Debates in the Several State Conventions/Volume 4/Presidential Elections Amendment
Amendment to the Constitution.—Election of President of the United States.
Senate, January 23, 1800.
Mr. C. PINCKNEY (of South Carolina) thought it a very dangerous practice to endeavor to amend the Constitution by making laws for the purpose. The Constitution was a sacred deposit put into their hands, they ought to take great care not to violate or destroy the essential provisions made by this instrument. He remembered very well that, in the Federal Convention, great care was used to provide for the election of the President of the United States independently of Congress, and to take the business, as far as possible, out of their hands.