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Constitution and Constitutional Convention archive [decimalized]

This collection of Pierce Butler's papers from the Constitutional Convention of 1787 provides unique views of the various conflicts that permeated the Constitutional Convention, while bringing to life the process of creating the United States...

GLC00819

Notebook: Comments of the Delegates

A long, narrow notebook, once probably a single folded sheet of paper, now two separate items. The notebook records comments by Lancey [Lansing], Patterson, Randolph, Hamilton, Wilson, Madison, Williams, Sherman and Ellsworth. The first item consists...

GLC00819.09

[Pierce Butler: Notebook from the Constitutional Convention]

Four pages of text with 12 blank pages and extensive doodles and calculations on the last page of the conjugate sheet. The notebook contains resolutions of May 30, and comments of Gerry, Wilson and Madison from June 6 to June 16. Continued by 819.09...

GLC00819.04

Convention papers

Butler's wrapper and titlepage for these papers.

GLC00819.03

Proposition... from Mr. Franklin [and] Proposition from Mr. Rutledge

Franklin/Rutledge proposals with population figures. Docketed: "Proposition from Doctor Franklin June 30, 87- with sundry reports & Calculations from two Committees." Franklin proposed an equal number of delegates for the second branch of government...

GLC00819.11

Quota of tax and delegates by States

Written on recto of first leaf only, a list beginning "Virginia," that indicates its population and ratio of delegates (for representation in Congress).

GLC00819.05

[State of the resolutions submitted by... Mr. Randolph...]

Changes to the Virginia Plan as agreed to by "a committee of the Whole House." In Secretary to the Convention William Jackson's hand per CH. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.06

[New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation.... [partial]

In Butler's hand. A partial transcription of the New Jersey plan.

GLC00819.08

[New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation....

"Jersey" -docket on p.8. Full transcript of the New Jersey Plan in hand of Robert Lansing, Jr.. Charles Hamilton thought this document might be written in the hand of Spaight, but SK identified later as John Lansing, Jr.

GLC00819.07

The Supreme Legislative power of the United States of America...

Hamilton's constitutional plan for two legislative bodies, as Assembly and Senate, and a permanently elected executive. In the hand of John Lansing, Jr.

GLC00819.10

[Notes on debate]: Whether the States Vote Equally or not....

Half sheet of paper. Not dated in Hutson. Debate concerning the equality of votes of the states and the danger to small states posed by large ones.

GLC00819.24

In all Cases of Capture from an Enemy...

Folded small folio. Fragments concerning trade and limitations on the judiciary's office, with an unfinished resolve. (J. Whatman countermark in paper)

GLC00819.25

Resolved... Territory of the States is too extensive to Consist of one Republic

Recommends dividing the states into three allied republics.

GLC00819.23

Constitution [printing of first draft] [Committee of Detail]

Report of the Committee of Detail, the first draft of the Constitution, signed by Pierce Butler with his annotations. The leaves are printed recto only. Uncut and unbound, sealed in Plexiglas string mat. "We the People of the States of New-Hampshire...

GLC00819.01

And to make all Laws, not repugnant to this Constitution....

Half sheet of paper signed "P. Butler." A brief fragment concerning Congress' power to legislate. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.12

The Legislature shall fulfill the foreign engagements...

Quarter sheet, docketed on verso: "The Creditors." The word "foreign" inserted above in pencil. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.14

All demands... against the United States

Quarter sheet of paper. Confirming the validity of debts incurred by the previous Congress which will devolve upon the new legislature. With addition in a different hand "The Legislature shall fulfill the Engagements and discharge the Debts of the...

GLC00819.13

The regulation of Commerce or Revenue...

Half sheet regarding the federal government's regulation of ports. Blank on verso. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.15

But no regulation of Commerce or Revenue...

Quarter sheet related to #819.15. Denies the federal government the right to give favor to the ports of one state over another. Note that this contradicts #819.15. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.16

Objections to the Constitution as far as it has advanced...

Lists eleven objections to the Constitution (the 12th has been struck). Docket reads "Objections to the Constitution / by Mr. Randal."

GLC00819.18

The Members of the Legislature shall be ineligible to any Office...

Quarter sheet concerning eligibility for offices. Date from Hutson

GLC00819.20

[Various proposals:] The Council of State...

Large folio sheet. Unidentified handwriting. Also re: import duties, revenues, limiting terms and appointments of elected officials including the President, limits on the executive pardon authority and a rejected clause concerning revenues.

GLC00819.19

Committee report on trade and manufacture

Probably unrelated to the Convention and accidentally inserted by Butler into these papers. Consists of a report requested by Jefferson as U.S. Minister to France, while in Paris, and prepared for the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. The report...

GLC00819.26

Money Bills [and] Trade [with Pinckney anecdote]

Mentions the rejection of a clause rejecting the origination of money bills; also, additions concerning debts for the common defense, rejecting taxes of limited duration, trade, age and birth requirements for President. With a Charles Pinckney story...

GLC00819.21

Constitution [First printing of second draft] [Committee of Style]

Second draft of the Constitution, by the Committee of Style, printed on recto of each leaf and tied (leaves 1-2 only) with a ribbon, uncut and unbound. With the notes of Pierce Butler. Originally bound with blue ribbon. Document has creasemarks along...

GLC00819.02