The Federalist Papers — Full Text and Summaries of All 85 EssaysSkip to main contentA reading edition for today<br>Read the debate in the form it first entered public life.
In 1787 and 1788, the essays of “Publius” arrived one by one in New York newspapers. This edition brings all eighty-five together with their original words, an optional clean reading view, and a little friendly context for the conversation afterward.<br>Begin with Paper No. 1 →
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Search all papersSort byPaper orderAuthorFirst publicationShowAll papersUnread papersRead papersPaper order is almost chronological, but No. 29 appeared after Nos. 30–36; Nos. 78–85 first appeared together in the bound edition.<br>Showing all 85 papers<br>No.Paper and messageAuthorPublishedStatus<br>Federalist number 1<br>General Introduction<br>Introduces the ratification debate and asks readers to choose reflection over passion.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Oct 27, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 2<br>Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence<br>Argues that Americans already form one people and should remain one nation.
John Jay<br>Oct 31, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 3<br>The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence)<br>Says one capable national government can better prevent justified wars with foreign powers.
John Jay<br>Nov 3, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 4<br>The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence)<br>Argues that Union also deters wars driven by foreign ambition rather than American wrongdoing.
John Jay<br>Nov 7, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 5<br>The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence)<br>Warns that separate confederacies would invite rivalry, foreign influence, and strategic weakness.
John Jay<br>Nov 10, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 6<br>Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States<br>Rejects the hope that independent states would remain peaceful simply because they are republics.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 14, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 7<br>The Same Subject Continued (Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States)<br>Shows how trade, borders, debt, and western lands could turn states against one another.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 15, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 8<br>The Consequences of Hostilities Between the States<br>Predicts that disunion would produce standing armies, fortified borders, and shrinking liberty.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 20, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 9<br>The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection<br>Claims an extended federal republic can restrain faction and domestic violence.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 21, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 10<br>The Same Subject Continued (The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection)<br>Explains how a large republic can control faction without suppressing liberty.
James Madison<br>Nov 22, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 11<br>The Utility of the Union in Respect to Commercial Relations and a Navy<br>Connects Union to commercial power, maritime strength, and bargaining leverage abroad.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 24, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 12<br>The Utility of the Union In Respect to Revenue<br>Argues that Union makes revenue collection fairer, easier, and less dependent on intrusive taxes.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 27, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 13<br>Advantage of the Union in Respect to Economy in Government<br>Says one national government costs less than several complete confederate governments.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Nov 28, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 14<br>Objections to the Proposed Constitution From Extent of Territory Answered<br>Defends representative government across a large territory and distinguishes republic from democracy.
James Madison<br>Nov 30, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 15<br>The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union<br>Argues that the Confederation is collapsing because it governs states rather than individuals.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Dec 1, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 16<br>The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)<br>Explains why coercing delinquent states would mean civil war, not ordinary law enforcement.
Alexander Hamilton<br>Dec 4, 1787<br>○Unread<br>Federalist number 17<br>The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union)<br>Predicts states will...