George Mason: “The President ought not to have the power of pardoning, because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. … if he has the power of granting pardons before indictment, or conviction, may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection?”
James Monroe: “if the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds to believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty; they can suspend him when suspected, and the power will devolve on the Vice-President. Should he be suspected, also, he may likewise be suspended fill he be impeached and removed, and the legislature may make a temporary appointment. This is a great security.”
“And so, Mason lost the argument.”
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