Section 4. "The President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate shall have power to make Treaties,--_But no treaty shall be made without the consent of two thirds of the members present_"--this last clause being before the House. M^r Wilson thought it objectionable to require the concurrence of 2/3 which puts it into the power of a minority to controul the will of a majority. M^r King concurred in the objection; remarking that as the Executive was here joined in the business, there was a check which did not exist in Congress where the concurrence of 2/3 was required. M^r Madison moved to insert after the word "treaty" the words "except treaties of peace" allowing these to be made with less difficulty than other treaties--It was agreed to nem: con: M^r Madison then moved to authorize a concurrence of two thirds of the Senate to make treaties of peace, without the concurrence of the President.--The President he said would necessarily derive so much power and importance from a state of war that he might be tempted if authorized, to impede a treaty of peace. M^r Butler 2^{ded} the motion. M^r Gorham thought the precaution unnecessary as the means of carrying on the war would not be in the hands of the President, but of the Legislature. M^r Gov^r Morris thought the power of the President in this case harmless; and that no peace ought to be made without the concurrence of the President, who was the general Guardian of the National interests. M^r Butler was strenuous for the motion, as a necessary security against ambitious & corrupt Presidents. He mentioned the late perfidious policy of the Statholder in Holland; and the artifices of the Duke of Marlbro' to prolong the war of which he had the management. M^r Gerry was of opinion that in treaties of peace a greater rather than less proportion of votes was necessary, than in other treaties. In Treaties of peace the dearest interests will be at stake, as the fisheries, territory &c. In treaties of peace also there is more danger to the extremities of the Continent of being sacrificed, than on any other occasions. M^r Williamson thought that Treaties of peace should be guarded at least by requiring the same concurrence as in other Treaties. On the motion of M^r Madison & M^r Butler N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. M^d ay. V^a no. N. C. no. S. C. ay. Geo. ay. On the part of the clause concerning treaties amended by the exception as to Treaties of peace, N. H. ay. Mas. ay. C^t ay. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. ay. M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. no. "and may require the opinion in writing of the principal officer in each of the Executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices," being before the House