This seminal collection, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym 'Publius,' was a crucial element in the ratification of the United States Constitution. The essays offer profound insights into the motivations and fears of the Founding Fathers, providing readers with a rare glimpse into the intellectual framework that underpins the U.S. political system. The book brilliantly positions the need for a strong,...

The U.S. Constitution was approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. It was to become law only if it was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. New York was a key state, but it contained strong forces opposing the Constitution. A series of eighty-five letters appeared in New York City newspapers between October, 1787 and August, 1788 urging support for the Constitution. These letters remain the first and most authoritative...