Quill
  1. Overview: U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)
  2. Full Record: U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)
  3. Committee:Committee of Detail
  4. Session: 1787-07-30 11:00:00
  5. Event type: CREATE

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)

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

Committee of Detail

Committee charged with creating a Constitution based on the resolutions agreed by the Convention.

The Committee Secretary's View The Committee Secretary's View

To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Document introduced in:

Session 6310: 1787-07-30 11:00:00

A rough draft of the Constitution drawn up. The New Jersey and Pinckney Plans considered.

Document View (with components):

Document VI: Committee of Detail's Rough Draft

There are 0 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

We the People of the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New. York, New. Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North. Carolina, South. Carolina and Georgia do ordain declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of ourselves and of our Posterity. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

1. [+e675686]

The Stile of this Government shall be the “United People and States of America.” [+e675686]

[+e675686]

2. [+e675686]

The Government shall consist of supreme legislative, executive and judicial Powers. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

3. [+e675686]

The legislative Power shall be vested in a Congress to consist of two separate and distinct Bodies of Men, a House of Representatives, and a Senate each of which shall in all Cases have a Negative on the other [+e675686]

[+e675686]

4. [+e675686]

The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second Year by the People of the several States comprehended within this Union. The [+e675686]Qualifications[+e675688]Time and Place and the Manner and the[+e675686 -e675688] of [+e675686]holding [+e675686 -e675688]the Elect[+e675686]or[+e675688]ions and the Rule[+e675686 -e675688]s shall be [+e675686]prescrib[+e675688]appoint[+e675686 -e675688]ed by the Legislatures of the several States; but the[+e675686]se[+e675688] provisions [+e675686]which they shall make [+e675686 -e675688]concerning them [+e675686]may at any Time be altered and superseded by[+e675688]shall be subject to the Control of[+e675686 -e675688] the Legislature of the United States. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Every Member of the House of Representatives shall be of the Age of twenty five Years at least; shall have been a Citizen in the United States for at least three Years before his Election, and shall be, at the Time of his Election, a Resident of the State, in which he shall be chosen. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The House of Representatives shall, at its first Formation [+e675686]and until the Number of Citizens and Inhabitants shall be taken in the Manner hereinafter described [+e675688]consist of 65 Members, of whom three shall be chosen in New-Hampshire, eight in Massachusetts, &c. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

As the Proportions of Numbers in the different States will alter from Time to Time; as some of the States may be hereafter divided; as others may be enlarged by Addition of Territory, or two or more States may be united; and as new States will be erected within the Limits of the United States; the Legislature shall, in each of these cases, possess Authority to regulate the Number of Representatives [+e675686]by the Number of Inhabitants [+e675688]according to the provisions herein after made. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Direct Tax[+e675688]Represent[+e675686 -e675688]ation shall always be in Proportion to [+e675686]Represent[+e675688]direct Tax[+e675686 -e675688]ation[+e675686] in the House of Representatives[+e675688]. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Proportions of direct Taxation shall be regulated by the whole Number of white and other Free Citizens and Inhabitants of every &c. ____ which Number shall,[+e675686] be taken[+e675686 -e675688] within six Years after the first Meeting of the Legislature[+e675686] of the United States[+e675686 -e675688], and within the Term of every ten Years afterwards, be taken in such Manner as the said Legislature shall direct[+e675686] and appoint[+e675686 -e675688]. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

From the first Meeting of the Legislature until the Number of Citizens and Inhabitants shall be taken[+e675686] in the Manner before mentioned[+e675686 -e675688], direct Taxation shall be in Proportion to the Number of [+e675686]Represen[+e675688]Inhabi[+e675686 -e675688]ta[+e675686]n[+e675686 -e675688]t[+e675686]ive[+e675688]s chosen in each State. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

All Bills for raising or appropriating Money and for fixing the Salaries of the Officers of Government shall originate in the House of Representatives, and shall not be altered or amended by the Senate. No money shall be drawn from the public Treasury, but in Pursuance of Appropriations that shall originate in the House of Representatives. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The House of Representatives shall be the grand Inquest of this Nation; and all Impeachments shall be made by them. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Vacancies in the House of Representatives shall be supplied by Writs of Election from the Executive Authority of the State in the Representation [+e675686]o[+e675686 -e675688]f[+e675686]rom[+e675688] which they shall happen. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Senate of the United States shall be chosen [+e675686]every sixth year [+e675686 -e675688]by the Legislatures of the several States; Each Legislature shall chuse two Members. [+e675686]Each Member[+e675688]The votes[+e675686 -e675688] shall [+e675686]have one Vote. [+e675688]

