The Federalist Papers · Federalist No. 23 · paragraph 4

The principal purposes to be answered by union are these the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external attacks; the regulation of commerce with other nations and between the States; the superintendence of our intercourse, political and commercial, with foreign countries.

Publius · Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison · 1787–1788
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