Richard Harison's Notes of the New York Ratification Convention Debates (July 11, 1788)

SMITH. Argts. go too far, to shew that the Convn. cannot explain, or add Recommendations as well as Conditions—Congress not to be pro hibited from making Requisitions—Reasons of the Gentn. go to total Rejection, not to condition the Propositions of the Gentl Majority. Reads proposed Ratification Does not suppose that the Congress will probably exercise the Powers reserved by the intended Ratification— Will they excise our Home Manufactures when We have scarce any? or can the first Congress lay Taxes? Does not mean to dictate? On the Contrary only wishes the fair Consideration of the Subject by a Con vention to be called by the other States—

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CLINTON asks Whence Congress gets Power to alter the original Confederation?— & to organize the present Govt.?—If this Question is answered, he will answer the Gentleman's Reasoning?

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SMITH. The Govt. has never been fairly before the People as to it's being good or bad—It has been generally adopted from Motives of Expedience—

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LANSING. 1 As to the Power of the present Convention