of Nations in treaty with us. On the question to postpone in order to take up Mr. Pink- ney's Motion N-- It. no. Mas. no. Ct. no N.J. no. Pa. no. Del. no. Md. ay. Va ay. N. C. ay--S--C. no--Geo. ay [Ayes--4 noes -- 7.] The Report of the Committee for striking out sect: 6. requiring two thirds of each House to pass a navigation act was then agreed to, nero: con: Mr Butler moved to insert after art: XV. "If any person bound to service or labor in any of the U-- States shall escape into another State, he or she shall not be discharged from such service or labor, in consequence of any regulations subsisting in the State to which they escape, but shall be delivered up

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