The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay

Reviewer: bikerbuddy

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I read and reviewed Ron Chernow's biography about Alexander Hamilton after my son introduced me to the musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. As an Australian, this was a topic that I had very little familiarity with. I decided to read the Federalist Papers which are featured in the closing song, 'Non-stop' of Miranda's first act. Our usual approach on this website is to review books, giving our opinion and recommendations.

However, that approach seemed inappropriate in this case. What I decided to do, instead, was to make notes on each of the papers as I read them, making summaries and offering my own commentaries. It just so happened that the period in which I finished reading the papers coincided with President Donald Trump's impeachment. The issues concerning his presidency therefore informed some of my discussion of the papers. For anyone with expertise in this area who might happen upon my notes, you are welcome to correct any misreadings I make. I profess no expertise in this area at all. Rather, I was just trying to engage with an interesting topic.

Click on the INDEX button at the top left to search for specific topics. Or explore the papers through the list of contents, below

The Federalist Papers - Contents

Federalist No.1 - General Introduction Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.2 - Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence John Jay
Federalist No.3 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence) John Jay
Federalist No.4 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence) John Jay
Federalist No.5 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence) John Jay
Federalist No.6 - Concerning Dangers From Dissension Between The States Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.7 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Dissension Between The States) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.8 - The Consequences of Hostilities Between The States Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.9 - The Union As A Safeguard Against Domestic Faction And Insurrection Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.10 - The Same Subject Continued (The Union As A Safeguard Against Domestic Faction And Insurrection) James Madison
Federalist No.11 - The Utility Of The Union In Respect To Commercial Relations And A Navy Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.12 - The Utility Of The Union In Respect To Revenue Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.13 - Advantage Of The Union In Respect To Economy In Government Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.14 - Objections To The Proposed Constitution From Extent Of Territory Answered James Madison
Federalist No.15 - The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.16 - The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.17 - The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.18 - The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union) James Madison, with Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.19 - The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union) James Madison, with Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.20 - The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency Of The Present Confederation To Preserve The Union) James Madison, with Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.21 - Other Defects Of The Present Confederation Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.22 - The Same Subject Continued (Other Defects Of The Present Confederation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.23 - The Necessity Of A Government As Energetic As The One Proposed To The Preservation Of The Union Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.24 - The Powers Necessary To The Common Defense Further Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.25 - The Idea Of Restraining The Legislative Authority In Regard To The Commonwealth Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.26 - The Same Subject Continued (The Idea Of Restraining The Legislative Authority In Regard To The Commonwealth Considered) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.27 - The Same Subject Continued (The Idea Of Restraining The Legislative Authority In Regard To The Commonwealth Considered) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.28 - The Same Subject Continued (The Idea Of Restraining The Legislative Authority In Regard To The Commonwealth Considered) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.29 - Concerning The Militia Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.30 - Concerning The General Power Of Taxation Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.31 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.32 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.33 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.34 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.35 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.36 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The General Power Of Taxation) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.37 - Concerning The Difficulties Of The Convention In Devising A Proper Form Of Government James Madison
Federalist No.38 - The Same Subject Continued, And The Incoherence Of The Objections To The New Plan Exposed James Madison
Federalist No.39 - The Conformity Of The Plan To Republican Principles James Madison
Federalist No.40 - On The Powers Of The Convention To Form A Mixed Government Examined And Sustained James Madison
Federalist No.41 - General View Of The Powers Conferred By The Constitution James Madison
Federalist No.42 - The Powers Conferred By The Constitution Further Considered James Madison
Federalist No.43 - The Same Subject Continued (The Powers Conferred By The Constition Further Considered) James Madison
Federalist No.44 - Restrictions On The Authority Of The Several States James Madison
Federalist No.45 - The Alleged Danger From The Powers Of The Union To The State Governments James Madison
Federalist No.46 - The Influence Of The State And Federal Governments Compared James Madison
Federalist No.47 - The Particular Structure Of The New Government And The Distribution Of Power Among Its Different Parts James Madison
Federalist No.48 - These Departments Should Not Be So Far Separated As To Have No Constitutional Control Over Each Other James Madison
Federalist No.49 - Method Of Guarding Against The Encroachments Of Any One Department Of Government By Appealing To The People Through A Convention James Madison
Federalist No.50 - Periodical Appeals To The People Considered James Madison
Federalist No.51 - The Structure Of The Government Must Furnish The Proper Checks And Balances Between The Different Departments James Madison
Federalist No.52 - The House Of Representatives James Madison
Federalist No.53 - The Same Subject Continued (The House Of Representatives) James Madison
Federalist No.54 - The Appointment of Members Among The States James Madison
Federalist No.55 - The Total Number Of The House Of Representatives James Madison
Federalist No.56 - The Same Subject Continued (The Total Number Of The House Of Representatives) James Madison
Federalist No.57 - The Alleged Tendency Of The New Plan To Elevate The Few At The Expense Of The Many Considered In Connection With Representation James Madison
Federalist No.58 - Objection That The Number Of Members Will Not Be Augmented As The Progress Of Population Demands James Madison
Federalist No.59 - Concerning The Power Of Congress To Regulate The Election Of Members Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.60 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The Power Of Congress To Regulate The Election Of Members) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.61 - The Same Subject Continued (Concerning The Power Of Congress To Regulate The Election Of Members) Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.62 - The Senate James Madison
Federalist No.63 - The Senate Continued James Madison
Federalist No.64 - The Powers Of The Senate John Jay
Federalist No.65 - The Powers Of The Senate Continued Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.66 - Objections To The Power Of The Senate To Set As A Court For Impeachments Further Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.67 - The Executive Department Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.68 - The Mode Of Electing The President Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.69 - The Real Character Of The Executive Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.70 - The Executive Department Further Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.71 - The Duration In Office Of The Executive Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.72 - The Same Subject Continued, And Re-Eligibility Of The Executive Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.73 - The Provision For The Support Of The Executive, And The Veto Power Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.74 - The Command Of The Military And Navy Forces, And The Pardoning Power Of The Executive Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.75 - The Treat-Making Power Of The Executive Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.76 - The Appointing Power Of The Executive Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.77 - The Appointing Power Continued And Other Powers Of The Executive Considered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.78 - The Judiciary Department Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.79 - The Judiciary Continued Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.80 - The Powers Of The Judiciary Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.81 - The Judiciary Continued, And The Distribution Of The Judicial Authority Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.82 - The Judiciary Continued Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.83 - The Judiciary Continued In Relation To Trial By Jury Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.84 - Certain General And Miscellaneous Objections To The Constitution Considered And Answered Alexander Hamilton
Federalist No.85 - Concluding Remarks Alexander Hamilton

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The Federalist Papers