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Show ) 50 TilE FEDERAL CONVENTION. hereditary and irresponsible one would avoid the appearance even of a departure from republicanism. But, although the subject was so viewed in the Conv~n.tion, ~nd tl1c votes on it were more than once cqna11y d1v1dcd, 1t was finally a11d justly abandoned, ns, apart from otb_er obj~ctio.ns, it was not practicable among so many States, mcrcasmg m number, and enacting, each of them, so many laws. Instead of the proposed negative, the objects of it were left as finally provided for in the Constitution. On the arrival of the Virginia deputies at Philaclclphia, it occurred to them, tbaL from the early and prominent part taken by that State in bringing nuout the Convention, some initiative step might be expected from them. Tile resolutions introduced by Governor Randolph were the result of a consultation on the subject, with an understan<1ing that they left all the dcpn Lies entirely open :o the light_s of _discussion, and free to concur in any altcratwns or mothficatlons which their reflections and judgments might approve. The resolutions, as the journals show, became the basis on which the proceedings of the Convention commenced, and to the developments, v:uiations, and modifications of which, the plan of government proposed by tlle Convention may be traced. * * * * * * * * * * APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES BY STATES. NEw JIAMPSITIRE.-By .Act of June 27, 1787, John Langdon, J obn Pickering, Nicholas Gilman, and Benjamin West or any two of them, were " appointed and author· ized ;o act as deputies from this State to meet at Philadel· pbia, delegates from the other States ·of this Confederacy, to devise way':! to avert the dangers which threaten our e:x:· istence as a free people." MA sACIIUSETTS.-Francis Dana, Elbridge Gerry, Na· thanic1 Gorham, R ufuR l{ing, and C:1leb Strong were chosen TflE FEDERAL CONVENTION. Gl by the General Court, April 9, 1787, nnd any three of them authorized to ~ct. CoNNECTICUT.-William S. Johnson, Roger Sherman, and Oliver Ellsworth, appointed by Act of the General Assembly of the second Thursday of May, 1787. NEw YoRK.-Robert Yates, John Lansing, Jr., and Alexander Ilamilton, appointed by Act of Assembly, March 6, ] 787. NEw JERSEY.-David Brearly, Wm. C. llouston, William PaLter on, and John Neil on, appointed by the Council and Assembly, N ovembcr 23, 17 6. On the 18th :May, 1787, William Livingston and Abraham Clark,-and on the 5th June following, Jonathan Dayton, were added to those first appointed, and any three of them empowered to act. PENNSYLVANIA.-December 30, 1786, Thomas Miffiin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Jared Ingersoii, Thomas Fitz. immons, James Wilson, nnd Gouverneur :i\'Iorris were appointed by an Act of the General Assembly; and by Act of 28th March, 17 87, Benjamin Franklin was added to the list. DELAWARE.-George Read, Gunning Bedford, John Dickinson, Richard Basset, and Jacob Broom, or any three of them, were appointed by Act of Assembly of February 3 17 87. , MAH.YLAND.-J ames Mcllcnry, Daniel of St. Thomas J cnifer, Daniel Carroll, John Francis Mercer, and Luther l\fn.rtin were appointed by the llouse of Delegates and Senate, l\fay 26, 17 87. VrrrorNIA.-On the 4th December, 1786, by the IIouse of Deleg~tes, with the concurrence of the Senate, George W n:c;lungton, Patrick IIenry, Edmund Randolph, John Blmr, James Madison, George Mason, and George Wythe, wore appointed. Mr. IIenry declined, and James McClurg |