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The federal convention recognized that a secession could occur, and Madison offered a motion that the militia could be used to prevent secession. That motion was defeated 8-3.

So far as I can make out the measure was tabled or indefinitely postponed. So the convention never made up its mind about the matter.

It's strange, though, that after something like ten years arguing this, you bring this up now. If it were all that essential, wouldn't we all have discussed it by now?

So far as I can make out the measure was tabled or indefinitely postponed. So the convention never made up its mind about the matter.

I think you're referring to another motion. Madison's motion was defeated 8-3 (actually 9-2 as Georgia's vote was noted incorrectly). It was on Thursday 23 Aug 1787:

Mr. Madison. As the greatest danger is that of disunion of the States, it is necessary to guard agst. it by sufficient powers to the Common Govt. and as the greatest danger to liberty is from large standing armies, it is best to prevent them by an effectual provision for a good Militia--
On the Question to agree to Mr. Madison's motion
N--H--ay -- Mas-- no-- Ct no-- N-- J-- no-- Pa no-Del-- no-- Md no-- Va no-- N-- C-- no-- S-- C-- ay-- Geo--^*ay. [Ayes -- 3; noes -- 8.]
[Note *: * <In the printed Journal-Geo: no>]
The Records of The Federal Convention of 1787, ed. Max Farrand, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911, Vol II, p. 388.

If it were all that essential, wouldn't we all have discussed it by now?

Who died and made you god? The framers discussed it, and rejected the motion by Madison to use the militia to prevent secession.