1IV. Madison’s Observations on Jefferson’s Draft of a Constitution for Virginia, [October 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Senate . The term of two years is too short. Six years are not more than sufficient. A Senate is to withstand the occasional impetuosities of the more numerous branch. The members ought therefore to derive a firmness from the tenure of their places. It ought to supply the defect of knowledge and experience incident to the other branch. There ought to be time given therefore for attaining the...