29 September 1787

Newspaper

Title: The Providence gazette and country journal. [Vol. 24, no. 1239 (September 29, 1787)]

GLC08033

9 January 1787

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he has not replied yet to Knox because he expected to see Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth in Philadelphia, but has not yet, and does not know when he will arrive. Declares that the newspapers will have informed Knox that Pennsylvania has "appointed me a Commissioner on her Part to meet at the Convention in May. Had the object been any other than it is I would have declined. The appointment was the most unexpected thing that ever happened to me for I have not only declared in general my unwillingness to accept of any thing under this State but in this particular instance objected to…

GLC02437.03411

January 16, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Marked "copy" on the docket Details General [Benjamin] Lincoln's deployment with 4,000 men to deal with Shays and his supporters. Writes that Lincoln will begin at Worcester, trying to protect the Court, and then make several more stops around the state. If the insurgents do not "choose to oppose him in his parties," he will proceed to search for them individually. Is pleased to hear that both he and Robert Morris have been chosen to attend the Philadelphia convention: "I ardently wish for many reasons that the…

GLC02437.03417

1-3 March 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the convention (referring to the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia) and his views of the people's ideas of changes Congress would bring about. "I have not the most distant idea that the people would adopt any recommendations of Congress in which the inlargement of their powers are included; they would immediately become jealous of them that the few were attempting to influence the many: sentiments like these would be thrown out .. " In relation to Shays' Rebellion, describes skirmishes with the rebels in Stockbridge and Barrington, Massachusetts. He has heard that…

GLC02437.03476

February 14, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses Lincoln's success at stopping Shays' Rebellion and dispersing the insurgents. Mentions how the rapid defeat of the insurgents will affect orders previously given to Colonel [David] Humphreys and Colonel [Henry] Jackson to move their regiments to Springfield, Massachusetts. Says he has been keeping General Washington and Congress abreast of Lincoln's actions. Comments on the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and expresses his firm support of it. Believes the objections…

GLC02437.03453

4 March 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Discusses a meeting in Philadelphia, and writes "You will have found that Congress have recommended a convention to meet in Philadelphia in May. I hope and pray that you may be at it, either on the part of the State or the Cincinnati."

GLC02437.03483

February 3, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter by Washington to Knox, discussing the potential Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which he does not plan to attend. Believes the current national government is terribly flawed, but that maintaining it may be the best plan. Also mentions public dissent against the state government in Massachusetts. Copy of letter made 3 March 1855.

GLC02437.09333

February 25, 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter by Washington to Knox, discussing Shay's rebellion. Greatful that the rebellion has been supressed. News of the rebellion, and fear of further upheaval, helped spur Washington to agree to attend the Constitutional Convention. Copy made 2 February 1854.

GLC02437.09334

2 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, discussing whether or not he should attend the Constitutional Convention. Debates pros and cons of the convention, and requests Knox's opinion on the matter. Copy made 3 February 1854.

GLC02437.09335

19 August 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, reporting on events at the Constitutional Convention. Copy made 1 February 1854.

GLC02437.09337

30 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Mercy Otis Warren

Replies to her letter from 2 May (GLC02437.03539). Discusses a financial matter involving Winslow Warren (Warren's son), Mr. Hawkins, Knox's brother William, and Mr. Breck. Apologizes for not being able to fully comply with her request from 2 May due to William's limited power in that regard. Knox discusses the present state of government, and the divided nature of the states, in the context of the Constitutional Convention, which gathered at Philadelphia 25 May. Discusses "the present awful crisis- I arrange in my imagination two or three hundred millions of [our] posterity with their eyes…

GLC02437.03558

21 August 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Mercy Otis] Warren [incomplete]

Discusses the proceedings of a convention (referring to the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia) and mentions the Society of the Cincinnati. Says the Convention is coming to a conclusion and that the proceedings will likely end the 15th of next month. Weighs in on some of the consequences the Convention may bring and opinions others may have. Informs Warren about the recent loss of his and Mrs. Knox's youngest child.

GLC02437.03640

29 May 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Jeremiah] Wadsworth

Knox left Philadelphia for New York because his daughter Lucy was ill, but by the time he arrived, she was feeling better. Hopes to obtain warrants from the Board of Treasury to pay the arrearages of pay and clothing to the Connecticut troops. Relates that the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia on 25 May with seven states. George Washington will preside over the Convention, and [William] Jackson will serve as secretary. Ten states are now present at the Convention, but Maryland, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are all absent.

