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Show 120 'l'lljj; oTA1'E CONVENTIONS. the States so ratifying tho same. Bnt, sir, how huppy will it be if, not only nino, but oven all the States should ratify it. . . . It will be a happy circumstance 1f only a small mnJonty of this Convention shonlu ratify the fe<.1cral system; but how much more happy if we could be unanimous I .Anu if there are any means whereby 1 hey mny bo unite<.l, every exertion should be mauo to cfl'ect it. I presume, sir, that there is uoL a single genLlcman within these walls who does uot wish for a fe<.leral government-for an efficient federal government; and that this govern ~en t should be possessed of every power necessary to enable 1 t to shed on the people the benign influence of a good government. The third paragraph of the 2d section being read, Mr. King, a member of the Federal Convention, rose to explain it. There has, says he, been much misconception of this section. It is a principle of this Constitution that representation and taxation should go hand in hand. This para- ) graph states that to the number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding InL1ians not taxed, three-fiflhs of all other persons shall be ad <led. These persons are the slaves. By this rule arc representation and taxation to be apportioned ; and it was adopted, because it was the bnguage of all America. According to tho ConfederaLion, ratified in 1781, the sums for the general welfare and defense should bo apportioncu according to the surveyed lands, and improvements thereon, in the several States; but that it hath never been in the power of Congress to follow that rule, the returns from the several States being so very imperfect. TilE t>'I'ATIJ.: CONY 11N'l'l ONS. 121 EXTRACTS FROM TilE DEDATES IN TIIE CONVEN· TION OF 'l'liE S 'l'A'rE OF NEW YORK. June 20, l 7H~. *.:\lr. Hamilton said: In order that tho connniLtco may uncl er:tand clearly the principle on which the geueral Convention acteci, I think it Jt cce, sary to explain some preliminary ci rcum: tnnccs. Sir, the natural situation of Lllis country seems to divide it ~ in te rests in to clifTc·n·11t clas:cs. There Hrc nnvignling- nncl nott- nn,vigal irtg S tnl( '!'. 'l'hc Nor!hc·m :trc• propc· rly 11avigating RLales; the Southn11 appeal' to possess neitll (' l' tl1e nJ enns nor the sp irit of navign. tion. 'I' h i~ d d1'1· n·rH·c• o1· situation nnt urally producPs a dis. imilarity ol' iJtiPrt•-;ts :111<l vicwR rrRpee ting foreign commerce. l t was Lll<· in t <' rc·st oft heN ort horn States that t hero should be no ret:>trainiH 0 11 t.hcit· navigation, and that they should have full power, by a mnjority in CongrcHs, to m:1kc commercial regulations in favor of their own, and in restrain t of the navigation of foreigncra. rn10 Southern States wi~hed to impose a restraint on the Northern, by reqnirillg that two-thirds in Congress should be rcqui ·ito to pass an net in regulation of commerce. They were apprehensive that the restraints of a navigation 1nw would di. courage foreigners, and, by obliging them to employ the shipping of tho Northern States, would probably enhance theil' freight. This being the case, they insisted strenuously on having this provi~ion en grafted in the Oonsti t uti on ; an c1 the N oithem States were as anxious in opposing H. On the oLltcr hand, the small States, seeing themselves emiJ raced by the Confederation upon equal termH, wished to retain ihe advantages which they aIr ady possess ·u. 'rile large StaLes, on the contrary, thought it improper thai H.ho<1e I s1J1nd and Delaware should enjoy an equal sniTrage with themselves. ·* Mr. Hamilton was tho only dulegate iu the New Ynrk Co nvention that discus8ed, or oxpre:-;Hud an op iniou 0 11 th"" l:! Ul>j uot of ola.vory. .t. .~ ~ • ~ :1:- ••• I •I' • !• .. ··I •'.• ~;·I I •.' ., ,, ~' ., |
