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CONVENTION DEBATES, 16 JULY 1788
heats by this means will be allayed are the Gent. fully impressed that
no other Mode can be adopted-preferable to the one before us-we
do want to consult our friends- [Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN]
JOHN JAY. mentn a few reasons-Lansg. supposes it would increase
heats-some weight-at first sight-this will depend on the temper
with which we go home-if-we go with an intention to investigate-
it will have a different effect-the southern [counties] Wish an adop-
tion unlimited-the North wish conditions-if we go home and carry
the proper information from both quarters-and give them a state of
the business before us-with the general reasons for and against con-
ditional amendments- [Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN]
JOHN BAY. equally impressed with a desire of peace-but thinks it
would have a different effect-will the people from the north stop
here-they will ask us our opinions-we must tell them-we are not
safe-if we go off the Ground we stand on-gent. from the southward
will not tell their const[ituent] s that it is their opinion they ought to
adopt with conds-we must tell our constit[uents] s our sentiments-
News papers-would teem with different sentiments-ferment will
continue till the final question is taken-the sooner it is taken the
better-we have been in as perilous times as the present & have got
safe thro'- [Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN]
JOHN LANSING, JR. still of the same opinion-Jay has stated a process
of language betwn us & our const[ituent]s before we can talk so-we
must have a change of sentiments ourselves till that is done-we have
nothing to ask from our const [ituent] s-we have gone a considerable
length to meet the Gent-they have remained on the ground they first
took-has determined on the main question on Mature deliberation-
[Gilbert Livingston, Notes, NN]
JAMES DUANE. with great concern he sees that a Gent. that has great
influence takes this questn. in the point of light he does-can the Gent
know, it must be conjecture-a meer chance is an object sufficient-
to induce us to try-Gent say they have condescended-made ad-
vances-to accommodate-to my mind a conditional amendment is a
rejection-then where is that spirit of accommodation-Mem [be] rs of
congress are to be sworn-they cannot in my op [inio]n admit us with-
out committg. perjury-if we go home & try to reconcile it will have
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