Explanation: Purpose of Federalist 1

Alexander Hamilton started the Federalist Papers to establish and promote support for a new constitution with his co-conspirators, John Jay and James Madison. The first Federalist paper was drafted very carefully, very articulately and very cautiously to present a very positive, and necessary picture of the new constitution. Considering his audiences, Hamilton was very gifted in his writing skills as well as his approach to the issue at hand. His audiences were from the former colonies and all of them were well educated Anglo-Saxon wealthy male landowners whom had positions within the established systems of the colonies. Although, he clearly emphasized the role of the particular interests, interest groups and their efforts to keep the status quo, his well design strategy allowed him to walk a very fine line not to offend any of the powerful landowners. He stayed away from offensive and blunt accusations even when he was turning the table around on the opposition and masterfully deflecting their accusations back to them. 

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)

Federalist 1 starts with an insinuation that the existing federal government was a result of an accident, and force; furthermore it was failing. He masterfully responds to the accusations that the Federalists were self-serving all while throwing a similar accusation to the oppositions' way without being bluntly offensive. Despite the negative picture of the oppositions' view, he portrays skillfully, he is quick to extent an olive branch to them. To Hamilton, these opposing forces may truly believe they are right without having malicious intent to hold on to the power. They may be just as good of men as any other men but misconstrued in their convictions. He emphasizes the importance of civility right before he unleashes a tactful attack on the opposing parties. Hamilton criticizes their very loud, malicious and zealous ways to promote their ideas to convert others. 

Hamilton returns to his purpose after, very brutally but respectfully, slamming his opponents, their tactics and drawing analogies between tactics and purposes of the both sides without neglecting to point out that his side of the argument is the worthwhile one.  He doesn’t intent to isolate his opponents, contrarily, he wants to draw their attention to his own proposal. He offers them transparency and truthfulness. It isn’t about him; it is about what he has to offer to his audiences, their needs and wants. Then he enumerates the topics he will provide to them with transparency and truthfulness. Hamilton reiterates that after his explanations of these topics, his audiences will be satisfied, and will be supportive of his worthy cause.  

Map of Thirteen Colonies in 1775

He closes his remarks with a warning: the dissolution of the existing federal government will result in a disaster. Hamilton’s reason for bringing the new constitution up is to respond to those who point out that there already was an existing constitution, and a federal government. He states that even the existing federal government was in danger as there were those who were in shadows whispering to collect support for independent states or confederacies. He emphasizes that these new confederacies, if established, would be end of them all. Lastly, he promises to return with a new essay to address, particularly, his last point. 

In Federalist 1, Hamilton displayed some aggression towards the opposition, some self-defense to clarify the intent of the movement and some graciousness by reaching out to the opposition to offer them salvation for their heresies and misbeliefs. Because Hamilton claimed to believe that these were good men.  This essay manifests how both sides had a tremendous vested interest in the outcome of any changes to the federal government. Each side, rightly, accused the other side of material gain and self-interest in conflict with the public good. The essay briefly touched on consolidating central federal government's power and unifying the newly established country which consisted of the thirteen former colonies.  Hamilton's purpose was to set the stage for upcoming essays and clear the rumored accusations against the Federalists. Safe to say, this essay served its purpose quite well.

Hamilton, A. (1787,  October 27) Federalist 1. The Independent Journal. https://historicalmenwomenplaces.blogspot.com/2023/08/federalist-no-1-author-alexander.html?spref=tw