The Convention – New States

On August 13, 1787, the delegates turned their attention to the reports from the Committee of Detail, which had been appointed to draft a constitution based on the resolutions that the convention had approved during its first two months of deliberations.

On that specific day, the convention discussed various issues:

1. **Admission of New States**: The convention deliberated on the process by which new states could be admitted to the Union. The draft from the Committee of Detail had suggested that new states would require the approval of two-thirds of the existing states. The delegates debated the merit and demerits of this proposal.

2. **Power of Congress Over Western Lands**: The delegates discussed the powers of Congress over the western territories. This was a significant topic, as the control and disposal of western lands was a major concern for many states.

3. **Regulation of Interstate Commerce**: There was also discussion related to the regulation of commerce. The draft by the Committee of Detail granted Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, but the Southern states were concerned about potential Congressional interference with the slave trade.

These deliberations on August 13 were part of the broader process of refining and finalizing the U.S. Constitution. The document underwent numerous revisions, debates, and discussions over the course of the convention, leading up to its signing on September 17, 1787.

For an exact day-by-day account, James Madison’s notes on the Constitutional Convention are an invaluable resource. Madison, often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” kept detailed notes of the debates and proceedings, which provides a comprehensive overview of the crafting of the U.S. Constitution.

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