Federalist No. 6
Encyclopedia
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
by Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
, the sixth of the Federalist Papers
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles or essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. Seventy-seven of the essays were published serially in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet between October 1787 and August 1788...
. It was published on November 14, 1787 under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Publius
Publius Valerius Publicola
Publius Valerius Publicola was one of four Roman aristocrats who led the overthrow of the monarchy, and became a Roman consul, the colleague of Lucius Junius Brutus in 509 BC, traditionally considered the first year of the Roman Republic...
, the name under which all the Federalist Papers were published. Arguing for the importance of the Union to the well-being of Americans, Hamilton addresses a theme continued in Federalist No. 7
Federalist No. 7
Federalist No. 7 is an essay by Alexander Hamilton, the seventh of the Federalist Papers. It was published on November 15, 1787 under the pseudonym Publius, the name under which all the Federalist Papers were published. Arguing for the importance of the Union to the well-being of Americans,...
: the danger of dissension among the states if they remain without a strong federal government. No. 6 is titled "Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States."
In Federalist No. 6, Hamilton enumerates different instances of hostility among nations, and suggests that should the States remain separate, such hostilities will befall them as well. However, mutual commercial interest will bring the States together and keep them in a peaceful accord. He concludes that nations that exist as neighbors will be natural enemies of one another, unless brought together in a confederate republic with a constitution which will promote harmony through commercial interests rather than competition.