Governor Livingston, which went merely to the increase of the powers of the present congress; it was judged insufficient.
2nd. Colonel Hamilton’s, that had in view the establishment of a monarchy, and the placing the crown upon the head of a foreign prince, which was overruled, although supported by some of the ablest members of the convention.
3rd. That of Virginia which was adopted.
ⅭⅭⅩⅩⅩⅣ. Benjamin Franklin to the Duc de La Rochefoucald.[1]
That which you mention did not pass unnoticed in the Convention. Many, if I remember right, were for making the President incapable of being chosen after the first four Years; but a Majority were for leaving the Election free to chuse whom they pleas’d; and it was alledged that such Incapability might tend to make the President less attentive to the duties of his Office, and to the Interests of the People, than he would be if a second Choice depended on their good opinion of them.
ⅭⅭⅩⅩⅩⅤ. James Madison to G.L. Turberville.[2]
I am not of the number if there be any such, who think the Constitution lately adopted a faultless work. On the contrary there are amendments wch I wished it to have received before it issued from the place in which it was formed. …
Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention, which assembled under every propitious circumstance, I should tremble for the result of a Second, meeting in present temper of America and under all the disadvantages I have mentioned.
ⅭⅭⅩⅩⅩⅥ. A Citizen of New Haven [Roger Sherman], Ⅰ.[3]
It is proposed that members of congress be rendered ineligible to any other office during the time for which they are elected members of that body.
This is an objection that will admit of something plausible to be said on both sides, and it was settled in convention on full discussion and deliberation. There are some offices which a member
- ↑ Smyth, Writings of Franklin, Ⅸ, 666.
- ↑ G. Hunt, Writings of James Madison, Ⅴ, 298, 300.
- ↑ P. L. Ford, Essays on the Constitution, p. 234; printed in the New Haven Gazette, December 4, 1788.
