<P> But the Convention floor leaders kept moving forward where they could . First the new' house' seat apportionment was agreed, balancing big and small, north and south . The big states got a decennial census for' house' apportionment to reflect their future growth . Northerners had insisted on counting only free citizens for the' house'; southern delegations wanted to add property . Benjamin Franklin's compromise was that there would be no "property" provision to add representatives, but states with large slave populations would get a bonus added to their free persons by counting three - fifths other persons . </P> <P> On July 16, Sherman's "Great Compromise" prevailed on its fifth try . Every state was to have equal numbers in the United States Senate . Washington ruled it passed on the vote 5 yes, 4 no, 1 divided . It was not that five was a majority of twelve, but to keep the business moving forward, he used precedent established in the Convention earlier . Now some of the big - state delegates talked of walking out, but none did . Debate over the next ten days developed an agreed general outline for the Constitution . Small states readily yielded on many questions . Most remaining delegates, big - state and small, now felt safe enough to chance a new plan . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> Ruler as "chief magistrate" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> John Dickinson, DE for one - person president </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> Ruler as "chief magistrate" </Td> </Tr>

What does the constitution say about debts constructed before the adoption of the constitution