Volume II Part 35 (1/2)

M^r d.i.c.kenson wished the clause to be confined to the States which had not themselves prohibited the importation of slaves, and for that purpose moved to amend the clause so as to read ”The importation of slaves into such of the States as shall permit the same shall not be prohibited by the Legislature of the U. S. until the year 1808”--which was disagreed to nem: con:[42]

[42] In the printed Journals, Con^t Virg^a & Georgia voted in the affirmative.--Madison's Note.

The first part of the report was then agreed to, amended as follows.

”The migration or importation of such persons as the several States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Legislature prior to the year 1808.”

N. H. Mas. Con. M^d N. C. S. C. Geo: ay. N. J. P^a Del.

Virg^a no.

M^r Baldwin in order to restrain & more explicitly define ”the average duty” moved to strike out of the 2^d part the words ”average of the duties laid on imports” and insert ”common impost on articles not enumerated” which was agreed to nem: cont:

M^r Sherman was ag^{st} this 2^d part, as acknowledging men to be property, by taxing them as such under the character of slaves.

M^r King & M^r Langdon considered this as the price of the 1^{st} part.

Gen^l Pinkney admitted that it was so.

Col. Mason. Not to tax, will be equivalent to a bounty on the importation of slaves.

M^r Ghorum thought that M^r Sherman should consider the duty, not as implying that slaves are property, but as a discouragement to the importation of them.

M^r Gov^r Morris remarked that as the clause now stands it implies that the Legislature may tax freemen imported.

M^r Sherman in answer to M^r Ghorum observed that the smallness of the duty shewed revenue to be the object, not the discouragement of the importation.

M^r Madison thought it wrong to admit in the Const.i.tution the idea that there could be property in men. The reason of duties did not hold, as slaves are not like merchandize, consumed, &c.

Col. Mason (in answ^r to Gov^r Morris) the provision as it stands was necessary for the case of convicts in order to prevent the introduction of them.

It was finally agreed nem. contrad: to make the clause read ”but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation not exceeding ten dollars for each person,” and then the 2^d part as amended was agreed to.

Sect 5. art. VII was agreed to nem: con: as reported.

Sect. 6. art. VII. in the Report, was postponed.

On motion of M^r Madison 2^{ded} by M^r Gov^r Morris Article VIII was reconsidered and after the words ”all treaties made,” were inserted nem: con: the words ”or which shall be made.” This insertion was meant to obviate all doubt concerning the force of treaties preexisting, by making the words ”all treaties made” to refer to them, as the words inserted would refer to future treaties.

M^r Carrol and M^r L. Martin expressed their apprehensions, and the probable apprehensions of their const.i.tuents, that under the power of regulating trade the General Legislature, might favor the ports of particular States, by requiring vessels destined to or from other States to enter & clear thereat, as vessels belonging or bound to Baltimore, to enter & clear at Norfolk &c. They moved the following proposition

”The Legislature of the U. S. shall not oblige vessels belonging to citizens thereof, or to foreigners, to enter or pay duties or imposts in any other State than in that to which they may be bound, or to clear out in any other than the State in which their cargoes may be laden on board; nor shall any privilege or immunity be granted to any vessel on entering or clearing out, or paying duties or imposts in one State in preference to another.”

M^r Ghorum thought such a precaution unnecessary; & that the revenue might be defeated, if vessels could run up long rivers, through the jurisdiction of different States without being required to enter, with the opportunity of landing & selling their cargoes by the way.

M^r M^cHenry & Gen^l Pinkney made the following propositions

”Should it be judged expedient by the Legislature of the U. S.

that one or more port for collecting duties or imposts other than those ports of entrance & clearance already established by the respective States, should be established, the Legislature of the U. S. shall signify the same to the Executives of the respective States, ascertaining the number of such ports judged necessary; to be laid by the said Executives before the Legislatures of the States at their next session; and the Legislature of the U. S. shall not have the power of fixing or establis.h.i.+ng the particular ports for collecting duties or imposts in any State, except the Legislature of such State shall neglect to fix and establish the same during their first session to be held after such notification by the Legislature of the U.

S. to the Executive of such State.”