August 11, 1787: Continuing Debate on Congress

Journal of the House of Representatives

Library of Congress, https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/hlaw:@field(DOCID+@lit(hj0011))

"that each House shall keep a journal of its proceeding , & shall publish the same from time to time."

--Motion by Madison (VA) and Rutledge (SC)

Saturday, August 11, 1787

The Convention considered and approved Article IV, Section 7, requiring congress to keep a journal of its proceedings.

They then turned to Section 8: “Neither House, without the consent of the other, shall adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that at which the two Houses are sitting.”

King (MA) and Madison (VA) noted that this section authorized the two houses to adjourn to a new place. They thought too frequent moves had hurt the Confederation Congress, and that a law should be required to move it. Gouverneur Morris (PA) made a motion to that effect. Spaight (NC) feared this would forever fix New York as the capital. Gerry (MA), Williamson (NC), and Carroll (MD) agreed.

Randolph (VA) then moved to reconsider Article IV, Section 5, requiring money bills to originate in the House of Representatives. Williamson seconded, Charles Pinckney (SC) opposed, and after discussion the motion to reconsider was approved, 9 “yes,” Maryland “no,” South Carolina divided. This would be taken up next Monday.

Synopsis

• The Convention took up various matters relating to how Congress would function.

Delegates Today

• Virginian Edward Carrington wrote from the Confederation Congress in New York to Madison (VA). He said the Congress was so ill-attended and dysfunctional that it was urgent for the Convention to complete its work.
• Johnson (CT) “din’d Pinckney’s” (probably Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (SC)) and visited Benjamin Chew at his home on South Third Street.
• Washington (VA) dined with the club at Springsbury and returned to the City after 10:00 P.M.
• Mason (VA) drew a bill of exchange on Acting Governor Beverly Randolph for 100 pounds, (Virginia currency) in favor of Fitzsimons (PA) for cash Fitzsimons had advanced to help Mason pay his expenses.
• William Blount (NC) eagerly wrote his brother John Gray Blount, further expounding upon a proposed venture of using enslaved labor to make nails which had been inspired by his witnessing Robert Morris (PA) using child labor for that purpose. After giving a detailed schematic of material and time costs, he concluded, “It has appeared to me that this Business of Nail making is a Business better calculated than any others for the Employment of Negroes and that it is among the most profitable of Businesses, your man Pollypus and my man Will I suppose would readily make as good Nails as any body.”

Philadelphia Today

• James Barr wrote from Philadelphia on behalf of Stuart and Barr to John Gray Blount (brother of William Blount (NC)) in Washington, North Carolina. Stuart and Barr sent Blount a power of attorney by Captain Horton to try and recover damages for the wreck of the brig Hazzard. “Our John J. Barr begs of you for old acquaintance Sake that you will use your utmost Interest in securing our property from the present hands... This fall, Stuart and Barr will need a quantity of honey, for which they will pay 4 shillings per gallon. Tar, pitch and turpentine are in demand. Tar will bring 10 shillings to 11 shillings, pitch 13 shillings, turpentine 12 shillings 6 pence, pork 96 shillings, tobacco 32 shillings 6 pence to 33 shillings 6 pence and wax 2 shillings 2 pence.”