"Father of the Federalist Papers" for ratification of the U. S. Constitution After the Constitutional Convention, there were numerous groups that were determined
that the proposed new constitution should not be successfully ratified by the states. Since the
proceedings were in secret, some in opposition felt free to create a misrepresentation of what
actually occurred. They were quite successful in turning large numbers of people against the
proposed constitution. Alexander Hamilton decided to produce a number of printed essays
that would explain the need for such a new constitution.
These essays are now referred to as the "Federalist Papers". The actual title was "The
Federalist: A Collection of Essays Written in Favor of the New Constitution". He obtained two
other authors (James Madison & John Jay) to assist in writing sections of the outline. Almost
every week a new essay would be published. These essays were invaluable in educating the
public of the true purpose and value of the new constitution.
They also helped facilitate discussion during the state ratification conventions. Virginia
went in to their state convention with delegates tied at 84-84. The end result of the convention
was Virginia's ratification - the final vote was 89 for and 79 against. Delegates in New York,
where Hamilton led in support of the constitution, came into the state ratification convention
with 46 against ratification and only 19 for ratification. After six weeks, and against all odds,
New York ratified the U. S. Constitution on July 26, 1788 with a vote of 30 for ratification and 27
against
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