Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow DRAFT OF PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE VETOING APPORTIONMENT BILL - The Works, vol. 6 (Correspondence 1789-1792)

Return to Title Page for The Works, vol. 6 (Correspondence 1789-1792)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

DRAFT OF PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE VETOING APPORTIONMENT BILL - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 6 (Correspondence 1789-1792) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 6.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


DRAFT OF PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE VETOING APPORTIONMENT BILL

j. mss.

April 5, 1792.

Gentlemen of the H. of Representatives,

—I have maturely considered the bill passed by the two houses for and I return it to your house, wherein it originated, with the following objections. 1. The Constitution has prescribed that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective members: and there is no one proportion or division which, applied to the respective numbers of the states will yield the number and allotment of representatives proposed by the bill. 2. The Constitution has also provided that the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, which restriction is by the contract, & by fair and obvious construction, to be applied to the separate & respective numbers of the states: and the bill has allotted to eight of the states more than one for thirty thousand.