On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 4 was published. It was another in the series of essays defending the Constitution to the American people, who were then considering whether to adopt it. The first 14 Federalist Papers can sound VERY pro-national government—perhaps surprisingly so! The Founders were supposed to be in favor of a restrained national government, so what, exactly, is the deal with these papers? It is important to remember the overall layout of the Federal

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “John DeWitt” writes his third contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. The Federal Convention has claimed one thing, but presented another, as far as DeWitt is concerned. “[The proceedings of the Federal Convention] are presented as a Frame of Government purely Republican, and perfectly consistent with the indiv

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 3 was published. Eventually, 85 papers would be written in defense of the new Constitution . . . 85 essays! Just think about that. The American people were so interested and so involved in the creation of their new government that there was an audience for 85 long essays in the newspapers of the time. Modern Americans really seem to have a relatively short attention span, comparatively speaking. This Federalist Paper was written by Jo

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Brutus” writes his second contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Brutus notes the importance of the task facing Americans. After all, the Constitution under consideration is to govern not only this generation, but also “generations yet unborn.” Brutus begins with observations about the nature of civil governme

On this day in 1787, the second in a series of essays defending the Constitution was published in New York’s Independent Journal. Ultimately, 85 of these Federalist Papers would be written: They have been called “the most important work in political science that has ever been written, or is likely ever to be written, in the United States.” Federalist Paper no. 2 was written by John Jay, a prominent lawyer of the time who had helped to draft the New York Constitution of 1777.

On this day in 1787, “Publius” publishes an essay defending the Constitution in several New York newspapers. Publius?! Publius who? Most modern Americans have never heard of him. How unfortunate. The collection of works written by Publius was critical to the establishment of our Constitution. We’ve been living with our Constitution for so long that it can be easy to forget what things were like before. Perhaps you know that the Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia during

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “John DeWitt” writes his second contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Dewitt is worried about the permanency of the decision that is about to be made. He reminds his readers that the newly proposed Constitution is not a “mere revision and amendment of our first Confederation.” Instead, it is a “compleat System

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Cato” writes his third contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Can the proposed Constitution “answer the ends for which it is said to be offered to you, and for which all men engage in political society, to wit, the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties, and estates”? Cato thinks it is impossible, due t

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Centinel” writes his second contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Centinel emphasizes the need for a free press. “As long as the liberty of the press continues unviolated,” he writes, “and the people have the right of expressing… and publishing their sentiments upon every public measure, it is next to impossi

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “John DeWitt” writes his first contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. DeWitt’s points are simple. First, he wants everyone to slow down! The newly proposed Constitution should be considered carefully. Why, he wonders, does everyone feel the need to go so fast? “I am a stranger to the necessity for all this hast

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Brutus” writes his first contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Many scholars believe that “Brutus” was actually Robert Yates, a judge in New York who had served as a (displeased) delegate to the Constitutional Convention. “Brutus” eventually wrote 16 essays that would be published in New York-area newspapers.

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Federal Farmer” writes his fifth contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. It would be his last contribution for a while! These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. At this point, the Federal Farmer is basically wrapping up his thoughts from previous papers and offering his advice on what to do next. (See prior essays: I , II , III , IV .) Despite his

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Federal Farmer” writes his fourth contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers....

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Cato” writes his second contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. As a...

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Federal Farmer” writes his third contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers....

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Federal Farmer” writes his second contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers....

On this day in 1787, an early contribution is made to the Anti-Federalist Papers. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Federalist Papers, a series...

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Centinel” writes his first contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These...

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Cato” writes his first contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. As a...

On this day in 1788, the last Federalist Paper is published. Thanks to all of you who have persevered with me through the entire series....