Oliver Ellsworth

Constitution Sunday: Oliver Ellsworth defends the Taxing Power and Comments on Dual Sovereignties and Judicial Review

Connecticut Ratifying Convention January 7, 1788 When the Connecticut Ratifying Convention assembled, there were objections against the draft Constitution on the basis that it was “despotic” in its bestowing great power upon Congress: to the objectors, Congress having both the power of the purse and the power of the sword was intolerable. Oliver Ellsworth, however, […]

More

Constitution Sunday: A Further Reply to Elbridge Gerry: “A Landholder” [Oliver Ellsworth] V

A Further Reply to Elbridge Gerry: “A Landholder” [Oliver Ellsworth] V Connecticut Courant (Hartford), December 3, 1787 Following are excerpts from Oliver Ellsworth’s article, published in the Connecticut Courant: “The vice-president is not an executive officer, while the president is in discharge of his duty; and when he is called to preside his legislative voice ceases.

More

Constitution Sunday: Reply to Elbridge Gerry: “A Landholder” [Oliver Ellsworth] IV

Reply to Elbridge Gerry: “A Landholder” [Oliver Ellsworth] IV Connecticut Courant (Hartford), November 26, 1787 Following are excerpts from Oliver Ellsworth’s article: “Such a body of men might be an army to defend the country in case of foreign invasion, but not a legislature, and the expence to support them would equal the whole national […]

More