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Samuel Bryan Anti-Federalist Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania was most definitely a farmer and traders-state. For the rich soil was perfect for growing crops and wide rivers and harbors created an efficient trade system. However, Pennsylvania was lacking most of the everyday materialistic items such as rugs, mirrors, and bed sheets. Considering this, Pennsylvanians often borrowed and traded amongst their neighbors. Also at the time, Pennsylvania was considered to be a giant melting pot of cultures. For Pennsylvania was arguably one of the most diverse states in the Union. But, this created different views towards the Constitution, thus the uprising of Federalists and Anti-Federalists in Pennsylvania.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, the son of Supreme Court Judge, George Bryan, Samuel Bryan was to be considered a wishy-washy Anti-Federalist. Samuel Bryan somewhat approved of the Constitution, but he believed that it was in great need of revisions. Also, Bryan strongly supported Pennsylvania’s existing constitution, because, “the Pennsylvania constitution was far superior to the complex divided system created by the Constitution” (View).

To stop the dispute of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, eight elected delegates met in Philadelphia to decide Pennsylvania’s decision on the new Constitution. Although Bryan was not apart of the Pennsylvania’s ratifying convention or the Constitutional Convention, Bryan would have voted for Pennsylvania’s constitution, but against the Constitution.

During the meeting of the Constitutional Convention, Bryan wrote a series of essays in the Philadelphia //Independent Gazetteer//, called the “Centinel.” In the first essay, Bryan wrote strictly Anti-Federalist thoughts. He showed strong support for Pennsylvania’s constitution, but bashed the checks and balance system of the Constitution and John Adams, who supported the checks and balance system and wrote several books supporting it. Bryan also voiced about the lack of bill of rights. Bryan was worried that the Constitution would take away the liberties that Americans have fought for years to receive from England. Bryan was supported by Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson.

Bibliography Gamble, Richard M.. "The Letters of Centinel: Attacks on the U.S. Constitution, 1787-1788 by Samuel Bryan edited and introduced by Warren Hope | The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty." //The Freeman | Ideas On Liberty//. The Freeman, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. [|__http://www.thefreemanonline.org/book-reviews/book-review-the-letters-of-centinel-attacks-on-the-us-constitution-1787-1788-by-samuel-bryan-edited-and-introduced-by-warren-hope/#__] . Pinheiro, John. "Assessing the Anti-Federalists | Acton Institute." //Acton Institute | For the study of religion and liberty//. Action Institute, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2010. [|__http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-20-number-2/assessing-anti-federalists__] .
 * "View Point 4: Checks and Balances Cannot Assure a Republican Form of Government." //Creating of the Constitution: Opposing View Points//. San Diego: Green Haven Press Inc., 1995. 130-135. Print.