James Madison, a former Delegate, from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to the Constitutional Convention, using the penname “Publius,” publishes “Federalist #41,” explaining that the General Welfare Clause is not to be interpreted as a general grant of power, but rather as an introduction to those enumerated powers that follow.  In paragraph 25 he writes,

       Nothing is more natural or common than first to use a general phrase, and then to explain and qualify it by a recital of particulars. But the idea of an enumeration of particulars which [sic] neither explain nor qualify the general meaning, and can have no other effect than to confound and mislead, is an absurdity. …

       [added 12/7/2024]