Journal of the Federal Convention

Tuesday, July 10, 1787.

The Hon. Mr. King, from the grand committee to whom was referred the 1st paragraph of the report of a committee consisting of Mr. G. Morris, Mr. Gorham, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. King, informed the house that the committee were prepared to report. He then read the report in his place; and the same, being delivered in at the secretary’s table, was again read, and is as follows, namely:—

“That in the original formation of the legislature of the United States, the first branch thereof shall consist of sixty-five members, of which number

It was moved and seconded to amend the report by striking out the word “three” in the apportionment of representation to New Hampshire, and inserting the word “two;” which passed in the negative.

Yeas: South Carolina, Georgia, 2. Nays: Massachusetts, Conecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 9.

It was moved and seconded to amend the report by striking out the word “five” in the apportionment of representation to North Carolina, and inserting the word “six;” which passed in the negative.

Yeas: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 3. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 8.

It was moved and seconded to amend the report by striking out the word “five” in the apportionment of representation to South Carolina, and inserting the word “six;” which passed in the negative.

Yeas: Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 4. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, 7.

It was moved and seconded to amend the report by striking out the word “three” in the apportionment of representation to Georgia, and inserting the word “four;” which passed in the negative.

Yeas: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 4. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 7.

It was moved and seconded to double the number of representatives, in the first branch of the legislature of the United States, apportioned by the report of the grand committee to each state; which passed in the negative.

Yeas: Delaware, Virginia, 2. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 9.

On the question to agree to the report of the grand committee, it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 9. Nays: South Carolina, Georgia, 2.

It was moved and seconded to add the following amendments after the 2d paragraph of the report from the committee consisting of Mr. Morris, Mr. Gorham, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. King:—

“That, in order to ascertain alterations in the population and wealth of the states, the legislature of the United States be required to cause a proper census and estimate to be taken once in every term of…years.”

It was moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the last motion, in order to take up the following, namely:—

“That the committee of eleven, to whom was referred the report of the committee of five, on the subject of representation, be requested to furnish the Convention with the principles on which they grounded the report;” which passed in the negative.

Yea: South Carolina, 1. Nays: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, 10.

And then the house adjourned till to-morrow at 11 o’clock, A. M.

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