The Virginia Plan as Drafted by James Madison and Presented by Edmund Randolph.
Proposals for the National Legislature
May 19, 1787
2. Resolved therefore that the right of suffrage in the National
Legislature ought to be proportioned to the Quotas of
contribution, or to the number of inhabitants, as one or the
other rule may seem best in different cases.
3. Resolved that the National Legislature ought to consist of two
branches.
4. Resolved that the members of the first branch of the National
Legislature ought to be elected by the people of the several States
Every____ [years] for the term of _____;
to be of the age of____ years at least;....
to be incapable of reelection for the space of_____[years] after the
expiration of their term of service,
and to be subject to recall.
5. Resolved that the members of the second branch of the National
Legislature ought to be elected by those of the first,
out of a proper number of people nominated by the individual
Legislatures,
to be of the age ____years at least;
to hold their offices for a term sufficient to ensure their
independency....