Note 52 — Friday June 1st 1787
Reading edition
According to King, Madison followed Wilson: "Madison agreed with Wilson in the Definition of Executive power. Ex vi termini. Executive power does not include the Power of War and Peace. Executive Power shd. be limited and defined. If large, we shall have the Evils of Elective Monarchies. Perhaps the best plan will be a single Executive of long duration, with a Council and with Liberty to dissent on his personal Responsibility."—King's Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, i., 588.
According to Pierce:
"Mr Madison was of opinion that an Executive formed of one Man would answer the purpose when aided by a Council, who should have the right to advise and record their proceedings, but not to control his authority."—Pierce's Notes, Am. Hist. Rev., iii., 320.