Mr Govr Morris thought no other tribunal than the Senate could be trusted. The supreme Court were too few in number and might be warped or corrupted. He was agst a dependence of the Executive on the Legislature, considering the Legislative tyranny the great danger to be apprehended; but there could be no danger that the Senate would say untruly on their oaths that the President was guilty of crimes or facts, especially as in four years he can be turned out.
Mr Pinkney disapproved of making the Senate the Court of impeachments, as rendering the President too dependent on the Legislature. If he opposes a favorite law, the two Houses will combine agst him, and under the influence of heat and faction throw him out of office.
Mr Williamson thought there was more danger of too much lenity than of too much rigour towards the President, considering the number of cases in which the Senate was associated with the President.
Mr Sherman regarded the Supreme Court as improper to try the President, because the Judges would be appointed by him.
On motion of Mr Madison to strike out the words–"by the Senate" after the word "conviction"
N. H. no. Mas. no. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa ay. Del. no. Md no. Va ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
In the amendment of Col: Mason just agreed to, the word "State" after the words "misdemeanors against," was struck out, and the words "United States," inserted unanimously, in order to remove ambiguity.
On the question to agree to clause as amended,
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Cont. ay. N. J. ay. Pa no. Del. ay. Md ay. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
On motion "The vice-President and other Civil officers of the U. S. shall be removed from office on impeachment and conviction as aforesaid" was added to the clause on the subject of impeachments.