Thomas Jefferson Quote

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That "all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people." To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.
The incorporation of a bank, and the powers assumed by this bill, have not, in my opinion, been delegated to the United States, by the Constitution... They are not among the powers specially enumerated...


Opinion against the constitutionality of a National Bank (1791), also quoted in The Writings of Thomas Jefferson "Memorial Edition" (20 Vols., 1903-04) edited by Andrew A. Lipscomb and Albert Ellery Bergh, Vol. 3, p. 146.


I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor...

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor...

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor...

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor...