Draft Resolution by James Wilson (June 7, 1787)

Resolved

That the second Branch of the national Legislature shall be elected in the following Manner—that the States be divided into Districts; the first to comprehend the States of the second to comprehend the States of the third to comprehend the States of the fourth to comprehend the states of and etc.—that the Members shall be elected by the said Districts in the Proportions following, in the first District Resolved That the Members of the second Branch be elected for Years, and that immediately after the first Election they be divided by Lot into Classes; that the Seats of the Members of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the first Year, the second the second Year and so on continually; to the End that the Part of the second Branch, as nearly as possible may be annually chosen.

Resolved That it shall be in the Power of the national Legislature, for the Convenience and Advantage of the good People of the United States, to divide them into such further and other Districts for the Purposes aforesaid as to the said Legislature shall appear necessary.