using the original text is obvious in the case of articles written for such a special and immediate purpose; yet most editors have followed either the revised text of 1802, or the amended " original text ” which Dawson prepared for his edition of 1863. The only foot-notes included in the present Selections are those which appeared in the edition of 1788, and which were put there by the authors themselves.

W.B.M.

CAMBRIDGE, December 28, 1913.

CONTENTS

PREFACE.

PAGE

iii

I

.

9

II

INTRODUCTION

1. The Making of the Constitution

2. The Campaign for its Adoption

3. Why the Federalist was written

4. The Federalist as a Treatise on Government

5. Bibliographical Note

SELECTIONS FROM THE FEDERALIST

I. The Dangers of Disunion

(a) Dangers from Abroad (Articles 2-5)

(6) Dangers at Home (Articles 6–8).

14

17

19

37

56

70

77

II. The Need of a Strong Federation

(a) To Prevent Internal Strife (Articles 9-10)

(6) To Develop and Protect Commerce (Article 11)

(c) To Provide an Adequate Revenue (Articles 12-13)

III. The Inadequacy of the Old Confederation

(a) General Features of Weakness (Article 14)

(6) The Lack of Power to Compel Obedience (Article 21)

(c) The Lack of Power to Regulate Commerce (Article 22)

87

93

98

109

117

126

IV. Difficulties Encountered in Framing the New Constitution

(a) Inherent Difficulties of the Undertaking (Article 37)

(6) Differences of Opinion concerning Details (Article 38)

V. The Conformity of the New Constitution to Republican Prin-

ciples. Establishes a Government both Republican and

Federal (Article 39)

VI. Justification of the Powers Conferred by the New Constitution

upon the Federal Government

(a) Military Powers (Article 41)

(6) Diplomatic and Commercial Powers (Article 42)

(c) Other Powers (Articles 43-44)

(d) The Powers of the Federal and the State Governments

Compared (Articles 45-46).

134

144

152

170

PAGE

VII. The System of Checks and Balances

(a) An Examination of Montesquieu's Doctrine (Article 47) 184

(6) The Objection to a Complete Separation of Powers

(Article 48)

192

(c) Separation of Powers Necessary to Prevent Frequent

Constitutional Amendments (Article 49)

197

SELECTIONS FROM THE

FEDERALIST