Who secretly wrote the Virginia Resolutions, challenging the federal government?

The Virginia Resolutions were penned in 1798 in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were perceived as a federal overreach of power. The resolutions asserted that states had the right to challenge and declare unconstitutional federal laws. James Madison is credited with secretly drafting these resolutions, which emphasized the principle of states' rights. His involvement was crucial as it laid the groundwork for future arguments against federal authority and reinforced the concept of a government of limited powers, rooted in the consent of the governed. Madison's actions signified an early assertion of the political idea that states could react against perceived federal encroachments, highlighting his role as a foundational figure in American political thought.