The right of the Executive. 2. Of the Judiciary. 3. Of the States
and State legislatures. The present is the case of a right remaining
exclusively with the States, and consequently one of those intended
by the Constitution to be placed under its protection.
It must be added, however, that unless the President's mind on
a view of everything which is urged for and against this bill, is
tolerably clear that it is unauthorised by the Constitution; if the
pro and the con hang so even as to balance his judgment, a just
respect for the wisdom of the legislature would naturally decide the
balance in favor of their opinion. It is chiefly for cases where
they are clearly misled by error, ambition, or interest, that the
Constitution has placed a check in the negative of the President.
_Opinion on the French Treaties_
April 28, 1793
I proceed, in compliance with the requisition of the President,
to give an opinion in writing on the general Question, Whether the U
S. have a right to renounce their treaties with France, or to hold
them suspended till the government of that country shall be
established?
In the Consultation at the President's on the 19th inst. the
Secretary of the Treasury took the following positions &
consequences.
Pages:
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156