The Alien and Sedition Acts

The most controversial legislation to which Adams gave his signature, the Alien and Sedition Acts were a High Federalist reaction to the rabid Republic press and the large number of French ymigrys whose loyalty might be suspect in the event of open war.

The Articles of Confederation

The interim constitution of The Articles of Confederation governed the rebelling colonies in 1776 through 1787. Adams took part in the passionate three-day debate over the document, opposing Article 17's single-vote solution. Americans had to unite as a common, interdependent mass, giving up the idea that they were individual states. Jefferson remained silent on an issue that was not resolved for a very long time. He did, however, rise to protest that Congress had any right to decide anything about Virginia's boundaries.

Aurora

The highly partisan Philadelphia-based Republican newspaper Aurora was established by Benjamin Franklin Bauche to succeed...