John Jay Papers
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Extract from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates, [between 11 and 15 July 1788]

Extract from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates

[Poughkeepsie, between 11 and 15 July 1788]1

Mr. Jay. Have not misapp[lie]d.— the levying of taxes in a diff[eren]t. way—&— the hands of Congress tied—

Congress will have no power to suspend any power—^[in margin] how have they power to accept?^

how can they lay taxes on other State and not on others—

tie hands of Congress, when said they will not exercise them— a rejection under another name—

ride to N.Y or go afoot— black coat or blue—difference admitted they have the right but

Will the other States be content—

Legislature of the state NY. may tax suff[icien]t. have they a right to exempt them—

consistent with the contract

AD, N: Melancton Smith notes.

1The precise date and location of these notes is unclear, but falls within this period of debate as to whether Congress could accept a ratification with conditional amendments.

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