GLC02437.03557

3 June 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a financial matter related to Mrs. [Catharine] Greene. Comments extensively on the Constitutional Convention: "I am persuaded the Convention will do nothing very decisive but they may give us a lead our General Assembly will finish this week without doing much harm no Paper Money no tender act will be made if you can persuade the Convention to be bold you may hope for a change of measures in the States if they are turned or divided- all our hopes of a good Government are over - Mr. [Roger] Sherman I am told is disposed only to patch the old System- if he is stuborn [sic] he will…

GLC02437.03565

23 September 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that they have not been able to obtain a cow yet that will produce enough milk for the whole winter but hopes to soon. Says when they do purchase a cow she will need to be driven in a herd of cattle as opposed to being sent by water. Notes that a strong political party is forming against the convention (the Constitutional Convention, which had finalized drafting the Constitution four days earlier) and Wadsworth fears the new government may not be formed. Notes "if the Massachusetts rebellion had continued we might hope their is many of our Leading Men who dread the lessening…

GLC02437.03667

January 20, 1821

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Encloses "a copy of the Journal of the Federal Convention," in accord with a congressional resolution issued on 19 January 1820. Written from the Department of State.

GLC06313.04.099

2 May 1787

Warren, Mercy Otis, 1728-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Explains that her son, Winslow Warren, has run into financial troubles and appeals to Knox for help. The attention of either Henry or his brother William Knox is needed to resolve the situation with the creditors. Hopes he or William will attend to this matter soon. Asks his opinion on the political events of the spring of 1787, referring to the Constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia in May. Comments on her inquiry, "But if you Sir should Judge that inquiries of this nature are not altogether consonnat [sic] to Female Genius. - then tell us the Gradations of theatrical…

GLC02437.03539

18 June 1787

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Addressee inferred from content. Informs Henry about the health of his children, particularly a daughter who had been ill but is now healthy (see GLC02437.03585), as are Henry's other children. Imagines that Henry's stay at the [Constitutional] convention may be shorter than expected, due to the "Strong parties which exist in Philadelphia, and [which have] pervaded all circles in which you may be." Confirms that he well send subsequent letters to Knox at his lodgings at Samuel Ogden's home.

GLC02437.03586

January 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: to James Sullivan [incomplete]

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Previous research determined the addressee to be James Sullivan, but the document does not indicate that explicitly. Knox discusses the settlement of the estate of Thomas and Hannah Flucker, the parents of his wife, Lucy, stating that he will "formally authenticate" a bond verifying monies owed to Mr. [likely Isaac] Winslow. He also comments on the insurgents in Massachusetts, and discusses in some detail the upcoming [federal] convention in Philadelphia, wondering whether its proceedings could be the basis of a…

GLC02437.03428

26 July 1787

Morris, John, fl. 1787

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Morris

Writes a very long and detail letter to his wife about the news from the area and his application for half pay. Reports that "Doctor [Mr. Pendergass] had been playing the fool with one of his mades, the consiquances [sic] of which is by the help of malesious [sic] people he and his family is oblidged to leave the country." Mentions the doctor's wife could use a friendly face and asks his wife to call upon her. Says there has been no further news regarding the commissioners. Appears to be discussing a claim for payment he sent to the commissioners. States that if he does not receive…

GLC02437.03623

1787/12/13

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

Newspaper

Title: The Pennsylvania packet, and daily advertiser [No. 2763 (December 13, 1787)]

Reports on the ratification of the Constitution in Pennsylvania. Prints Benjamin Franklin's "Last Speech at the late Federal Convention." Contains foreign and domestic news. Many advertisements, including some for slaves.

GLC08809

February 28, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to James Sullivan

Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses an upcoming convention (the Constitutional Convention) in Philadelphia. "The late approbation of Congress of a Convention to be held at Philadelphia in May next will it is presumed remove all objections as to its legality. - If men of truly great minds should compose the Majority of the convention something of importance may be effected. But if a number of trifling Characters get together we shall only be deluded instead of being benefited." Noted in the docket as a copy.

GLC02437.03473

1787/09/27

Adams and Nourse (Boston, Mass.), fl. 1783-1789

Newspaper

Title: Independent chronicle and the universal advertiser. [Vol. XIX, no. 987 (September 27, 1787)]

Prints a copy of the Constitution and reports activities at the Constitutional Convention. Also contains an article on "the Means of promoting Federal Sentiments in the United States," various news items, and advertisements. This was a special printing of the newspaper, although it was not labeled an Extra. Published by Adams and Nourse.

GLC04221

1786/11/18

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Responds favorably to the work done at the Annapolis Convention and since. Explains why he cannot attend the Constitutional Convention. He was re-elected president of the Society of Cincinnati, whose meeting coincides with the convention. Although he declined that position because of his desire to retire from public life, attending the Constitutional Convention would be considered a snub to the former officers of the Continental Army. Expresses his happiness in hearing Madison would chair the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention.

GLC07699

1820/06/21

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: correcting journals of Constitutional Convention

GLC07648