Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4 · Thomas Jefferson
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT.
It must be added, however, that unless the President’s mind, on a view of every thing which is urged for and against this bill, is tolerably clear that it is unauthorized by the constitution, if the pro and the con hang so even as to balance his judgment, a just respect for the wisdom of the legislature would naturally decide the balance in favor of their opinion. It is chiefly for cases where they are clearly misled by error, ambition, or interest, that the constitution has placed a check in the negative of the President. Th: Jefferson. February 15, 1791.
Ideas discussed in this chapter
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.