1787/10/01

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Ramsay re: new Constitution is a "masterpiece of human wisdom"

GLC04838

1788/08/02

Johnston, Samuel, 1733-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Tariff resolution of North Carolina Constitutional Convention]

Signed as president of the convention, countersigned by John Hunt as secretary. States that the North Carolina Convention decided to neither ratify nor reject the new Constitution, and resolved to impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States if tariffs were imposed on North Carolina. At a second convention on 21 November 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution.

GLC04839

1790/03/06

Sherman, Roger, 1721-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

Reports on legislative debates and progress in a number of areas, including using western lands to lower the national debt, honoring government securities, Alexander Hamilton's report on Public Credit, and the relationships between state and federal authorities. Comments on the worry of smaller states that assumption of debt by the federal government would erode state power. Adamantly supports protecting states' rights. Sherman was then a congressman from Connecticut. Huntington was the Connecticut governor. Docketed by Huntington.

GLC04841

1761-1828

Header Record

Title: Complete set of documents of 39 signers of the U.S. Constitution [decimalized]

GLC04842

1787/12/15

Blount, William, 1749-1800

Letter signed

Title: to Gen. Assembly of NC re: negotiations over Miss. Navigation, threats to Union

Discusses negotiations over Mississippi navigation, threats to the national Union, finance, convention (for ratifying the Constitution)

GLC04842.03

1787/03/12

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Allibane? re: business, announcing election to Constitutional Convention

GLC04842.04

1804/06/30

Few, William, 1748-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Telfair re: condemning the import of Black enslaved people into Georgia

Written as former delegate from Georgia to the current Governor, condemning the importation of Black enslaved people into Georgia as a ploy to increase the state's congressional representation. Portion of embossed tax stamp on bottom of paper. Few writes in part: "Is there one person of understanding & reflection among you who will not admit that every confederation of justice, humanity, and safety, forbids that any more Negroes should be brought into your state, and yet it is well known that the avarice of your citizens, and the rage for acquiring that property has broke through all…

GLC04842.05

1788/03/19

Fitzsimons, Thomas, 1741-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Irvine re: finance, opposition to Constitution, Kentucky statehood

GLC04842.06

1788/08/10

Pinckney, Charles, 1757-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mathew Carey re: proposal to give federal government veto over state laws

Asking for a bound copy of Carey's "Museum" and saying that he cannot provide a copy of his "System" [CP's draft proposals for a constitution] because one copy was laid before the Convention and the other is on-loan. He writes that the proposals were adopted [30+ parts] with the exception of a Federal veto on state laws.

GLC04842.12

1788/05/30

Williamson, Hugh, fl. 1783-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnstone re: reporting on absent delegate, citing strength of Union

Williamson mentions a French pirate as an example of the states coming together in a Federal Union. Written as a delegate to the governor of North Carolina.

GLC04842.13

1787/08/31

Dayton, Jonathan, 1760-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gen. Elias Dayton (his father) re: business, a military trial

Written to his father, Elias Dayton, who had declined election to the Constitutional Convention in favor of his son, because he himself was serving in Congress. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest member of the convention.

GLC04842.20

1788/01/20

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Jay re: prospects for ratification of Constitution

Forwarding some enclosed letters to Europe (not included) and discussing ratification of the Constitution. Mentions decisions of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia in adopting the Constitution. Fitzpatrick publishes with some textual differences based on the Washington letterbook.

GLC04876

1788/02/20

Stewart, Walter, 1756-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Irvine re: opposition to Constitution

Stewart writes to Irvine, a Penna. delegate to the Continental Congress: "It is expected by the Anti-Federal Party that very extensive Petitions will be laid before them against the new Constitution. I however think they have abated much in their Warmth since they see Massachusetts have come to it. [....] And they [the Anti-Federalists] at last say they think amendments may probably be made. I sincerely hope they will, as it would be a means of reconciling all Party's, and enable us to carry it through; Without them, the opposition will be so powerful as to clog its execution in too large a…

GLC04844

1788/05/26

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Ellery Jr.] re: contempt for "pure democracy" of R.I. (ratification)

Rhode Island had not ratified the Constitution. Ellery shared Thomson's unhappiness.

GLC04847

1789/06/01

Otis, Samuel A., 1740-1814

Document signed

Title: First act of Congress. Act to regulate certain oaths, to support Constitution

Printed act of Congress setting the form of oath: "I, A.B. do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Certified and Co-signed by Samuel A. Otis as Secretary of the Senate and John Beckley as Clerk of the House.

GLC04856

1789/05/20

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Wilson re: Wilson's role in ratifying Constitution, appointment

Wayne congratulates Wilson on the adoption of the Federal Constitution: "permit me to add that it was to a display of the perfect knowledge you entertained, & the plain elucidation you gave of the components of the System, which caused it to be approved by the [Ratification] Convention of Penna being the first that met...." Also congratulates Wilson on being appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the US (sic), and seeks a judicial appointment for himself.

