Author Archives: Michael Carver

Antifederalist No. 3 — New Constitution Creates a National Government; Will Not Abate Foreign Influence; Dangers of Civil War And Despotism.

Like the nome de plume “Publius” used by pro Constitution writers in the Federalist Papers, several Antifederalists signed their writings “A FARMER.” While the occupation of the writers may not have coincided with the name given, the arguments against consolidating power in the hands of a central government were widely read. The following was published …

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Federalist #3: Concerning Dangers From Foreign Force and Influence

We are on the eve of a very important election.  Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution.  The comment tab is open.  Please share your …

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Antifederalist No. 2 — We Have Been Told of Phantoms

This essay is an excerpted from a speech of William Grayson, June 11, 1788, in Jonathan Elliot (ed.), The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution……. (Philadelphia, 1876) 5 vols., III, 274-79. The adoption of this government will not meliorate our own particular system. I beg leave to consider …

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FEDERALIST No. 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence

We are on the eve of a very important election.  Much has been said about the Constitution and what is Constitutional so let’s take a few weeks and look at the foundational letters written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the creation of the US Constitution.  The comment tab is open.  Please share your …

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Colonial Spymaster (#8) — Steganography

Steganography is the practice of concealing a message within another message. The advantage of steganography over cryptography alone is that the intended secret message does not attract attention to itself as an object of scrutiny. Plainly visible encrypted messages, no matter how unbreakable they are, arouse interest whereas, steganography both conceals the message and hides …

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Colonial Spymaster (#7) — How the Culper Ring Relayed Information from New York to Washington

The Culper Ring developed a complex method of gathering and relaying information to General George Washington. Below is the sequence of steps the Ring would take to gather and relay the valuable information. (The process of replaying information has many different variations due to its complexity and secrecy.) Abraham Woodhull (Samuel Culper) would visit his …

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Antifederalist No. 1 — General Introduction: A Dangerous Plan of Benefit Only to The “Aristocratick Combination.”

From The Boston Gazette and Country Journal, November 26, 1787. I am pleased to see a spirit of inquiry burst the band of constraint upon the subject of the NEW PLAN for consolidating the governments of the United States, as recommended by the late Convention. If it is suitable to the GENIUS and HABITS of …

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