The Debate on the Constitution, Vol. 1

Federalist and Antifederalist Speeches, Articles, and Letters During the Struggle over Ratification : September 1787--February

Browse Return to Previous Page       Related Subjects All Subjects American History History

Edited by Bernard Bailyn

Library of America

Due/Published March 1993, 1214 pages, cloth

ISBN 0940450429

Bernard Bailyn, editor. Part One: September 1787 to February 1788. The Debate on the Constitution charts the course of the bloodless revolution that created the government of the United States and the world's oldest working national charter. The extraordinary energy and eloquence of the ratification struggle is captured here firsthand in a unique collection of speeches, newspaper articles, pamphlets and letters. Part One presents press polemics and private commentaries from September 1787 to January 1788. Highlights include the state ratifying convention in Pennsylvania, where James Wilson confronted the deep democratic skepticism of the frontier delegates, and in Massachusetts, where John Hancock and Samuel Adams forged a crucial compromise that saved the country from political convulsion. A detailed chronology of events, biographical profiles, and notes provide fascinating background. An appendix prints the complete text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution with all amendments.