The Federalist Papers · Federalist No. 71 · paragraph 7

It may be asked also, whether a duration of four years would answer the end proposed; and if it would not, whether a less period, which would at least be recommended by greater security against ambitious designs, would not, for that reason, be preferable to a longer period, which was, at the same time, too short for the purpose of inspiring the desired firmness and independence of the magistrate.

Publius · Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison · 1787–1788
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