The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794: Toward the Completion of the American Founding / Edition 1

by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison

Overview

The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793–1794 matched Hamilton and Madison in the first chapter of an enduring discussion about the proper roles of executive and legislative branches in the conduct of American foreign policy. Ignited by President Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation of 1793, which annulled the eleventh article of America’s treaty with France of 1778, the debate addressed whether Washington had the authority to declare America neutral, despite the early alliance treaty with France. The Liberty Fund edition brings together for the first time all the relevant original documents of this controversy.

Morton J. Frisch (1923–2006) was Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Illinois University.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865976894
Publisher:	Liberty Fund, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/03/2007
Pages:	140
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

The Significance of the Pacificus-Helvidius Debates: Toward the Completion of the American Founding by Morton J. Frisch vii

Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation, April 22, 1793 1
Defense of the President’s Neutrality Proclamation
(Alexander Hamilton), May 1793 2
Pacificus Number I (Alexander Hamilton), June 29, 1793 8
Pacificus Number II (Alexander Hamilton), July 3, 1793 18
Pacificus Number III (Alexander Hamilton), July 6, 1793 26
Pacificus Number IV (Alexander Hamilton), July 10, 1793 30
Pacificus Number V (Alexander Hamilton), July 13-17, 1793 35
Pacificus Number VI (Alexander Hamilton), July 17, 1793 41
Pacificus Number VII (Alexander Hamilton), July 27, 1793 48
Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, July 7, 1793 54
Helvidius Number I ( James Madison), August 24, 1793 55
Helvidius Number II ( James Madison), August 31, 1793 65
Helvidius Number III ( James Madison), September 7, 1793 74
Helvidius Number IV ( James Madison), September 14, 1793 84
Helvidius Number V ( James Madison), September 18, 1793 90
Americanus Number I (Alexander Hamilton), January 31, 1794 99
Americanus Number II (Alexander Hamilton), February 7, 1794 108

Index 117

Editorial Reviews

In the Introduction, Frisch points out that the Founders avoided the inflexibility of most written Constitutions by providing general principles of governance, but not elaborating on certain specifics. He credits the debates for clarifying the constitutional principles that are now associated with executive power. Those interested in enlarging their understanding of the Constitution can ascertain what those powers are by reading this fascinating book. Liberty Fund has performed a great service by bringing together, for the first time, all the documents relevant  to the Debates in a single, readable volume.

www.whatwouldthefoundersthink.com
August 2011


Edited and with an introduction by Morton J. Frisch (Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Northern Illinois University), The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794 collects the landmark debates between founding American figures Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. Pacificus) and James Madison (a.k.a. Helvidius) about the proper roles of America's executive and legislative branches in the area of foreign policy. Hamilton was a proponent of strong executive control over foreign policy, while Madison countered with the charge that Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 would impede the Senate's ability to make war. The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794 collects all of the pertinent original documents involved in these landmark debates, including Washington's Neutrality Proclamation, the full text of the Pacificus and Helvidius letters, Jefferson's letter to Madison requesting him to respond to Hamilton, and Hamilton's Americanus letters, written as a final response to Madison's rebuttal. A scholarly presentation of a classic primary source of American history, worthy of the highest recommendation for college and public library reference collections.

The Midwest Book Review
June 2008

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