Liberty Without Tumult: Understanding the Politics of John Dickinson
John Dickinson is among America’s “Forgotten Founders.” Despite authoring the most widely-read documents on American liberty before 1776, representing Pennsylvania at the Second Continental Congress, and being a primary author of the Articles of Confederation, many...
The Division of Federal and State Powers
How much power would the federal government have? And what powers would the states retain? This was a hotly debated question as the states considered ratifying a new constitution. For the average person, the Federalist Papers are the go-to source for understanding the...
Patrick Henry: Jury Trials Are the “Last and Best Privilege”
During the Virginia ratifying convention on June 20, 1789, Patrick Henry warned that the power bestowed to the Supreme Court would undermine the right to trial by jury. Henry was a strong opponent of ratification throughout the convention. He was deeply wary of the...