Source & Citation Info

title:	“Notes on Debates by Pierce Butler”
authors:	Pierce Butler
date written:	1787-6-8

permanent link to this version:	https://consource.org/document/notes-on-debates-by-pierce-butler-1787-6-8/20130122082232/
last updated:	Jan. 22, 2013, 8:22 a.m. UTC
retrieved:	April 19, 2024, 9:31 p.m. UTC

transcription citation:	Butler, Pierce. "Notes on Debates by Pierce Butler." Supplement to Max Farrand's The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Ed. James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987. 61. Print.
manuscript source:	Photostat, Library of Congress

Notes on Debates by Pierce Butler (June 8, 1787)

Mr. Pinckney. Antient Republicks fell by their own turbulancy.

Mr. Madison. No Line can be drawn between the State Governments and the General Government.

Willson. Let Us forgett Local and narrow distinctions. Partial Evil must submit to general good.

Maddison. A power in the different States to ratify state Laws. What power is this to be? An individual! a Council! [indecipherable] a Bey or Bashaw. This Assembly must end in Anarchy. We must consider ourselves as One whole that may apply if our resources were common and equal. Whether the States vote equally or not there can be no danger of the state Governments.

Ans. If the large States get a decisive Majority in the General Government, they may allow the small States the Name and that is all left them. The large States having got a decided Majority in the General Government they will be indifferent about the individual state Governments; besides having a decided Majority they may pass partial Laws.