8548. TREATIES, Power to make.—[further continued].
According to the rule
established by usage and common sense, of
construing one part of the instrument by
another, the objects on which the President
and Senate may exclusively act by treaty are
much reduced, but the field on which they
may act with the sanction of the Legislature,
is large enough; and I see no harm in rendering
their sanction necessary, and not much
harm in annihilating the whole treaty-making
power, except as to making peace.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 135.
Ford ed., vii, 69.
(M.
March. 1796)