Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/311

 warmly resisted: on the ground, that if he were a mihtary character, and a man of address, he might easily con- vert them into an engine for the worst of purposes.

VIII. The cession of the whole treaty-making power to the president and senate, was considered as one of the most formidable features in the instrument: in as much as it put it in the power of the president and any ten senators, who might represent the five smallest states, to enter into the most ruinous foreign engage- ments, and even to cede away by treaty, any portion of the territory of the larger states: it was insisted, that the lower house, who were the immediate representatives of the people, instead of being excluded as they were by the constitution from all participation in the ti'eaty- making power, ought at least, to be consulted, if not to have the principal agency in so interesting a na- tional act.

IX. The immense patronage of the president was objected to: because it placed in his hands the means of coiTupting the congress, the navy, and army, and of distributing, moreover, tliroughout the society, a band of retainers in the shape of judges, revenue officers, and tax gatherers, which would render him irresistible in any scheme of ambition that he might meditate against the liberties of his country.

X. The irresponsibility of the whole gang of federal officers (as they were called) was objected to: there was, indeed, in some instances, a power of impeachment pre- tended to be given, but it was mere s/imn and mockery: since instead of being tiied by a tribunal, zealous and interested to bring them to justice, they were to try each other for offences, in which, probalily, they were all mutually implicated.

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