reatly it would help the prospects of the Constitution if
thinking people could be brought to an appreciation of the importance
and value of the new form of government. In order to reach the
intelligent public everywhere, but particularly in New York, he
projected a series of essays which should be published in the
newspapers, setting forth the aims and purposes of the Constitution.
He secured the assistance of Madison and Jay, and before the end of
October, 1787, published the first essay in "The Independent Gazetteer."
From that time on these papers continued to be printed over the
signature of "Publius," sometimes as many as three or four in a week.
There were eighty-five numbers altogether, which have ever since been
known as "The Federalist." Of these approximately fifty were the work of
Hamilton, Madison wrote about thirty and Jay five. Although the essays
were widely copied in other journals, and form for us the most important
commentary on the Constitution, making what is regarded as one of
America's greatest books, it is doubtful how much immediate influence
they had. Certainly in the New York convention itself Hamilton's
personal influence was a stronger force. His arguments were both
eloquent and cogent, and met every objection; and his efforts to win
over the opposition were unremitting. The news which came by express
riders from New Hampshire and then from Virginia were also deciding
factors, for New York could not afford to remain out of the new Union if
it was to embrace States on either side. And yet the debate continued,
as the opposition was putting forth every effort to make ratification
conditional upon certain amendments being adopted. But Hamilton
resolutely refused to make any concessions and at length was successful
in persuading the New York convention, by a vote of 30 against 27, on
the 26th of July, to follow the example of Massachusetts and Virginia
and to ratify the Constitution with merely a recommendation of future
amendments.

The satisfaction of the country at the outcome of the long and momentous
struggle over the adoption of the new government was unmistakable. Even
before the action of New York had been taken, the Fourth of July was
made the occasion for a great celebration throughout the United States,
both as the anniversary of independence and as the consummation of the
Union by the adoption of the Constitution.

The general rejoicing was somewhat tempered, however, by the relucta