6886. PRESIDENT, Reelection.—[further continued] .
The convention of Virginia
annexed to their ratification of the new
Constitution * * * propositions for specific
alterations of the Constitution. Among these
was one for rendering the President incapable
of serving more than eight years in any
term of sixteen. New York has followed the
example of Virginia, * * * proposing
amendments, * * * which concur as to
the President, only proposing that he shall
be incapable of being elected more than twice.
But I own I should like better than either
of these, what Luther Martin tells us was
repeatedly voted and adhered to by the Federal
Convention, and only altered about
twelve days before their rising, when some
members had gone off; to wit, that he should
be elected for seven years, and incapable forever
after.—
To William Short. Washington ed. ii, 480.
Ford ed., v, 48.
(P.
1788)
