M^r Hamilton said that he had been restrained from entering into the discussions by his dislike of the Scheme of Gov^t in General; but as he meant to support the plan to be recommended, as better than nothing, he wished in this place to offer a few remarks. He liked the new modification, on the whole, better than that in the printed Report. In this the President was a Monster elected for seven years, and ineligible afterwards; having great powers, in appointments to office, & continually tempted by this constitutional disqualification to abuse them in order to subvert the Government. Although he should be made re-eligible, still if appointed by the Legislature, he would be tempted to make use of corrupt influence to be continued in office. It seemed peculiarly desirable therefore that some other mode of election should be devised. Considering the different views of different States, & the different districts Northern Middle & Southern, he concurred with those who thought that the votes would not be concentered, and that the appointment would consequently in the present mode devolve on the Senate. The nomination to offices will give great weight to the President. Here then is a mutual connexion & influence, that will perpetuate the President, and aggrandize both him & the Senate. What is to be the remedy? He saw none better than to let the highest number of ballots, whether a majority or not, appoint the President. What was the objection to this? Merely that too small a number might appoint. But as the plan stands, the Senate may take the candidate having the smallest number of votes, and make him President. M^r Spaight & M^r Williamson moved to insert "seven" instead of "four" years for the term of the President[55]-- [55] An ineligibility w^d have followed (tho' it would seem from the vote not in the opinion of all) this prolongation of the term.--Madison's Note. On this motion N. H. ay. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. no. M^r Spaight & M^r Williamson, then moved to insert "six," instead of "four". On which motion N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d no. V^a no. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no. On the term "four" all the States were ay, except N. Carolina, no. On the question (Clause 4. in the Report) for appointing President by electors---down to the words,--"entitled in the Legislature" inclusive N. H. ay. Mas: ay. Con^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo.--ay. It was moved that the Electors meet at the seat of the Gen^l Gov^t which passed in the Negative N. C. only being ay.