Primary sourceDocument1792

The Union: Who Are Its Real Friends?

James Madison · 1792

An essay written by James Madison in 1792 defending loyalty to the Union during his debates with Alexander Hamilton.

This essay is Madison's own writing, showing his political philosophy during debates over the new federal government.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is an essay written by James Madison in 1792, part of a series of writings on political principles of the time. It is preserved in his collected works on Wikisource.

Why it matters

The essay was written during Madison's disputes with Alexander Hamilton over the direction of the new federal government. It shows Madison defending a vision of limited, republican government against what he saw as dangerous tendencies toward monarchy, speculation, and unchecked federal power.

Look closer

Who is Madison criticizing without naming them directly?
What words does he use to describe loyalty versus betrayal to the Union?
What does this essay suggest about the political tensions of the early United States?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Madison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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