The Federalist Papers

1. General Introduction - Alexander Hamilton

Writing to the people of New York - Hamilton starts in bold, unambigous terms, talking about the continued existance of the Union.

in its consequence nothing less than the existance of the Union

whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government

He's setting up a series of communication arguing for the proposed new Constitution, and why staying together as a Union is in the best interest of the majority.

He states that among the most formidable of the obsticles of the new Constitution is a "certain class of men" in every state whom resist change in which their power is diminished, or whom wish to profit off of an elevation of power from many governments, instead of one Union.

the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust

The series of papers will include:

  1. The utility of the Union to your political properity.
  2. The insufficiency of the present Confederacy to preserve that Union.
  3. The necessity of an energetic government.
  4. The conformity of the proposed Constitution to the true principles of republican government.
  5. The additional security which its adoption will afford to the preservation of that species of government, to liberty, and to property.

2. Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence - John Jay

Writing to the people of New York