Debates on the Constitution, Part One and Part Two

This is a two-book set: Parts One and Two.

Part One: Debates in the Press and in Private Correspondences 1787; Debates in the State Ratifying Conventions (Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts)

Part Two: Debates in the Press and in Private Correspondences1788; Debates in the State Ratifying Conventions (S. Carolina, Virginia, New York, N. Carolina)

The framers, during the secret proceedings of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, created a fundamentally new national plan to replace the Articles of Confederation. They placed over the states a supreme government with broad powers, and they proposed to submit it to conventions in each state, elected "by the People thereof," for ratification.

Immediately, a fierce storm of argument broke between Federalist supporters, Antifederalist opponents, and seekers of a middle ground striving to balance public order and personal liberty.
Assembled in chronological order are hundreds of newspaper articles, pamphlets, speeches, and private letters written or delivered in the aftermath of the Constitutional Convention. Along with familiar figures are scores of less famous citizens represented, all speaking clearly and passionately about government. The most famous writings of the ratification struggle — the Federalist essays of Hamilton and Madison — are placed in their original context, alongside the arguments of able antagonists.

Informative notes, biographical profiles of all writers, speakers, and recipients, and a detailed chronology of relevant events from 1774 to 1804 provide fascinating background. A general index allows readers to follow specific topics, and an appendix includes the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution (with all amendments).