Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress, 1789-1791 Back to the Exhibit
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Thomas Lloyd's shorthand notes, May 5-6, 1789


Wednesday, May 6, [1789]

 

On the bill for duties — imported into United States referred to the committee of the whole.

KEISTER: Petition Arthur Grier, conceives he has discovered the true longitude.

SHERMAN: Moved the bill from the Senate with amendments be taken up. Read.

On the enacting clause, whether "Congress" or "House of Representatives and Senate."

JACKSON: (Like it "an act — and the President of the United States.")

PAGE: If thought, a time will come when pass acts "By and with consent of the President." The Senate and Representatives are the sole legislative power of the United States.

House divided on the question and left to the Speaker to decide, which he did in favor of amendment.

BLAND: Many gentlemen chosen at considerable distance in Virginia. It would (contravene) the law of state which requires oath in one part of state. Move 3 months - that would be three months instead of —

WHITE: Make them take the same oath at the time and place where take the oath of office.

Debate 22 April.

GERRY: Does not discover what part of the Constitution which - The sweeping clause - There seems to be hardly any limits so far as applies to the powers of Congress, but it has made reference to this power, "And all other powers vested - in government of United States." It will be necessary to ascertain that Congress are vested with power to carry this clause into effect before we proceed to make the law. If it should be said that the clause which determines that the legislatures and executives should take this oath — still I can[not] see this vests any power on that principle. If this power was not vested in Congress it does not follow

     


(Mr. Lloyd's notes (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

digitized from DHFFC transcription   
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