from
duty whilst every other import was subjected to it, as an
inequality that could not fail to strike the commercial sagacity
of the Northn. & middle States.

Mr. Langdon was strenuous for giving the power to the Genl Govt.
He cd. not with a good conscience leave it with the States who
could then go on with the traffic, without being restrained by
the opinions here given that they will themselves cease to import
slaves.

Genl. Pinkney thought himself bound to declare candidly that he
did not think S. Carolina would stop her importations of slaves
in any short time, but only stop them occasionally as she now
does. He moved to commit the clause that slaves might be made
liable to an equal tax with other imports which he thought right
& wh. wd. remove one difficulty that had been started.

Mr. Rutlidge. If the Convention thinks that N. C.; S. C. &
Georgia will ever agree to the plan, unless their right to import
slaves be untouched, the expectation is vain. The people of those
States will never be such fools as to give up so important an
interest. He was strenuous agst. striking out the Section, and
seconded the motion of Genl. Pinkney for a commitment.

Mr. Govr. Morris wished the whole subject to be committed
including the clauses relating to taxes on exports & to a
navigation act. These things may form a bargain among the
Northern & Southern States.

Mr. Butler declared that he never would agree to the power of
taxing exports.

Mr. Sherman said it was better to let the S. States import slaves
than to part with them, if they made that a sine qua non. He was
opposed to a tax on slaves imported as making the matter worse,
because it implied they were _property_. He acknowledged that if
the power of prohibiting the importation should be given to the
Genl. Government that it would be exercised. He thought it would
be its duty to exercise the power.

Mr. Read was for the commitment provided the clause concerning
taxes on exports should also be committed.

Mr. Sherman, observed that that clause had been agreed to &
therefore could not committed.

Mr. Randolph was for committing in order that some middle ground
might, if possible, be found. He could never agree to the clause
as it stands. He wd. sooner risk the const