Report of the Committee

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In Congress, Friday, March 15, 1776.

The Congress met.
And the Journal of yesterday was read.

The Congress proceeded to take under consideration the Report of the Committee of the Whole, on a plan or form of Government in this Colony.

And proceeding in that clause of the first section of the said Report, "That this Congress, being a full and free representation of the people, shall henceforth be called the General Assembly of South-Carolina;"

A motion was made that the said clause be struck out.

After some debate, the question was put, and passed in the negative.

On reading the clause, "That this Congress, as a General Assembly, shall continue as such, until the 20th day of July next,"

A motion was made for an amendment, by striking out the words "20th of July," and inserting in their stead, the words "21st of October."

And the question being put, resolved in the affirmative.

The second section of the said Report being read,

A motion was made that the words "Legislative Council," be struck out.

A debate ensued; and the question being put, the Congress divided.

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The yeas went forth. Yeas, 30; Nays, 40.

Tellers, For the yeas, Colonel Gadsden.
Tellers, For the nays, Colonel Pinckney.

So that it was determined in the negative.

A motion was then made that the said Legislative Council shall consist of twenty-one Members, eleven whereof to be a quorum.

After some time spent in debate, the question was put, and passed in the negative.

On motion, That the said Council shall consist of seventeen Members, nine of them to be a quorum;

The question was put, and passed in the negative.

A motion was made, That the said Council shall consist of fifteen Members, whereof nine to be a quorum.

And the question being put, it passed in the negative.

A motion was made, That the Members of the said Legislative Council be chosen by ballot "from among the Members of the General Assembly."

After some time spent in debate, the question being put, resolved in the affirmative.

Adjourned to nine o' clock to-morrow.