Negotiating the Constitution
Subtitle: the earliest debates over original intent
By: Joseph M. Lynch.
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 1999
Place of publication: Ithaca, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 315
Subjects: United States. Constitutional Convention; Constitutional history -- United States.
Description: Joseph M. Lynch argues that the Constitution was a product of political struggles involving regional interests, economic concerns, and ideology. The framers, he maintains, settled on enigmatic wording of the Necessary and Proper Clause and of the General Welfare provision in the Spending Clause as a compromise, leaving the extent of federal power to be determined by the political process.

During ratification, however, attempts by dissident framers to undo the compromise were repelled in The Federalist: charges of overly broad congressional powers were met with protestations that in fact these powers were limited. This exchange set the stage for later battles between Federalists and Republicans.

Examining debates in the first six Congresses, Lynch describes how early lawmakers applied the Constitution to such issues as executive power and privilege, the creation of a national bank, the deportation of aliens, and the prohibition of seditious speech. He follows the disputes over the interpretation of this document - focusing on James Madison's changing views - as the new government took shape and political parties were formed.
Notes: Includes index.