"The Federalist" should be understood as a document with three purposes. It is: a campaign document designed to win popular support for the proposed Constitution; a serious work of political thought, analyzing the nature of free societies; and the authoritative commentary on the Constitution. This guide is intended to help readers of "The Federalist" to better understand it through an explanation of its historical context, its use of rhetoric, and its underlying political theory; and a consideration of how these elements interact and reinforce one another. Aspects of the debate between the Federalists and Antifederalists that specifically affected New York State are focused upon. Four of the essays that compose "The Federalist" (Numbers 10, 51, 37, and 39) are examined in some detail. (DB)