On the other hand,
if there was to be some form of popular election, an opportunity for
reelection was thought to be a desirable incentive to good behavior. Six
or seven years was taken as an acceptable length for a single term and
four years a convenient tenure if reelection was permitted. It was upon
these considerations that the term of four years was eventually agreed
upon, with no restriction placed upon reelection.

When it was believed that a satisfactory method of choosing the
President had been discovered--and it is interesting to notice the
members of the Convention later congratulated themselves that at least
this feature of their government was above criticism--it was decided
to give still further powers to the President, such as the making of
treaties and the appointing of ambassadors and judges, although the
advice and consent of the Senate was required, and in the case of
treaties two-thirds of the members present must consent.

The presidency was frankly an experiment, the success of which would
depend largely upon the first election; yet no one seems to have been
anxious about the first choice of chief magistrate, and the reason is
not far to seek. From the moment the members agreed that there should be
a single executive they also agreed upon the man for the position.
Just as Washington had been chosen unanimously to preside over the
Convention, so it was generally accepted that he would be the first head
of the new state. Such at least was the trend of conversation and even
of debate on the floor of the Convention. It indicates something of the
conception of the office prevailing at the time that Washington, when
he became President, is said to have preferred the title, "His High
Mightiness, the President of the United States and Protector of their
Liberties."

The members of the Convention were plainly growing tired and there
are evidences of haste in the work of the last few days. There was a
tendency to ride rough-shod over those whose temperaments forced them
to demand modifications in petty matters. This precipitancy gave rise to
considerable dissatisfaction and led several delegates to declare
that they would not sign the completed document. But on the whole the
sentiment of the Convention was overwhelmingly favorable. Accordingly
on Saturday, the 8th of September, a new committee was appointed, to
consist of five members, whose duty it was "to revise the stile of
and arrange the articles wh