Federalist Papers
 |
National Collegiate Honor’s Council Partners in the Park Independence Hall Class of 2017 students at Federal Hall National Historic Park with NPS Ranger holding the American Museum printing of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist One. – Primary Source Courtesy of www.Historic.us |
Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - James Madison
THE FEDERALIST
The Federalist Papers comprise a series of 85 influential essays penned by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, designed to advocate for the ratification of the United States Constitution. Written under the shared pseudonym "Publius," these essays were initially published serially in New York newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788. The first 77 essays appeared in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet, reaching an audience immersed in the intense debates surrounding the new Constitution’s adoption.
In 1788, publishers John and Andrew M’Lean compiled these works into a two-volume collection titled The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favor of the New Constitution, as Agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787. Printed in New York, this edition was the first to present all 85 essays collectively, solidifying the authors’ arguments and ensuring wider distribution and lasting impact.
The primary objective of The Federalist Papers was to persuade the people of New York to ratify the newly proposed Constitution. Each essay delves into specific facets of the Constitution, defending its structure and addressing concerns of the Anti-Federalists, who feared a too-powerful central government. Among the key topics discussed were:
- The Structure and Powers of the Federal Government: Advocating for a strong yet balanced federal structure, the essays outlined the Constitution’s provisions for a unified national government capable of addressing the collective needs of the states.
- The System of Checks and Balances: The authors argued that dividing government powers among separate branches would prevent any one branch from dominating, thus ensuring liberty and preventing tyranny.
- The Division of Power Between Federal and State Governments: Known as federalism, this distribution of power was presented as a means to balance national authority with states' rights, preserving local autonomy while maintaining national cohesion.
- The Protection of Individual Rights: Although the Constitution as originally proposed did not include a Bill of Rights, the essays suggested that the framework contained implicit protections for individual freedoms, which would later be solidified with the Bill of Rights.
The essays’ authorship was intentionally kept anonymous under the pseudonym "Publius" to focus attention on the arguments rather than the writers' identities. Today, however, the authorship is well-established:
- Alexander Hamilton wrote 51 essays, covering topics such as taxation, military defense, and the judiciary.
- James Madison contributed 29 essays, focusing on the theory of federalism, the need for a strong union, and the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
- John Jay authored 5 essays, primarily addressing foreign affairs and the importance of a unified national government in international relations.
The Federalist Papers remain a cornerstone of American political philosophy and constitutional interpretation. They are frequently cited in legal and academic discourse, serving as a primary source for understanding the framers’ intentions and the foundational principles of American governance. These essays continue to be studied widely, providing insight into the original intent behind the Constitution and shaping discussions on its contemporary applications.
Students and Teachers of US History this is a video of Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The December 2015 video was an impromptu capture by a member of the audience of Penn students, professors and guests that numbered about 200. - Click Here for more information
#
|
Title
|
Author
|
Publication
|
Date
|
1
|
General Introduction
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
October 27, 1787
|
2
|
Part I: Concerning
Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
|
Jay
|
Independent Journal
|
October 31, 1787
|
3
|
Part II: Concerning
Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
|
Jay
|
Independent Journal
|
November 3, 1787
|
4
|
Part III: Concerning
Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
|
Jay
|
Independent Journal
|
November 7, 1787
|
5
|
Part IV: Concerning
Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
|
Jay
|
Independent Journal
|
November 10, 1787
|
6
|
Part I: Concerning
Dangers from Dissensions Between the States
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
November 14, 1787
|
7
|
Part II: Concerning
Dangers from Dissensions Between the States
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
November 15, 1787
|
8
|
The Consequences of
Hostilities Between the States
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
November 20, 1787
|
9
|
Part I: The Union as a
Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
November 21, 1787
|
10
|
Part II: The Union as
a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
November 23, 1787
|
11
|
The Utility of the
Union in Respect to Commercial Relations and a Navy
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
November 24, 1787
|
12
|
The Utility of the
Union in Respect to Revenue
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
November 27, 1787
|
13
|
Advantage of the Union
in Respect to Economy in Government
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
November 28, 1787
|
14
|
Objections to the
Proposed Constitution from Extent of Territory Answered
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
November 30, 1787
|
15
|
Part I: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 1, 1787
|
16
|
Part II: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 4, 1787
|
17
|
Part III: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 5, 1787
|
18
|
Part IV: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton & Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
December 7, 1787
|
19
|
Part V: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton & Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
December 8, 1787
|
20
|
Part VI: The
Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
|
Hamilton & Madison
|
NY Packet
|
December 11, 1787
|
21
|
Part I: Other Defects
of the Present Confederation
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 11, 1787
|
22
|
Part II: Other Defects
of the Present Confederation
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
December 14, 1787
|
23
|
The Necessity of a
Government as Energetic as the One Proposed to the Preservation of the Union
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
December 17, 1787
|
24
|
Part I: The Powers
Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 18, 1787
|
25
|
Part II: The Powers
Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
December 21, 1787
|
26
|
Part I: The Idea of
Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense
Considered
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 22, 1787
|
27
|
Part II: The Idea of
Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense
Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
December 25, 1787
|
28
|
Part III: The Idea of
Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense
Considered
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
December 25, 1787
|
29
|
Concerning the Militia
|
Hamilton
|
Daily Advertiser
|
January 10, 1788
|
30
|
Part I: Concerning the
General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
December 28, 1787
|
31
|
Part II: Concerning
the General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
January 1, 1788
|
32
|
Part III: Concerning
the General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
Daily Advertiser
|
January 3, 1788
|
33
|
Part IV: Concerning
the General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
Daily Advertiser
|
January 3, 1788
|
34
|
Part V: Concerning the
General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
January 4, 1788
|
35
|
Part VI: Concerning
the General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
January 5, 1788
|
36
|
Part VII: Concerning
the General Power of Taxation
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
January 8, 1788
|
37
|
Part I: Concerning the
Difficulties of the Convention in Devising a Proper Form of Government
|
Madison
|
Daily Advertiser
|
January 11, 1788
|
38
|
Part II: Concerning the
Difficulties of the Convention in Devising a Proper Form of Government and
the Incoherence of the Objections to the New Plan Exposed
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
January 15, 1788
|
39
|
The Conformity of the
Plan to Republican Principles
|
Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
January 18, 1788
|
40
|
The Powers of the
Convention to Form a Mixed Government Examined and Sustained
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
January 18, 1788
|
41
|
General View of the
Powers Conferred by the Constitution
|
Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
January 18, 1788
|
42
|
Part I: The Powers
Conferred by the Constitution Further Considered
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
January 22, 1788
|
43
|
Part II: The Powers
Conferred by the Constitution Further Considered
|
Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
January 23, 1788
|
44
|
Restrictions on the
Authority of the Several States
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
January 25, 1788
|
45
|
The Alleged Danger
Powers of the Union to the State Governments Considered
|
Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
January 26, 1788
|
46
|
The Influence of the
State and Federal Governments Compared
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
January 29, 1788
|
47
|
The Particular
Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its
Different Parts
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 1, 1788
|
48
|
These Departments
Should Not Be So Far Separated as to Have No Constitutional Control Over Each
Other
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 1, 1788
|
49
|
Method of Guarding
Against the Encroachments of Any One Department of Government by Appealing to
the People Through a Convention
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 5, 1788
|
50
|
Periodic Appeals to
the People Considered
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 5, 1788
|
51
|
The Structure of the
Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different
Departments
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 8, 1788
|
52
|
Part I: The House of
Representatives
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 8, 1788
|
53
|
Part II: The House of
Representatives
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 12, 1788
|
54
|
The Apportionment of
Members Among the States
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 12, 1788
|
55
|
Part I: The Total
Number of the House of Representatives
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 15, 1788
|
56
|
Part II: The Total
Number of the House of Representatives
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 19, 1788
|
57
|
The Alleged Tendency
of the Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many Considered in
Connection with Representation
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 19, 1788
|
58
|
Objection that the
Number of Members Will Not Be Augmented as the Progress of Population Demands
Considered
|
Madison
|
NY Packet
|
February 20, 1788
|
59
|
Part I: Concerning the
Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
February 22, 1788
|
60
|
Part II: Concerning
the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
February 26, 1788
|
61
|
Part III: Concerning
the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
February 26, 1788
|
62
|
The Senate
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
February 27, 1788
|
63
|
The Senate Continued
|
Hamilton or Madison
|
Independent Journal
|
March 1, 1788
|
64
|
The Powers of the
Senate
|
Jay
|
NY Packet
|
March 7, 1788
|
65
|
The Powers of the Senate
Continued
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 7, 1788
|
66
|
Objections to the
Power of the Senate To Set as a Court for Impeachments Further Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 11, 1788
|
67
|
The Executive
Department
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 11, 1788
|
68
|
The Mode of Electing
the President
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 14, 1788
|
69
|
The Real Character of
the Executive
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 14, 1788
|
70
|
The Executive
Department Further Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 14, 1788
|
71
|
Part I: The Duration
in Office of the Executive
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 18, 1788
|
72
|
Part II: Duration in
Office of the Executive and Re-Eligibility of the Executive Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 21, 1788
|
73
|
The Provision for
Support of the Executive, and the Veto Power
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 21, 1788
|
74
|
The Command of the
Military and Naval Forces, and the Pardoning Power of the Executive
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
March 25, 1788
|
75
|
The Treaty Making
Power of the Executive
|
Hamilton
|
Independent Journal
|
March 26, 1788
|
76
|
The Appointing Power
of the Executive
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
April 1, 1788
|
77
|
The Appointing Power
Continued and Other Powers of the Executive Considered
|
Hamilton
|
NY Packet
|
April 4, 1788
|
78
|
The Judiciary
Department
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
May 28, 1788
|
79
|
The Judiciary
Continued
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
May 28, 1788
|
80
|
The Powers of the
Judiciary
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
June 21, 1788
|
81
|
The Judiciary
Continued, and the Distribution of Judicial Authority
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
June 25, 1788
|
82
|
The Judiciary
Continued
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
July 2, 1788
|
83
|
The Judiciary
Continued in Relation to Trial by Jury
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
July 5, 1788,
|
84
|
Certain General and
Miscellaneous Objections to the Constitution Considered and Answered
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
July 16, 1788,
|
85
|
Concluding Remarks
|
Hamilton
|
McLEAN's Edition, NY
|
August 13, 1788
|
