U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)

Grand Convention at Philadelphia, May to September, 1787, Quill Project 2021 Edition.

The Convention

The main chamber of the Constitutional Convention, consisting of all delegates.

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Document introduced in:

Session 6230: 1787-07-05 11:00:00

First Committee on Representation reported. Connecticut Compromise reintroduced.

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Report of the First Committee on Representation (Amended)

There is 1 proposed amendment related to this document on which a decision has not been taken.

[Report of the First Committee on Representation as Amended by the Convention]

Resolved — 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

New Hampshire shall send ..... Three

Massachusetts .......................... Eight

Rhode Island ............................. One

Connecticut ............................... Five

New York ................................... Six

New Jersey ............................... Four

Pennsylvania ............................. Eight

Delaware ................................... One

Maryland .................................... Six

Virginia ....................................... Ten

North Carolina .......................... Five

South Carolina .......................... Five

Georgia ...................................... Three.

But as the present situation of the States may probably alter in the number of their inhabitants the Legislature of the United States shall be authorized from time to time to apportion the number of representatives: and in case any of the States shall hereafter be divided, or enlarged by addition of territory, or any two or more States united, or any New States created within the limits of the United States the Legislature of the United States shall possess authority to regulate the number of representatives: in any of the foregoing cases upon the principle of their number of inhabitants, according to the provisions hereafter mentioned, namely,

Provided always that representation ought to be proportioned according to direct Taxation; and in order to ascertain the alteration in the direct Taxation, which may be required from time to time by the changes in the relative circumstances of the States — Resolved that a Census be taken within six years from the first Meeting of the Legislature of the United States, and once within the term of every Ten years afterwards of all the inhabitants of the United States in the manner and according to the ratio recommended by Congress in their resolution of April 18. 1783 — and that the Legislature of the United States shall proportion the direct Taxation accordingly. That from the first meeting of the Legislature of the United States until a Census shall be taken, all monies for supplying the public Treasury by direct Taxation shall be raised from the several States according to the number of their representatives respectively in the first Branch.

Resolved That all Bills for raising or appropriating money, and for fixing the salaries of the Officers of the Government of the United States shall originate in the first Branch of the Legislature of the United States, and shall not be altered or amended by the second Branch — and that no money shall be drawn from the Public Treasury but in pursuance of appropriations to be originated by the first Branch.

8. Resolved That in the second Branch of the Legislature of the United States each State shall have an equal vote.

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