Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 3.djvu/420

 such be the guardian of the state-rights. Five states voted for the amendment, and five against it, and one state was divided, and the amendment proposed by Mr. Elsworth was lost.

“The 2d of July, General Pinckney moved for a select committee, to take into consideration both branches of the legislature. Divers opinions were presented, among which Gouverneur Morris suggested the propriety of rendering the Senate an absolute aristocracy, representing large property combined with distinguished talents.

“Mr. Madison opposed the appointment of a committee—he thought it would delay the business; and if appointed from each state, would contain the whole strength of state-prejudices. A committee notwithstanding was appointed from each state.

“The 3d of July the committee met; and agreed on the following report, on condition that both propositions should generally be adopted:

1st. That in the first branch of the legislature, each of the states be allowed one member for every 40,000 inhabitants, of the description reported in the seventh resolution of the committee of the whole house—that each state not containing that number shall be allowed one member—That all bills for raising or apportioning money and for fixing salaries of the officers of government of the United States, shall originate in the first branch, and shall not be altered or amended by the second branch—and that no money shall be drawn from the publick treasury but in pursuance of appropriation to be originated by the first branch.

“2dly. That in the second branch of the legislature of states, each state shall have an equal vote.

“Mr. Madison said he restrained himself from animadverting on the report from the respect alone which he bore to the members of the committee.”

Here end the notes of Mr. Yates. He left at that period, with Mr. Lansing, the convention. They had both uniformly opposed the Virginia system, and despairing of rendering any real service to their country, and to the state who had sent them, they left the convention and returned no more.

ⅭⅭⅭⅩⅠ.

Montpelier July 17. 1810.

Among the papers relating to the Convention of 1787. communicated to you, that copies in your hands might double the security agst. destructive casualties, was a delineation of Hamilton’s plan