Implied vs Expressly Reserved: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speeches 5-7
In a series of speeches during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry warned that despite arguments to the contrary, the federal government wouldn’t act like its powers were only those delegated to it. Instead, it would act like all others before it –...
10th Amendment: The Enumerated Powers of States
During the debates over ratifying the Constitution, its opponents said It’s not enough to list what the federal government can do. To make the document clear, you also need a list of examples of what the federal government cannot do. Path to Liberty: June 10, 2020...
Constitution 101: Powers Reserved to the States or to the People
While the Constitution was being considered in state ratifying conventions, prominent supporters of ratification repeatedly gave the people lists of powers that would be exclusively reserved to the people of the several states. Tench Coxe, James Iredell, Charles...