Mr Pinkney wished the proposition to lie over, as notice had been given for a like purpose by Mr Govr Morris who was not then on the floor. His own idea was that the President shd be authorized to call for advice or not as he might chuse. Give him an able Council and it will thwart him; a weak one and he will shelter himself under their sanction.
Mr Gerry was agst letting the heads of the Departments, particularly of finance have any thing to do in business connected with legislation. He mentioned the Chief Justice also as particularly exceptionable. These men will also be so taken up with other matters as to neglect their own proper duties.
Mr Dickenson urged that the great appointments should be made by the Legislature in which case they might properly be consulted by the Executive, but not if made by the Executive himself–This subject by general consent lay over; & the House proceeded to the clause "To raise armies."
Mr Ghorum moved to add "and support" after "raise." Agreed to nem. con. and then the clause was agreed to nem. con. as amended.
Mr Gerry took notice that there was no check here agst standing armies in time of peace. The existing Congs is so constructed that it cannot of itself maintain an army. This wd not be the case under the new system. The people were jealous on this head, and great opposition to the plan would spring from such an omission. He suspected that preparations of force were now making agst it. (he seemed to allude to the activity of the Govr of N. York at this crisis in disciplining the militia of that State.) He thought an army dangerous in time of peace & could never consent to a power to keep up an indefinite number. He proposed that there shall not be kept up in time of peace more than –— thousand troops. His idea was that the blank should be filled with two or three thousand.
Instead of "to build and equip fleets"–"to provide and maintain a navy" agreed to nem. con. as a more convenient definition of the power.
"To make rules for the Government and regulation of the land & naval forces," added from the existing Articles of Confederation.
Mr L. Martin and Mr Gerry now regularly moved "provided that in time of peace the army shall not consist of more than –— thousand men."
Genl Pinkney asked whether no troops were ever to be raised untill an attack should be made on us?
Mr Gerry. If there be no restriction, a few States may establish a military Govt.