James Wilson
There’s Much More than Just the Federalist Papers
If you want to understand the Constitution – its original, legal meaning – don’t rely exclusively, or even primarily on the Federalist Papers. You’ll want to read other federalists like James Wilson, Tench Coxe and John Dickinson, plus the leading...
Today in History: Pennsylvania Becomes 2nd State to Ratify the Constitution
Today in history, on Dec. 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution. The event was the culmination of a bitter fight in Philadelphia between delegates both for and against ratification in the state. James Wilson, who had...
History Ignored: James Wilson’s Speech on the Constitution
On Oct. 6, 1787, just over a week after the Confederation Congress voted to send the proposed Constitution to the 13 states for consideration, future Supreme Court justice James Wilson gave one the most prominent and important speeches in support of ratification. Yet,...
How Things Have Changed: Supreme Court Edition
12 quotes from four Supreme Court Justices nominated by Pres. George Washington – on property rights, federal power, resistance and more – show just how much things have changed. And not for the better. Path to Liberty: September 28, 2020...