Dr. Witherspoon was of opinion, that the value of lands and houses was the best estimate of the wealth of a nation, and that it was practicable to obtain such a valuation.  This is the true barometer of wealth.  The one now proposed is imperfect in itself, and unequal between the states.  It has been objected that negroes eat the food of freemen, and therefore should be taxed; horses also eat the food of freemen; therefore they also should be taxed.  It has been said too, that in carrying slaves into the estimate of the taxes the state is to pay, we do no more than those states themselves do, who always take slaves into the estimate of the taxes the individual is to pay.  But the cases are not parallel.  In the Southern colonies slaves pervade the whole colony; but they do not pervade the whole continent.  That as to the original resolution of Congress, to proportion the quotas according to the souls, it was temporary only, and related to the monies heretofore emitted; whereas we are now entering into a new compact, and therefore stand on original ground.

August 1.  The question being put, the amendment proposed was rejected by the votes of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, against those of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina.  Georgia was divided.

The other article was in these words.  ’Art.  XVII.  In determining questions, each colony shall have one vote.’

July 30, 31, August 1.  Present forty-one members.  Mr. Chase observed that this article was the most likely to divide us, of any one proposed in the draught then under consideration:  that the larger colonies had threatened they would not confederate at all, if their weight in Congress should not be equal to the numbers of people they added to the confederacy; while the smaller ones declared against a union, if they did not retain an equal vote for the protection of their rights.  That it was of the utmost consequence to bring the parties together, as, should we sever from each other, either no foreign power will ally with us at all, or the different states will form different alliances, and thus increase the horrors of those scenes of civil war and bloodshed, which in such a state of separation and independence, would render us a miserable people.  That our importance, our interests, our peace required that we should confederate, and that mutual sacrifices should be made to effect a compromise of this difficult question.  He was of opinion, the smaller colonies would lose their rights, if they were not in some instances allowed an equal vote; and, therefore, that a discrimination should take place among the questions which would come before Congress.  That the smaller states should be secured in all questions concerning life or liberty, and the greater ones, in all respecting property.  He therefore proposed, that in votes relating to money, the voice of each colony should be proportioned to the number of its inhabitants.