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d thereby remains with them and at their will," etc., etc. Whether, in speaking of a possible _resumption_ of powers by "the people of the United States," the Convention had in mind the action of such a people _in the aggregate_--political community which did not exist, and of which they, could hardly have entertained even an ideal conception--or of the people of Virginia, for whom they were speaking, and of the other United States then taking similar action--is a question which scarcely admits of argument, but which will be more fully considered in the proper place. New York, the eleventh State to signify her assent, did so on July 26, 1788, after an arduous and protracted discussion, and then by a majority of but three votes--30 to 27. Even this small majority was secured only by the recommendation of certain material amendments, the adoption of which by the other States it was at first proposed to make a condition precedent to the validity of the ratification. This idea was abandoned after a correspondence between Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Madison, and, instead of conditional ratification, New York provided for the resumption of her grants; but the amendments were put forth with a circular letter to the other States, in which it was declared that "nothing but the fullest confidence of obtaining a revision" of the objectionable features of the Constitution, "and an invincible reluctance to separating from our sister States, could have prevailed upon a sufficient number to ratify it without stipulating for previous amendments." The ratification was expressed in the usual terms, as made "_by the delegates of the people of the State of New York_ ... in the name and in behalf of the people" of the said State. Accompanying it was a declaration of the principles in which the assent of New York was conceded, one paragraph of which runs as follows: "That the powers of government may be _reassumed_ by the people, whensoever it shall become necessary to their happiness; that every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not, by the said Constitution, clearly delegated to the Congress of the United States, or the departments of the Government thereof, remains to the people of the several _States_, or to their respective State governments, to whom they may have granted the same; and that those clauses in the said Constitution which declare that Congress shall not have or exercise certa
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