Constitutional Convention. Motion on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787]

Constitutional Convention. Motion on the
Ratification of the Constitution

[Philadelphia, September 10, 1787]

Mr. Hamilton then moved to postpone art XXI1 in order to take up the following, containing the ideas he had above expressed,2 viz

Resolved that the foregoing plan of a Constitution be transmitted to the U.S. in Congress assembled, in order that if the same shall be agreed to by them, it may be communicated to the Legislatures of the several States, to the end that they may provide for its final ratification by referring the same to the Consideration of a Convention of Deputies in each State to be chosen by the people thereof, and that it be recommended to the said Legislatures in their respective acts for organizing such convention to declare, that if the said Convention shall approve of the said Constitution, such approbation shall be binding and conclusive upon the State, and further that if the said Convention should be of opinion that the same upon the assent of any nine States thereto, ought to take effect between the States so assenting, such opinion shall thereupon be also binding upon such State, and the said Constitution shall take effect between the States assenting thereto.”3

Hunt and Scott, Debates description begins Gaillard Hunt and James Brown Scott, eds., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. Reported by James Madison (New York, 1920). description ends , 542.

1. Article XXI provided the Constitution should go into effect when ratified by nine states.

2. See “Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Manner of Ratifying the Constitution,” September 10, 1787, and “Constitutional Convention. Remarks on the Ratification of the Constitution,” September 10, 1787.

3. H’s motion to postpone the vote on Article XXI was defeated. Article XXI was then agreed to unanimously.

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Source Project: Hamilton Papers
Title: Constitutional Convention. Motion on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787]
Author: Hamilton, Alexander
Date: 10 September 1787

Reference

Cite as: “Constitutional Convention. Motion on the Ratification of the Constitution, [10 September 1787],” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0132. [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 4, January 1787 – May 1788, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1962, p. 247.]