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Kaminski, John P.; Saladino, Gaspare J.; Leffler, Richard; Schoenleber, Charles H.; Hogan, Margaret A.; Reid, Jonathan M. (ed.) / Ratification of the Constitution by the states: New York (5)
23 (2009)
V. The New York Convention, 17 June-26 July 1788 (continued), pp. 2169-2340
Page 2169
V. THE NEW YORK CONVENTION 17 June-26 July 1788 (Continued) The New York Convention Monday 14 July 1788 Convention Debates, 14 July 1788 JOHN JAY. Wishes us to candidly consider- We cannot presume we were sent here to make a Constitution- If we were, every State had the same power, and therefore no Const-could be made-therefore it is presumed, they meant we should determine upon the whole whether best to adopt- have a right to propose amendts to the People of the US. But we cannot propose it to the Agents of the people- we may propose to the people not to their Servants- The Conditions are to be offered to the Servants not to the Mas- ters-Must ask an attorney for his powers- Expect the attorney to do more, than they are authorized to do- They may not [have] a right to agree to forbear with respect to a new State- They might agree to forbear with respect to one of their own mem- bers- But cannot admit upon any other terms than signing the Com- pact- If he saw probability he would agree- Wishes to say neither part is victors- A Man [in] England Two farms, one all wood, one none-he em- powers an attorney to sell the wood provides he gives, a right to cut wood-the other proposes,- [Melancton Smith, Notes, N] MELANCTON SMITH. it is an excellent example-we here offer to cut the wood & bring it home to his door till the condition is complied with- [Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN] JOHN JAY. he must reserve the absolute right-& not be oblidged to ask what trees to cut- [Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN] 2169
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