15 June 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Manuscript document

Title: [New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation.... [partial]

In Butler's hand. A partial transcription of the New Jersey plan.

GLC00819.08

November 9, 1779

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Discusses "A new Constitution of Government now forming by the Convention at Camebridge," referring to the debate over the Articles of Confederation. "The people seem convinced of the necessity of a new form of Government," but progress is slow. Fears what may happen if this convention adjourns. Says Adams and Dana will sail soon and that three ships are ready for Comte d'Estaing or General Washington.

GLC01450.528

April 1787

Tupper, Benjamin, 1738-1792

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the outcome of a trial in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, referring to the trial of the insurgents who took part in Shays' Rebellion: "The Supreme Court have proceeded on business with a degree of dignity which does honour to humane nature, Six are already convicted of High Treason, and a number of others of high crimes &c and there is not a dog that dare to move his Tongue." Expresses his views on the proper governmental system for the states. "...I cannot give up the idea that Monarchy in our present situation is become absolutely necessary to save the States from sinking…

GLC02437.03537

14 December 1788

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses the proposed Constitution of Georgia (not included). Notes that three members from each county are appointed to meet at Augusta in January: "I shall only say, that from the disposition of the People, and in particular that of their members of the Convention, from this County, I think the Constitution will be totally rejected- should this be the Case, we shall then have to make a better one..." Discusses the Articles and the power of the Governor. Comments on relations with American Indians in Georgia: "When we get a permanent Peace with the Indians, and a good Government, I think…

GLC02437.04053

17 December 1786

Shepard, William, 1737-1817

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has enclosed a copy of a letter (refer to GLC02437.03378) he received from Governor [James] Bowdoin. "I would beg you to keep it to yourself, as I do the original. This does not mention it, but Major Shepard informs me that his Excellency wished me to write to you for permission to take one thousand or fifteen hundred Stands of arms from the Arsenal at Springfield, as well as ammunition adequate to the purpose, if they should be wanted in the decision of the question whether we are to have the satisfaction of living under a Constitution and fixed, permanent and known laws, or under the…

GLC02437.03382

24 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Shepard

Discusses his inability to provide arms and stores to be used against the insurgents in Massachusetts (those associated with Shays' Rebellion). States that he cannot do so without the special permission of Congress. Writes that he has not received any word on the subject from Governor [James] Bowdoin, but if he does, he will immediately submit it to Congress.

GLC02437.03390

January 21, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Shepard

Marked "copy" on docketing. Shepard's name spelled "Sheppard." Thanks him for his recent letters. Writes that there has not yet been a Congress able to proceed to business. Hopes that they will be organized this week, and can discuss the request of the Governor before Congress. Relates that as he said before, "it is entirely out of my power, to appropriate any of the public arms or stores without an order of Congress." This also applies to the sale or loan of arms or stores. He agrees in principle with Shepard and wishes he could accommodate him. However, if the insurgents "should…

GLC02437.03421

29 October 1786

North, William, 1755-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "The people here smell a rat, that the Troops about to be raised are more for the insurgents than the Indians, however this makes no odds, every body seems to wish a strong government, & to believe the government can only be strengthened by an army. The requisition has been laid before the house & I suppose will pass without trouble, tho' I confess I know little about it- for a moment, I steped [sic] into the Gallery yesterday & heard a member say something about the Troops having only clothing & provisions, that the Western lands were an object worthy the attention…

GLC02437.03322

February 21, 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes to Morris, Superintendent of Finance. Remarks, "The Army generally have always reprobated being thirteen Armies. Their ardent desires have been to be one continental body looking up to one sovereign..." Calls for a central government to preserve the anticipated peace. Declares, "America will have fought and bled to little purpose if the powers of Government shall be insufficient to preserve the peace...why do not you great men call the people together and tell them so, that is have a convention of the States to form a better Constitution. It appears…

GLC02437.10098

3 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Jay

Describes the recent Shays' Rebellion, explaining that Mr. [John] Stagg, the bearer, will provide more details. Writes, "Government has lost ground. Faction desperate faction gains strength hourly - they speak of a military government and embodying troops against the constitution - The numbers what appeared in arms opposed to Law were great - had all the parties which were on the march joined previous to the dispersion of the Malcontents they would have mustered 2000 strong - Government mustered about 900 but These were men of respectable character and great property, compared with their…

GLC02437.03308

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

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

10 February 1787

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has had two conferences with Mr. [Robert] Morris, and writes that Morris is discouraged with the status of public affairs. Had understood that the "monied men" of Massachusetts would be providing funding as well, but they have not. New York has approved regulations limiting the amount that state will contribute, and Pennsylvania has contributed some money but must allocate much of it to its "own pension list." Maryland is having difficulties, as well. Declares that he and Mr. Morris both feel that "every thing wears a gloomy & unpromising aspect." Also comments on guarding the stores…

