[Philadelphia] Friday 16 Feb. After various Subjects were discussed & decided upon 4 or 5 Hours were spent in Grand Comee on Trade, [Benjamin] Harrison offered some Propositions in Lieu of the Report heretofore delivered in from a Comee on the necessary Regulations, Wyth [George Wythe] also offered Propositions whereof the first was that the Colonies have a Right to contract Alliances with Foreign Powers, an Objection being offered that this was Independency there ensued much Argument upon that Ground, a leading Question was given Whether this Proposn shall be considered by the Comee it was carried in the Affirmative 7 Colonies to 5 ー then it was debated and postponed, afterwards the Regulations of the Trade were handled & finally whether it shall be opened or not and when, upon this Head [Samuel] Chase spoke largely against carrying on Trade at present and [Benjamin] Harrison and E[dward] Rutledge vehemently for it ー there was no Determination
1. Richard Smith's Diary, LC.