Mr Williamson could see no advantage in the introduction of Electors chosen by the people who who would stand in the same relation to them as the State Legislatures, whilst the expedient would be attended with great trouble and expence. On the question for agreeing to Mr. Wilson’s 〈substitute, it was negatived:〉 Massts. no. Cont. no. N. Y. no.[*] Pa. ay. Del. no. Mard. ay. Virga. no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geoa. no. [Ayes—2; noes—8.]
On the question for electing the Executive by the national legislature, 〈for the term of seven years,[1] it was agreed to〉[2] Massts. ay. Cont. ay. N. Y. ay. Pena. no. Del. ay. Maryd. no. Va. ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. [ayes—8; noes—2.]
〈Docr. Franklin[3] moved that what related to the compensation for the services of the Executive be postponed, in order to substitute—“whose necessary expences shall be defrayed, but who shall receive no salary, stipend fee or reward whatsoever for their services”—He said that being very sensible of the effect of age on his memory, he had been unwilling to trust to that for the observations which seemed to support his motion, and had reduced them to writing, that he might with the permission of the Committee, read instead of speaking them. Mr. Wilson made an offer to read the paper, which was accepted—〉[4]
〈The following is a literal copy of the paper.〉[5]
Sir.
It is with reluctance that I rise to express a disapprobation of any one article of the plan for which we are so much obliged to the honorable gentleman who laid it before us. From its first reading I have borne a good will to it, and in general
* ↑ 〈N. Y. in the printed Journal—‘divided’.〉
- ↑ For further discussion of this subject see references under September 6 note 23.
- ↑ Taken from Journal.
- ↑ Madison’s original record was very similar to this revised form.
- ↑ See Appendix A, ⅭⅭⅭⅬⅩⅧ.
- ↑ Among the Franklin Papers is the original, or at least an earlier draft, of this paper. Madison’s copy differs only in the omission of the frequent capital letters affected by Franklin.
