Newspaper Report of Pennsylvania Convention Proceedings (November 27, 1787)

Yesterday, in Convention, it was moved by Mr. Whitehill, and seconded by Mr. Lincoln, "That a protest should be entered against the motion for ratifying the Constitution, if required."

It was urged in favor of this motion, that it was the practice of the legislature of Pennsylvania, and that the minority might thereby justify their votes to their constituents and to posterity.

Against it, it was said, the practice of the legislature of Pennsylvania was singular in this particular, and that it had done more mischief than good in the state; that it would produce long replies from the majority in defense of their votes, and that this would greatly swell the files, and increase the expense of printing our Journals; that entering a protest would only serve to inflame and distract the state unnecessarily upon a question, that, for the present, could not easily be reconsidered or repealed; that the newspapers were open to the minority for protests and addresses, and that they had a much more extensive circulation and influence than the Journal of the Convention could possibly have. The votes being called, there appeared for the question 22; against it 44.

The speakers in favor of the motion were Mr. Whitehill and Mr. Smilie. Against it were, Dr. Rush, Mr. M'Kean, Mr. Wilson, and Colonel Hartley.