January 12,1848

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Pamphlet

Title: [Speech on Declaration of War on Mexico in the House of Representatives]

Concerning the constitutionality and necessity of Polk's declaration of war with Mexico. Printed by J.& G.S. Gideon. See also GLC02025.

GLC01638

March 9, 1794

Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses a Congressional bill passed for fortifying New York City. Believes that a civic project like this will bode the republican interest well. Mentions opponents of the bill and the heady task they have in defending their side. Questions the delay in building the fortifications since they are needed now and that in the time it takes for timber to be gathered and builders hired, the citizens will suffer. Writes that those against the bill were mostly from upstate and were led by General Schuyler and Mr. Van Rensselaer. Discusses the possible unconstitutionality of passing a bill…

GLC01659

July 5, 1890

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend A.W. Hazen

Thank-you note for a book of Elliot's debates written as a professor at Princeton University. Postmarked Princeton, [New Jersey].

GLC01682

March 7, 1788

Morris, Lewis, 1726-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. Lewis V. Morris

Lewis Morris writes to his son, Colonel Lewis Morris. Discusses the violent debates back-and-forth in Albany and New York, and writes that he believes the majority of New Yorkers are against the new Constitution. Also, mentions debates over the Constitution.

GLC01461

April 16, 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James McHenry

Letter written as President to Secretary of War McHenry. Concerning Adams' interpretation of the Constitution concerning military appointments. Adams remarks "I never understood the Constitution. To suppose that the President has power to appoint Judges and Ambassadors... and not officers in the Army... is... very embarassing to the public service." Remnants of wax seal on address leaf. Docketed by McHenry.

GLC01477

June 15, 1790

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Ellery writes to Congressman Gerry from Massachusetts to say that since the Constitution has been ratified, it is now proper for him to ask for his support for appointment as the Collector of the Southern District of Rhode Island. He has asked him to be appointed a judge, but now thinks he is more qualified to be a collector. Thinks that the state legislature of Rhode Island will continue to insist that the national government assume the debt of the states. Sends his regards to their mutual acquaintances: Colonel Partridge, "father Sherman," "old Foster, and all my congressional acquaintances…

GLC01497

January 7, 1877

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Letter

Title: to William Pitt Kellogg

President Grant informs Kellogg, Governor of Louisiana, that no troops will be supplied for the January 8, 1877 inauguration of the Louisiana Government. States that he cannot send troops, because to do so would express recognition of one of two rival governments claiming legitimacy. Reports that soldiers will be sent only to suppress violence while facts are investigated regarding the differing claims. States that following the establishment of a legal government, "troops may be used to uphold the rightful government in the state if called upon in accordance with the spirit and meaning of…

GLC01545.04

July 6, 1874

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Briefly states that "sovereign states cannot rebel."

GLC01089

28 August 1789

J. Dunlap and D.C. Claypoole, 1784-1790

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser. [No. 3300 (August 28, 1789)]

Prints seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution. Reports on activities in the House of Representatives and news from around the country and Europe. Contains many advertisements.

GLC01129

February 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Reports on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution of the United States. Writes, "It may with great truth be asserted that no subject was ever more candidly debated- Many of the minority express their determination, of inculcating the principle of union among their constituents." Categorizes those who oppose the Constitution into three groups: the "insurgent interest," the "desperate debtors," and "honest men, without information whose minds are apprehensive of danger to their Liberties." Encloses a paper "containing a description of the demonstration of Joy by the Boston people on the…

GLC02437.03797

December 21, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox's retained draft, riddled with struck text and insertions. Acknowledges receipt of applications Washington sent for admission into the Society of the Cincinnati. Comments on the Constitution at great length: "In the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the great object of organizing the new Constitution has engrossed the attention of the people." Notes that Rhode Island's "paper money system and tender laws are sufficiently characteristick of their pursuits." Refers to the Constitution, the new government, and Federalism in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware,…

GLC02437.04058

January 12, 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Carrington reports, "I have as yet passed through no more of this state than what is called the Northern Neck- there I find the opponents of the Constitution pretty numerous and vociferous." Mentions that [Richard Henry] Lee "has in great measure declined to act in the opposition, finding that even his own family have separated from him." Declares that in the southern part of Virginia, many influential figures have united on the "wrong side." Mentions that Governor [Edmund] Randolph has "committed to the public view his opinions as to the conduct which it will be wise now to pursue with…

GLC02437.03758

January 20, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Egbert Benson

Knox reports on the proceedings of the Massachusetts Constitutional ratification convention. Notes that there are "150 decidedly for the constitution, about 120 decidedly against it- and about 50 or 60 who appear to determine to hear all that can be said on both sides and then vote as they shall think right, Mr S Adams is in this class.- on the whole it is highly probable that the Constitution will be adopted." Expects the decision to be made about the Constitution in less than a fortnight. Location inferred.

