Henry Troth, 3854 Michael Baker, 2906 William Gerhard, 3849 2905 Clerk -Nathan R. Potts. Messenger to both Councils-Thomas Young. Mr. We received on Thursday last, from Mr. John Gill, of 2896 Southampton township, Bucks county, a ripe Strawber 2887 ry, measuring more than one inch in circumference; it 2885 possessed the same delicious smell and taste which is 2880 common to that excellent fruit in its usual season. 2869 Gill writes to us that he has growing in his garden a 2868 number of flourishing vines, fuil of beautiful full grown 2868 ripe and green Strawberries. This is certainly an un2867 common production, and we should be glad to learn 2851 from Mr. G. whether the same vines bore this season be2844 fore, and if there is any thing in the mode of cultivation 2844 which varies from that commonly practised and pursued 2840 in gardens.-Bucks County Intelligencer. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. IV.-NO. 17. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 24, 1829. NO. 95. MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION OF PENNSYLVANIA, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 1787, P. M. This being the day appointed by the legislature of this state for the meeting of the Convention, a number of gentlemen delegated for that purpose met according. ly at the State-house; And adjourned to to-morrow. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 1787, P. M. Sixty of the gentlemen elected to serve in the Con. vention met. The returns of the elections held in the city of Philadelphia and the several counties of this state were read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were returned as delegates for the Convention for the said city and counties, respectively, viz. For the City of Philada. Nicholas Lutz, John Ludwig, Abraham Lincoln, For Northampton Co. John Arndt, Stephen Balliott, Joseph Horsefield, David Deshler. For Bedford County. On motion of Mr. Wayne, seconded by Mr. Whitehill, A petition from Thomas Lloyd was read, praying to be appointed Assistant Secretary. On motion of Mr. Smilie, seconded by Mr. Whitehill The further consideration thereof was postponed. Petitions from Andrew Burkhard, James Martin, Nicholas Weaver, Joseph Fry, and Frederick Snyder, respectively praying to be appointed Messenger or Door-keeper, were read. The Convention proceeded to the choice of a Messenger and Door-keeper, and the ballots being taken, it appeared that Andrew Burkhard was duly elected MesFor Northumberland Co. senger, and Joseph Fry, Door-keeper. William Wilson, John Boyd. For Westmoreland Co. For Washington County. For Fayette County. For Franklin County. For Montgomery County. For Dauphin County. For Cumberland County. Adam Orth, David Grier, John Black, Benjamin Pedan. John Harris, John Reynolds, Robert Whitehill, Jonathan Hoge. For Berks County. John A. Hannah. The committee appointed yesterday, to bring in Rules and Regulations, made report; and the same being read, was by special order taken up,read by paragraphs, and agreed to, as follows: I. When the President assumes the chair, the members shall take their seats. II. At the opening of the Convention each day, the minutes of the preceding day shall be read, and are then in the power of the Convention to be corrected; after which any business addressed to the chair may be proceeded to. III. Every petition, memorial, letter, or other matter of the like kind, read in the Convention, shall be deemed as lying on the table for further consideration, unless any special order be moved therein. IV. A motion made and seconded, shall be repeated by the President. A motion shall be reduced to writing, if the President, or any two members, require it. A motion may be withdrawn by the member making it, before any decision is had on it. V. No member speaking shall be interrupted, but by a call to order by the President, or by a member, thro' the President. VI. No member to be referred to in debate by name. VII. The President himself, or by request, may call to order any member who shall transgress the rules. If a second time, the President may refer to him by name. The Convention may then examine and censure the County.member's conduct, he being allowed to extenuate or justify. For Luzerne County. The Convention proceeded to elect a President. VIII. Every member actually attending the Conven The ballots being counted, it appeared that Frederiction shall be in his place at the time to which the ConAugustus Muhlenberg, Esq. was duly elected. VOL. IV. 33 vention stands adjourned, or within half an hour thereof IX. The name of him who makes, and the name of him who seconds a motion, shall be entered on the min utes. X. No member shall speak more than twice to a question, without leave. XI. Every member of a committee shall attend at the call of his chairman. XII. The yeas and nays may be called and entered on the minutes, when any two members require it. On motion of Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Smilie, Ordered, that the doors of the Convention be left open during the session. On motion of Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Smilie, Ordered, That the constitution, as proposed by the late Federal Convention, be read. It was read accordingly. On motion of Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Yeates, It was made a rule of the Convention to meet at ten o'clock, A. M. Saturday, Nov. 24, 1787, A. M. On motion of Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Hannum, The constitution, as proposed by the late Convention was read a second time, together with a letter from the