Alexander Hamilton Papers

New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28, [28 June 1788]

New York Ratifying Convention. Second Speech of June 28

[Poughkeepsie, New York, June 28, 1788]

Mr. Hamilton. We shall make the same reservation.1 By the indisputable construction of these resolutions, we shall prove that this state was once on the verge of destruction, for want of an energetic government. To this point we shall confine ourselves.

Childs, Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York description begins The Debates and Proceedings of the State of New-York, Assembled at Poughkeepsie, on the 17th June, 1788. To deliberate and decide on the Form of Federal Government recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia, on the 17th September, 1787. Taken in Short Hand (New York: Printed and Sold by Francis Childs, 1788). description ends , 110.

1H had opened the debate by introducing “a series of official papers, and resolutions of this state, as evidence of the sentiments of the people during the most melancholy periods of the war” (see “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of June 28,” note 3). After an exchange of remarks between George Clinton and James Duane on the introduction of the papers, Melancton Smith said: “I shall not oppose the reading of any papers the gentlemen may think proper to produce. But we shall reserve to ourselves the privilege of giving what we think to be the true explanation of them” (Elliot, Debates description begins Jonathan Elliot, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution (Philadelphia, 1836). description ends , II, 358). H’s remarks were in answer to those of Smith.

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