June 18, 1788. George Mason on the floor of the Virginia Ratifying Convention said that the president mgith not always be someone of sound character or high intelligence. He further said the president "ought not have the power of pardoning because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen that at some future time he will establish a monarchy and destroy the republic. If he has the power of granting pardons before indictment or conviction may he not stop inquiry and prevent detection? The case of treason ought at least to be excepted."
James Madison understood Mason's objection and told him that the Constitution provides protection against that. IMPEACHMENT.
The president can be impeached if there are grounds to believe that he might "shelter" (protect with a pardon) someone with whom he is connected "in any suspicious manner".
IMPEACHMENT.
