Washington founders' library

Cato No. 5: A Vague Executive and a Representation Too Small Cato argues that the Constitution's language on the executive is dangerously vague and that a House with so few members is too weak against corruption. Nov 8, 2026 Centinel No. 1: A Plan That Lacks Responsibility to the People Centinel warns Pennsylvanians that the Constitution concentrates power in Congress, lacks accountability, and would end rights their state constitution secured. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 14: Objections to the Proposed Constitution From Extent of Territory Answered Madison distinguishes a republic from a democracy and argues that a republic can govern a territory as large as the Union. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union Hamilton argues the Confederation fails because it legislates for states, not individuals, and that laws without enforcement are only advice. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 16: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union (Continued) Hamilton argues that coercing states means civil war, so a government acting directly on citizens is the only alternative to anarchy. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 17: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union (Continued) Hamilton answers the fear that a national government would swallow the states, arguing that the people's affections and daily concerns favor state governments. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 18: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union (Continued) Madison, probably with Hamilton, surveys the Amphictyonic and Achaean leagues of ancient Greece and finds that weak central power led to quarrels and conquest. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 19: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union (Continued) Madison, with Hamilton, examines the Holy Roman Empire, Poland and the Swiss cantons, finding that sovereign members and a weak head bred anarchy and war. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 20: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union (Continued) Madison, with Hamilton, studies the United Netherlands and concludes that a government over governments tends toward anarchy and requires force to function. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 21: Other Defects of the Present Confederation Hamilton lists more defects of the Confederation: no sanction for its laws, no guaranty of state governments, and unfair quotas on the states. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 22: Other Defects of the Present Confederation (Continued) Hamilton lists further flaws of the Confederation: no commerce power, quota-based armies, equal state votes, supermajority rules, and no national courts. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 23: The Necessity of a Government as Energetic as the One Proposed to the Preservation of the Union Hamilton argues that defense powers must be unlimited because the dangers to a nation cannot be foreseen, and must rest with the national government. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 24: The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered Hamilton answers the complaint that the Constitution lacks a ban on peacetime armies, pointing to frontier garrisons and the need for a navy. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 25: The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered (Continued) Hamilton argues that restrictions on defense that cannot be observed weaken respect for the Constitution, and that militia alone cannot meet a regular army. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 26: The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered Hamilton traces the English roots of fear of standing armies and argues the Constitution's two-year limit on army appropriations is a real safeguard. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 27: The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered (Continued) Hamilton argues that federal laws reaching individuals, and the habit of familiarity, will win respect for the national government without large force. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 28: The Idea of Restraining the Legislative Authority in Regard to the Common Defense Considered (Continued) Hamilton argues that emergency force may sometimes be needed, and that the people and the state governments remain the final check against national tyranny. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 29: Concerning the Militia Hamilton defends Congress's power to organize and discipline the militia and ridicules the fear that the militia could become an instrument of tyranny. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 37: Concerning the Difficulties of the Convention in Devising a Proper Form of Government Madison sets out the difficulties the Convention faced in joining energy, stability and liberty, and asks critics to judge the result with candor. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 38: The Incoherence of the Objections to the New Plan Exposed (Continued) Madison points out that the plan's critics contradict one another and that the Convention's work should be compared with the Confederation, not with an ideal. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 39: The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles Madison tests the Constitution against republican principles and finds it partly federal and partly national, with the people as the source of power. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 40: On the Powers of the Convention to Form a Mixed Government Examined and Sustained Madison defends the Convention's authority to propose a new plan, arguing that forms must give way to substance and that the people have the final say. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 41: General View of the Powers Conferred by The Constitution Madison surveys the federal powers, beginning with defense, and answers the claim that the general welfare language is a blank check. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 42: The Powers Conferred by the Constitution Further Considered Madison reviews the powers over foreign affairs and interstate commerce, and admits it would have been better to end the slave trade sooner than 1808. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 43: The Powers Conferred by the Constitution Further Considered (Continued) Madison reviews miscellaneous powers, including the guarantee of republican government and ratification by nine states, and defends necessary-and-proper. