Original Intentions: On the Making and Ratification of the United States Constitution

Abstract: The founding fathers represented many different constituencies, and the Constitution represents various compromises. There is considerable evidence that the States intended a far more limited Federal government than current judicial interpretation empowers.

Keywords: book review, constitution, history, religion, law, states rights, first amendment, separation of church and state, constitutional religious freedom.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Forrest McDonald

Preface

Chapter 1: Such a Government as the People Will Approve: The Great Convention as Comic Action

Chapter 2: The Best Constitution in Existence: The Influence of the British Example on the Framers of Our Fundamental Law

Chapter 3: The Process of Ratification: A Study in Political Dynamics

Chapter 4: A Dike to Fence Out the Flood: The Ratification of the Constitution in Massachusetts

Chapter 5: Preserving the Birthright: The Intention of South Carolina in Adopting the United States Constitution

Chapter 6: A Great Refusal: The North Carolina Ratification Convention of 1788

Chapter 7: Religion and the Framers: The Biographical Evidence

Chapter 8: Changed Only a Little: The Reconstruction Amendments and the Nomocratic Constitution of 1787

Epilogue: The Comforting Delusion

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DATA

Author:        Bradford, M. E. (Melvin E.), 1934-
Title:         Original intentions : on the making and
                  ratification of the United States Constitution / M.E.
                  Bradford.
Published:     Athens : University of Georgia Press, c1993.
Description:   xxiv, 165 p. ; 24 cm.
LC Call No.:   KF4541.B68 1993
Dewey No.:     342.73/029 347.30229 20
ISBN:          0820315214 (alk. paper)
Notes:         Includes bibliographical references and index.
Subjects:      Constitutional history -- United States.
Control No.:   92029851 //r97

This book is on my shelf awaiting further review.

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