Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument1798

Virginia Resolutions of 1798

James Madison · 1798

Resolutions passed by the Virginia legislature, largely drafted by Madison, declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional.

Madison drafted these resolutions, showing his constitutional reasoning against federal overreach.

Ask James Madison about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

These resolutions were adopted by the Virginia House of Delegates in December 1798. They were largely drafted by James Madison and declared the federal Alien and Sedition Acts to be unconstitutional infringements on state and individual rights.

Why it matters

The resolutions show Madison applying his constitutional thinking to a real political crisis, arguing that the states had a duty to resist federal overreach. They reveal early debates over the balance of power between states and the national government that would echo for decades.

Look closer

  • What does Madison argue is the basis of the Union, and why does that matter to his argument?
  • Why would a state legislature feel the need to declare a federal law unconstitutional itself?
  • How might this document be used later by people arguing for very different causes?

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.

More James Madison sources

Meet the AI James Madison →
Photograph of the original parchment of the United States Constitution. The large handwritten text begins with the words 'We the People' in ornate script, followed by the article headings and dense lines of brown-ink writing on aged, yellowed parchment.Document

Primary source

United States Constitution

Constitutional Convention · 17 September 1787

Document

Primary source

Federalist No. 10

James Madison · 22 November 1787

Document

Primary source

Federalist No. 51

James Madison · 6 February 1788

Aged, yellowed parchment page with handwritten calligraphy in brown ink. The heading reads 'Congress of the United States' in large script, followed by the opening lines of the document below.Document

Primary source

Bill of Rights

25 September 1789

Handwritten manuscript page in brown ink on aged paper, headed 'State of the Resolutions submitted to the consideration of the House by the honorable Mr. Randolph, as altered, amended, and agreed to in a committee of the whole House.' Numbered resolutions follow, including provisions for a national government, a two-branch national legislature, and qualifications for members of the first and second branches.Document

Primary source

Virginia Plan

James Madison · 29 May 1787 (this copy 13 June 1787)

Ready when you are

Start chatting with James Madison now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions