Anti Federalist Papers No 12 - How WIll The New Government Raise Money?

“CINCINNATUS” is an Antifederalist writer. In this essay, from an Address to a Meeting of the Citizens of Philadelphia, the writer responds to James Wilson’s statements about Congress’ powers to tax under the Constitution. It appeared in the November 29 and December 6, 1787, New-York Journal, as reprinted from a Philadelphia newspaper.

On the subject of taxation, in which powers are to be given so largely by the new constitution, you [James Wilson of Pennsylvania] lull our fears of abuse by venturing to predict “that the great revenue of the United States must, and always will, be raised by impost”-and you elevate our hopes by holding out, “the reviving and supporting the national credit.” If you have any other plan for this, than by raising money upon the people to pay the interest of the national debt, your ingenuity will deserve our thanks. Supposing however, that raising money is necessary to payment of the interest, and such a payment [is] requisite to support the credit of the union-let us see how much will be necessary for that end, and how far the impost will supply what we want. The arrearages of French and Spanish interest amount now to–1,500,000 dollars; Interest and installments of do. for 1788–850,227; Support of government; and its departments, for 1788–500,000; Arrears and anticipations of 1787– 300,000; Interest of domestic debt– 500,000 {total} 4,650,227 [3,650,227]

The new Congress then, supposing it to get into operation towards October, 1788, will have to provide for this sum, and for the additional sum of 3,000,000 at least for the ensuing year; which together will make the sum of 7,650,227 [6,650,227].

Now let us see how the impost will answer this. Congress have furnished us with their estimate of the produce of the whole imports of America at five per cent and that is 800,000 dollars. There will remain to provide for, by other taxes, 6,850,227 [5,850,227].

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Anti Federalist Papers No 12 - Raising Money from Chuck Thompson

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Federalist Papers No. 11, Commercial Interests

Oil on canvas portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To the People of the State of New York:

THE importance of the Union, in a commercial light, is one of those points about which there is least room to entertain a difference of opinion, and which has, in fact, commanded the most general assent of men who have any acquaintance with the subject. This applies as well to our intercourse with foreign countries as with each other.

There are appearances to authorize a supposition that the adventurous spirit, which distinguishes the commercial character of America, has already excited uneasy sensations in several of the maritime powers of Europe. They seem to be apprehensive of our too great interference in that carrying trade, which is the support of their navigation and the foundation of their naval strength.

 Those of them which have colonies in America look forward to what this country is capable of becoming, with painful solicitude. They foresee the dangers that may threaten their American dominions from the neighborhood of States, which have all the dispositions, and would possess all the means, requisite to the creation of a powerful marine. Impressions of this kind will naturally indicate the policy of fostering divisions among us, and of depriving us, as far as possible, of an ACTIVE COMMERCE in our own bottoms.

 This would answer the threefold purpose of preventing our interference in their navigation, of monopolizing the profits of our trade, and of clipping the wings by which we might soar to a dangerous greatness. Did not prudence forbid the detail, it would not be difficult to trace, by facts, the workings of this policy to the cabinets of ministers.

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Federalist Papers No. 11 - Commercial Relations from Chuck Thompson

The Federalist Papers number 11, The Utility of the Union In Respect To Commercial Relations and the Navy.  To read the above in full screen mode, click the icon at the far bottom right hand side of the slideshare container.  To exit full screen mode, hit the escape key on your keyboard.

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Anti Federalist Papers No 10, On The Preservation of Parties, Public Liberty Depends

The opposite qualities of the first confederation were rather caused by than the cause of two parties, which from its first existence began and have continued their operations, I believe, unknown to their country and almost unknown to themselves-as really but few men have the capacity or resolution to develop the secret causes which influence their daily conduct.

The old Congress was a national government and an union of States, both brought into one political body, as these opposite powers-I do not mean parties were so exactly blended and very nearly balanced, like every artificial, operative machine where action is equal to reaction. It stood perfectly still. It would not move at all. Those who were merely confederal in their views, were for dividing the public debt. Those who were for national government, were for increasing of it.

