January 27, 1789

Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that a committee has convened to "agree upon the necessary provisions for the foreign Department." Would like Knox's honest opinion as to the prospect of Bourne's receiving an appointment after Knox's recommendation. Hopes in the meantime to be successful in the business world. Comments on his potential of success in business versus in public service.

GLC02437.04100

30 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Bowdoin

Writes to discuss a recent letter he received via a Dr. Bayley regarding political reforms in Europe.

GLC02437.04225

23 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters can be difficult, and he has been traveling to and from Massachusetts on both public and private business, which has prevented him from writing. Argues that the political system currently in place is inadequate: "The powers of Congress are utterly inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things…

GLC02437.03319

November 14, 1786

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Extract of a letter in the hand of Tobias Lear, secretary to George Washington. Explains that he proof-read entries from the "Encyclopedie Methodique" on the "Etats unis" and the "Cincinnati," and gave corrections to the author. Also gave the article on the Cincinnati to Colonel [David] Humphreys and the Marquis de Lafayette to get their corrections, and encloses it for General Washington to read. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati: "I have never heard a person in Europe, learned, or unlearned, express his thoughts upon this institution, who did not consider it as dishonorable &…

GLC02437.03338

January 14, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox updates Washington on various state conventions meeting to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. Writes, "The new Constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing opinions prejudices and parties in the respective states." Reports that Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut have all voted in favor of ratification. Mentions Jeremiah and James Wadsworth, both part of the Connecticut convention. Thinks Connecticut's decision to ratify will influence the Massachusetts convention (Massachusetts…

GLC02437.03762

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 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

25 December 1785

Brooks, John, 1752-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Brooks, a member of the Massachusetts General Court, writes to Knox on a wide variety of political subjects. Discusses the Society of the Cincinnati, land grants to common people, redress of grievances of the public, and the passage of a treason act. Also reports the opinion of their mutual friend Putnam [perhaps General Rufus Putnam] on these subjects. Lastly, he and his wife send their regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox. A small piece of the page was torn away but has been retained with the document.

GLC02437.03227

8 August 1860

Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander R. Boteler

On committee letterhead, Stevens, as Chairman of the National Democratic Executive Committee writes to Boteler as Chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Constitutional Union Party. Requests copies of campaign literature circulating. Letterhead of the National Democratic Committee is printed with John C. Breckinridge for President, and Gen. Joseph Lane for Vice President. Boteler was a U.S. congressman from Virginia (1859-1861). During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army as a member of Stonewall Jackson's staff. He was elected from Virginia to the Confederate…

GLC02455.12

2 January 1835

Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Todd Lytle, Henry Hubbard, Ratliff Boon, and Henry A. P. Muhlenberg

Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri, writes to Congressmen Lytle, Hubbard, Boon, and Muhlenberg. Transmits a letter declining the nomination of the Mississippi State Convention for Vice Presidency of the United States. Remarks that the copy is for newspaper publication. Date is obscured by text loss, and is estimated based on content.

GLC02448.01

1776

New York, Legislature

Broadside

Title: In Provincial Congress [calling for election of revolutionary government]

Possibly printed by John Holt. Evans 14934.

GLC02442

19 November 1788

Phillips, Samuel, 1752-1802

Broadside

Title: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Masachusetts set of resolutions to create separate districts within Massachusetts with representatives from each district. States the common dates for election of representatives and establishes that elected representatives must then vote for an assembly President and Vice President. Motion passed in the House of Representatives on November 20, 1788; Motion passed in the Senate on November 19, 1788. Signed by Samuel Phillips as jun. President, Theodore Sedgwick as Speaker, John Avery as jun. Secretary, and John Hancock. Writing on verso notes the meeting date and time for a…

GLC02444

1794

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Pamphlet

Title: Speech in the House of... re: promotion of commerce

Printed at Greenleaf's press. Evans 27258.

