Founding Era - Raw History (Page 3)

Founding Era

As this site is dedicated to obscure works and lesser known authors, it does not seek to construct comprehensive histories of any subject. Consequently, many excerpts will be from minority or contrarian views. Many of the tags for the Founding Era page will be from Anti-Federalists or other obscure sources that address popular political ideas of the time in order to create a deeper and more complete understanding of the Founding Era.

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. was the son of Revolutionary War general, Benjamin Lincoln. He wrote ten essays between 1784 and 1786 on subjects that the editors of this work, referenced below the selection, believe "grew out of a conversation that Massachusetts people were having about the problem of a bicameral legislature

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

According to James Madison [https://rawhistory.com/tag/james-madison/] (Federalist No. 10), factions, i.e., political parties, as we generally understand them, are essentially a by-product of freedom. To the degree that a free people have differing opinions about policies and procedures, they coalesce into political parties. "The inference to

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

In 1811, Thomas Jefferson, writing to Dr. Benjamin Rush, has some interesting observations about Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. While serving in the Washington administration, Jefferson was asked by the President to call together the "Heads of departments, and to invite Mr. Adams" to join them in order to make

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

In July 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote "Reasons and Motives for the Albany Plan of Union." The context was the beginning of the French and Indian War (alternatively, the Seven Years' War in Europe). The plan was ultimately rejected, which led to this remark by Franklin on February 9, 1789. August

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT vs. A FEDERAL UNION OF SOVEREIGN STATES: SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT vs. A FEDERAL UNION OF SOVEREIGN STATES: SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE

Most people know Samuel Adams and associate his name with either beer or the American Revolution. Fewer people, however, recognize Richard Henry Lee. Lee, from Virginia, offered the resolution for independence thus leading to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Both men, however, opposed the Constitution. Samuel Adams corresponded

MORTAL FEUDS VS. INTRIGUES OF INCONSIDERABLE FACTIONS: ALEXANDER HAMILTON

MORTAL FEUDS VS. INTRIGUES OF INCONSIDERABLE FACTIONS: ALEXANDER HAMILTON

In "Federalist 16," Alexander Hamilton draws a distinction between the "intrigues of an inconsiderable faction," which can be handled by a state's magistracy, and "mortal feuds." This is a short but interesting read. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It is in vain to hope to guard against events too mighty for

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

Anti Federalist

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

In this selection, Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, expresses concern about the so-called "Elastic Clause" and the potential of it to create an unlimited government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > But a congress of a different character will not be bound by the constitution to pay respect to those principles. It

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

In this post, the Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, addressed an interesting concern that the authors of the Constitution assumed a common understanding of some principles and, therefore, did not include explanatory or specific definitions of certain items that could, perhaps, be misconstrued and abused. Here are his thoughts. August

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

Few people know that the Pilgrims experimented with a kind of Christian-inspired communism. In his work, History of Plimoth Plantation, William Bradford wrote about the experience. This post investigates the relevant excerpt. It's important to know that prior to the opening sentence below, Bradford was writing about the hardships the

James Madison on the Character of the Government (Federalist 39)

James Madison on the Character of the Government (Federalist 39)

When the Constitution became available for scrutiny in the Fall of 1787, pointed criticism of the document began to arise. The Constitution's critics became known as Anti-Federalists and its supporters, Federalists. The most prominent Federalist writers were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton--who were the principle authors of the Federalist Papers

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

Many salient episodes of United States history deal with the concept and processes of forming unions. What is it that makes political affiliation and union possible? This post addresses some thinking on the subject from two sources. First, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about the most important elements of union and,

For the General Welfare and Common Defense . . . Thoughts on Taxation

For the General Welfare and Common Defense . . . Thoughts on Taxation

The Anti-Federalists tried to draw attention to troubling provisions in the 1787 Constitution, one of which was the proposed power of taxation for the "general welfare and common defense" of the nation. John Smilie and "Brutus" make some observations on the subject. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > . . . it is the great

James Madison on Restraining Government from Oppressive Matters

The Federalist Papers were a series of articles written in defense of the Constitution and intended to facilitate its adoption by the several states. Though writing under the pseudonym Publius, we have leaned the the main authors were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. James Madison, in Federalist 57, has an

A National or Federal Organization: A Convention Spat Between Founders

Two basic factions showed up at the Constitutional Convention: one faction believed strongly in states' rights and desired to maintain a federal system, veering only slightly from the Articles of Confederation, but with a few targeted changes; the other sought a system that would be strongly national. Some in the

Brutus on Representation

Brutus on Representation

Anti-Federalist writers criticized various parts of the Constitution. The Federalist writers, chiefly James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, often wrote in response to the concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists, such as representation in the new government. Anti-Federalist writers believed that representation under the Constitution was too small and would tend to

Philodemus and the Fatal Influence of Slavery on the Human Mind

It was common for authors of the Founding Era to use pen names. Sometimes this was for protection, but often it was because the authors wanted the focus of the reader to be on what was written, not who wrote it. Philodemus was a man named Thomas Tudor Tucker. As

Of Political Liberty & Society: Gouverneur Morris

Gouverneur Morris is a Founder of the United States. He signed the Articles of Confederation and represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention. He wrote the Preamble of the Constitution and served on the Committee of Style, which supplied much of the final wording of the document. He was a thinker