[+e675688]

T[+e675688]not be given by States, but by t[+e675686 -e675688]he Members [+e675686]of the Sen[+e675688]from each St[+e675686 -e675688]ate s[+e675686]hall be chosen for six Years; provided that i[+e675688]eparately. Each Member shall have one Vote. [+e675686 -e675688]

[+e675686 -e675688]

I[+e675686 -e675688]mmediately after the first Election they shall be divided by Lot into three Classes as nearly as may be, and numbered one, two and three. The Seats of the Members of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, and so on continually, that a third Part of the Members of the Senate may be chosen every second Year. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Every Member of the Senate shall be of the Age of thirty Years at least, shall have been a citizen in the United States for at least four Years before his Election, and shall be, at the Time of his Election a Resident of the State for which he shall be chosen [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Senate [+e675686]of the United States [+e675688]shall [+e675686]have P[+e675688]be emp[+e675686 -e675688]ower[+e675686]ed[+e675686 -e675688] to make Treaties[+e675686] of Peace, of Alliance, and of Commerce[+e675686 -e675688], to send Ambassadors, and to appoint the Judges of the Supreme, national Court [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Each House of the Legislature shall possess the right of originating Bills, except in Cases beforementioned [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Senate shall chuse its own President and other Officers [+e675686]

[+e675686]

In each House [+e675686]of the Legislature [+e675688]a Majority of the Members shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from Day to Day [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Each House of the Legislature shall be the Judge of the Elections Returns, and Qualifications of its own Members [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Times and Places and the Manner of holding the Elections of the Members of each House shall be prescribed by the Legislatures of each State; but their Provisions concerning them may, at any Time, be altered and superseded by the Legislature of the United States. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Legislature of the United States shall have Authority to establish such Qualifications of the Members of each House [+e675686]with Regard to Property[+e675688]of the Legislature[+e675686 -e675688] as to the said Legislature shall seem proper and expedient. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Members of each House shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained and paid by the State in which they shall be chosen [+e675686]

[+e675686]

A Majority of the Members of each House shall constitute a Quorum to do Business but a smaller Number than a Majority of them may, in each House, adjourn from Day to Day. [+e675686 -e675688]

[+e675686 -e675688]

Each House shall have Authority to determine the Rules of its Proceedings, and to punish its own Members for disorderly [+e675686]and indecent [+e675686 -e675688]Behaviour [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Each House may expel a Member, but not a second Time for the same Offence. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Freedom of Speech [+e675686]

[+e675686]

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three Days without the Consent of the other; nor with such Consent, to any other Place than that at which the two Houses are sitting. But this Regulation shall be applied to the Senate only in its Legislative Capacity [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Members of each House shall, in all cases, except Treason, Felony & Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at Congress, and in going to and returning from it. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The Members of each House shall be ineligible to and incapable of holding any Office under the Authority of the United States during the Time for which they shall be respectively elected: And the Members of the Senate [+e675686] [+e675695]

[+e675695]

[+e675695]

[Missing pages] [+e675695]

[+e675695]

[+e675695]

[per]mitted on the same Terms with the original States: But the Legislature may make Conditions with the new States [+e675695]concerning the public Debt which shall b[+e675696]with Respect to th[+e675695 -e675696]e then subsisting[+e675695] [+e675696]

[+e675696]

T[+e675696] Debt of t[+e675695 -e675696]he United States [+e675695]which [+e675695 -e675696]shall [+e675695]guaranty to each State a[+e675696]be then subsisting [+e675695 -e675696]

[+e675695 -e675696]

A[+e675695 -e675696] Republican Form [+e675695]foreign Invas[+e675698]of Governm[+e675695 -e675698]en[+e675695]t [+e675695 -e675698]s[+e675695]ha[+e675695 -e675698]ll[+e675695] be guarantied to each State by the United[+e675695 -e675696]against domestic Violence[+e675698] States; and shall pro[+e675695 -e675698]tect each State [+e675695]against[+e675696]from[+e675695 -e675696] domestic Violence and, on the Application of its Legislature from foreign Invasions. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