 Those who thought any national government would be destructive to the liberties of America . . . assisted those who thought it our only safety-to put everything as wrong as possible. Requisitions were made, which every body knew it was impossible to comply with. Either in 82 or 83, ten millions of hard dollars, if not thirteen, were called into the continental treasury, when there could not be half that sum in the whole tract of territory between Nova-Scotia and Florida. The States neglected them in despair. The public honor was tarnished, and our governments abused by their servants and best friends.

 In fine, it became a cant word things are not yet bad enough to mend. However, as [a] great part of the important objects of society were entrusted to this mongrel species of general government, the sentiment of pushing it forward became general throughout America, and the late Convention met at Philadelphia under the uniform impression, that such was the desire of their constituents. But even then the advantages and disadvantages of national government operated so strongly, although silently, on each individual, that the conflict was nearly equal. A third or middle opinion, which always arises in such cases, broke off and took the lead-the national party [thus] assisted, pursued steadily their object- the federal party dropped off, one by one, and finally, when the middle party came to view the offspring which they had given birth to, and in a great measure reared, several of them immediately disowned the child.

 Such has been hitherto the progress of party; or rather of the human mind dispassionately contemplating our separate and relative situation, and aiming at that perfect completion of social happiness and grandeur, which perhaps can be combined only in ideas. Every description of men entertain the same wishes (excepting perhaps a few very bad men of each)-they forever will differ about the mode of accomplishment-and some must be permitted to doubt the practicability.

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Anti Federalist Papers No 10, Preservation of Parties from Chuck Thompson

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Anti Federalist Papers No. 9 A Consolidated Government Is A Tyranny

MONTEZUMA," regarded as a Pennsylvanian, wrote this essay which showed up in the Independent Gazetteer on October 17, 1787.

We the Aristocratic party of the United States, lamenting the many inconveniences to which the late confederation subjected the well-born, the better kind of people, bringing them down to the level of the rabble-and holding in utter detestation that frontispiece to every bill of rights, "that all men are born equal"-beg leave (for the purpose of drawing a line between such as we think were ordained to govern, and such as were made to bear the weight of government without having any share in its administration) to submit to our Friends in the first class for their inspection, the following defense of our monarchical, aristocratical democracy.

Anti Federalist Papers No 9 A Consolidated Government is a Tyranny from Chuck Thompson

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Federalist Papers Nu. 4 Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence

Federalist Papers No 4 - Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence" target="_blank">Federalist Papers No 4 - Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence from Chuck Thompson

John Jay and the Federalist Papers number 4, Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence.  Video included from YouTube concerning the Federalist and Anti Federalist papers.  Liberty Education Series here on Gloucester, Virginia Links and News.

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Political History, James Madison on Constitutional Law

Political History, James Madison on Constitutional Law;

What It Means For Today;

Today's modern views and interpretations of the law of the land are as follows;

“Paragraph A; Gives Congress the power to tax and spend for the General welfare.

Under this broad power, Congress can help states improve the health and education of the citizens.

Congress can appropriate money to build roads, dams and do many other things that are good for the nation.

Here is the actual law;

Article I. Section 8.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and

excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of

the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the

United States;

Present Interpretations;

Under this broad power, Congress can help states improve the health and education of the citizens.

Congress can appropriate money to build roads, dams and do many other things that are good for the nation.

Sounds logical does it not?

Here is what James Madison said; Based on his Veto of the “Bonus Bill”.

“The power to regulate commerce among the several States can not include a power to construct roads and canals, and to improve the navigation of water courses in order to facilitate, promote, and secure such a commerce without a latitude of construction departing from the ordinary import of the terms;

To refer the power in question to the clause,”to provide for the common defense and general welfare”

would be contrary to the established and consistent rules of interpretation, as rendering the special and careful enumeration of powers which follow the clause nugatory and improper. Such a view of the Constitution would have the effect of giving to Congress a general power of legislation instead of the defined and limited one hitherto understood to belong to them.”

To appreciate these United States, it is important to know it's past, then view it's present state, and ask questions.

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