In a letter to Republican (constitutionalist) Vice President Thomas Jefferson, Republican Representative James Madison, of the Commonwealth of Virginia, writes about the dangers of entrusting the war power in the executive:
The Constitution supposes [sic], what the History of all Government demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it. It has accordingly with studied care, vested the question of war in the Legislature.
[added 7/25/2026]
Subsequent Events:
References:
James Madison, “Letter to Thomas Jefferson,” April 2, 1798, The Writings of James Madison, nine volumes, Gaillard Hunt, ed., (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1900), 6:312-13.
Current U.s. National Debt:
