Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Favor of a Motion Increasing the Number in the House of Representatives, [8 September 1787]
Constitutional Convention. Remarks in Favor of
a Motion Increasing the Number
in the House of Representatives
[Philadelphia, September 8, 1787]
Col: Hamilton expressed himself with great earnestness and anxiety in favor of the motion.1 He avowed himself a friend to a vigorous Government, but would declare at the same time, that he held it essential that the popular branch of it should be on a broad foundation. He was seriously of opinion that the House of Representatives was on so narrow a scale as to be really dangerous, and to warrant a jealousy in the people for their liberties. He remarked that the connection between the President & Senate would tend to perpetuate him, by corrupt influence. It was the more necessary on this account that a numerous representation in the other branch of the Legislature should be established.2
, 538.
1. Near the end of the session of September 8, Hugh Williamson, delegate from North Carolina, made a motion that “the clause relating to the number of the House of Representatives shd. be reconsidered for the purpose of increasing the number” ( , 538). The clause to which he referred provided that, until the first census should be taken, the House of Representatives should consist of sixty-five members apportioned according to population among the several states.
2. Williamson’s motion, supported by H, was negatived by the Convention.