Secretary of Congress to the President of this state. It was moved by Mr. M'Kean, and seconded by Mr. Allison, That this Convention do assent to and ratify the constitution agreed to on the 17th of September last, by the Convention of the United States of America, held at Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 26, 1787, P. M. It was moved by Mr. M'Kean and seconded by Mr. Chambers, That this Covention do now proceed to consider the constitution referred to their consideration, by articles. It was moved by Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mr. Wilson, To repeal the tenth rule of this Convention, viz: No member shall speak more than twice to a question, without leave. On this question being put, it was repealed. It was moved by Mr. R. Whitehill, seconded by Mr. Lincoln. That the further consideration of the question now before the Convention be postponed, in order to introduce the following, viz: That this Convention resolve itself into a committee of the whole, for the purpose of investigating and considering the aforesaid constitution by articles and sections, and to make report thereon. And the question being put, the Yeas and Nays were called by Mr. R. Whitehill and Mr. Lincoln, and were as follow. YEAS. John Whitehill, John Harris, John Reynolds, Robert Whitehill, Jonathan Hoge, Nicholas Lutz, John Ludwig, Abraham Lincoln, Jolin Bishop, Joseph Heister, James Martin, Joseph Powell, William Findley, John Baird, William Todd, James Marshall, James Edgar, Thomas Scott, Nathaniel Breading, John Smilie, Richard Bard, William Brown, Adam Orth, John Andre Hanna.-24. NAYS. George Latiner, Benjamin Rush, Hilary Ba ker, James Wilson, Thomas M'Kean, William M'Pher son, John Hunn, George Gray, Samuel Ashmead, Enoch Edwards, Henry Wynkoop, John Barclay, Thomas Yardley, AbrahamStout, Thomas Bull, Anthony Wayne, William Gibbons, Richard Downing, Thomas Cheyney, John Hannum, Stephen Chambers, Robert Coleman, Sebastian Graff, John Hubley, Jasper Yeates, Henry Slagle, Thomas Campbell, Thomas Hartley, David Grier, John Black, Benjamin Pedan, John Arndt, Stephen Bal liot, Joseph Horsefield, David Deshler, William Wilson, John Boyd, John Nevill, John Allison, Jonathan Roberts, John Richards, Frederick A. Mublenberg, James Morris, Timothy Pickering.- 44. So it was determined in the negative. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1787, A. M. On motion of Mr. Rush, seconded by Mr. Allison, Ordered, That the seats on the right and left of the President be reserved for members of Congress and of the Supreme Executive Council. | | Letters from Messieurs Hall & Sellers, and Messieurs Pritchard & Hall, respectively requesting to be appointed printers to the Convention were read. On motion of Mr. Chambers, seconded by Mr. M'Pherson, The Convention proceeded to elect a printer; the ballots being taken, it appeared that Messieurs Hall & Sellers were duly elected. On motion of Mr. Rush, seconded by Mr. Arndt, Ordered, That Mr. Steiner be directed to print the German copies. On motion of Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Hubley, Ordered, That the number of English copies be 3000, the number of German 2000. On motion, Ordered, That the President be directed to draw on the Treasurer, in favor of the Secretary, for the sum of One Hundred Dollars, to enable him to defray the contingent expences of the Convention, he to be accountable. On motion of Mr. R. Whitchill, seconded by Mr. Lincoln, to add to the 12th rule of this Convention the following words. viz.-"Any member shall have a right to enter the reasons of his vote on the minutes on the general question, viz. Whether this Convention will assent to and ratify the constitution submitted to their consideration?"-the question being put, the Yeas and Nays were called by Mr. Smilie and Mr. Whitehill, and were as follow: YEAS. John Whitehill, John Harris, John Reynolds, Robert Whitehill, Jonathan Hoge, Nicholas Lutz, John Ludwig, Abraham Lincoln, John Bishop, James Martin, Joseph Powell, John Baird, William Todd, James Marshall, James Edgar, Nathaniel Breading, John Smilie, Richard Bard, John Richards, William Brown, Adam Orth, John Andre Hanna.-22. NAYS. George Latimer, Benjamin Rush, Hilary Baker, James Wilson, Thomas M'Kean, William M'Pherson, John Hunn, George Gray, Samuel Ashmead, Enoch Edwards, Henry Wynkoop, John Barclay, Thomas Yardley, Abraham Stout, Thomas Bull, Anthony Wayne, William Gibbons, Richard Downing, Thomas Cheyney, John Hannum, Stephen Chambers, Robert Coleman, Sebastian Graff, John Hubley, Jasper Yeates, Henry Slagle, ThomasCampbell, Thomas Hartley, David Grier, John Black, Benjamin Pedan, John Arndt, Stephen Balliot, Joseph Horsefield, David Deshler, William Wilson, John Boyd, Thomas Scott, John Nevill, John Allison, Jonathan Roberts, Frederick A. Muhlenberg, James Morris, Benjamin Elliott -44. So it was determined in the negative. The original question being then put, viz.-"Will this The Convention then proceeded to consider the first article, and after some debate, Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A.M. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1787. A.M. