28 October 1787

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Henry Jackson will send him the "Resolve for calling a convention and tell you every thing relative to the situation of public affairs with more precision and particulars than is in my power." Discusses his efforts in advocating for the passage of the Constitution, such as speaking to the representatives from Maine, and trying to correct "some ill impression" they received. Also mentions the advocacy work some judges are doing in support of passage: "[William] Cushing the Chief Justice gave a solemn charge last week in Bristol to the Grand Jury, enlarged upon our…

GLC02437.03684

January 27, 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King writes from the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Declares, "Our hopes do not diminish, although our confidence is not complete- The opposition are less positive of their strength, & those few among them who are honest & capable of Reflection appear uneasy concerning the Fate of the Question..." Mentions a proposal published in the [Massachusetts] Centinel for a conditional ratification. Writes, "[John] Hancock is still confined, he appears to me to wish well to the Constitution but don't care to risque any thing in its favor." Notes…

GLC02437.03774

February 3, 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King discusses details of the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Reports that [John] Hancock supports the Constitution, and the Federalists rally behind Hancock's plan. Relates that Elbridge Gerry, who sat in on the Massachusetts convention for a short time, has remained nearby but has not been invited back to the convention. Expects the decision for ratification to be made in five or six days. Declares, "You will be astonished when you see the list of names, that such an Union of men has taken place on this Question- Hancock will hereafter…

GLC02437.03780

16 June 1788

King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King, who had served as part of the Massachusetts ratification convention, discusses the government of Massachusetts. Writes, "Every account must confirm to you the information of the surprising change in this Government- perhaps at no Time has there been more able and honest men in the administration of this State- the conviction of the necessity of good & efficient Government pervades every part of the State, and the Federal Government will be as affectionately supported by the People of this Commonwealth as by any people in the Union…" Comments on the Constitutional ratification…

GLC02437.03899

24 July 1789

Jones, Nicholas, fl. 1788-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the formation of the new federal government, as well as his own opinions and concerns about how he was persecuted by "the Enemies of the Union."

GLC02437.04304

2 August 1804

Day & Willis, 1803-1863

Newspaper

Title: Eastern argus. [Vol. 1, no. 48 (August 2, 1804)]

Contains an article denouncing modern Federalism. Includes an account of the 11 July 1804 duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton on page 3 which condemns the practice of dueling. It reacts to the sympathy generated by Hamilton's murder by asserting that Hamilton also took part and is therefore not totally blameless. Other articles detail local, international, political, court, and ship news, advertisements, and public announcements.

GLC08818

May 3, 1789

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Pendleton expresses his pleasure at the organization of government, asks Madison to pass his regards to Adams and Washington, and discusses the state which the judiciary will assume. Also mentions: Appointment of President and Vice-President, national taxes, and judicial system. Postal ink-stamp on address-leaf: "FREDBG.MAY 16."

GLC00099.138

August 12, 1787

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Anxiously awaiting the results of the Constitutional Convention. Pendleton mentions the need for a strong document and the need for the secrecy (mentions rioting over taxes).

GLC00099.123

October 8, 1787

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letters discusses the long discussion on Constitutional content and the Constitutional Convention. The countermark reads "HRJoy, Belfast." There is a loss at top of pages 3 and 4, possibly intended by Pendleton.

GLC00099.132

October 6, 1788

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Pendleton urges the speedy adoption of the Constitution, undelayed by proposed amendments. He discusses the location of the capital, federal elections, war in Europe, and rumor of imprisonment of Marquis de Lafayette.

GLC00099.134

March 25, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

The letter discusses the attitude of Vermont towards the national Government and its independence movement. Possibly misdated "1789" and should be 1782.

GLC00099.135

December 14, 1842

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to E. S. Johnson

Andrew Jackson replies to Johnson's letter, which informed him of the Democrat's victories in Massachusetts. He congratulates Johnson, and praises Massachusetts. Referring to Federalism and Whiggism in that state he writes, "We can now truly say that the old coon is really dead, & all humbugery with it."

GLC00084

February 5, 1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Powel

Washington writes to Powel, Mayor of Philadelphia, one day after being elected as the first President of the United States. He states that he delivered enclosures previously sent from Powel to his nephew, Bushrod Washington. He predicts that the majority of newly elected government officials will be Federalists, stating that "although the issue of all the Elections are not yet known, they are sufficiently displayed to authorize a belief that opposers of the government have been defeated in almost every instance." He expresses sympathy regarding the insanity of British King George III. Refers…

GLC00310

10 September 1840

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841

Pamphlet

Title: Gen. Harrison's speech at the Dayton convention, September 10, 1840.

Campaign speech for the 1840 election. Includes comments by the publisher about the reaction of the crowds, what was going on and the atmosphere. Harrison denies being a Federalist and assures the crowd of his interest in the people's welfare: "I pledge myself before Heaven and earth, if elected President of these United States, to lay down at the end of the term faithfully that high trust at the feet of the people!" Says that he only differs from Jacksonians in favoring paper money. Does not like the banks, but is in favor of a correct banking system. Published by the Whig Repulican…

GLC00267.181

February 7, 1789

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dongan

States that he believes Ezra L'Hommedieu, a fellow Federalist, is the best candidate for Congress as he will be able to unite the Federalists in the district. Asks Dongan to have a meeting of the most influential Federalists of the county as soon as possible to make a nomination. Letter addressed to Dongan, Staten Island.

GLC01864

11 November 1801

Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions he had the pleasure of seeing Knox's family on his way to Boston, Massachusetts. Notes another trial will be held and discusses a particular judge. States the judge has always been a federal and "does not approve of the new order of things so much, I imagine, as yourself ." Asks Knox to write to [David] Cobb and seek his advise on the situation.

GLC02437.07662

12 September 1805

Bradford, Alden, 1765-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that since Knox has declined to be a candidate for state Congress in the next election, many reputable men in his district are supporting a Mr. Orchard Cook. Provides some of his qualifications, including that he is a Federalist, and asks Knox to write his friends in support of Cook.

GLC02437.07971

1788

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Book

Title: The Federalist: a collection of essays. [First edition by M'Lean]

12mo. First edition.

GLC01551

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

10 February 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

4 March 1788

Allen, William, fl. 1783-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "Inclosed I send you an Act of the Genl. Assembly of Rhode Island for submitting to the People at Large the New Constitution, this specious measure was warmly opposed by the Minority, but notwithstanding it was carried by a Majority of nineteen or twenty." Congratulates Knox on Massachusetts' adoption of the Constitution.

GLC02437.03813

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