those
members could not be lost without real concern, and that so early
a proof of discord in the convention as a secession of a State,
would add much to the regret; that the change proposed was
however so fundamental an article in a national Govt. that it
could not be dispensed with.

Mr. M(adison) observed that whatever reason might have existed
for the equality of suffrage when the Union was a federal one
among sovereign States, it must cease when a national Governt.
should be put into the place. In the former case, the acts of
Congs. depended so much for their efficacy on the cooperation of
the States, that these had a weight both within & without
Congress, nearly in proportion to their extent and importance. In
the latter case, as the acts of the Genl. Govt. would take effect
without the intervention of the State legislatures, a vote from
a small State wd. have the same efficacy & importance as (a vote)
from a large one, and there was the same reason for (different
numbers) of representatives from different States, as from
Counties of different extents within particular States. He
suggested as an expedient for at once taking the sense of the
members on this point and saving the Delaware deputies from
embarrassment, that the question should be taken in Committee,
and the clause on report to the House (be postponed without a
question there). This however did not appear to satisfy Mr. Read.

By several it was observed that no just construction of the Act
of Delaware, could require or justify a secession of her
deputies, even if the resolution were to be carried thro' the
House as well as the Committee. It was finally agreed however
that the clause should be postponed: it being understood that in
the event the proposed change of representation would certainly
be agreed to, no objection or difficulty being started from any
other quarter (than from Delaware).

The motion of Mr. Read to postpone being agreed to

The Committee then rose. The chairman reported progress, and the
House having resolved to resume the subject in Committee
tomorrow,[532]

(Adjourned to 10 OClock)

* * * * *

The next question was on the following resolve:

In substance that the mode of the present representation wa