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. The president laid before the convention a letter from the Ministers and Vestry of the German Lutheran Congregation, requesting the attendance of this convention at Sion church to morrow, at nine o'clock, to an examination of the pupils in the German language, &c. Agreed, That the convention do attend. The convention resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution, and after some de bate on the subject of a bill of rights, and the extent of the legislative powers contained in the first article. Adjourned until ten o'clock on Friday next, A.M. Friday, Nov. 30, 1787. A.M. The convention met pursuant to adjournment, And resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. After some debate on the rate of representation prescribed in it, on the eventual operation of the powers therein granted to Congress, upon the state governmen's, and on the time for which revenues may be appropriated, Adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow, A. M. Saturday, Dec. 1, 1787. A. M. The convention met pursuant to adjournment, And resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. After some debate on the liberty of the press, and on the legislative, executive and judicial powers of the new government, it was agreed, On motion of Mr. Edwards, seconded by Mr. Wilson, That the convention, from and after Monday next, will meet twice a day, viz. at half after nine o'clock in the morning, and half after four o'clock in the afternoon. Adjourned until three o'clock on Monday next, A. M. Monday, Dec. 3, 1787. P.M. The convention met pursuant to adjournment. And resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. After some debate on the power vested in the president, by and with the consent and advice of two thirds of the Senate, to make obligatory treaties, and a comparison of this power with the first clause of the first article, and after some enquiry into the ninth section of the first article, adjourned. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1787. A. M. The convention resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. The President submitted to the convention, whether the system under their consideration will not meet with a more full and expeditious investigation, by a general statement of the objections to it, and a subsequent reply to those objections. After some debate adjourned. Eodem Die. P.M. Resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution, and after some debate adjourned. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1787. A. M. The convention resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. After some enquiry into the qualified negative of the President, and the general construction of the new government, adjourned. Eodem Die. P.M. 259 remaining articles of the proposed constitution, and after some debate, adjourned. Eodem Die. P.M. The convention resumed the consideration of the proposed constitution, and after some enquiry into the principles, constitution, and probable operation of the new government, adjourned. Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1787. A. M. The convention resumed the consideration of the remaining articles of the proposed constitution, and after some debate, adjourned. Eodem Die. P.M. The convention resumed the consideration of the remaining articles of the proposed constitution. Petitions from sundry inhabitants of the county of Cumberland, praying that the proposed constitution may not be adopted without amendments, &c. were read, and ordered to lie on the table. It was moved by Mr. Whitehill, and seconded by Mr. Findley, "That this convention do adjourn until day of next, to meet in the city of Philadelphia, in order that the propositions for amending the proposed constitution may be considered by the people of this state, that we may have an opportunity of knowing what amendments or alterations may be proposed by the other states, and that these propositions, together with such other amendments as may be proposed by other states, may be offered to congress, and taken into consideration by the United States, before the proposed constitution shall be finally ratified.” The question being but, the Yeas and Nays were called by Mr. Smilie and Mr. Chambers, and were as follow. Yeas-John Whitehill, John Harris, John Reynolds, Robert Whitehill, Jonathan Hoge, Nicholas Lutz, John Ludwig, Abraham Lincoln, John Bishop, Joseph Heister, James Martin, Joseph Powell, William Findley, John Baird, William Todd, James Marshall, James Edgar, Nathaniel Breading, John Smilie, Richard Bard, William Brown, Adam Orth, John A. Hanna. Nays.-George Latimer, Benjamin Rush, Hilary Baker, James Wilson, Thomas M'Kean, William M'Pherson, John Hunn, George Gray, Samuel Ashmead, Enoch Edwards, Henry Winkoop, John Barclay, Thomas Yard The convention resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution, and after some de-ley, Abraham Stout, Thomas Bull, Anthony Wayne, bate adjourned. Thursday, Dec. 6, 1787. A.M. The convention resumed the consideration of the first article of the proposed constitution. After some debate on the powers vested in Congress to raise and support armies, to organise and super.ntend the militia, to regulate elections, and on the responsibility of Congress in the exercise of these powers, adjourned. Friday, Dec. 7, 1787. A.M. On motion of Mr. Chambers, seconded by Mr. Wilson, The convention proceeded to the consideration of the remaining articles of the proposed constitution; and after some enquiry into the construction and power of the judiciary department, adjourned. Saturday, Dec. 8, 1787. A. M. The convention resumed the consideration of the remaining articles, and after some debate, adjourned. Monday, Dec. 10, 1787. P.M. The convention resumed the consideration of the remaining articles of the proposed constitution, and after some debate, adjourned. Tuesday, Dec. 11, 1787. A.M. Petitions from sundry inhabitants and landholders of the county of Philadelphia [offering the said county, or