Andrew Jackson was one of the founding fathers of the United States and subsequent President for the period between 1829 to 1837. During the constitutional convention, Jackson was a supporter for establishing a strong federal government, as he considered this was the most effective way to adequately govern all of the states. Therefore, the phrase "without transcending its authority" suggests that Jackson was reluctant to give the states much power, as this would make it increasingly difficult to guide the nation's foreign affairs.