Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/51

 KECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 47 /Fdnday MADISON yly $ ments might as well be omitted; and that Congs. ought not to be continued till all the States should adopt the reform; since it may become expedient to give effect to it whenever a certain number of States shall adopt it. Mr. (Madison) the clause can mean nothing more than that provision ought to be made for preventing an interreg- num; which must exist in the interval between the adoption of the New Govt. and the commencement of its operation, if the old Govt. should cease on the first of these events. Mr. Wilson did not entirely approve of the manner in which the clause relating to the engagements of Congs. was expressed; but he thought some provision on the subject would be proper in order to prevent any suspicion that the obligations of the Confederacy might be dissolved along with the Governt. under which they were contracted. On the question on the xst part-relating to continuance of Congs." Mass. no-Cont. no. Pa. no. Del-no. Md. no. Va. ay. N. C. ay. S.C. *ay. Geo. no. [Ayes--3; noes--6.] The 2d. part as to completion of their engagements. disagd. to. hem. con. Resol. 6. "That a Republican Constitution & its existing laws ought to be guaranteid to each State by the U. States." Mr. Govr. Morris -- thought the Resol: very objectionable. He should be very unwilling that such laws as exist in R. Island should be guaranteid. Mr. Wilson. The object is merely to secure the States agst. dangerous commotions, insurrections and rebellions. Cot. Mason. If the Genl Govt. should have no right to sup- press rebellions agst. particular States, it will be in a bad situation indeed. As Rebellions agst. itself originate in & agst. individual States, it must remain a passive Spectator of its own subversion. Mr. Randolph. The Resoln. has z. Objects. I. to secure Republican Government. 2. to suppress domestic commo- tions. He urged the necessity of both these provisions. Mr.  moved to substitute "that the Constitutional
 * {In the printed Journal, $. Carolina- no.)

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