any part thereof, for the seat of the general Government, and for the exclusive legislation of Congress] were read; also petitions from sundry inhabitants of the county of Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery, offering a tract of country, situated between Pennipack and Neshami ney creeks, on the west side of the river Delaware, for the above purposes. Ordered to lie on the table. The convention then resumed the consideration of the William Gibbons, Richard Downing, Thomas Cheyney, John Hannum, Stephen Chambers, Robert Coleman, Sebastian Graff, John Hubley, Jasper Yeates, Henry Sla gle, Thomas Campbell, Thomas Hartly, David Grier, John Black, Benjamin Pedan, John Arndt, Stephen Balliott, Joseph Horsfield, David Deshler, William Wilson, John Boyd, Thomas Scott, John Nevill, John Allison, Jonathan Roberts, John Richards, Frederick A. Muhlenberg, James Morris, Timothy Pickering, Benjamin Elliott. bers, The original question, as moved by Mr. M'Kean, viz: "Will this conventien assent to and ratify the constitution agreed to on the 17th of September last, by the convention of the United States of America, held in Philadelphia?"- -was put. The Yeas and Nays were called by Mr. Smilie and Mr. Yeates, and are as follow. Yeas-George Latimer, Benjamin Rush, Hilary Baker, James Wilson, Thomas M'Kean, William MPherson, John Hunn, George Gray, Samuel Ashmead, Enoch Edwards, H. Wynkoop, John Barclay, Thomas Yardley, Abraham Stout, Thomas Bull, Anthony Wayne, William Gibbons, Richard Downing, Thomas Cheyney, John Hannum, Stephen Chambers, Robert Coleman, Sebastian Graff, John Hubley Jasper Yeates, Henry Slagle, Thomas Campell, Thomas Hartley, David Grier, John Black, Benjamin Pedan, John Arndt, Stephen Balliott, J. Horsfield, David Deshler, William Wilson, John Boyd, Thomas Scott, John Nevill, John Allison, Jonathan Rob erts, John Richards, Frederick A. Muhlenberg, James Morris, Timothy Pickering, Benjamin Elliott. Nays.-John Whitehill, John Harris, John Reynolds, Robert Whitehill, Jonathan Hoge, Nicholas Lutz, John Ludwig, Abraban Lincoln, John Bishop, Joseph Heister, James Martin, Joseph Powell, William Findley, John Baird, William Todd, James Marshall, James Edgar, Nathaniel Breading, John Sinilie, Richard Bard, William Brown, Adam Orth, John Andre Hanna. So it was carried in the affirmative. Ordered, that Mr. Wilson, Mr. M'Kean and Mr. Yeates be a committee, to prepare and report a form of ratification. Ordered, that the Secretary have the Constitution, and the ratification of it, engrossed on parchment, an original and a duplicate. On motion of Mr. M'Kean, seconded by Mr. Chambers, Resolved, that this convention will proceed in a body to-morrow at twelve o'clock, to the Court House, where the ratification of the Constitution shall be publicly read, and that the Honorable the Supreme Executive Coun cil be requested to attend the procession, and to make the necessary arrangements for announcing this ratification to the people. Adjourned until half past nine o'clock to-morrow, A. M. Thursday, Dec. 13, 1787. A. M. The committee appointed to draft a form of ratification made report. Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five,New-York s'x, New-Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North| Carolina five, South-Carolina five, and Georgia three. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. The House of representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment. Sec. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof for six years; and each senator shall have one vote. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators 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, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary ap pointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. No person shall be a senator, who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when The convention then proceeded (agreeably to the re-elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall solution of yesterday) to the Court House, where the be chosen. ratification was publicly read. The convention, returned, and subscribed the ratification of the Constitution on an original and duplicate. It was moved by Mr. M'Kean, and seconded by Mr. Baker, That the Secretary deliver to the master of the rolls (for the purpose of having it recorded) one of the Scrolls, containing the constitution, ratification, and Names subscribed, as they here follow. WE, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the b'essings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of Amer ica. ARTICLE. I. Section 1. ALL legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the elections in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legistature. No person shall be a representative, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, | The Vice-president of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the VicePresident, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they thall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside:And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. Judgement, in cases of impeachmen', shall not ex tend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit, under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law. Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in Decr. unless they shall by law appoint a different day. Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penal ties, as each house may provide. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish he same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. |