GLC02445

1800

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Pamphlet

Title: Proceedings of the Virginia Assembly... re: division of power, constitution

Also concerning constitutional rights and the Alien and Sedition Acts. Evans 38460

GLC02446

26 June 1847

Birney, James Gillespie, 1792-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joshua Leavitt

Birney, an abolitionist, writes to Leavitt, a reformer and minister in Boston. Has been asked to write columns for the Herald, a newspaper, and is allowed by the editor to freely express his opinions. Notes that Dr. Bailey (possibly Gamaliel Bailey) will not agree with what he has written. Writes, "I have but little faith in the constancy of some who stand prominent in this vicinity as abolitionists. I would not be surprised if some went off to the Democratic party before long." Remarks that Mr. Chase also contributes to the Herald (possibly referring to Salmon Portland Chase). In a…

GLC02448.02

23 August 1851

Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written from "White Hall," Clay's estate. Clay, an emancipationist, replies to a letter from an unspecified recipient. Possibly discussing his run for Governor as an anti-slavery candidate in 1851, writes, "The number of votes cast for the anti-slavery candidates is small- I believe my vote is about thirty five hundred... The causes of my small vote are the inherent difficulties of the movement; Old party organization, and the violent misrepresentations by the Whig party of my views." Declares, "...slavery is the disturbing cause of old partyism everywhere... the time is near if not now-…

GLC02448.05

12 December 1874

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874

Broadside

Title: Will the American people never cease to oppress and torture the helpless poor?

Begins with an excerpt from the New York "Tribune" indicating that thirty-five black children were ejected from public schools in Brazil, Indiana, by order of local trustees. Smith criticizes the children's ejection and urges the Republican Party to pass a pending Civil Rights Bill.

GLC02448.20

12 March 1783

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elias Boudinot

Adams introduces Joshua Grigby, Jr. to President of Congress Boudinot. Adams describes Grigby as the wealthy son of a Suffolk gentleman, who "wishes to settle and be happy in America." Adams notes that Grigby will be able to tell Boudinot about English politics.

GLC02449

December 21, 1788

Smith, Meriwether, 1730-1790

Manuscript document signed

Title: to the Freeholders of the County of Westmoreland

Announces Meriwether Smith's desire to become a representative in Congress for the district containing Essex County, Virginia, through the upcoming election, the first under the recently ratified Constitution. Cites his public service during the Revolutionary War and his desire to improve the Constitution.

GLC02450.18

February 3, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to the constitutional rights of Massachusetts. Also discusses insurgents in that state (Shays' Rebellion was losing momentum). Relates in confidence that he does not want to go to the Constitutional Convention (to be held in Philadelphia) but that convention organizers have included him and implored him not to make a final decision regarding whether or not he will attend. Admits that "powers are wanting" in government, but takes a pessimistic view, wondering how such powers shall be derived. Comments that Knox's opinion, to build a central national government, is energetic and…

GLC02437.09410

February 5, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses regret that "the important question" Massachusetts is deliberating "stands on such precarious ground" (referring to ratification of the Constitution; Massachusetts ratified 6 February 1788). Predicts that Virginia will choose to ratify, but admits he does not have the most recent or accurate information (Virginia ratified 26 June 1788). Declares Holland's case pitiable (possibly referring to the Triple Alliance of 1788). Notes that navigation of the Potomac has been stopped for five weeks. Sends his and Martha's good wishes to Knox and his wife Lucy. In a postscript, asks the…

GLC02437.09416

17 June 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's previous letter on the eve of departure for Fredericksburg, to visit his mother. Doubts acceptance of the United States Constitution by the Virginia Convention for ratification. Accuses Anti-Federalists of creating jealousies and exciting alarms. Notes that residents of the Kentucke area (the later state of Kentucky) will have a large impact on ratification. Their primary concerns are navigation of the Mississippi River and organization into a separate state. Discusses details of the Virginia convention for ratification. Is disappointed that a great majority opposes the…

GLC02437.09418

24 September 1792

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for information he previously sent within his private letters. Mentions Mr. [George] Hammond (the first British envoy to the United States), Mr. [John] Penn (former colonial governor), and Andrew Allen (former colonial attorney general; Washington mistakenly writes Andrew Hamilton). Asks how Allen is being treated "by the Officers of the state Government (particularly the Govr) _ Mr. Morris &ca?" (likely referring to Governor Thomas Mifflin and U.S. Senator Robert Morris), noting that Allen is one of the obnoxious characters in Pennsylvania. Relates that his nephew is…

GLC02437.09426

September 20, 1795

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Washington recently received a letter from Knox "with great pleasure." He comments on Knox's home in Maine (Knox retired to his estate, Montpelier, in 1795, located near the St. George River in Thomaston, Maine). Mentions the "Treaty with Great Britain," referring to the Jay Treaty, signed by Washington in August 1795. He refers to public opinion of the Treaty. Discusses the details of providing for George Washington Lafayette (son of the Marquis de Lafayette and the President's godson). Relates that he has arranged for Lafayette to be cared for by Senator George Cabot and entered in the…

GLC02437.09430