GLC02437.03448

February 27, 1785

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Francis Mercer

Monroe, a member of the Confederation Congress, informs Mercer, member of the Virginia House of Delegates, that a secretary will soon be appointed to assist John Adams as Minister to Great Britain. States that James McHenry, also a member of the Confederation Congress, has not mentioned a nomination for this position. Informs that the Indian Commissioner, a friend of Mercer's, presented himself before Congress. States that there are many important issues before Congress, including propositions for raising men and the regulation of commerce. Informs Mercer of his participation on a…

GLC02861

11 June 1877

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William J. McDonald

"I beg to acknowledge the receipt from you, of the handsome volume, entitled 'Constitution, Rules and Manual'….I find it embraces, besides the subjects indicated by the title, the Declaration of Independence 1776, the Articles of Confederation 1778, the famous Ordnance of 1787…most valuable to Every American, especially to Officers of the Army. I should be pleased if Congress would provide…a copy…to every Post - for it would ensure an exact compliance with the Laws and historic precedents which have contributed to the growth and development of the Government and Country." To William J.…

GLC09385

circa 11 March 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Manuscript letter

Title: [Rufus Putnam's examination "of certain anonymous letters" leading to officers' discontent]

Pertains to the Newburgh Petition and Conspiracy. General Putnam writes an open letter "to the Officers in the Army" expressing reservations about officers' plan to obtain back pay and other concessions from Congress. Urges them not to threaten or wage "War against the community" or Congress. Instructs the officers not to persuade Congress by negative means, noting "...having once made a Separation between the Civil and Military power, between Congress & her Army, you have then passed the Rubicon." Argues that the men will have to remain in the field until all debts are discharged, if…

GLC02437.10105

June 16, 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Knox references Lafayette's letter from February 11, 1786. He thanks Lafayette for his kindness toward his brother, William, when he was ill. Says that William has recovered and has been with him since October 1785. Hopes the recovery is permanent. Discusses the affair of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who had been sent to France in 1783 to purchase jeweled eagle badges for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati. L'Enfant returned to America in 1784 and brought back many badges purchased on credit. The price proved too high for some officers, which left L'Enfant in a bind. Goes on to…

GLC02437.03276

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

1 March 1781

Neufville, John de, fl. 1779-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Discusses war with "haughty England" and, once peace is established, the astonishment of the world at "a young flourishing Republick... happy in its constitution." Mentions Sweden and England and a return trip to America.

GLC02437.00902

1786/08/09

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

The Governor of Massachusetts asks Gerry to attend a meeting for the selection of state representatives for the Annapolis Convention, where matters of interstate commerce in regard to the restrictions in the Articles of Confederation would be discussed. Implies the need for Gerry to serve, because "the council" had concluded there could "be no such representation, unless some of the Gentleman appointed for that purpose by the General Court, accept the appointment." The meeting was scheduled for the following day, in the Massachusetts senate chamber. A draft of Gerry's response dated 11…

GLC02450.03

1786/08/28

Cushing, Thomas, 1725-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts urges Gerry, as one of the men selected to represent their state at the upcoming Annapolis Convention, to make arrangements to attend. Discusses confusion and problems in confirming that the state will have representatives in Annapolis. Gerry's drafted response dated 28 August 1786 explains that "it is not in [his] power to proceed on the Business of the Convention." His explanation refers to a meeting mentioned in GLC02450.03.

GLC02450.06

1786/09/21

Livingston, Robert Cambridge, 1742-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: return from Convention

Robert Cambridge writes that he has just returned from "the Convention," and states that 4 states failed to appoint Commissioners. The Convention will attempt another meeting in May in Philadelphia, "with more enlarged powers, to proceed agreeable to the articles of confederation-."

GLC03107.03603

1778/03/11

Warren, James, 1726-1808

Manuscript document

Title: [Instructions from the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay to the Delegates in Congress].

Countersigned by John Avery as secretary. Resolution empowering the president of the council to sign the instructions for the Massachusetts delegates in regard to the Articles of Confederation and for the secretary to furnish those delegates with attested copies of those instructions.

GLC05666.02

1783/10/03

United States in Congress Assembled. Thomson, Charles

Manuscript document signed

Title: The sixth Article of Confederation re: military forces during peace time

Resolution limiting number of warships and soldiers during peacetime and allowing Virginia to maintain two armed vessels and troops for defense of trade, public prisons and stores.

GLC06026