February 10, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Robert R. Livingston

Later copy of GLC02437.03793. A note at the top of page one states, "Recd. from Mr Bancroft Feb 1857." Knox relates details of the Massachusetts ratifying convention: "On Wednesday the 30th ultimo, Mr. Hancock was well enough to take his seat in the convention. On Thursday he brought forward the proposition for adopting the Constitution, and for recommending certain alterations agreeably to the paper herein enclosed [not included]. The propositions were seconded by Mr. Samuel Adams, and committed to a large committee being Federalists." Notes that the friends of Hancock and [James]…

GLC02437.03790

1803/10/17

Broadside

Title: Twelfth Amendment, with notes, and draft of speech to the legislature at bottom

12th Amendment with notations. The draft speech at the bottom of the page is the beginning of the speech GLC 5321.02.

GLC05321.01

1803/10/17

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Autograph document

Title: [Speech in favor of the twelfth amendment]

Pickering argues that the proposed twelfth amendment, which would reform the Electoral College, would help realize the intent of the framers and give the Constitution "stability and duration." Referring to the contentious, drawn-out presidential election of 1800, he asks who would have answered for the consequences, if a president had not been elected by March 4th, and the Constitution had thus run out. He notes that the framers expected amendments, and points out that "it is a well known fact that the amendments already incorporated into the constitution have greatly increased its friends."…

GLC05321.02

1929/03/04

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed document signed

Title: Inaugural Address of President Herbert Hoover

Takes the opportunity to express "simply and directly" his "opinions...on matters of present importance." Discusses national progress, especially since World War I; the failures of the criminal justice system and his general strategy to "reestablish the vigor and effectiveness of law enforcement"; the need to enforce prohibition; his plan to "appoint a national commission" to investigate "the whole structure of our Federal system of jurisprudence"; the relationship between government business as a regulator, not an owner; the need for government to promote business cooperation and…

GLC05612

1861/03/16

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Letter signed

Title: Transmittal of a proposed amendment to protect slavery (c/s Seward)

Sending a proposed amendment to Governor to John Downey of California. "I transmit an authenticated copy of a Joint Resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress and approved on the 2d of March, 1861, by James Buchanan, President. I have the honor to be, your excellency's obedient servant, Abraham Lincoln."

GLC05631

1865/05/06

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Salmon P. Chase re: argument against accepting the negro as an equal

"I am not yet prepared to receive the Negro on terms of political Equality for the reason that it will arouse passions and predjudices of the North, which...might rekindle the war whose fires are now dying out and by skillful management may be kept down." Written aboard the Steamer "Russia" in Branford Harbor.

GLC07680

1789/06/13

Fenno, John, 1751-1798

Newspaper

Title: Gazette of the United States. [No. 18 (June 13, 1789)]

Contains "amendments to the New Constitution proposed by the Hon. Mr. Maddison," the future Bill of Rights. Disbound.

GLC06958

1864/12/25

Ashley, James Mitchell, 1824-1896

Document signed

Title: Urging support of Thirteenth Amendment

Includes ANS by Ashley: "Don't you know of one 'sinner' among the opposition who is on praying ground?"

GLC07033.01

1865/01/06

Ashley, James Mitchell, 1824-1896

Pamphlet

Title: Speech.. in the House of Representatives supporting Thirteenth Amendment

Printed by William C. Bryant.

GLC07033.02

1865 ca.

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Photograph

Title: Lawmakers who voted aye for the Thirteenth Amendment [Photographic montage]

Oval photograpic montage. The individuals are identified in accompanying wood engraving, Anti-Slavery Constitutional Amendment picture. There is slight damage to the central top edge of the photograph. There is also another copy in the Powell collection GLC 687 and separately in GLC 1230; Powell designed the photograph.

GLC07033.03

1789/08/26

Russell, Benjamin, 1761-1845

Newspaper

Title: The Massachusetts centinel. [Vol. XI, no. 47 (August 26, 1789)]

Gives detailed report of recent debates in House of Representatives (August 14 and 15) regarding seventeen proposed amendments to the Constitution (a Bill of Rights). Also includes international news, letters from readers, ship news, advertisements, and other miscellaneous news items.

GLC03129

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

1801/12/10

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph manuscript

Title: to Mr. Cheetham re: negotiations over 12th amendment

"No serious evil can result from the designs of the little faction which has existed for a short time previous to the presidential election [of 1800], & which is governed by no principle but is solely devoted to the aggrandisement of an individual." (Aaron Burr)

GLC07557

1830/05/17

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to James Hillhouse re: amendments to Constitution

Madison writes a detailed critique of amendments proposed by Senator Hillhouse of Connecticut. Hillhouse, a former Federalist, proposed the amendments first in 1808 and published them in 1830. He proposed eliminating the Electoral College and selecting the President and Vice-President by drawing lots from members of the Senate. He also proposed shortening the term of office to 2 years. Madison acknowledges the proposal but raises objections, including the larger states not agreeing to it, the President not having a national perspective, regional prejudices, etc. He concludes "As long as the…

GLC07523