Alfred Uses John Adams' Success Against The Constitution
Alfred was the pseudonym of an Anti-Federalist author who argued that the form of government was not the biggest problem in late 18th century America, reckless spending was.
“But cannot we regulate our finances and lay the foundations for a permanent and certain revenue...without making an entire new government?”
Alfred
On Christmas Day 1787 an article was published by an anonymous author under the pen name Alfred.
This essay, first seen in Philadelphia’s Independent Gazetteer, is known by the title Europeans Admire and Federalists Decry the Present System.
Alfred defends the State Governments and defines the real problem as a poor handling of public money.
John Adams
While the Constitution was being written, John Adams (while serving overseas as Minister to Great Britain) published a three volume text styled A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America.
Alfred points to the reception of this book as an indication that much of Enlightenment Europe was jealous of the intelligent way the separate States had structured their governments. They were seen to be the best guard against tyranny yet devised.
It should be noted, however, that he does not discuss the Articles of Confederation at all.
Frugality
After briefly discussing how things are really not so terrible in the US as some Federalists might make it seem (a topic covered by other Anti-Federalists), Alfred looks into the real issues facing the nation.
He notes that the States were certainly exporting a lot of goods, but sending American gold and silver overseas for expensive European goods has diminished this return.
Furthermore, had the State been acting frugally, they could have easily paid down the interest of foreign loans secured while fighting in the Revolutionary War.
Virtue
Alfred hints at the troublesome idea that the same leaders who want a new government are the same one that have led the nation into financial trouble in the first place.
His conclusion is that, “public virtue, and the want of money, are two of the principal sources of our grievances.”
In Europeans Admire Alfred indicated it would be better to stick with the same State Governments and simply install new leaders who would appropriately, and frugally, raise the necessary funds for the United States.
If you made it this far you might also enjoy another of my Anti-Federalist articles:
Montezuma’s Sarcastic Approval of the Constitution
The Decent of the Pennsylvania Minority
We Have Been Told of Phantoms - William Grayson’s Constitutional Skepticism
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