The creation of the presidency, 1775-1789: a study in constitutional history

Abstract

It i8 consequently necessary, by way of introduction to the present study, to trace briefly the social exper- iences of the men who slowly gathered In Philadelphia in 1787, in order that we may obtain an insight into that political psychology which so profoundly influenced the finished instrument of government which was to be submit- 2 ted to an anxious country four months later.It will be understood, of course, that we are c oncerned w i th the political psychology of a relatively limited class.There can be no doubt that the constitutional history of the UnitedStates begin* with the establishment of the "government of 4 the masses by the classes,** and especially that class "de- nominated 'gentlemen*, who, by reason of their wealth, their talents, their education, their families, or the offices they hold, aspire to a preSminence which the people refuse to grant them," so a disinterested French observer described it.5"3 The most complete and satisfactory study of this period remains Bancroft, History of the Formation of the Constitu- tion of the United otates, Channing's History of the United States, vol.ill, chaps, xiii-xvi, is especially valuable oa ' economic conditions.C. A. Beard, Supreme Court and the Con- stitution and Economic Interpretation of the Constitution are valuable and suggestive, especially the former.The latter suffers from over-emphasis of the direct pecuniary interest of the Franers in the redemption of the certificates.H.