This Constitution ought to be amended whenever such Amendment shall become necessary; and on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the States in the Union, the Legislature of the United States shall call a Convention for that Purpose. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

The Members of the Legislature, and the executive and judicial Officers of the United States and of the several States shall be bound by Oath to support this Constitution. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

Resolved, That the Constitution proposed by this Convention, to the People [+e675695]and States [+e675695 -e675696]of the Uni[+e675695]ted States[+e675696]on[+e675695 -e675696] for their approbation [+e675695]should, as soon as may [+e675695 -e675696]be[+e675695],[+e675695 -e675696] laid [+e675695] [+e675695 -e675696]before the United States in Congress assembled for their Agreement and Recommendation and [+e675695]be[+e675696]should[+e675695 -e675696] afterwards [+e675695]be [+e675695 -e675696]submitted to a Convention chosen in each State under the Recommendation of its Legislature, in order to receive the Ratification of such Convention. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

Resolved, That the Ratification of the Conventions of States shall be sufficient for organizing this Constitution: That each assenting [+e675695]Convention[+e675696]State[+e675695 -e675696] shall notify its Assent [+e675695]and Ratification [+e675696]to the United States in Congress assembled: That the United States in Congress assembled, after receiving the Assent and Ratification of the Conventions of States shall appoint and publish a [+e675695]after[+e675698]Da[+e675695 -e675698]y, as early as may be, [+e675695]and appoint a Place for[+e675696]for organizing and[+e675695 -e675696] commencing [+e675695]Proceedings[+e675696]Oper[ation][+e675695 -e675696] under this Constitution: That after such Publication or, — in case it shall not be made, — [+e675695]on[+e675696]after[+e675695 -e675696] the Expiration of ____ Days [+e675695]a[+e675695 -e675696]f[+e675695]te[+e675695 -e675696]r[+e675695]om[+e675696] the Time when the Ratification of the Convention of the State shall have been notified to Congress the Legislatures of the several States shall [+e675695]chus[+e675695 -e675696]e[+e675695]lect[+e675696] Members of the Senate, and direct the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, and shall provide for their support: That the Members of the Legislature shall meet at the Time and Place assigned by Congress or, — if Congress shall have assigned not Time and Place, — at such Time and Place as shall have been agreed on by the Majority of the Members elected for each House, and shall as soon as may be after their Meeting chuse the [+e675695]President[+e675696]Governour[+e675695 -e675696] of the United States and proceed to [+e675695]execute[+e675696]carry[+e675695 -e675696] this Constitution. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

Every[+e675696]All[+e675695 -e675696] Bill[+e675695]s[+e675695 -e675696], which shall have passed the House of Representatives and [+e675695]the [+e675696]Senate, shall, before [+e675695]i[+e675696]t[+e675695]hey[+e675695 -e675696] become [+e675695]a [+e675696]Law[+e675695]s[+e675695 -e675696] be presented to the Governour of the United States for his Revis[+e675695]ion;[+e675696]al; and[+e675695 -e675696] If, upon such Revision, he approve [+e675695]there[+e675695 -e675696]of[+e675695] it[+e675696], he shall signify his Approbation by signing it[+e675695]. B[+e675696]: b[+e675695 -e675696]ut, if, upon such Revision, it shall appear to him improper for be[+e675695]com[+e675695 -e675696]ing [+e675695]passed into a [+e675696]Law, he shall return it, together with his Objection against it in Writing, to th[+e675695]at[+e675696]e[+e675695 -e675696] House[+e675695] of Representatives or Senate,[+e675695 -e675696] in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objection at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider the Bill. But if after such Reconsideration, two thirds of that House shall, notwithstanding the Objections of the Governour, agree to pass it; it shall, together with his objections, be sent to the other House,[+e675695] by[+e675696] wh[+e675695]ich[+e675696]ere[+e675695 -e675696] it shall [+e675695]likewise[+e675696]also[+e675695 -e675696] be reconsidered; and, if approved by two thirds of the other House also, it shall be a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays; and the Names of the Persons voting for or against the Bill shall be entered in the Journal(s) of each House respectively — If any Bi[+e675695]ll shall not be returned by the Governour within ____[+e675695 -e675698] Days after it shall have been presented to him, it shall be a Law, unless the Legislature, by their Adjournment, prevent its Return; in which Case it shall be returned on the first Day of the [+e675695]next [+e675696]Meeting of the Legislature. [+e675695]

