Mas. no. Con^t ay. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a ay. N.
C. no. S. C. ay. Geo. ay: So it was lost.
M^r Randolph. The vote of this morning (involving an equality of
suffrage in 2^d branch) had embarrassed the business extremely. All the
powers given in the Report from the Com^e of the whole, were founded on
the supposition that a Proportional representation was to prevail in
both branches of the Legislature. When he came here this morning his
purpose was to have offered some propositions that might if possible
have united a great majority of votes, and particularly might provide
ag^{st} the danger suspected on the part of the smaller States, by
enumerating the cases in which it might lie, and allowing an equality of
votes in such cases.[133] But finding from the Preceding vote that they
persist in demanding an equal vote in all cases, that they have
succeeded in obtaining it, and that N. York, if present would probably
be on the same side, he could not but think we were unprepared to
discuss this subject further. It will probably be in vain to come to any
final decision with a bare majority on either side. For these reasons he
wished the Convention might adjourn, that the large States might
consider the steps proper to be taken in the present solemn crisis of
the business, and that the small States might also deliberate on the
means of conciliation.
[133] See the paper, in the appendix, co[~m]unicated by M^r R.
to J. M. July 10.--Note in Madison's hand.
M^r Patterson, thought with M^r R. that it was high time for the
Convention to adjourn that the rule of secrecy ought to be rescinded,
and that our Constituents should be consulted. No conciliation could be
admissible on the part of the smaller States on any other ground than
that of an equality of votes in the 2^d branch. If M^r Randolph would
reduce to form his motion for an adjournment sine die, he would second
it with all his heart.
Gen^l Pinkney wished to know of M^r R. whether he meant an adjournment
sine die, or only an adjournment for the day. If the former was meant,
it differed much from his idea. He could not think of going to S.
Carolina and returning again to this place. Besides it was chimerical to
suppose that the States if consulted would ever accord separately, and
beforehand.
M^r Randolph, had never entertained an idea of an adjournment sine die;
& was sorry that his meaning had been so readily & strangely
misinterpreted. He had in view merely an adjournment till to-morrow, in
order that some conciliatory experiment might if possible be devised,
and that in case the smaller States should continue to hold back, the
larger might then take such measures, he would not say what, as might be
necessary.
M^r Patterson seconded the adjournment till to-morrow, as an opportunity
seemed to be wished by the larger States to deliberate further on
conciliatory expedients.
On the question for adjourning till tomorrow, the States were equally
divided,
Mas. no. Con^t no. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a ay.
N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no, so it was lost.
M^r Broome thought it his duty to declare his opinion ag^{st} an
adjournment sine die, as had been urged by M^r Patterson. Such a measure
he thought would be fatal. Something must be done by the Convention,
tho' it should be by a bare majority.
M^r Gerry observed that Mas^{ts} was opposed to an adjournment, because
they saw no new ground of compromise. But as it seemed to be the opinion
of so many States that a trial sh^d be made, the State would now concur
in the adjournm^t.
M^r Rutlidge could see no need of an adjourn^t because he could see no
chance of a compromise. The little States were fixt. They had repeatedly
& solemnly declared themselves to be so. All that the large States then
had to do was to decide whether they would yield or not. For his part he
conceived that altho' we could not do what we thought best, in itself,
we ought to do something. Had we not better keep the Gov^t up a little
longer, hoping that another Convention will supply our omissions, than
abandon every thing to hazard. Our Constituents will be very little
satisfied with us if we take the latter course.
M^r Randolph & M^r King renewed the motion to adjourn till tomorrow.
On the question. Mas. ay. Con^t no. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. no.
M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. div^d.