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Source & Citation Info

title:“George Mason to Council of State”
authors:George Mason
date written:1787-8-31
permanent link
to this version:		https://consource.org/document/george-mason-to-council-of-state-1787-8-31/20130122080105/
last updated:Jan. 22, 2013, 8:01 a.m. UTC
retrieved:Nov. 30, 2023, 1:12 p.m. UTC
transcription
citation:
Mason, George. "Letter to Council of State." Supplement to Max Farrand's The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Ed. James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987. 251. Print.
manuscript
source:		 Pierce Butler papers

George Mason to Council of State (August 31, 1787)

George Mason: Alterations Proposed1
The Council of State, instead of being formed out of the Officers of the great Departments-to consist of not less than five, nor more than seven Members, to be constituted and appointed by Law; or by 2/3ds. of the Senate, with a duration & Rotation of Office, similar to that of the Senate.
2
The Objects of the National Government to be expressly defined, instead of indefinite powers, under an arbitrary Constructions of general Clauses.
Laws disapproved by the Executive, not to be reinacted, but by a Majority of 2/3ds. instead of 3/4ths. of the Legislature.
3
No Laws, in the Nature of a Navigation Act, to be passed, but by a Majority of 2/3ds. of the Legislature.
4
The Duties imposed upon Imports, by the National Government, to be the same in all the States.
5
The Legislature to be restrained from establishing perpetual Revenue.
6
Laws for raising or appropriating Revenue, or fixing the Salleries of Officers, to originate in the House of Representatives.