"[The president] ought not to have the power of pardoning, because he may frequently
pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some
future day, that 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?” -- George Mason, Founding Father of the Republic, June 18, 1788, at the Virginia Ratifying Convention. Clearly, he was anticipating the possibility of a corrupt, autocratic charlatan becoming president and using his pardon power in a corrupt, self- interested manner.
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