hibition or tax on the importation of slaves. In the
first place, as five slaves are to be counted as three free
men in the apportionment of representatives, such a clause
would leave an encouragement to this traffic. In the second
place, slaves weakened one part of the Union, which the
other parts were bound to protect: the privilege of
importing them was therefore unreasonable. And, in the third
place, it was inconsistent with the principles of the
Revolution, and dishonorable to the American character, to
have such a feature in the Constitution.

"Mr. RUTLEDGE did not see how the importation of slaves
could be encouraged by this section. He was not apprehensive
of insurrections, and would readily exempt the other States
from the obligation to protect the Southern against them.
Religion and humanity had nothing to do with this question:
interest alone is the governing principle with nations. The
true question at present is, whether the Southern States
shall or shall not be parties to the Union. If the Northern
States consult their interest, they will not oppose the
increase of slaves, which will increase the commodities of
which they will become the carriers.

"Mr. ELLSWORTH was for leaving the clause as it stands. Let
every State import what it pleases. The morality or wisdom
of slavery are considerations belonging to the States
themselves. What enriches a part enriches the whole, and the
States are the best judges of their particular interest. The
old Confederation had not meddled with this point; and he
did not see any greater necessity for bringing it within the
policy of the new one.

"Mr. PINCKNEY. South Carolina can never receive the plan if
it prohibits the slave trade. In every proposed extension of
the powers of Congress, that State has expressly and
watchfully excepted that of meddling with the importation of
Negroes, _If the States be all left at liberty on this
subject, South Carolina may perhaps, by degrees, do of
herself what is wished, as Virginia and Maryland have
already done_.

"Adjourned.

"WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22.

"_In Convention_.--Art. 7, Sect. 4, was resumed.

"Mr. SHERMAN was for leaving the clause as it stands. He
disapproved of the slave-trade; yet, as the States were now
posse