Alexander Hamilton Papers
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New York Ratifying Convention. First Motion of July 22, [22 July 1788]

New York Ratifying Convention. First Motion of July 221

[Poughkeepsie, New York, July 22, 1788]

That the last mentioned Amendment2 having been read Mr. Hamilton moved that the same should be obliterated and the following inserted in its stead vizt. “That When the Number of Persons in the District of Territory to be laid out for the Seat of the Government of the United States, shall according to the Rule for the Apportionment of Representatives and direct Taxes Amount to  3 such District shall cease to be parcel of the State granting the Same, and Provision shall be made by Congress for their having a District Representation in that Body.”4

John McKesson MS Notes, New-York Historical Society, New York City.

1The motion is also in McKesson, “Journal of the Proceedings,” description begins “Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention of the State of NewYork. Held at the Town of Poughkeepsie County of Dutchess and Commencing on Tuesday the 17th day of June 1788” (MS, New York State Library, Albany). description ends 53–54, New York State Library, Albany.

2The amendment reads as follows:

“That the right of the Congress to exercise exclusive Legislation over such District not exceeding ten Miles square as may by Cession of a particular State and the Acceptance of Congress become the Seat of the Government of the United States shall not be exercised as to exempt the Inhabitants of such District from paying the like Taxes Imposts Duties and Excises as shall be imposed on the other Inhabitants of the State in which such District may be; and that ⟨no⟩ person shall be priviledged with⟨in⟩ the said District from Arrest for Crimes Committed or Debts contracted out of the said District and that the Inhabitants of the said District shall be entitled to the like essential Rights as the other Inhabitants of the United States in general.” (John McKesson Papers, New-York Historical Society.)

3Space left blank in MS.

4H’s motion was rejected by the Convention.

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