Virginia Ratifying Convention June 18, 1788

[Boats]

Virginia Ratifying Convention June 18, 1788
Member(s) in Congress
Re: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/...-convention-2/

Subject: The 1st section, of the 2d article, still under consideration.

George Mason stated: The people will in reality have no hand in his election.

It has been wittily observed, that the Constitution has married the President and Senate –has made them man and wife. I believe the consequence that generally results from this marriage, will happen here. They will be continually supporting and aiding each other:
They will always consider their interests as united. We know the advantage the few have over the many. They can with facility act in concert and on an uniform system: They may join scheme and plot against the people - without any chance of detection.

The Senate and President will form a combination that cannot be prevented by the Representatives. The Executive and Legislative powers thus connected, hence they will destroy all balances:

This could have been prevented by a Constitutional Council to aid the President in the discharge of his office; vesting the Senate at the same time with the power of impeaching them. Then we should have real responsibility. In it's present form, the guilty try themselves.

The President is tried by his counsellors. He is not removed from office during his trial. When he is arraigned for treason he has the command of the army and navy, and may surround the Senate with 30,000 troops. It brings to my recollection the remarkable trial of Milo at Rome. We may expect to see similar instances here. But I suppose, that the cure for all evils–the virtue and integrity of our Representatives, will be thought a sufficient security. On this great and important subject, I am one of those (and ever shall be) who object to it.

Now a reply By: Mr. Madison,

Mr. Madison, adverting to Mr. Mason’s objection to the President’s power of pardoning, said, it would be extremely improper to vest it in the House of Representatives, and not much less so to place it in the Senate: because numerous bodies were actuated more or less by passion, and might in the moment of vengeance forget humanity.

It was an established practice in Massachusetts for the Legislature to determine in such cases. It was found, says he, that two different sessions, before each of which the question came, with respect to pardoning the delinquents of the rebellion, were governed precisely by different sentiments–the one would execute with universal vengeance, and the other would extend general mercy.

There is one security in this case to which Gentlemen may not have adverted:

**If the President be connected in any suspicious manner with any persons, and there be grounds to believe he will shelter himself; the House of Representatives can impeach him:
-
They can remove him if found guilty:
-
They can suspend him when suspected, and the power will devolve on the Vice-President:
But should he be suspected also, he may also likewise be suspended - till he be impeached - and removed, and the Legislature may make a temporary appointment.
-
This would be a great security issue. **

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal note:

This was written on June 6, 1788 - Now how does the newer revised Constitution as written today define these issues and how does it reflect the concerns of the 1788 Congress - to our current Constitutional writings - I do no know? I'm not a lawyer but it would sure seem to be something of great concern - even for today's issues - as did in 1788.

He let them out so they can't incriminate him in their dealings. CYA (cover your ass) is exactly what he's doing. They were all guilty as sin - and could hurt Trump with his connections to them. Don't ever tell me the Law works for everyone! Mainly Presidents!

Boats