GLC04865

June 21, 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: to the Public accusing R.I. legislature of acting "contrary to the Articles"

Probably intended for publication. The essay attacks the Rhode Island legislature for not sending representatives to Congress or the Constitutional Convention. King, who signs himself five times in the text but signs "Procolus" at the end, argues that states like Rhode Island endangered the Union and that the legislature acted "contrary to the Articles of Confedreration."

GLC04873

January 18, 1800

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: To Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the territory North West of the river Ohio

John Adams in his last days as president to the government of the territory of Ohio. Expresses gratitude to them for their kind letter, which apparently thanked him for his job while president. Mentions Arthur St. Clair, Edward Tiffin, and H. Vanderburgh. Says "Your sincere attachment to the Constitution and Government... do you honor." Pages are separated and there are two holes in the document, creating some text loss.

GLC06399

25 October 1856

Miller, Daniel L., fl. 1856

Broadside

Title: ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD. Let every Voter Examine and Judge for Himself!

Election broadside focusing on the extension of slavery. Compares the Presidential platforms of James Buchanan/John C. Breckinridge and John C. Fremont/William L. Dayton. Buchanan/Breckinridge attest that "Congress has no Constitutional right to prohibit slavery in the territories, and that such prohibition would be inexpedient." Fremont/Dayton argue that "Congress has the Constitutional right, and that it is expedient, to prohibit both slavery and polygamy in the territories belonging to the people of the whole Union." Contains quotes from former United States leaders, including Thomas…

GLC06275

3 January 1786

Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Willing

Opposes the repeal of the charter of the Bank of North America on Constitutional grounds and discusses the power of assembly. Remarks upon the ill conduct of the House in violating the charter and calls the assembly incompetent. States that the assembly is not fit to handle " ...granting charters, compiling debts, fixing funds for the redemption of debts, making money, or any thing else which requires permanency." Intends to publish a pamphlet on these topics. Willing was President of the Bank of North America.

GLC06276

20 September 1812

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

Manuscript document signed

Title: Of the validity of the laws granting Livingston & Fulton the exclusive right of using fire and steam to propel boats or vessels

Legal review of the Robert R. Livingston - Robert Fulton steamboat monopoly case. Burr examines the case from two reference points, "1st - With reference to the Laws and Constitution of New York. 2d - As to the Constitution and Laws of the United States." Argues against the monopoly granted to Fulton and Livingston in a point by point analysis. With autograph summation signed by Burr on the last page stating that he made all attempts to make his remarks intelligible.

GLC06183

1844

American Anti-Slavery Society

Pamphlet

Title: Declaration of sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Adopted at the formation of said society, in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of December, 1833.

Leaflet published by the American Anti-Slavery Society, printed by William S. Dorr. Concludes with "We charge upon the existing national government, that it is an insupportable despotism, wielded by a power which is superior to all legal and constitutional restraints- equally indisposed and unable to protect the lives or liberties of the people- the prop and safeguard of American Slavery." Includes a short list of anti-slavery newspapers.

GLC06200

1862

Whiting, William, 1813-1873

Pamphlet

Title: The war powers of the President and the legislative powers of Congress in relation to rebellion, treason, and slavery.

Printed by John L. Shorey. Signed on front cover by Francis W. Goddard. In conclusion, Whiting states "Rising above the political platforms, the claims and disclaimers of Federalists, Democrats, Whigs, Republicans, and all other parties, and looking upon the constitution as designed to give the government made by the people, for the people, the powers necessary to its own preservation, and to the enforcement of its laws, it is not possible justly to deny the right of government to interfere with slavery, Mormonism, or any other institution, condition, or social status into which the…

GLC06215

1822

Meredith, William Morris, 1799-1873

Pamphlet

Title: A statement, by James C. Biddle and William M. Meredith, of the Philadelphia Bar.

Covers free press versus fair trial.

GLC06232.02

1835

Thomas, William, ?-1836

Book signed

Title: The enemies of the Constitution discovered; or, an inquiry into the origin and tendency of popular violence...

(title continues)... containing a complete and circumstantial account of the unlawful proceedings at the City of Utica, October 21st, 1835; the dispersion of the State Anti-Slavery Convention by the agitators, the destruction of a democratic press and of the causes which led thereto. Together with a concise treatise on the practice of the court of His Honor Judge Lynch. Accompanied with numerous highly interesting and important documents. Published by Leavitt, Lord, & Co. Author (Thomas, according to Library of Congress) writes under the pseudonym "Defensor." Signed in pencil several…

GLC06232.04