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 44: Restrictions on the Authority of the Several States Madison defends the limits on state power, such as bans on ex post facto laws, paper money and titles of nobility, and the necessary-and-proper clause. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 45: The Alleged Danger From the Powers of the Union to the State Governments Considered Madison replies that federal powers are few and defined while the states keep numerous and indefinite ones, and that the people's welfare is the supreme object. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 46: The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared Madison argues that state governments, as the people's agents, will have the advantage over the federal government in the people's attachment and in resistance. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 47: The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts Madison argues that all powers in the same hands is tyranny, but that Montesquieu's maxim does not require the three departments to be wholly separate. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 48: These Departments Should Not Be So Far Separated as to Have No Constitutional Control Over Each Other Madison argues that separating the departments on paper is not enough, and that the legislature, the most dangerous branch, must be checked by the others. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 49: Method of Guarding Against the Encroachments of Any One Department of Government by Appealing to the People Through a Convention Madison rejects Jefferson's plan to let two branches call a convention over breaches, warning that frequent appeals would erode respect for government. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 50: Periodical Appeals to the People Considered Madison argues that periodical appeals to the people to correct breaches are no better than occasional ones, citing Pennsylvania's Council of Censors. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 51: The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments Madison explains how to keep the branches in check: give each the means and motive to resist the others, because ambition must check ambition. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 62: The Senate Madison explains the Senate's qualifications, state appointment and equal state vote, and argues a senate corrects the instability of a single popular house. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 63: The Senate Continued Madison says the Senate gives the government national character, responsibility and a check on sudden popular passion; representation is the American remedy. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 64: The Powers of the Senate Jay defends the treaty power, giving it to the President with the Senate's consent, because secrecy, dispatch and the nation's best talent are needed. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 65: The Powers of the Senate Continued Hamilton explains why the Senate tries impeachments, as the court best fitted to judge political offenses, and why the Supreme Court would not do. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 66: Objections to the Power of the Senate To Set as a Court for Impeachments Further Considered Hamilton answers four objections to the Senate as an impeachment court, including mixed powers and corruption of the executive, and says the checks are sound. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 67: The Executive Department Hamilton opens the series on the executive by exposing a false claim that the President could fill Senate vacancies, and complains of the unfair attacks. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 68: The Mode of Electing the President Hamilton defends the method of choosing the President through electors, as a way to combine popular choice, informed judgment and resistance to faction. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 69: The Real Character of the Executive Hamilton compares the proposed President with the British king and the New York governor, arguing the office is limited and elected, not a monarchy in disguise. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 70: The Executive Department Further Considered Hamilton argues that a vigorous, single executive is essential to good government and that unity, duration, support and competent powers supply energy. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 71: The Duration in Office of the Executive Hamilton argues that a four-year term gives the President firmness to resist legislative pressure and public whims without making him independent of the people. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 72: Re-Eligibility of the Executive Considered (Continued) Hamilton defends re-eligibility of the President, arguing that excluding a good official from another term would harm good behavior and stability. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 73: The Provision For The Support of the Executive, and the Veto Power Hamilton defends a salary the legislature cannot cut or raise during the term and the qualified veto, as a shield for the executive and a check on bad laws. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 74: The Command of the Military and Naval Forces, and the Pardoning Power of the Executive Hamilton defends the President's role as commander in chief and the pardoning power, arguing that war needs unity and that mercy should not be fettered. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 75: The Treaty-Making Power of the Executive Hamilton argues that treaties should be made by the President with two thirds of the Senate, because neither could be trusted alone with so delicate a power. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 76: The Appointing Power of the Executive Hamilton defends presidential nomination with Senate confirmation, as a way to secure fit appointees while keeping responsibility clear. Nov 8, 2026 Federalist No. 77: The Appointing Power Continued and Other Powers of the Executive Considered Hamilton argues the Senate's role in appointments adds stability, that cabals plague councils of appointment, and notes the President's remaining powers. Nov 8, 2026 Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, 1801 Thomas Jefferson's 1801 address after a bitter election: unite, keep government limited and frugal, and seek peace with all nations and alliances with none. Nov 8, 2026 Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 George Washington's parting advice: preserve the Union, beware of party spirit, honor religion and morality, keep public credit, avoid permanent alliances. Nov 8, 2026