The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America

by U.S. Congress, James Madison, James Brown Scott

Madison, James. Hunt, Gaillard and James Brown Scott. The Debates in The Federal Convention of 1787 Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America. New York: Oxford University Press, 1920. xcvii, [1], 731 pp. Reprinted 1999 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. LCCN 98-51911. ISBN 1-886363-77-3. Cloth. $110. Part I contains the texts of the antecedents of the Federal Convention of 1787, including the Resolution of the General Assembly of Virginia... to Recommend a Plan for Regulating Commerce, Proceedings of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government... and biographical descriptions of those individuals involved in the Convention. Part II contains James Madison's notes on the text of the debates of the Federal Convention, by date, and an appendix containing text of relevant documents. Part III includes various related texts such as the text of the Constitution, text of documents proclaiming its ratification by each of the thirteen colonies, text of the first ten amendments and related resolutions. There is an index to Madison's Notes of Debates and Appendix thereto. "Every American who wishes really to understand the principles of the Constitution should, of course, read the Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention made by James Madison." Warren, The Making of the Constitution vii-ix. Marke, A Catalogue of the Law Collection at New York University (1953) 381. The inclusion of the attendant documents make this volume a valuable source for the reading of Madison's notes.

731 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 1999

About the author

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Members are usually affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party, and only rarely to a third-party or as independents. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators.

The members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms representing the people of a single constituency, known as a "district". Congressional districts are apportioned to states by population using the United States Census results, provided that each state has at least one congressional representative. Each state, regardless of population or size, has two senators. Currently, there are 100 senators representing the 50 states. Each senator is elected at-large in his or her state for a six-year term, with terms staggered, so every two years approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election.