LANSING. Necessary that standing Armies should exist in some Circumstances—but as a Check upon this Power (wh. may be dangerous to Liberty in some Situatio[ns]) proposes that no standing Army or regular Troops be raised or kept up in Time of Peace without Consent of two thirds of both Houses present—
MELANCTON SMITH proposes an Amendment—but gives no Reason for it—
SMITH thinks the federal Town should be expunged or the Clause amended—but has no Amendment prepared—
LANSING proposes Amendment that no Powers shall be exercised by Congress except such as are expressly given—other Powers to remain with the several States— No Exception CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Lansing's Amendmt. Suspension to be only to the next Meeting of the Legislature or for six Months—
GILBERT LIVINGSTON. not to extend to calling public Defaulters to Account but only to Criminal Cases.—
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Treadwell moves "that no Capitation Tax shall ever be laid" —second Amendment Resolution to the same Effect, "as the Opinion of the Committee"—
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. The same [i.e., Thomas Tredwell] "once a Year & transmitted to the Executive to be laid before the Legislatures of each State"—
MELANCTON SMITH. Opinion of Committee that Congress shd. not consent to any Title of Nobility—
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS. (Another Amendment—at the End of the Clause and Congress shall not consent &ca.—this given up, and the former one suffered to remain)
JONES observes is a Word of doubtful Signification—
HAMILTON supposes himself called upon says that it is a plain English Word & signifies to weaken or injure—
SAMUEL JONES admits it is a plain English Word but does not know how far it extends in the Constitution-how far it is allowable to impair Contracts?
MELANCTON SMITH. Several Amendments will be proposed 1st. That he be not reeligible— 2d. That he do not be suffered to command the 3d. That he shall not pardon Treason—
1SMITH means to propose Amendmts as to—Re-eligibility of the President—not suffered to command Army or Navy without Consent of the Congress—nor pardon Treason—