Col: Mason[60] said that in rejecting a Council to the President we were about to try an experiment on which the most despotic Government had never ventured. The Grand Signor himself had his Divan. He moved to postpone the consideration of the clause in order to take up the following. [60] In the printed Journal, M^r Madison is erroneously substituted for Col: Mason.--Madison's Note. "That it be an instruction to the Committee of the States to prepare a clause or clauses for establishing an Executive Council, as a Council of State for the President of the U. States, to consist of six members, two of which from the Eastern, two from the middle, and two from the Southern States, with a Rotation and duration of office similar to those of the Senate; such Council to be appointed by the Legislature or by the Senate." Doctor Franklin 2^{ded} the motion. We seemed he said too much to fear cabals in appointments by a number, and to have too much confidence in those of single persons. Experience shewed that caprice, the intrigues of favorites & mistresses, were nevertheless the means most prevalent in monarchies. Among instances of abuse in such modes of appointment, he mentioned the many bad Governors appointed in G. B. for the Colonies. He thought a Council would not only be a check on a bad President but be a relief to a good one. M^r Gov^r Morris. The question of a Council was considered in the Committee, where it was judged that the Presid^t by persuading his Council to concur in his wrong measures, would acquire their protection for them. M^r Wilson approved of a Council in preference to making the Senate a party to appointm^{ts}. M^r Dickinson was for a Council. It w^d be a singular thing if the measures of the Executive were not to undergo some previous discussion before the President. M^r Madison was in favor of the instruction to the Committee proposed by Col: Mason. The motion of M^r Mason was negatived. May^d ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.--N. H. no. Mas. no. C^t no. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no. V^a no. N. C. no. On the question, "authorizing the President to call for the opinions of the Heads of Departments, in writing": it passed in the affirmative N. H. only being no.[61] [61] Not so stated in the printed Journal; but conformable to the result afterwards appearing.--Madison's Note. The clause was then unanimously agreed to-- M^r Williamson & M^r Spaight moved "that no Treaty of peace affecting Territorial rights sh^d be made without the concurrence of two thirds of the members of the Senate present." M^r King. It will be necessary to look out for securities for some other rights, if this principle be established; he moved to extend the motion--"to all present rights of the U. States." Adjourned. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8^{TH} IN CONVENTION The last Report of the Committee of Eleven (see Sep^r 4) was resumed.