1784/08/10

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Asks his correspondent to deliver a letter. Requests that he be sent an act from his correspondent's state concerning interstate import duties. Discusses Rhode Island's opposition to impost duties called for by Congress under the Articles of Confederation. Remarks that he is looking to western territory for resources to diminish the public debt.

GLC05538

January 8, 1784

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lafayette references receiving a letter from Knox. He writes of their warm friendship, and says "from the beginning of our Great Revolution which Has been the Beginning of our Acquaintance, We Have Been Activated By the Same principles, supported with the same ideas, Attached to the same friends, and We Have warmly loved and Confidentially Entrusted each other." Reports that Knox's brother William is in London and expresses his fondness for him. Says "By our last Account from America, We Hear that New York is Evacuated, and our peace Establishment finally settled. I Hope also to Hear it is…

GLC02437.02928

1781/03/01

United States. Continental Congress.

Autograph document signed

Title: Extract from minutes re: Maryland ratifying the Articles of Confederation

Maryland was the last state to ratify the Articles "by which act the Confederation of the United State of America was completed each and every one of the thirteen states from New Hampshire to Georgia both included having adopted and confirmed and by their delegates in Congress ratified the same."

GLC04382

February 18, 1787

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that he received his recent letters, including one to be delivered to [Benjamin] Hichborn. Asks him to give his regards to Mr. and Mrs. [James] Swan. Writes that Major [William] North has not yet arrived, and he is afraid that North is sick on the road. Declares that he would be happy if his regiment were to remain at camp until it was full and properly organized, but would be satisfied to have any help from the state or from "influential monied men" in the form of supplies or clothing. Expects an order from Knox to be delivered by North allowing for some money, clothing and supplies…

GLC02437.03458

February 8, 1787

Higginson, Stephen, 1743-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Henry Knox]

Informs Knox that he (Higginson) spoke to Congress, including "Mr. Maddison," about forming a special convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. Discusses the need to draft a new document for the basis of government as the "Confederation is incompetent to the purposes for which it was established, the managing the affairs of the Union." States that "to delegate rights to Congress, and at the same time to withold from them the means of exercising those rights, is trifling and absurd." Watermarked with a IV and a hunting horn inside a crest with GR underneath. "Free" stamped on…

GLC02437.10209

1781/12/24

Pickering, John, 1737-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon re: Habeas Corpus, constitutional issues

"The Confederation dearly points out the right of deciding all controversies concerning the boundaries of any state... the present case shows the necessity and utility of such powers being vested in the United States and not in any one separate state lest the whole should be involved in a war by the Rashness, imprudence or prejudice of one or more states... Parliamentary Habeas Corpus backed by the military arm... I ask who is to observe the writ? the Militia? Would it not have been more eligible and regular for the Supreme Judicial Court to have issued and directed a Habeas Corpus."

GLC06542

February 9, 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy. Written from the "War Office," likely in New York City. Writes that the bearer, Major [William] North, "will inform you of an intended disposition of some of the federal troops for the protection of the stores of the United States at Springfield." Writes that the work of these troops must be restricted to "securing the property of the United States." Asks him for his opinion on "what force (if any) will be an adequate protection to the Arsenal and Magazine."

GLC02437.03446

1782/05/10

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter

Title: to "The Gentlemen of the House of Representatives"

Hancock argues that the bill making Sunday a day of Sabbath in Congress was improperly passed. The Constitution provided a set amount of time to rebuke a bill's passing, and others in Congress accused Hancock of sending his letter of rebuttal too late. However, Hancock asserts that real time and the time that the House had been using were very different things.

GLC07917