These essays on the Constitution were written by busy men in the midst of an active public and professional life, written with immense haste, and without proper time for consultation.... Yet even when they first appeared, the Federalist papers were recognized as the best explanation of and defense of the Constitution available, and they took their place, almost at once, as a classic. Jefferson-no Federalist himself-pronounced the volume, when it appeared, the best commentary on the principles of government which has ever been written."-From the Introduction by Editor, Henry S. Commager. Includes bibliography.

Alexander Hamilton was an American statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was an influential interpreter and promoter of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the founder of the nation's financial system, the Federalist Party, the United States Coast Guard, and the New York Post newspaper. James Madison Jr. was an American statesman and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Editor’s Introduction vii

1. Introduction I

2. The Value of Union 4

9. The Union a Safeguard against Domestic Disturbances 7

10. The Union a Check on Faction 9

11. Commercial Advantages of Union 16

14. Objections to the Union on the Score of Extent of Territory 18

15. Defects of the Present Confederation Arising from Dependence on State Governments 21

21. Fundamental Defects of the Present Confederation 25

22. Specific Defects of the Present Confederation 30

23. Necessity of an Energetic Government 38

26. Grounds for Restraining Legislative Authority over Armies 42

27. Impossibility of a National Government without a National Force 43

31. Necessity for Unlimited Power of Taxation 47

32. Exclusive and Concurrent Taxing Powers in a Federal System 50

33. Taxation Considered with Respect to General Powers 52

34. Taxation with Respect to Military Necessity 56

35. Taxation in Relation to Class Interests 58

37. Difficulties of the Convention in Framing a Constitution 61

39. Conformity of the Constitution to Republican Principles 66

41. General View of Powers Conferred by the Constitution 71

44. Restrictions on the Powers of the States 75

45. The Alleged Danger of National Power to the States 82

51. The System of Checks and Balances in the Government 85

64. The Treaty Making Powers of the Senate 89

69. Comparison of the Powers of the President with those of Other Executives 93

71. The Term of Office of the President 97

72. Reëligibility of the President 100

73. The Veto Power of the President 105

75. The Treaty Making Power of the President 109

78. The Judiciary Department and Judicial Review 113

80. The Extent of Judicial Powers 120

81. The Distribution of Judicial Authority 126

82. The Relation of Federal and State Courts 131

84. The Propriety of a Bill of Rights 134

85. Summary and Conclusion 139

Bibliography 145