1. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION

paper. For such interesting political investigations the Editor will con-
ceive himself much obliged, as, by this means, he will be more effec-
tually enabled to serve the national interest.'-CATO was received at
too late an hour for this day's publication, but shall be inserted in our
next.
1. The journal reinforced its belief in the freedom of the press, when on 25 October
it printed "Detector's" harsh criticism of Boston newspaper publishers who refused to
publish Antifederalist articles unless their writers agreed to make their names public.
"Detector" thought such action would lead to the replacement of justice and freedom
with slavery. He concluded that "The printers of a free community are an important set
of men-and, when they league to enslave it-it will be enslaved indeed." The article was
preceded by a provision of the Massachusetts constitution, declaring that the freedom of
the press was not to be restrained in Massachusetts (CC:131-H).
Editors' Note
New York Reprinting of the Essays of
An American Citizen, 6 October-29 November 1787
On 26, 28, and 29 September, the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer
published "An American Citizen" I-III, written by Federalist essayist
Tench Coxe, a Philadelphia merchant (CC:100-A, 109, 112). These
were the first of about thirty essays that Coxe published in support of
the Constitution. Coxe's fourth essay signed "An American Citizen"
appeared on or before 21 October in a Federalist broadside anthology
issued by Hall and Sellers of the Pennsylvania Gazette (CC:183-A). This
broadside also included, among other essays, James Wilson's 6 October
speech before a Philadelphia public meeting (CC:134. See also "New
York Reprinting of James Wilson's 6 October Speech Before a Phila-
delphia Public Meeting," 13-25 October, below.). The essays by "An
American Citizen" circulated throughout America, although they elic-
ited little response.
Tench Coxe quickly sent the first three numbers to James Madison,
a Virginia congressmen in New York City, requesting that he consult
with Alexander Hamilton about having the essays reprinted in New
York and Virginia (to Madison, 27 and 28-29 September, CC:100-B;
and RCS:Pa., 121). Madison praised the essays but informed Coxe that
Hamilton was not then in the city. He would consult with Hamilton
upon his return (to Coxe, 1 October, CC:100-C). Coxe also sent the
broadside anthology to Madison, with a similar request (to Madison,
21 October, CC:183-B). Madison replied that he showed the anthology
to Hamilton immediately, assuring Coxe that Hamilton "will make the
best use of them" (to Coxe, 26 October, CC:183-C).
Numbers I-III of "An American Citizen" were reprinted in the New
York Packet, 5, 9, and 16 October; and the Hudson Weekly Gazette, 18, 25

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