Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) Notebook: Comments of the Delegates
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00819.09 Author/Creator: Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph manuscript Date: 16 June - 05 July 1787 Pagination: 4 p. : 2 items ; 33 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
A long, narrow notebook, once probably a single folded sheet of paper, now two separate items. The notebook records comments by Lancey [Lansing], Patterson, Randolph, Hamilton, Wilson, Madison, Williams, Sherman and Ellsworth. The first item consists of a long narrow sheet containing two pages of writing. The second item is a sheet folded three times with debate notes on the first page, a number of blanks, and stray notes on the last page concerning Butler's personal business on the Walnut Street Wharf. Page 1 begins "Mr. Lancey [i.e., Lansing]," while the verso continues the text. Page 3 (second item) begins "States respecting finance...."
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mr. Lancey [sic]
Without regard to wealth numbers or anything else--
Mr. Patterson
I came not here to sport sentiments of my own but to speak the mind of my Constituents--perpetual is a word of Course as in Common Treaties of peace and alliance--that we alter the plan without any tollerable [sic] reason--one free man is equal to another but it is not a just deduction that one free State is equal to another--The Quantum of power will depend upon the justice of the Representation. Has Congress been Composed of weak or bad Men--This is not a fair Question--speak of Measures not Men--
Willson [sic]
Inequality in representation a poison that must destroy the whole.
Randolph
The Militia are incompetent to the purposes of defense--It would be very difficult to persuade the Militia of One State to March into another. This Argument was brought forward to prove the weakness of Congress.
18th of June Col. Hambleton [sic]
The Diet of Germany legislated on Individuals of the different Electoral Territories. No[t] only where they attempt to Contravene the Laws established Laws of the Diet agree to in the Diet--The States may be disposed to oppose the general Government and she is adequate to it. the defense [2] The Common Militia of a State is not adequate even to State defense as in Massachusetts--foreign powers rend disaffected States--A dispensation of honor in every State . No vigorous exertion without a distribution of honors in the individual States. Men Collectively he says are Governed by passions. The States will be rivals of the General--No! Make it their Interest by Laws of General Equity--and they will support the General Government. The Amphiction [sic] Council had [illegible] powers as to those made of raising Money or Extending the Quota. Quotas would destroy the whole because there is no Standard duty on Exports. Staple States take care--Larger States will not agree to the small ones to dispose of their property--We must then resort to Equity--Bad principles will produce their Effects--Troops can't be brought forward in proportion to the population--Men will try to extend their power--If the General Govt. prevails the Individual must fall--In the British Constitution Individuals are best secured. What are Impressments. The Executive is above all temptation. is it proved so by the Conduct of the Kings of Britain Sweden Prussia--In Poland, he says there are great Barons who overawe--He will leave no power in Individual [3]
States respecting Finance the power of Carrying on War I am against it. Witness the Stadholder.
Mr. Willson. [sic] June 23d [25 June]
Because a State Government ought to Elect a Genl Government the General Government ought as well to appoint the State Governments. he objects to the State Governments having anything to [inserted: do] in Electing the General Governments--The General Government is not to be considered as composed from different States--Commerce, he says must be Common--
Maddison. June 26th
Each Interest ought to be Represented. property ought to be defended against the will of even the Majority--If we do not give it a just balance or portion of power, the Government can not last--
4
3
2
1
10
Williamson. June 27th. [28 June]
States Cannot be taxed according to Numbers--
Sherman [Williamson]
It will not be reasonable that the Interior States should pay as much as the Commercial States--
June 29th
Mr. Ellsworth.
The second Branch to be a Check on the first--To Establish a National Legislature that shall reach property--If we do not go upon a system that shall Establish bad habits.
July 5th Maddison.
By giving Negative to the 2d. Branch they will finally Govern the Republick [sic]. [4]
Caminal [?] & Kingston at Walnut Wharf
207937 Bshls of Flour
20895 " " Bread
32245 Keggs
51689 Bushels of Corn
28289 Bushels of Wheat
1386 Bshls of Meal
600,000 for flour
28,000
8,000 for Corn
7,000 Wheat
1,386 Meal
636,386
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