[+e675695]

The [+e675695]Sen[+e675696]Legisl[+e675695 -e675696]at[+e675695]ur[+e675695 -e675696]e of the United States shall have Authority In all Disputes and Controversies now subsisting, or that may hereafter subsist between two or more States, the Senate shall possess the following Powers. Whenever the Legislature, or the Executive Authority, or the lawful Agent of any State in Controversy with another shall [+e675695]by Memorial[+e675696]present a petition[+e675695 -e675696] to the Senate, state the Matter in Question, and apply for a Hearing, Notice of such Memorial and application shall be given by Order of the Senate to the Legislature or the Executive Authority of the other State in Controversy. The Senate shall also assign a Day for the Appearance of the Parties by their Agents before[+e675695] that House[+e675695 -e675696]. The Agents shall be directed to appoint by joint Consent Commissioners or Judges to constitute a Court for hearing and determining the Matter in Question. But if the Agents cannot agree, the Senate shall name [+e675695]three Persons [+e675696]out of each of the several States, and from the List of such Persons each Party shall alternately strike out one[+e675695] — the Party who shall have applied for a Hearing beginning —[+e675695 -e675696] until the Number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that Number not less than seven, nor more than nine Names, as the Senate shall direct, shall, in their Presence, be drawn out by Lot; and the Persons, whose names shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be Commissioners or Judges to hear and finally determine the Controversy; provided a major Part of the Judges, who shall hear the cause agree in the Determination. If either Party shall neglect to attend at the Day assigned, without showing sufficient Reasons for not attending, or, being present, shall refuse to strike, the Senate shall proceed to nominate three Persons out of each State, and the [+e675695]Secretary or Clerk[+e675696]President[+e675695 -e675696] of the Senate shall strike in Behalf of the Party absent or refusing. If any of the Parties shall refuse to submit to the Authority of such Court, or shall not appear to prosecute or defend their Claim or Cause; the Court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce [+e675695]Sentence or [+e675695 -e675696]Judgment. The [+e675695]Sentence or [+e675695 -e675696]Judgment [+e675695]of the court appointed in the Manner before presented [+e675695 -e675696]shall be final and conclusive. The Proceedings shall be transmitted to the [+e675695]President[+e675696]Governour[+e675695 -e675696] of the [+e675695]Sen[+e675696]United St[+e675695 -e675696]ate[+e675695]s[+e675695 -e675696] and shall be lodged among the public Records for the security of the Parties concerned. Every [+e675695]Commissioner[+e675696]Judge[+e675695 -e675696] shall before he sit in Judgment, take an Oath, to be administered by one of the Judges of the Supreme or Superior Court of the State, where the Cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the Matter in Question, according to the best of his Judgment, without Favour, Affection or Hope of Reward.” [+e675695]

[+e675695]

All Controversies concerning Lands claimed under different Grants of two or more States, whose Jurisdictions, as they respect such Lands, shall have been decided or adjusted subsequent to such Grants, shall, on Application to the Senate, be finally determined, as near as may be in the same Manner as is before [+e675695]pr[+e675696]d[+e675695 -e675696]es[+e675695][s[+e675695 -e675696]cribed[+e675695]][+e675695 -e675696] for deciding Controversies between different States.[+e675695]shall be ineligible to and incapable of holding any such Office for one Year afterwards. [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The [+e675686]enacting [+e675688]Stile of the Laws of the United States shall be “be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the House of Representatives, and by the Senate of the United States in Congress assembled” [+e675686]

[+e675686]

The[+e675688]Each[+e675686 -e675688] House [+e675686]of Representatives and the Senate when it shall be acting in a legislative Capacity [+e675688]shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and shall from Time to Time publish them,[+e675686] except such Parts as in their Judgment require Secrecy;[+e675686 -e675688] and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of each House on any Question shall [+e675686]be entered on the Journal [+e675686 -e675688]at the [+e675686]D[+e675688]d[+e675686 -e675688]esire of any Member[+e675686] be entered on the Journal[+e675688]and States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New. York, New. Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North. Carolina, South. Carolina and Georgia do ordain declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of ourselves and of our Posterity. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

