Letter from James Madison to Edmund Pendleton (January 21, 1792)
Author(s): James MadisonRecipient: Edmund Pendleton
Certified: Yes
Proofreaders: Heston Van Evera, Mara Sibbett
Volume: Supplement to Max Farrand's The Records of The Federal Convention of 1787, 1Pages: 299-299
Editor: James H. Hutson
Edit Year: 1987

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JANUARY 21, 1792<o:p></o:p>

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JAMES MADISON TO EDMUND PENDLETON<o:p></o:p>

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If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and <o:p></o:p>

will promote the general welfare, the Government is no longer a limited <o:p></o:p>

one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular <o:p></o:p>

exceptions. It is to be remarked that the phrase out of which this <o:p></o:p>

doctrine is elaborated, is copied from the old articles of Confederation, <o:p></o:p>

where it was always understood as nothing more than a general caption to <o:p></o:p>

the specified powers, and it is a fact that it was preferred in the new <o:p></o:p>

instrument for that very reason as less liable than any other to misconstruction. <o:p></o:p>

Remaining always & most Affecly yours

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