1New York Ratifying Convention. Eighth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this [amendment] cannot be by way of explanation—but may be by recommendation. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. See “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19,” note 1 . The proposed amendment reads as follows: “That the Judicial p⟨ower⟩ of ⟨the⟩ United States as to Controversies between Citizens of different States is not to be...
2New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Hamilton objects because there is no security in it—the people are excluded from chusing perhaps your best man— [Melancton] Smith would rather have him elected for 8 yrs & not eligible again—Mov[e]d for it—Jay seconded his Mot[io]n. Ham[ilton]—opposes—a temptation for an avaritious man—to plunder & make the best of his time—has not the motive to please— [Melancton] Smith Much may be said on...
3New York Ratifying Convention. First Motion of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
That the last mentioned Amendment having been read Mr. Hamilton moved that the same should be obliterated and the following inserted in its stead vizt. “That When the Number of Persons in the District of Territory to be laid out for the Seat of the Government of the United States, shall according to the Rule for the Apportionment of Representatives and direct Taxes Amount to such District...
4New York Ratifying Convention. Fourth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—this will increase appeals—but does not much oppose—[Samuel] Jones—this will seldom happen—& cannot last Ham[ilton]—it may opperate to the prejudice of the poor— Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. In this speech H was discussing the following proposed amendment to the Constitution: “That Congress shall not constitute ordain or establish any Tribunals...
5New York Ratifying Convention. Sixth Speech of July 22, [22 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—wishes to know what objectn gent. have to Congss. arranging the militia. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. H was discussing the following amendment concerning the militia: “That the power to organize arm and discipline the Militia shall only extend so far as to prescribe the Mode of officering arming & disciplining ⟨– – – – –⟩. (John McKesson Papers,...
6New York Ratifying Convention. Remarks, [23 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—thinks we ought to proceed on the report—& if any gent[leman] wishes to introduce an amend[men]t he has a right to do it. Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. For a discussion of the debates on July 23 and of the decisions made by the Convention on that date, see “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 24 .”
7New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of July 15, [15 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—extremely sorry Lan[sing] cannot see the matter as he does —has this consolation, that they have done all they could to conciliate—heartily wishes the matter may be postponed till tomorrow—gent[lemen] have men[tione]d the breach of the Confed[eratio]n —considers the clause of amend[ment]s in it only going to the mode of govt—people may alter their govt—Mot[io]n that the committee...
8New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—the spirit of the 2d clause he agrees with —& will agree in—the jury of the vicinage in some cases cannot be good—however will not insist on it—a jury—is security sufficient—without saying of the County—moves to strike out “ of the county .” Govr [George Clinton]—wishes it should stand. [Samuel] Jones—do—who shall designate whence the jury should be called—the prosecutor may lay his...
9New York Ratifying Convention. Fifth Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—an explanatory clause ought to explain, not to affix a new Idea— the dividing the state into districts is explanatory but the qualifying part is not— Gilbert Livingston MS Notes, MS Division, New York Public Library. See “New York Ratifying Convention. First Speech of July 19,” note 1 . At this point in the proceedings the Convention took up the second part of the “Bill of Rights”...
10New York Ratifying Convention. Third Speech of July 19, [19 July 1788] (Hamilton Papers)
Ham[ilton]—opposed to the leading idea of this clause —it tends to render the Militia of no service—in swi[tzerland] & england—there must be select corps—the whole people can never be fully trained if we agree to this, you oblidge the gov[ernmen]t to have a standing army—does not depend on regulations on paper for safety—but on the Genius of our country—was mistaken as to the clause—objects...