SHERMAN'S PROPOSITIONS.

"It appears that Mr. Sherman discovered, at an early date, many radical defects in the old Confederation, although he was a member of the committee by which it had been framed. A manuscript left among his papers, and containing a series of propositions prepared by him for the amendment of the old Articles of Confederation, the greater part of which are incorporated, in substance, in the new Constitution, displays the important part which he acted in the general Convention of 1787." Sanderson's Lives of the Signers, iii. 270.

"The project which in importance stands next to that of Virginia is the series of propositions of Connecticut. . . . It was framed . . . before 19 June, and probably soon after the arrival of Sherman in Philadelphia

It may be that Sherman drew the paper; but one of the articles corresponds with the sixth recommendation of a committee on which Ellsworth served with Randolph in 1781; and is very similar to a proposition made 1786 by a sub-committee of which Johnson was a member; and another, the sixth, does no more than adopt the report of a committee of which Ellsworth was a member with Hamilton and Madison in 1783. As to the introduction of the Connecticut articles into the Constitution, it is hard to say whether Sherman or Ellsworth was the greatest hater of paper money." Bancroft, ii. 36-37.

On the Connecticut delegates, see: Bancroft, ii. 48-51.

On the Connecticut Compromise, see:

Bancroft, ii. 47-67;

Curtis, ii. 145-168;

Lalor, i. 547-548;

Johnston's Connecticut, chap. xvii.

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jurisidiction in all cases in which the revenues of the general government, or the citizens of foreign nations, are concerned.

8. The legislature of the United States to have power to institute courts in each State, for the determination of all matters of general concern.

9. The governors, senators, and all officers of the United States to be liable to impeachment for mal and corrupt conduct ; and, upon conviction, to be removed from office, and disqualified for holding any place of trust or profit. All impeachments to be tried by a court, to consist of the chief or senior judge of the superior court of law, in each State; provided, that such judge shall hold his place during good behavior, and have a permanent salary.

10. All laws of the particular States, contrary to the laws or constitution of the United States, to be utterly void. And the better to prevent such laws being passed, the governor or president of each State shall be appointed by the general government, and shall have a negative upon the laws about to be passed in any State of which he is governor or president.

11. No State to have any forces, land or naval; and the militia of all the States to be under the sole and exclusive direction of the United States; the officers of which to be appointed and commissioned by them.

SHERMAN'S PROPOSITIONS.

That, in addition to the legislative powers vested in Congress by the Articles of Confederation, the legislature of the United States be authorized to make laws to regulate the commerce of the United States with foreign nations, and among the several States in the Union; to impose duties on foreign goods and commodities. imported into the United States, and on papers passing through the postoffice, for raising a revenue, and to regulate the collection thereof, and apply the same to the payment of the debts due from the United States, and for supporting the government, and other necessary charges of the Union.

To make laws binding on the people of the United States, and on the courts of law, and other magistrates and officers, civil and military, within the several States, in all cases which concern the common interests of the United States; but not to interfere with

the government of the individual States, in matters of internal police which respect the government of such States only, and wherein the general welfare of the United States is not affected.

That the laws of the United States ought, as far as may be consistent with the common interests of the Union, to be carried into execution by the judiciary and executive officers of the respective States, wherein the execution thereof is required.

That the legislature of the United States be authorized to institute one supreme tribunal, and such other tribunals as they may judge necessary for the purpose aforesaid, and ascertain their respective powers and jurisdiction.

That the legislatures of the individual States ought not to possess a right to emit bills of credit for a currency, or to make any tender laws for the payment or discharge of debts or contracts, in any manner different from the agreement of the parties, unless for payment of the value of the thing contracted for, in current money agreeable to the standard that shall be allowed by the legislature of the United States, or in any manner to obstruct or impede the recovery of debts, whereby the interests of foreigners, or the citizens of any other State, may be affected.

That the eighth Article of the Confederation ought to be amended, agreeably to the recommendation of Congress of the (18th) day of (April, 1783).

That, if any State shall neglect or refuse to furnish its quota of supplies, upon requisition made by the legislature of the United States, agreeably to the Articles of the Union, that the said legislature be authorized to order the same to be levied and collected of the inhabitants of such State, and to make such rules and orders as may be necessary for that purpose.

That the legislature of the United States have power to make laws for calling forth such aid from the people, from time to time, as may be necessary to assist the civil officers in the execution of the laws of the United States; and annex suitable penalties in case of disobedience.

That no person shall be liable to be tried for any penal offence, committed within any of the United States, in any other State than that wherein the offence shall be committed, nor be deprived of the privilege of trial by a jury, by virtue of any law of the United States.

SANDERSON'S LIVES OF THE SIGNERS, iii. 270–273.