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Grand Convention at Philadelphia, May to September, 1787, Quill Project 2021 Edition.
Source material
Yates's Diary (Max Farrand, 1911)
Details
Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia, in the year 1787.
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Committee: The Convention
First Resolution (Tripartite Government) Tuesday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mason's Amendment Redrafting the Third Clause Friday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Motion that the Question Be Taken on Ellsworth's Amendment Friday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Hamilton. It has been often asserted, that the interests of the general and of the state legislatures are precisely the same. This cannot be true. The views of the governed are often materially different from those who govern. The science of policy... Friday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Rutledge’s motion was then put — 4 states for the clause — 5 against — 2 states divided. New-York divided. Friday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Wilson. I perceive that some gentlemen are of opinion to give a bias in favor of state governments — This question ought to stand on the same footing. Mr. Sherman. By the conduct of some gentlemen, we are erecting a kingdom to act against itself.... Saturday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Madison. Congress heretofore depended on state interests — we are now going to pursue the same plan. Mr. Wilson. Congress has been ill managed, because particular states controlled the union. In this convention, if a proposal is made promising... Tuesday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Sherman. In society, the poor are equal to the rich in voting, although one pays more than the other. This arises from an equal distribution of liberty amongst all ranks; and it is, on the same grounds, secured to the states in the confederation —... Thursday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
First Resolution (Revision of Articles of Confederation) Wednesday May 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Mr. G. Morris observed, that it was an unnecesaary [sic] resolution, as the subsequent resolutions would not agree with it. Wednesday May 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
This remark had its weight, and in consequence of it, the 1st and 2d resolve was dropt, and the question agitated on the third. Wednesday May 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
This remark had its weight, and in consequence of it, the 1st and 2d resolve was dropt, and the question agitated on the third. Wednesday May 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Consider the Second Resolution Saturday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
On motion of Mr. Patterson, the consideration of the 2d resolve was taken up, which is as follows: Resolved, therefore, that the rights of suffrage in the national legislature ought to be apportioned to the quotas of contribution, or to the number of... Saturday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Butler. The proposed amendment does not go far enough. How easily may this be evaded. What was the conduct of George the second to support the pragmatic sanction? To some of the opposers he gave pensions — others offices, and some, to put them out... Saturday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Mason. We must retain this clause, otherwise evasions may be made. The legislature may admit of resignations and thus make members eligible — places may be promised at the close of their duration, and that a dependency may be made. Mr. Gerry. And... Saturday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Fourth Resolution (Second Branch of Legislature) Monday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Fourth Resolution - First Clause (Selection of Members) Monday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Read's Amendment for Membership to Last as Long as Good Behaviour Monday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Madison. We are proceeding in the same manner that was done when the confederation was first formed — Its original draft was excellent, but in its progress and completion it became so insufficient as to give rise to the present convention. By the... Monday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Martin in continuation. On federal grounds, it is said, that a minority will govern a majority — but on the Virginia plan a minority would tax a majority. In a federal government, a majority of states must and ought to tax. In the local government... Thursday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Dickinson's Amendment for the Second Branch of the National Legislature to be Chosen by the State Legislatures Thursday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Madison's Amendment on Partition of States Monday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Mr. Read against the resolve in toto. We must put away state governments, and we will then remove all cause of jealousy. The guarantee will confirm the assumed rights of several states to lands which do belong to the confederation. Monday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Madison's Amendment Reworking the Eleventh Resolution Monday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
The 15th or last resolve was taken into consideration. No debate arose on it, and the question was put and carried — 5 states for it, 3 against, and 2 divided. New-York in the negative. [Editors' note: The Journal records this vote in full in the... Tuesday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Judge Elsworth. I now move the following amendment to the resolve — that in the second branch each state have an equal vote. I confess that the effect of this motion is, to make the general government partly federal and partly national. This will... Friday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
He [Gerry] supposed that in the national legislature there will be a great number of bad men of various descriptions — these will make a wrong appointment. Besides, an executive thus appointed, will have his partiality in favor of those who appointed... Saturday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Consider Postponed Parts Tuesday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Having thus gone through with the resolves, it was found necessary to take up such parts of the preceding resolves as had been postponed, or not agreed to. Tuesday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Postpone Sixth Resolution - Fifth Clause (Coercion of States) Tuesday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
6th resolve agreed to be postponed, sine die. [Editors' note: Yates is the only account that mentions this decision, which presumably refers to the final clause alone. He does not include a vote count.] Tuesday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
The committee having now gone through the whole of the propositions from Virginia — Resolved, That the committee do report to the convention their proceedings — This was accordingly done. (See a copy of it hereunto annexed.) The house resolved on the... Wednesday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Mr. Martin. Mr. Wilson’s motion or plan would amount to nearly the same kind of inequality. Mr. King. The Connecticut motion contains all the vices of the old confederation. It supposes an imaginary evil — the slavery of state governments. And should... Saturday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Credentials for the State of Massachusetts Saturday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Dickinson's Amendment for Representation based on Taxation Monday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
He [Wilson] supposed that the impost will not be the only revenue — the post office he supposes would be another substantial source of revenue. He observed further, that this mode had already received the approbation of eleven states in their... Monday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Postpone First Resolution Saturday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Motion to Rise and Report Inadmissibility of New Jersey Plan Tuesday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Mr. Dickinson supposed that there were good regulations in both. Let us therefore contrast the one with the other, and consolidate such parts of them as the committee approve. Tuesday June 1787Committee: First Committee on Representation
The grand committee met. Mr. Gerry was chosen chairman. Tuesday July 1787Committee: First Committee on Representation
Proposals for the Consideration of the First Committee on Representation Tuesday July 1787Committee: The Convention
Thereupon it was agreed, that the report be postponed, and that the house will resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration both propositions to-morrow. Friday June 1787Committee: Committee of the Whole House
Consider the Mode of Electing the Second Branch of the National Legislature Thursday June 1787Committee: First Committee on Representation
By the proceedings in the convention they were so equally divided on the important question of representation in the two branches, that the idea of a concilatory adjustment must have been in contemplation of the house in the appointment of this... Tuesday July 1787Committee: First Committee on Representation
Report of the First Committee on Representation Tuesday July 1787Committee: First Committee on Representation
These remarks gave rise to a motion of Dr. Franklin, which after some modification was agreed to, and made the basis of the following report of the committee. The committee to whom was referred the eighth resolution, reported from the committee of the... Tuesday July 1787Committee: The Convention
Postpone Consideration of New Jersey Plan for a Day Friday June 1787Committee: The Convention
Col. Hamilton cannot say he is in sentiment with either plan — supposes both might again be considered as federal plans, and by this means they will be fairly in committee, and be contrasted so as to make a comparative estimate of the two. Friday June 1787