Anti-Federalist Papers

The Anti-Federalist Papers are a collection of articles, written in opposition to the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. Unlike the Federalist Papers written in support of the Constitution, the authors of these articles, mostly operating under pen names, were not engaged in a strictly organized project. Thus, unlike the Federalist Papers, it is a matter of opinion what writings specifically are included and in what order they are best presented. One notable presentation is that by Morton Borden, who collected 85 of the most significant papers and arranged them in an order closely resembling that of the 85 Federalist Papers, e.g. #10 in Borden's arrangement argues against Federalist No. 10. The most frequently cited modern collection, The Complete Anti-Federalist, was produced by Herbert Storing and, at seven volumes, is considered the authoritative compendium on the publications.

Major Anti-Federalist authors included Cato (likely George Clinton), Brutus (likely Robert Yates), Centinel (Samuel Bryan), and the Federal Farmer (either Melancton Smith, Richard Henry Lee, or Mercy Otis Warren). Speeches by Patrick Henry and Smith are often included as well.

One of the major points of the articles was the danger the new Constitution would bring without a statement of individual rights. Some of the Anti-Federalist concerns were addressed in the Bill of Rights, which was added later.

Opposed arguments in Federalist and Anti-Federalist writings

Subject	Anti-Federalist	Federalist
Need for Stronger Union	John Dewitt № I and II	Federalist № 1-6
Bill of Rights	John Dewitt № II	James Wilson, 10/6/87 Federalist № 84
Nature and Powers of the Union	Patrick Henry, 6/5/88	Federalist № 1, 14, 15
Responsibility and Checks in Self-Government	Centeniel № 1	Federalist № 10, 51
Extent of Union, States' Rights, Bill of Rights, Taxation	Pennsylvania Minority: Brutus № 1	Federalist № 10, 32, 33, 35, 36, 39, 45, 84
Extended Republics, Taxation	Federal Farmer № I and II	Federalist № 8, 10, 14, 35, 36
Broad Construction, Taxing Powers	Brutus № VI	Federalist № 23, 30-34
Defense, Standing Armies	Brutus № X	Federalist № 24-29
The Judiciary	Brutus № XI, XII, XV	Federalist № 78-83
Government Resting on the People	John DeWitt № III	Federalist № 23, 49
Executive Power	Cato № V	Federalist № 67
Regulating Elections	Cato № VII	Federalist № 59
House of Representatives	Brutus № IV	Federalist № 27, 28, 52-54, 57
The Senate	Brutus № XVI	Federalist № 62, 63
Representation in House of Representatives and Senate	Melancton Smith, 6/20-6/27-88	Federalist № 52-57, 62-63

See also

• Letters of Centinel

External links

• Links to text of the Borden Antifederalist papers, without his editorial comments
• Audiobook of the Anti-Federalist Papers at Librivox