THE First Nine Letters in this Collection, published in the beginning
of the Year 1788, were occasioned by an alarming hesitation of some
States to ratify the Constitution proposed by the Federal Convention in
1787.
They appeared separately in News-papers; and have never been published
together, before the present Edition.
Some Notes are added of Extracts from “_The Rights of Man_,” published
about three years after these Letters, containing similar sentiments,
expressed with a remarkable resemblance of Language, especially on
the two great subject—the _organization_ of a _constitution_ from
original rights, and the _formation_ of _government_ from contributed
rights, both of so much importance in laying regular _foundations_ of
Civil Society, and consequently in securing the advancement of _human
happiness_.