Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/566

 560 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Monday MADISON September Io ment without the approbation of Congress as being improper and giving just umbrage to that body. He repeated his objec- tions also to an annulment of the confederation with so little scruple or formality. * Mr. Hamilton concurred with Mr. Gerry as to the indecorum of not requiring the approbation of Congress. He considered this as a necessary ingredient in the transaction. He thought it wrong also to allow nine States as provided by art XXI. to institute a new Government on the ruins of the existing one. He wd propose as a better modification of the two articles (XXI & XXII) that the plan should be sent to Congress in order that the same if approved by them, may be communi- cated to the State Legislatures, to the end that they may refer it to State Conventions; each Legislature declaring that if the convention of the State should think the plan ought to take effect among nine ratifying States, the same shd take effect accordingly. Mr. Gorham 4 Some States will say that 'nine States shall be sufficient to establish the plan-- others will require unanimity for the purpose-- And the different and con- ditional ratifications will defeat the plan altogether. Mr. Hamilton-- No Convention convinced of the neces- sity of the plan will refuse to give it effect on the adoption b 7 nine States. He thought this mode less exceptionable than the one proposed in the article, and would attain the same end, Mr Fitzimmons remarked that the words "for their appro- bation" had been struck out in order to save Congress from the necessity of an Act inconsistent with the Articles of Con- federation under which they held their authority. Mr. Randolph declared if no change should be made in this part of the plan, he should be obliged to dissent from the whole of it. He had from the beginning he said been con- vinced that radical changes in the system of the Union were necessary. Under this conviction he had brought forward a set of republican propositions as the basis and outline of a See Appendix A, CXCIX.

