Chapter I

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS.--ORGANIZATION OF THE
CONVENTION.--POSITION OF THE STATES.--RULE OF INVESTIGATION.

Page

Explanation of the Author's Plan 3, 4

Preservation of Republican Government 5-7

Nature of American Freedom 7-9

Its Dependence upon the Union 9, 10

Intention of the Framers of the Constitution 11

Hamilton's Purposes 11

The Confederation officially condemned 11, 12

Purposes of the States 12

The declared Objects of the Convention 13

Nature of the previous Union 14, 15

General Purpose of the People 16

Powers of the Convention 17

Opposite Views of the Members 18

Presence of Slavery in the States 19, 20

The Slaves in some Form to be considered 20-22

How they were regarded under the Confederation 21

Complex Relations of the Subject 22

All the States but one represented in Convention 23

Absence of Rhode Island 24, 25

Application of the Minority of Rhode Island 25, 26

Position of the States in Convention 27, 28

Reserved Authority of the People 28, 29

Present Importance of the Process of forming the
Constitution 29

Cautions to be used in Interpretation 30