NY Ratification Convention Debates (July 7, 1788) - New York Daily Advertiser (July 16, 1788)

By a Gentleman who arrived here on Monday last from Poughkeepsie, we are informed, that the Antifœderalists had met frequently in the course of the last week, and that in these meetings there was much warm debate:—some were for rejecting the Constitution:—but the majority, more moderate, insisted on an adoption, with certain conditions; and this at length was agreed on, as the extreme point of concession. The plan was accordingly formed, and brought forward in Convention.

A motion was then made for an informal Committee to be chosen from both parties, in order to organize more completely the amendments, and to fix on some accommodating scheme for an adoption.

A Committee was accordingly appointed, and having met, instead of entering mutually on the business, the Antifederal budget was immediately produced and opened, and a complete plan of adoption was presented as a single proposition, for the assent of the Fœderalists, attended with a declaration that this was their ultimatum. No room then remained for any general reasonings, but the matter was reduced to a point, and the propositions were only to be assented to or disapproved. Mr. Jay, Judge Hobart and others, strongly opposed the measure; urged most forcibly that the proposition led to a virtual and total rejection of the Constitution; and declared they could not consult with them at all, if they insisted upon that point. Both parties were firm, and the Committee dissolved without coming to any agreement.