Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/433

 RECORDS OF THE FEDEP. AL CONVENTION 427 Monday MADISON t ugust 2 7 Md ay. Va. ay. N-- C. abst. S. C-- no. Geo-- ay, [Ayes- 6; noes -- z; absent-- 3.] 7 The clause for removing the President on impeachment by the House of Reps and conviction in the supreme Court, of Treason, Bribery or corruption, was postponed nero: con: at the instance of Mr. Govr. Morris, who thought the Tri- bunal an improper one, particularly, if ithe first judge was to be of the privy Council. Mr. Govr. Morris objected also to the President of the Senate being provisional successor to the President, and sug- gested a designation of the Chief Justice. Mr. Madison added as a ground of objection that the Senate might retard the appointment of a President in order to carry points whilst the revisionary power was in the President of their own body, but suggested that the Executive powers during a vacancy, be administered by the persons composing the Council to the President. Mr Williamson suggested that the Legislature ought to have power to provide for occasional successors. & moved that the last clause (of z sect. X art:) {relating to a provisional successor to the President) be postponed. Mr Dickinson 2ded. the postponement. remarking that it was too vague. What is the extent of the term "disability" & who is to be the judge of it? The postponement was agreed to hem: con: Col: Mason & Mr. Madison, moved to add to the oath to be taken by the supreme Executive "and will to the best-of my judgment and power preserve protect and defend the Con- stitution of the U.S." Mr. Wilson thought the general provision for oaths of office, in a subsequent place, rendered the amendment unneces- sary -- On the question N.H. ay--Mas-- abst Ct ay--Pa ay. Del. no. Md. ay. Va. ay--N. C. abst S.C. ay. Geo. ay. [Ayes--7; noes  I; absent -- 2.] See also statement by Martin in Appendix A, CLVIII (79)-

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