Alexander Hamilton

New York, one of the most important states due to its size and commercial wealth, was closely divided over whether to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Alexander Hamilton was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and to the New York state ratification convention. As one of the co-authors of The Federalist Papers and a prominent New York politician, Hamilton was a strong supporter of the Constitution. On Friday, June 20, and Saturday June 21, 1788, Alexander Hamilton explained to the New York ratification convention his reasons for supporting the U.S. Constitution. New York eventually ratified the Constitution by a very narrow margin, 30–27.

[Mr. Chairman] Let us consider the Constitution calmly and dispassionately, and attend to those things only which merit consideration.

No arguments drawn from embarrassment or inconvenience ought to prevail upon us to adopt a...