Oliver Ellsworth Quote

“The Thirteen States are Thirteen Sovereign bodies.”

~ Oliver Ellsworth

Commentaries on the Constitution, Vol. III, p 287

Ratings and Comments


Kevin Shearer

That's the way I have always understood it to be about the States. Each State is a separate and sovereign body unto itself as each individual within the state is separate and sovereign unto themselves. The United States was formed as a country of separate and sovereign states made up of free separate and sovereign individuals united only by their common and shared belief of separate autonomy for each state and individual sovereignty for each individual in each state. THAT is what originally united us. I believe. Along with the belief in a persons birth right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are the original roots of our United States.

E Archer, NYC

I wonder what the Supreme Court would say today?

Mike, Norwalk

Kevin, well said. We hold this truth to be self evident. Leaving it on a positive note: ABSOLUTELY ! ! !

Mary - MI
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  • Reply
    Mary - MI    3/28/18

    And, each of the current Fifty States yesterday, today and tomorrow are Fifty Sovereign bodies.

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