nguished from the various
"national" plans presented. In defending them, he had said, after
calling for the reading of the credentials of delegates:

"Can we, on this ground, form a national Government? I fancy
not. Our commissions give a complexion to the business; and can
we suppose that, when we exceed the bounds of our duty, the
people will approve our proceedings?

"We are met here as the deputies of _thirteen independent,
sovereign States, for federal purposes. Can we consolidate their
sovereignty and form one nation_, and annihilate the
sovereignties of our States, who have sent us here for other
purposes?"

Again, on a subsequent day, after stating that he was not there to
pursue his own sentiments of government, but of those who had sent him,
he had asked:

"Can we, _as representatives of independent States_, annihilate
the essential powers of independency? Are not the votes of this
Convention taken on every question under the idea of
independency?"

The fact that this State, which, through her representatives, had taken
so conspicuous a part in the maintenance of the principle of State
sovereignty, ratified the Constitution with such readiness and
unanimity, is conclusive proof that, in her opinion, that principle was
not compromised thereby. The conclusion of her ordinance of ratification
is in these words:

"Now be it known that we, the delegates of _the State of New
Jersey_, chosen by the people thereof for the purpose aforesaid,
having maturely deliberated on and considered the aforesaid
proposed Constitution, do hereby, for and on behalf of the
_people of the said State of New Jersey_, agree to, ratify, and
confirm the same, and every part thereof.

"Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the members
present, this 18th day of December, A. D. 1787."

Georgia next, and also unanimously, on January 2, 1788, declared,
through "_the delegates of the State of Georgia_, in convention met,
pursuant to the provisions of the [act of the] Legislature aforesaid ...
in virtue of the powers and authority given us [them] by _the people of
the said State_, for that purpose," that they did "fully and entirely
assent to, ratify, and adopt the said Constitution."

Connecticut (on the 9th of January) declares her assent with equal
distinctness of assertion as to the source of the authority: "In the
name of _the people of