Author: [HILLHOUSE, James]
Title: PROPOSITIONS FOR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, Providing for the Election of President and Vice-President, and Guarding Against the Undue Exercise of Executive Influence, Patronage, and Power
Publication: Washington, [DC]: Printed by Gales & Seaton, 1830
Description: 21.5 cm. 40pp. Disbound pamphlet. Foxed, with stamp of AAS on titlepage. Closed tear last page, slightly affecting a few letters. The first 6 pp. offer proposed amendments, consisting of five articles, regarding elections. The remaining consecutively numbered pages include a printing, with title page, of Hillhouse's "Appendix. Propositions for Amending the Constitution of the United States: Submitted by Mr. Hillhouse to the Senate, on the Twelfth Day of April, 1808, with his Explanatory Remarks," [New Haven: Printed by Oliver Steele & Co., 1808] submitted when he was still a U.S. Senator. Proposed changes included the annual election for Representatives, three year term for Senators, the elimination of the office of Vice President, and the restriction of the President to a one year term. "The office of President is the only one in our Government clothed with such powers as might endanger liberty; and I am not without apprehension that, at some future period, they may be exerted to overthrow the liberties of our country." Inscribed at head of title page to "Hon John Davis, from his Friend James Hillho[use]. Signature trimmed on the right hand side.
Seller ID: 68450
Subject: Americana