1141The Federalist Number 49, [2 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
The author of the “Notes on the state of Virginia,” quoted in the last paper, has subjoined to that valuable work, the draught of a constitution which had been prepared in order to be laid before a convention expected to be called in 1783, by the legislature, for the establishment of a constitution for that commonwealth. The plan, like every thing from the same pen, marks a turn of thinking...
1142From James Madison to George Washington, 3 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
Another mail has arrived from Boston without terminating the conflict between our hopes and fears. I have a letter from Mr. King of the 27. which after dilating somewhat on the ideas in his former letters, concludes with the following paragraph. “We have avoided every question which would have shewn the division of the House. Of consequence we are not positive of the numbers on each side. By...
1143The Federalist Number 50, [5 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
It may be contended perhaps, that instead of occasional appeals to the people, which are liable to the objections urged against them, periodical appeals are the proper and adequate means of preventing and correcting infractions of the constitution . It will be attended to, that in the examination of these expedients, I confine myself to their aptitude for enforcing the constitution by keeping...
1144The Federalist Number 51, [6 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
To what expedient then shall we finally resort for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent...
1145From James Madison to George Washington, 8 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The prospect in Massts. seems to brighten, if I view in the true light the following representation of it. “This day, (Jany. 30) for the first our President Mr. Handcock took his seat in Convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on saturday or tuesday next. I can not predict the issue, but our hopes are increasing. If Mr. Hancock does not disappoint our present expectations, our...
1146The Federalist Number 52, [8 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
From the more general enquiries pursued in the four last papers, I pass on to a more particular examination of the several parts of the government. I shall begin with the house of representatives. The first view to be taken of this part of the government, relates to the qualifications of the electors and the elected. Those of the former are to be the same with those of the electors of the most...
1147The Federalist Number 53, [9 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
I shall here perhaps be reminded of a current observation, “that where annual elections end, tyranny begins.” If it be true, as has often been remarked, that sayings which become proverbial, are generally founded in reason, it is not less true that when once established, they are often applied to cases to which the reason of them does not extend. I need not look for a proof beyond the case...
1148From James Madison to George Washington, 11 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
The Newspaper inclosed with the letter which follows, comprises the information brought me by the mail of yesterday. “I inclose a Newspaper containing the propositions communicated by Mr. Hancock to the Convention, on thursday last. Mr. Adams who contrary to his own sentiments has been hitherto silent in Convention, has given his public and explicit approbation of Mr. Hancocks propositions. We...
1149The Federalist Number 54, [12 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
The next view which I shall take of the house of representatives, relates to the apportionment of its members to the several states, which is to be determined by the same rule with that of direct taxes. It is not contended that the number of people in each state ought not to be the standard for regulating the proportion of those who are to represent the people of each state. The establishment...
1150The Federalist Number 55, [13 February] 1788 (Madison Papers)
The number of which the house of representatives is to consist, forms another, and a very interesting point of view under which this branch of the federal legislature may be contemplated. Scarce any article indeed in the whole constitution seems to be rendered more worthy of attention, by the weight of character and the apparent force of argument, with which it has been assailed. The charges...