Mr. PINCKNEY replied, that his enumeration meant the five minute interests.  It still left the two great divisions of Northern and Southern interests.

Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS opposed the object of the motion as highly injurious.—­A navy was essential to security, particularly of the Southern States;—­

Mr. WILLIAMSON.  As to the weakness of the Southern States, he was not alarmed on that account.  The sickliness of their climate for invaders would prevent their being made an object.  He acknowledged that he did not think the motion requiring two-thirds necessary in itself; because if a majority of the Northern States should push their regulations too far, the Southern States would build ships for themselves; but he knew the Southern people were apprehensive on this subject, and would be pleased with the precaution.

Mr. SPAIGHT was against the motion.  The Southern States could at any time save themselves from oppression, by building ships for their own use.—­p. 1452.

Mr. BUTLER differed from those who considered the rejection of the motion as no concession on the part of the Southern States.  He considered the interests of these and of the Eastern States to be as different as the interests of Russia and Turkey.  Being, notwithstanding, desirous of conciliating the affections of the Eastern States, he should vote against requiring two-thirds instead of a majority.—­p. 1453.

Mr. MADISON.  He added, that the Southern States would derive an essential advantage, in the general security afforded by the increase of our maritime strength.  He stated the vulnerable situation of them all, and of Virginia in particular.

Mr. RUTLEDGE was against the motion of his colleague.  At the worst, a navigation act could bear hard a little while only on the Southern States.  As we are laying the foundation for a great empire, we ought to take a permanent view of the subject, and not look at the present moment only.

Mr. GORMAN.  The Eastern States were not led to strengthen the Union by fear for their own safety.

He deprecated the consequences of disunion; but if it should take place, it was the Southern part of the Continent that had most reason to dread them.

On the question to postpone, in order to take up Mr. PINCKNEY’s motion,—­

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, aye—­4; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, no—­7.  The Report of the Committee for striking out Section 6, requiring two-thirds of each House to pass a navigation act, was then agreed to, nem. con.

Mr. BUTLER moved to insert after Article 15, “If any person bound to service or labor in any of the United States, shall escape into another State, he or she shall not be discharged from such service or labor, in consequence of any regulations subsisting in the State to which they escape, but shall be delivered up to the person justly claiming their service or labor,”—­which was agreed to, nem. con.—­p. 1454-5-6.