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
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention approved a new constitution for the United States on September 17, 1787. But before it could be adopted, nine states had to ratify the document. Despite it having the support of America's brightest statesman such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, others feared that it would lead to too strong a federal government. Virginia and New York were home to many detractors. These two large wealthy states could conceivably stand alone, so their support was critical. In Virginia, even the friends of the Constitution estimated its support at no more than 50 percent of the voting population, while in New York the opposition seemed even stronger. By virtue of size, population, and wealth, New York and Virginia held virtual veto power over the ratification process.
Friends of the Constitution in New York organized a campaign to increase support for the new plan of government by writing a series of newspaper essays. Alexander Hamilton, a New York lawyer who had been a delegate to the Philadelphia convention, enlisted the help of fellow lawyer John Jay. James Madison was in New York on official business at the time, and he agreed to assist Hamilton. Madison wrote about about forty percent of the essays.
What is known today as the Federalist Papers is a series of eighty-five essays penned by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. They were published anonymously under the pseudonym “Publius” (a statesman who helped establish the Roman republic). Originally and primarily published in two New York state newspapers, the New York Packet and Independent Journal, the essays were reprinted by many other papers at the time.
In arguing for the adoption of the Constitution, the essays explained particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. Both Hamilton and Madison claimed authorship of Federalist No. 51, although historians generally agree that Madison was mostly likely the author. In Federalist No. 51, Madison explained the need for checks and balances between the branches. Taking a pessimistic view of powerful men, he argued that balances would allow the government to govern itself, because those in charge tend to try to gain power at the expense of others. It would be the Constitution, and the people, who would keep this from happening. Coming out of the period in which the Americans fought to throw off what they considered to be Britain’s tyrannical rule, Madison’s words were designed to appeal to those who were concerned that the federal government would be too powerful.
The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison responded to and answered questions and charges that opponents of ratification raised. These pages from Federalist No. 51 are taken from a 1788 published compilation of The Federalist held at the Library of Virginia.
In a convention that met in June 1788, Virginia delegates ratified the Constitution by a vote of 89 to 79. Virginia was the tenth state to ratify and was followed by New York one month later. The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.
Citation: Excerpt, No. 51 (pp. 117–119) from The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 (1788), Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
Friends of the Constitution in New York organized a campaign to increase support for the new plan of government by writing a series of newspaper essays. Alexander Hamilton, a New York lawyer who had been a delegate to the Philadelphia convention, enlisted the help of fellow lawyer John Jay. James Madison was in New York on official business at the time, and he agreed to assist Hamilton. Madison wrote about about forty percent of the essays.
What is known today as the Federalist Papers is a series of eighty-five essays penned by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. They were published anonymously under the pseudonym “Publius” (a statesman who helped establish the Roman republic). Originally and primarily published in two New York state newspapers, the New York Packet and Independent Journal, the essays were reprinted by many other papers at the time.
In arguing for the adoption of the Constitution, the essays explained particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. Both Hamilton and Madison claimed authorship of Federalist No. 51, although historians generally agree that Madison was mostly likely the author. In Federalist No. 51, Madison explained the need for checks and balances between the branches. Taking a pessimistic view of powerful men, he argued that balances would allow the government to govern itself, because those in charge tend to try to gain power at the expense of others. It would be the Constitution, and the people, who would keep this from happening. Coming out of the period in which the Americans fought to throw off what they considered to be Britain’s tyrannical rule, Madison’s words were designed to appeal to those who were concerned that the federal government would be too powerful.
The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison responded to and answered questions and charges that opponents of ratification raised. These pages from Federalist No. 51 are taken from a 1788 published compilation of The Federalist held at the Library of Virginia.
In a convention that met in June 1788, Virginia delegates ratified the Constitution by a vote of 89 to 79. Virginia was the tenth state to ratify and was followed by New York one month later. The Federalist Papers are often used today to interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.
Citation: Excerpt, No. 51 (pp. 117–119) from The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 (1788), Special Collections, Library of Virginia.
Standards
USI.7, CE.3, VUS.6, GOVT.3
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Looking at Language: Read through this excerpt and describe Madison’s writing style. To whom do you think Madison is writing, and why? What concerns does Madison bring up about people in power?
Post Activities
Another Perspective: Based on this excerpt, what do you think were the main concerns of the people who may have been hesitant to support ratification of the Constitution? Why do you think they may have been worried? Consider the events leading up to the Revolution and the war itself in your answer.
Analyze: Why and how does this excerpt explain the need for balances in the governmental branches? What do you think of Madison’s explanation, and why?
Current Connections: Madison argued here that the government must govern itself because individuals in power often want to accrue more power for themselves. He placed his faith in the balances of power set up in the Constitution, and in the people of America to defend it. In the 21st century, how might Madison perceive our system of checks and balances? Are they functioning as he intended?
Looking at Language: Read through this excerpt and describe Madison’s writing style. To whom do you think Madison is writing, and why? What concerns does Madison bring up about people in power?
Post Activities
Another Perspective: Based on this excerpt, what do you think were the main concerns of the people who may have been hesitant to support ratification of the Constitution? Why do you think they may have been worried? Consider the events leading up to the Revolution and the war itself in your answer.
Analyze: Why and how does this excerpt explain the need for balances in the governmental branches? What do you think of Madison’s explanation, and why?
Current Connections: Madison argued here that the government must govern itself because individuals in power often want to accrue more power for themselves. He placed his faith in the balances of power set up in the Constitution, and in the people of America to defend it. In the 21st century, how might Madison perceive our system of checks and balances? Are they functioning as he intended?