1. [-e675686]

The Stile of this Government shall be the “United People and States of America.” [-e675686]

[-e675686]

2. [-e675686]

The Government shall consist of supreme legislative, executive and judicial Powers. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

3. [-e675686]

The Supreme legislative Power shall be vested in a Congress to consist of two separate and distinct Bodies of Men, one to be called the House of Representatives, the other to be called the Senate each of which shall in all Cases have a Negative on the other in all cases not otherwise provided for in this Constitution [-e675686]

[-e675686]

4. [-e675686]

The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second Year in the Manner following by the People of the several States. The Time and Place and the of holding the Elections and the Rules shall be appointed by the Legislatures of the several States; but the provisions which they shall make concerning them shall be subject to the Control of the Legislature of the United States. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Every Member of the House of Representatives shall be at least twenty-five Years of Age; shall have been a Citizen in the United States for at least three Years before his Election, and shall be, at the Time of his Election, a Resident of the State, from which he shall be chosen. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The House of Representatives shall, at its first Formation consist of 65 Members, of whom three shall be chosen in New-Hampshire, eight in Massachusetts, &c. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

As the present Proportions of Numbers in the different States will alter from Time to Time; as some of the States may be hereafter divided; as others may be enlarged by Addition of Territory, or two or more States may be united; and as new States will be erected within the Limits of the United States; the Legislature shall, in each of these cases, possess Authority to regulate the Number of Representatives according to the provisions herein after made. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Representation shall always be in Proportion to direct Taxation. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

In order to ascertain and regulate the Proportions of direct Taxation from Time to Time, the Legislature of the United States shall, within six Years after its first Meeting and within the Term of every ten Years afterwards, cause [a census to be taken] [-e675686]

[-e675686]

From the first Meeting of the Legislature until the Number of Citizens and Inhabitants shall be taken in the Manner before mentioned, direct Taxation shall be in Proportion to the Number of Inhabitants chosen in each State. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

All Bills for raising or appropriating Money and for fixing the Salaries of the Officers of Government shall originate in the House of Representatives, and shall not be altered or amended by the Senate. No money shall be drawn from the public Treasury, but in Pursuance of Appropriations that shall originate in the House of Representatives. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The House of Representatives shall be the grand Inquest of this Nation; and all Impeachments shall be made by them. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Vacancies in the House of Representatives shall be supplied by Writs of Election from the Executive Authority of the State which they shall happen. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The Members of the Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States; Each of which shall chuse two Members. The votes shall not be given by States, but by the Members separately. Each Member shall have one Vote. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Immediately after the first Election the Members of the Senate shall be divided by Lot into three Classes as nearly as may be, and numbered one, two and three. The Seats of the Members of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, of the third Class at the End of the sixth Year, and so on continually, that a third Part of the Members of the Senate may be biennially chosen. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Every Member of the Senate shall be at least thirty Years of Age, shall have been a citizen in the United States for at least four Years before his Election, and shall be, at the Time of his Election a Resident of the State for which he shall be chosen [-e675686]

[-e675686]

In each House a Majority of the Members shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from Day to Day [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Each House of the Legislature shall be the Judge of the Elections Returns, and Qualifications of its own Members [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The Times and Places and the Manner of holding the Elections for the Members of each House shall be prescribed by the Legislatures of each State; but their Provisions concerning them may, at any Time, be altered and superseded by the Legislature of the United States. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The Legislature of the United States shall have Authority to establish such Qualifications of the Members of each House of the Legislature as to the said Legislature shall seem proper and expedient. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

A Majority of each House shall constitute a Quorum to do Business but a smaller Number than a Majority of them may, in each House, adjourn from Day to Day. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Each House shall have Authority to settle the Rules and Orders of its Proceedings, and have Power to punish its own Members [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Each House may expel a Member, but not a second Time for the same Offence. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three Days without the Consent of the other; nor with such Consent, to any other Place than that at which the two Houses are sitting. [-e675686]

[-e675686]

The Members of each House shall, in all cases, except Treason, Felony & Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at Congress, and in going to and returning from it.[-e675686]

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