our Lord one thousand feven hundred and eighty-feven, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto fubfcribed our names. GEORGE WASHINGTON, IN CONVENTI O Ν, Monday, September 17, 1787. PRESENT, THE STATES OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, MR. HAMILTON, FROM NEW YORK, NEW-JĘKSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, NORTH-CAROLINA, SOUTH-CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA: RESOLVED, TH HAT the preceding conftitution be laid before the United States in Congrefs affembled, and that it is the opinion of this convention, that it fhould afterwards be fubmitted to a convention of Delegates, chofen in each state by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its legiflature, for their affent and ratification; and that each convention affenting to, and ratifying the fame, fhould give notice thereof to the United States in Congrefs affembled. Refolved, That it is the opinion of this convention, that as foon as the conventions of nine ftates fhall have ratified this constitution, the United States in Congress affembled fhould fix a day on which electors fhould be appointed by the ftates which fhall have ratified the fame, and a day on which the electors fhould affemble to vote for the Prefident, and the time and place for commencing proceedings under this conftitution. That after fuch publication, the electors fhould be appointed, and the Senators and Reprefentatives elected. That the electors fhould meet on the day fixed for the election of the Prefident, and fhould tranfmit their votes, certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the conftitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress affembled. That the Senators and Reprefentatives fhould convene at the time and place affigned. That the Senators fhould appoint a Prefident of the Senate, for the fole purpose of receiving, opening and counting the votes for President; and, that after he fhall be chofen, the Congress, together with the Prefident, fhould, with out delay, proceed to execute this conftitution. By the Unanimous Order of the Convention: GEORGE WASHINGTON, Prefident. WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. IN CONVENTION, SIR, W September, 17, 1787. E have now the honor to fubmit to the confi. deration of the United States in Congress affembled, that constitution which has appeared to us the moft advifable. T The friends of our country have long feen and defired, that the power of making war, peace and treaties; that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correfpondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vefted in the general government of the Union: But the impropriety of delegating fuch extenfive trust to one body of men is evidentHence refults the neceffity of a different organiza tion. It is obviously impracticable in the federal government of these states, to fecure all rights of independent fovereignty to each, and yet provide for the intereft and fafety of all: Individuals entering into fociety, must give up a fhare of liberty to preferve the reft. The magnitude of the facrifice muft depend as well on fituation and circumftance, as on the object to be obtained.. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision the line between thofe rights which must be furrendered, and those which may be referved; and on the present occafion, this difficulty was encreased by a difference among the feveral ftates as to their fituation, extent, habits, and particular interests. In all our deliberations on this fubject we kept steadily in our view, that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the confolidation of our Union, in which is involved our profperity, felicity, fafety, perhaps our national existence. This important confideration, seriously and deeply impreffed on our minds, led each state in the convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and thus the conftitution, which we now prefent, is the refult of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and conceffion which the peculiarity of our political fituation rendered indifpenfible. That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every state, is not perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless confider, that had her interest been alone confulted, the confequences might have been particularly difagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country fo dear to us all, and fecure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish. With great respect, We have the Honor to be, SIR, Your Excellency's most Obedient and humble Servants : GEORGE WASHINGTON, Prefident. By unanimous Order of the Convention. His Excellency THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, |