My coverage of the Anti-Federalist Papers is about to begin a deep dive, starting with Brutus.
All in Anti-Federalist Friday
Impeaching Everyone - Joseph Taylor's Argument From North Carolina
Joseph Taylor was an Anti-Federalist who had the clearest argument against the way impeachment was presented in the Constitution.
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.
A Plebian - Melancton Smith's Anti-Federalist Rational
Melancton Smith was arguably the most active of all Anti-Federalist authors during the ratification debates.
Republicus - An Anti-Federalist on the Frontier
Republicus was an Anti-Federalist who published resistance to the Constitution from the frontier.
A Federal Farmer Observes The Constitution
The Observations of the Federal Farmer are some of the most thorough discussions of Anti-Federalist thought published during the Constitutional ratification debates.
A Columbian Patriot - Mercy Otis Warren Observes the Constitution
Mercy Otis Warren was one of the most renowned female writers in the United States when she took up her pen as an Anti-Federalist and began criticizing the Constitution.
Patrick Henry's Three Bugbears
In June of 1787 Patrick Henry gave a speech arguing against ratification of the Constitution by brushing off the scare tactics being used by the Federalists.
Philanthropos warns that the Constitution Will Lead to Civil War
Philanthropos was the pseudonym of an Anti-Federalist who warned that the Constitution was a tool of restless men whose thirst for power would lead to a civil war.
Rhode Island as an Anti-Federalist Example
Rhode Island Is Right! was a letter published in newspapers throughout America during the Constitution Ratification Debates promoting Anti-Federalist principles.
The Federal Bull-Dog: Luther Martin's Anti-Federalist Beginnings
Luther Martin left the Constitutional Convention early and campaigned against ratification.
Philadelphiensis vs The New Roof - Benjamin Workman's Sensationalism
Benjamin Workman was a Mathematics Professor at the University of Pennsylvania who ruthlessly attacked aristocrats during the Constitutional Ratification Debates.
We Have Been Told of Phantoms - William Grayson's Constitutional Skepticism
William Grayson gave several important Anti-Federalist speeches on the floor of the Virginia Ratification Convention.
The Impartial Examiner Confronts Arbitrary Government
The Impartial Examiner was a series of Anti-Federalist Papers published in Virginia during the first half of 1788.
James Winthrop and the Letters of Agrippa
James Winthrop’s Letters of Agrippa were an important contribution to the discussions around ratification of the Constitution in Massachusetts.
The Dissent of the Pennsylvania Minority
Dissent of the Pennsylvania Minority was published by the Anti-Federalist who were outvoted at Pennsylvania’s ratification convention.
The Letters of Centinel - Samuel Bryan's Anti-Federalism
The Letters of Centinel were a series of Anti-Federalist Papers published by Samuel Bryan.
Montezuma's Sarcastic Approval of the Constitution
Montezuma was the pen name of an Anti-Federalist whose sarcastic support of the Constitution is absolutely hilarious.
The Anonymous John DeWitt Argues For Reflection
John DeWitt is the pen name of an anonymous author who urged caution early in the Constitutional Ratification Debates.