M^r Daniel Carroll, from Maryland took his seat.
M^r Gov^r Morris delivered a report from the Com^e of 5 members to whom
was committed the clause in the Report of the Com^e consisting of a
member from each State, stating the proper ratio of Representatives in
the 1^{st} branch, to be as 1 to every 40,000 inhabitants, as follows
viz
"The Committee to whom was referred the 1^{st} clause of the 1^{st}
proposition reported from the grand Committee, beg leave to report:
I. that in the 1^{st} meeting of the Legislature the 1^{st} branch
thereof consist of 56. members of which Number N. Hampshire shall have
2, Mass^{ts} 7, R. I^d 1, Con^t 4, N. Y. 5, N. J. 3, P^a 8, Del. 1, M^d
4, V^a 9, N. C. 5, S. C. 5, Geo. 2.
II. But as the present situation of the States may probably alter as
well in point of wealth as in the number of their inhabitants, that the
Legislature be authorized from time to time to augment y^e number of
Representatives. And in case any of the States shall hereafter be
divided, or any two or more States united, or any new States created
within the limits of the United States, the Legislature shall possess
authority to regulate the number of Representatives in any of the
foregoing cases, upon the principles of their wealth and number of
inhabitants."
M^r Sherman wished to know on what principles or calculations the Report
was founded. It did not appear to correspond with any rule of numbers,
or of any requisition hitherto adopted by Cong^s
M^r Gorham. Some provision of this sort was necessary in the outset. The
number of blacks & whites with some regard to supposed wealth was the
general guide. Fractions could not be observed. The Legisl^{re} is to
make alterations from time to time as justice & propriety may require.
Two objections prevailed ag^{st} the rate of 1 member for every 40,000
inh^{ts}. The 1^{st} was that the Representation would soon be too
numerous: the 2^d that the West^n States who may have a different
interest, might if admitted on that principle by degrees, outvote the
Atlantic. Both these objections are removed. The number will be small in
the first instance and may be continued so. And the Atlantic States
having y^e Gov^t in their own hands, may take care of their own
interest, by dealing out the right of Representation in safe proportions
to the Western States. These were the views of the Committee.
M^r L. Martin wished to know whether the Com^e were guided in the ratio,
by the wealth or number of inhabitants, of the States, or by both;
noting its variations from former apportionments by Cong^s
M^r Gov^r Morris & M^r Rutlidge moved to postpone the 1^{st} paragraph
relating to the number of members to be allowed each State in the first
instance, and to take up the 2^d paragraph authorizing the Legisl^{re}
to alter the number from time to time according to wealth & inhabitants.
The motion was agreed to nem. con.