Journal of the Federal Convention

Thursday, August 23, 1787.

It was moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the 2d clause of the report of the committee of eleven, in order to take up the following:—

“To establish a uniform and general system of discipline for the militia of these states, and to make laws for organizing, arming, disciplining, and governing, such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States,—reserving to the states, respectively, the appointment of the officers, and all authority over the militia not herein given to the general government.”

On the question to postpone, it passed in the negative.

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

It was moved by Mr. Ellsworth, and seconded, to postpone the consideration of the 2d clause of the report of the committee of eleven, in order to take up the following:—

“To establish a uniformity of arms, exercise, and organization for the militia, and to provide for the government of them when called into the service of the United States.”

On the question to postpone, it passed in the negative.

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

It was moved and seconded to recommit the 2d clause of the report of the committee of eleven; which passed in the negative.

On the question to agree to the 1st part of the 2d clause of the report, namely,—

“To make laws for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States,”—

it passed in the affirmative.

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

It was moved and seconded to amend the next part of the 2d clause of the report, to read,—

“reserving to the states, respectively, the appointment of the officers under the rank of general officers.”

It passed in the negative.

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

On the question to agree to the following part of the 2d clause of the report, namely,—

“reserving to the states, respectively, the appointment of the officers,”

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