Author | James Madison |
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Original title | The conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles |
Language | English |
Series | The Federalist |
Publisher | The Independent Journal |
Publication date | January 16, 1788 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Newspaper |
Preceded by | Federalist No. 38 |
Followed by | Federalist No. 40 |
Federalist No. 39, titled "The conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles", is an essay by James Madison, the thirty-ninth of The Federalist Papers, first published by The Independent Journal (New York) on January 16, 1788.[1] Madison defines a republican form of government, and he also considers whether the nation is federal or national: a confederacy, or consolidation of states.
This essay is one of 85 to urge ratification of the U.S. Constitution. James Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, sent these essays to try to sway the remaining nine states to preserve the Federal form of government, with a National government interest.[2]