The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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THURSDAY JUNE 19. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
THURSDAY JUNE 19.
A motion[112]
was made by Mr. Williamson seconded by Mr.
Bland, to recommend to the States to make it a part of the Confederation,
that whenever a fourteenth State should be added to
the Union, ten votes be required in cases now requiring nine. It
was committed to Mr. Williamson, Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Madison.
The motion had reference to the foreseen creation of the western
part of N. Carolina into a separate State.
Information was recd. by Congress, from the Executive Council
of Pennsylvania, that 80 Soldiers, who would probably be followed
by the discharged soldiers of Armand's Legion were on
the way from Lancaster to Philadelpha. in spite of the expostulations
of their officers, declaring that they would proceed to the
seat of Congress and demand justice, and intimating designs
agst the Bank. This information was committed to Mr. Hamilton,
Mr. Peters, and Mr. Ellsworth, for the purpose of conferring
with the Executive of Pennsylvania and taking such measures as
they should find necessary. The Committee after so conferring
informed Congress, that it was the opinion of the Executive that
the Militia of Philadelpa. would probably not be willing to take
arms before their resentments should be provoked by some actual
outrage; that it would hazard the authority of Govt. to make the
attempt, & that it would be necessary to let the soldiers come
into the city, if the officers who had gone out to meet them could
not stop them.
At this information Mr. Izard Mr. Mercer & others being
much displeased, signified that if the City would not support
Congress, it was high time to remove to some other place. Mr.
Wilson remarked that no part of the U. States was better disposed
towards Congrs than Pennsylvania, where the prevailing
sentiment was, that Congress had done every thing that depended
on them. After some conversation, and directing Genl St. Clair,
who had gone out of town, to be sent for, and it appearing that
nothing further could be done at present, Congress adjourned. The
Secy at War had set out for Virginia yesterday. It was proposed
to send for him, but declined as he had probably gone too great a
distance, and Genl St. Clair, it was supposed, would answer.
Motion of Mr. Williamson 2ded. by Mr. Bland June 19, 1783, com̃ited to Mr.
Williamson, Mr. Hamilton & Mr. Madison.
Whereas the safety and peace of the U. S. are greatly interested in the No. of
States that may be reqd. to vote on Questions of a particular class: and whereas
it is provided by the 9th. article of the Confederation that the U S in C asd. shall
never engage in a war nor grant letters of marque & reprisal in time of peace,
nor enter into any Treaties or Alliances nor coin money, nor regulate the value
thereof, nor ascertain the sums & expences necessary for the defence & welfare
of the U. S. or any of them, nor emit bills nor borrow money on the Credit of
the U. S. nor appropriate money nor agree upon the No. of Vessels of War to
be built or purchased or the no. of land or Sea forces to be raised, nor appt. a
Com̃der in chief of the army or Navy, unless nine States assent to the same. It
is also provided by the eleventh Art: That no Colony except Canada shall be
admitted into the Union unless such admission be agreed to by nine States, but
no provision is made for the no. of States that may be reqd. to agree in determining
such questions when the prest. no. of States shall have been increased:
And Whereas the determination of these great questions by 9 States alone when
the origl. no. may be considerably increased wd. be a sufficient departure from
the Spirit of the Confederation & might prove dangerous to the Union, Therefore
Resd. that whenever a 14 State sd. be admitd. into ye prest. Union, the vote
& agret. of 10 Sts. shall become necess.y for determg all those quests. in y. Confn.
of U. S. wch. are now determd. by no less than 9.
Resd. that ye. asst. of 3 addl. States shall be necessy. in determg those questions
for every 4 addl. Sts Yt. may be admd. into the Union.
Resd. that ye. sevl. Sts be advised to authorise their respective Delags. to subscribe
& ratify the above Resolves as part of the instrumt of Union. [Note in MS.]
| The writings of James Madison, | |