The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 1
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
[52] According to King, Madison followed Wilson: "Madison agreed
with Wilson in the Definition of Executive power. _Ex vi
termini._ Executive power does not include the Power of War
and Peace. Executive Power shd. be limited and defined. If
large, we shall have the Evils of Elective Monarchies.
Perhaps the best plan will be a single Executive of long
duration, with a Council and with Liberty to dissent on his
personal Responsibility."--King's _Life and Correspondence
of Rufus King_, i., 588.
According to Pierce:
"M^r Madison was of opinion that an Executive formed of one
Man would answer the purpose when aided by a Council, who
should have the right to advise and record their
proceedings, but not to control his authority."--Pierce's
Notes, _Am. Hist. Rev._, iii., 320.
M^r Gerry favored the policy of annexing a Council to the Executive in
order to give weight & inspire confidence.[53]
[53] King gives Gerry's remarks: "_Gerry._ I am in favor of a
Council to advise the Executive: they will be organs of
information respecting Persons qualified for various
offices. Their opinions may be recorded, so as to be liable
to be called to account & impeached--in this way, their
Responsibility will be certain, and for misconduct their
Punishment sure."
Dickinson followed Gerry: "_Dickinson._ A limited yet
vigorous Executive is not republican, but peculiar to
monarchy--the royal Executive has vigour, not only by power,
but by popular Attachment & Report--an Equivalent to popular
Attachment may be derived from the Veto on the Legislative
acts. We cannot have a limited monarchy--our condition does
not permit it. Republics are in the beginning and for a time
industrious, but they finally destroy themselves because
they are badly constituted. I dread the consolidation of the
States, & hope for a good national Govt. from the present
Division of the States with a feeble Executive.
"We are to have a Legislature of two branches, or two
Legislatures, as the sovereign of the nation--this will work
a change unless you provide that the judiciary shall aid and
correct the Executive. The first Branch of the Legislature,
the H. of Representatives, must be on another plan. The
second Branch or Senate may be on the present scheme of
representing _the States_--the Representatives to be
apportioned according to the Quotas of the States paid into
the general Treasury. The Executive to be removed from
office by the national Legislature, on the Petition of seven
States."--King's _Life and Correspondence of Rufus King_,
i., 588 _et seq._
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