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Cover Page to The Federalist, 1788

CONTENT WARNING

Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation. 

Context

After members of the Convention of 1787 drafted a new constitution for the United States, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton wrote a series of 85 essays in support of the new government under the pen name "Publius" (a statesman who helped establish the Roman republic). The essays, generally known as the Federalist Papers, were first printed in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 and were subsequently compiled in two volumes as The Federalist (1788).

The Federalist Papers were written in support of the new federal republic and to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. In their writings, Hamilton, Jay, and Madison detailed many of the provisions in the proposed Constitution and responded to concerns expressed by its opponents. While many of America's "founding fathers" and intellectual statesmen supported the proposed government, including George Washington, there were also those who opposed it. George Mason, one of Virginia's convention delegates, refused to sign the Constitution because he believed a bill of rights was needed and because it did not outlaw the slave trade immediately. When New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, it became the framework for the government of the United States.

In 1788, a bound edition (the cover of which is seen here) was published. It included Hamilton's revisions of the original published essays. An edition published in 1818 included revisions provided by Madison and was the first published version to provide the identity of the author of each essay.

Read Essay No. 10 by James Madison in Shaping the Constitution.

Learn more about Virginia's ratification of the U.S. Constitution in Shaping the Constitution.

 Citation: The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 (1788), Call number JK154 1788, Library of Virginia.

 

Standards

VS.1, VS.6, USI.1, USI.7, VUS.1, VUS.5, GOVT.1, GOVT.10

Suggested Questions

Preview Activity

Look at It: Examine the cover page of The Federalist. What information is provided to a potential reader about the publication?

Post Activities

Artistic Exploration: Make a poster reflecting how The Federalist might promote the new U.S. Constitution.

Form an Opinion: Why would people have doubts or questions about the Constitution? How might a publication such as The Federalist have helped them understand the basis for the Constitution?