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Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) [New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation.... [partial]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00819.08 Author/Creator: Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Manuscript document Date: 15 June 1787 Pagination: 4 p. ; 33 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

In Butler's hand. A partial transcription of the New Jersey plan.

Notes: This copy is in Pierce Butler's hand.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Resolved--that the Articles of Confederation ought to be so revised, Corrected and Enlarged as to render the Federal Constitution adequate to the Exigencies of Government & the preservation of the Union.
Resolved that in Addition to the powers vested in the United States in Congress [struck: Assembled] by the present existing Articles of Confederation they be Authorized to pass Acts for Raising a Revenue by laying a Duty or Duties on all goods and Merchandize of foreign growth or Manufacture imported into any of the United States. By Stamps on paper, Vellum and parchment & by a postage on all letter & packages passing through the General Post Office, to be applied to such Federal purposes as they shall deem properly expedient. To make Rules & Regulations for the Collection thereof and the same from time to time to alter & amend in such manner as they shall think proper provided that all punishments Fines & Forfeitures and penalties to be incurred for Contravening such Acts, Rules & Regulations shall be adjudged by the Common Law Judiciaries of the State in which any offence contrary to the true Intent and meaning of such Acts, Rules & Regulations [2] shall be Committed or perpetrated with Liberty of Commencing, in the first instance all suits or prosecutions for that purpose, in the Superior Common Law Judiciary in such State--Subject nevertheless to an Appeal for the Correction of all Errors both in Law & Fact in rendering Judgment to the Judiciary of the United States--
Resolved that whenever Requisitions shall be necessary, instead of the Rule for making requisitions mentioned in the Articles of Confederation the United States in Congress be Authorized to make such Requisitions in proportion to the whole Number of White & other free Citizens & Inhabitants of every Age, Sex and Condition, including those bound to Servitude for a Term of Years, and three-fifths of all other persons not Comprehended in the foregoing description, except Indians not paying Taxes--That if such requisitions be not complied with in the time to be specified therein to Direct the Collection thereof in the Non-Complying States and for that purpose to Devise & pass Acts Directing and Authorizing the same--provided that none of the powers hereby vested in the United States in Congress [3] shall be exercise without the Consent of at least [blank in original] States and in that proportion of the Number of Confederated States should hereafter be increased or diminished.
Resolved that the United States in Congress be Authorized to Elect a Federal Executive to Consist of [blank in original] persons--to Continue in Office for the term of [blank in original] Years, to receive punctually at Stated periods a fixed Compensation for their Services by them rendered, in which no increase or diminution shall be made so as to affect the persons Composing the Executive at the time of such Increase or Diminution--to be pay'd out of the Federal Treasury--To be incapable of holding any other Office or Appointment during their time of Service; and for [blank in original] Years thereafter to be ineligible a Second time [struck: and removeable [sic] by Congress on Application by a Majority of the Executives of the Several States--That the Execution besides a General Authority to Execute the Federal Acts, ought to appoint] [4] and removeable [sic] by Congress on Application by a firm Majority of the Executives of the States--That the Executive besides a general Authority to Execute the Federal Acts ought to appoint all Federal Officers not otherwise provided for and to direct all Military operations provided that none of the persons composing the Federal Executive shall on any occasion take Command of any Troops so as personally to Conduct any Military Enterprize [sic] as General or in other Capacity--
Resolved that a Federal Judiciary be Established to Consist of a Supreme Tribunal--the Judges of which to be appointed by the Executive and to hold their offices during good behaviour--to receive punctually at stated times a fixed Compensation for their Services in which no Increase or diminution shall be made so as to affect the persons actually in Office at the time of such increase or Diminution--that the Judiciary so Established shall Reserve Authority to hear & determine in the first Instance on all Impeachments of Federal Officers, and by way of Appeal in the dernier Resort, in all Cases touching the Rights of Ambassadors--

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

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