George Washington to Bushrod Washington
Mount Vernon, November 10, 1787
Following are excerpts from George Washington’s letter to Bushrod Washington:
“Dear Bushrod: In due course of Post, your letters of the 19th. and 26th. Ult. came to hand and I thank you for the communications therein; for a continuation in matters of importance, I shall be obliged to you. (more…)
While much of literature during the 1830s and 1840s was dedicated to religiosity and piety, a new type of literature was emerging during this time. George Lippard and other authors were achieving commercial success writing novels that have stood the test of time and have had appeal to ordinary Americans in generations since: novels about the Western United States. See Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought: Transformation of America, 1815-1848, 631.
Refutation of the “Federal Farmer”: Timothy Pickering to Charles Tillinghast
Philadelphia, December 24, 1787
Following are excerpts from Timothy Pickering’s letter to Charles Tillinghast, refuting the “Federal Farmer”:
“In respect to the organization of the general government, the federal farmer, as well as other opposers, object to (more…)
Letters from the “Federal Farmer” to “The Republican”
New York, November 8, 1787
Following are excerpts from a series of letters published in New York, supposedly from the Federal Farmer to The Republican:
“A general convention for mere commercial purposes was moved for—the authors of this measure saw that the people’s attention was turned solely to the amendment of the federal system; (more…)
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…)
In the 1820s and 1830s, Working Men’s political parties emerged, changing the discourse of the two major political parties, the Democrats and Whigs. From Philadelphia outward, “Working Men’s political parties sprang up in various places . . . , fed by the discontents of journeymen under the impact of industrialization.” Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought: Transformation of America, 1815-1848, 539 citing Sean Wilentz, Chants Democratic: New York City and the Rise of the American Working Class (New York, 1984), 109.
“Americanus” [John Stevens, Jr.] I
Daily Advertiser (New York), November 2, 1787
Following are excerpts from John Stevens, Jr.’s article in the Daily Advertiser:
“But, so prone is the spirit of man to party and faction, that even this admirable system will not prevent their mischievous efforts, in a state possessing a ‘small territory.’ (more…)
“Publius,” The Federalist I [Alexander Hamilton]
Independent Journal (New York), October 27, 1787
Following are excerpts from the Federalist I, written by Alexander Hamilton:
“The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences, nothing less than the existence of the union, (more…)
Cato III
New York Journal, October 25, 1787
Following are excerpts from Cato III’s article in the New York Journal:
“The governments of Europe have taken their limits and form from adventitious circumstances, and nothing can be argued on the motive (more…)
Letter from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson
New York, October 24, 1787
Following are excerpts from James Madison’s letter to Thomas Jefferson, dated October 24, 1787:
“It remains then to be enquired whether a majority having any common interest, or feeling any common passion, will find sufficient motives to restrain them from oppressing the minority. (more…)
Last Best Hope of Earth 