The Anti-Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist is the name given to the writers who opposed the Constitution as drafted in 1787. They did not write a single series like The Federalist. They used pen names such as Cato and Brutus, and their essays appeared in newspapers across the country.
Their numbers here follow a widely used anthology sequence and are editorial, not official; this section names the actual essay and author each time. Each page offers the full essay and a reply from the Federalist side.
Essays
- Anti-Federalist No. 14Cato III on Consolidation and a Large Republic
Cato III on consolidation and the small-republic tradition.
The other side: Federalist No. 10
- Anti-Federalist No. 67Cato IV on the Presidency
Cato IV on the presidency compared with a king.
The other side: Federalist No. 70
- Anti-Federalist No. 78-79Brutus XV on the Judiciary and Brutus XVI on the Senate
Brutus XV on the courts and Brutus XVI on the Senate.
The other side: Federalist No. 78
- Anti-Federalist No. 84Brutus II on Consolidation and a Bill of Rights
Brutus II on why the Constitution needs a bill of rights.
The other side: Federalist No. 84