1686. CONSTITUTION (The Federal), Interpretation of.—[further continued].
The Constitution on
which our Union rests, shall be administered
by me according to the safe and honest meaning
contemplated by the plain understanding
of the people of the United States, at the time
of its adoption,—a meaning to be found in
the explanations of those who advocated, not
those who opposed it, and who opposed it
merely lest the construction should be applied
which they denounced as possible.—
Reply to Address. Washington ed. iv, 387.
(W.
March. 1801)
