Mr Speaker - The People, by their Electors shall elect the President, this is undoubtedly the meaning and the true constriction given the Constitution,- then to carry this fully into effect is doubtless pursuing the wishes of the framers of that Instrument: - and I contend that the Amendment under consideration is calculated to accomplish this object and without this amendment, a person not having the confidence of the Nation may be elected - can it be said with this contingent, that the Constitution will inspire so full confidence as if [inserted: the] difficulty was removed. -Confidence in a Republican government is important, confidence cannot be placed in such a government if the majority cannot govern. - But, Sir, we are told that certain great States are determined to use up all authority and bear down the constitution; that the very place where we are now [at] is to become Virginia property, and therefore we must not tutch that sacred instrument the constitution. - and, Sir if this be so: Suppose at the time of the late Presidental [sic] election, no President had been elected untill after the fourth of March - who would answer for the consequences? would not the great States then have refused (in agreeing to a new Constitution which must then have been formed) to give the small States an equal vote with the larger in the Senate, - and this precious article in the present Constitution cannot ever be altered - privelages enjoyid under the present constitution are much greater than could be expected were a new Constitution now to be formed, - to prevent the Constitution from running out by the present amendment is of more importance to the Small States, than can possibly ever be gained to them by, electing a President under the Constitution as it now is. - [2] I believe, Sir we outfit not to calculate to turn, or have a wish for the election of a President, in any other way than by the Electors, for without this popular privelage the constitution would not have been adopted - again four small States which send but Eight members to the House of representatives have a right to Sixteen votes for President while a great State, having a right to send say from 18 to 25 Members can add but two to her number in the choice of a President is [inserted: not] this advantage great enough for small States in that particular, under such an institution. - On the subject of innovation, great clamour is made. I am not infavor of innovation or amendments except for important and mighty considerations; - but were not amendments expected: most certainly they were expected and I will venture & say that without this provision, the constitution would never have been adopted. - And will any Gent.n Say that amendments have as yet injured the constitution: it is a well known fact that the amendments already incorporated into the constitution have greatly increased its friends. - One Gentn afraid this amendment will also increase its friends, and stability and in that way prevent and destroy a favorite object with [Lernes], namly , a division of the Union between the northern and southern States}- I will not accuse any gentn. In this house with such base motion but Sir I believe there are men base enough in New England to wish for such a measure. Under an impression that the proposed amendment if adopted will give Stability and duration to the Constitution I shall give it my hearty support - [docket] Legislature 1804