Journal of the Federal Convention

James Madison’s Journal of the Federal Convention is one of the most significant historical records of the United States’ founding. Written by Madison himself, this journal provides a detailed and firsthand account of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the framework for the U.S. Constitution was debated and crafted. As the “Father of the Constitution,” Madison meticulously documented the discussions, disagreements, and compromises that shaped the nation’s government. Unlike other records of the time, Madison’s journal captures the inner workings of the debates that took place in Philadelphia. He documented the arguments between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the conflicts over state representation, and the delicate balancing act between federal and state powers. His notes reveal the intellectual rigor and political struggles that went…