ABSTRACT
Having examined the economic implications of the Constitution in the light of the greatest of all commentaries, The Federalist, it is now interesting to inquire whether the members of the Convention at large entertained substantially identical views as to the political science of the system. The leaders in politics and political philosophy in the eighteenth century were not far removed from that frank recognition of class rights which characterized English society. W. R. Davie fully understood the significance of the obligation of contract clause which was designed as a check on the propensities of popular legislatures to assault private rights in property, particularly personalty. He undoubtedly understood and approved the doctrines of balanced classes in the government, as expounded in Adams' Defence of American Constitutions. James Madison was the systematic philosopher of the Convention and set forth his views with such cogency and consistency on so many different topics that no short quotations will suffice to state his doctrines.