GLC02437.03766

February 10, 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Manchester, a present-day neighborhood of Richmond. Comments on the state conventions held to discuss ratification of the United States Constitution (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Virginia). On Virginia, writes, "My situation here is in the midst of Mr. Henries influence, and I find he has pretty well prepared the people for being his blind followers- his demagogues are loud in their clamors against the Constitution, professing a determination to reject unless amendments can be had even at the hazard of standing alone..." (referring to Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry…

GLC02437.03792

February 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Edward Carrington

Informs Carrington, a Continental Congressman, of Massachusetts' ratification of the Constitution. Reports that those at the convention who previously opposed the Constitution have "declared their intention of uniting their influence in support of the constitution." Notes that [Elbridge] Gerry, who sat in but did not participate in the Massachusetts ratifying convention, has also pledged himself to the Constitution. Discusses the interests of some of the Constitution's opponents. Encloses papers describing the celebration in Boston after its passage. Notes that the New Hampshire…

GLC02437.03798

14 July 1788

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Submits an account of rations. Marked as private on address leaf. Writes, "We are fondly hoping that Congress will determine to form the new Government at this place, in which Case I expect we shall have the pleasure of your & Mrs. Knox's Company-"

GLC02437.03935

20 December 1788

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on the United States Constitution in Virginia. Notes that he was banished from the house of delegates, but returned to "one of the most antifederal assemblies that could possibly have been collected from amongst the people. This body met in [Phrenzy], and [Patrick] Henry took advantage of that circumstance to push and carry measures which could not have been obtained in the latter parts of the session." Refers to William Grayson, Richard Henry Lee, the evacuation of American Indians, and the possibility of George Clinton being elected as Vice President. Discusses political…

GLC02437.04057

January 12, 1789

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he had delayed writing in hopes that some more events worth mentioning would occur, but they have not, and he cannot justify delaying any longer. Assumes that their mutual friend [Henry] Jackson has acquainted him with the federal elections in Massachusetts, the results of which are very pleasing. Writes, "no Anties yet nor will there be more than one & his influence very small! The Governor is his Message urges amendments, but the Committee of the two Houses will not echo this sentiment." Mentions that General [Benjamin] Lincoln has just been offered a salary to serve as…

GLC02437.04089

14 July 1787

Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Briefly discusses events concerning mutual friends. Emphasizes his support for the idea of a stronger federal government. States, "I fully agree with you in the necessity of a National Government & hope that a system, in some measure resembling ours, will be adopted, which operating upon the large scale must, in a relative view, reduce the powers of each state to that of our Counties, such a government in my humble opinion would extend its authority over all these petty states & increase in the proportion as they are ... " Adds that a strong central government will help quash…

GLC02437.03604

January 21, 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington [incomplete]

Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes "You must have been chagrined to have found your Lands possessed by a... people who hold in contempt equity- the first principle of Society." Discusses disunity among the states, writing, "We are entirely destitute of those traits which should Stamp us one nation- and the Constitution of Congress does not seem to promise any capital alteration for…

GLC02437.03087

February 5, 1862

Bates, Edward, 1793-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to G. Welles

The recipient is possibly Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Bates, United States Attorney General, asks Welles to return an essay by Mr. Binney (possible Horace Binney) on the suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus. States "The work is in great demand, & somebody has hooked my last copy." Relates that he has been ill for several days.

GLC02490.01

1768-1822

The Constitution of the United States

Header Record

Title: Members of the Constitutional Convention: 38 letters & docs [decimalized]

GLC02470

February 17, 1862

Smith, William Wallace, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by William to his brother Asa. Says he has sent Asa three letters since his last letter of 14 January, even though he has not received any of them. Reports that "the army are alive with joy and excitement here over with the good news from the West[.]" Says they might see some fighting "as soon as the going will permit." Says he just got back from parade where they heard a report read by the adjutant and a short speech from the brigadier general. Met a soldier from Natick, Massachusetts named Beals who says his brother hauled coal in Natick. Asks if he knows the person. Says they are…

GLC03742.06

February 19, 1862

Smith, William Wallace, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa Smith

Written by William to his brother Asa. References receiving Asa's letter. Hopes the mud is no deeper than it is where he is. Says he almost got stuck with a team of 6 horses at Arlington. Says "25 negroes went out beyond our camp to cut wood for the Government. Says his whole brigade was summoned to the parade ground to hear the news of the fall of Fort Donnelson and they "made the hill and wood ring with our shouts[.] Our band leader is under arrest for refusing to lead the band in the national airs at that time." Says there is an Englishman currier in camp who wants to know if Asa knows an…

GLC03742.07

15 April 1789 to 28 April 1790

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United states. [Vol. 1, no. 1 (April 15, 1789)]

Bound copy consisting of two volumes, 173 issues. Day by day accounts of the beginnings of the Federal Government. The issues have not been bound chronologically. Also, there is an extra issue of Vol. 2, no. 109 bound with the second volume.

GLC07275.01