January 10, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses which states are ratifying the Constitution, and predicts its success. Notes "The determination of New York, of all others, seems most problematical; and yet, I can hardly entertain an idea that she will be disposed to stand alone..." Wonders whether a dispute between France and England will result in war. Predicts that if war does erupt, the United States will participate, since the current government does not have the power to restrain the people. Sends his and Martha's congratulations to Henry and his wife Lucy on the birth of a son, whom they have named George. In a post…

GLC02437.09415

February 5, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses regret that "the important question" Massachusetts is deliberating "stands on such precarious ground" (referring to ratification of the Constitution; Massachusetts ratified 6 February 1788). Predicts that Virginia will choose to ratify, but admits he does not have the most recent or accurate information (Virginia ratified 26 June 1788). Declares Holland's case pitiable (possibly referring to the Triple Alliance of 1788). Notes that navigation of the Potomac has been stopped for five weeks. Sends his and Martha's good wishes to Knox and his wife Lucy. In a postscript, asks the…

GLC02437.09416

17 June 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's previous letter on the eve of departure for Fredericksburg, to visit his mother. Doubts acceptance of the United States Constitution by the Virginia Convention for ratification. Accuses Anti-Federalists of creating jealousies and exciting alarms. Notes that residents of the Kentucke area (the later state of Kentucky) will have a large impact on ratification. Their primary concerns are navigation of the Mississippi River and organization into a separate state. Discusses details of the Virginia convention for ratification. Is disappointed that a great majority opposes the…

GLC02437.09418

1789

Bailey, Francis, 1744-1817

Header Record

Title: [Two bound newspapers]

Two bound newspapers dated 1787-1788, The two newspapers are; Freeman's journal. [Vol.6, no. 298 (January 3, 1787)- v.8, no. 402 (December 31, 1788)] and Pennsylvania gazette. [No. 2953 (January 3, 1787) - no. 3042 (September 17, 1788)] [with gap].

GLC00259

1787-1788

Bailey, Francis, 1744-1817

Newspaper

Title: Freeman's journal. [Vol.6, no. 298 (January 3, 1787)- v.8, no. 402 (December 31, 1788)]

One bound edition of the newspaper Freeman's Journal containing Vol. 6 no. 298, January 3, 1787 to vol. 8 no. 402, December 31, 1788. Printed by Francis Bailey, at Yorick's Head. Of particular interest is a early printing of Constitution in issue number 335. The Freeman's Journal was an anti-Federalist newspaper. The bound newspaper also includes these issues of interest: List of Constitutional Convention members issue number 322 pp. 2-3; Ratifications by Pennsylvania issue number 348, Ratifications by Massachusetts issue number 357, Ratifications by New York issue number 381,…

GLC00259.01

1787-1788

Hall and Sellers

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania gazette. [No. 2953 (January 3, 1787) - no. 3042 (September 17, 1788)] [with gap]

One bound edition of the newspaper Pennsylvania gazette containing number 2953 January 3, 1787 to number 3042 Sep 17, 1788, with a gap of number 3003 and a suplement to number 3032. The volume has the signature of Edanus Burke, Esq. on front pastedown. The newspaper was printed by Hall and Sellers. Contains the printing of the United States Constitution in issue number 2990. The Pennsylvania Gazette was an anti-Federalist newspaper. Some other issues of note included in the volume are: Northwest Ordinance issue number 2983, Constitution printed as "Plan of the New Federal Government"…

GLC00259.02

August 18, 1788

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the Marquis de Lotbiniere

A kind letter in which Washington thanks the Marquis for his friendly sentiments. New York's ratification of the Constitution had been uncertain. Docketed on verso of second leaf. Lotbiniere's letter is in Library of Congress's Washington Papers. Noted but not published in Fitzpatrick 30:56n.

GLC00639.29

8 May 1779

Greene, William, 1731-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Collins as a Rhode Island delegate to the general congress]

Signed by Greene as governor of Rhode Island, countersigned by Henry Ward as secretary of state. Commissions Collins to represent Rhode Island in the general congress in Philadelphia until ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

GLC00997

December 31, 1787

Adams, Daniel Jr., 1720-1795

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Daniel Adams

Writes to his father about opposing the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Daniel Adams, Jr. was town clerk and his father was a delegate at the state convention.

GLC00799

January 12, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulations Knox on the birth of son. Mentions their "friend Platt" noting, "It appears to me that we have not placed any 'Bars in the way of military Associators' & that soldiers would find it very much to their interests to take their Lands with us..." Referring to state ratification of the Constitution, writes "French & English war, Dutch Interests & every thing else indeed are giving way to the important Business of the Convention." Mentions Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams's opposition to ratification. Notes that Connecticut's ratification (9 January 1788) will…

GLC02437.03757

February 3, 1788

Sands, Comfort, 1748-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sands reports that he has just returned from the New York Legislature, and that Mr. [Egbert] Benson has asked him to relay that both branches agreed to hold a convention to decide on ratification of the United States Constitution. The convention is scheduled to meet at Poughkeepsie in June. Benson asks Knox to inform Boston.

GLC02437.03779

February 3, 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret that Knox has rheumatism. Expects that Massachusetts will adopt the Constitution. Discusses several delegates who advocated its adoption. Mentions [John] Hancock's publication in the [Massachusetts] Centinel 2 February 1788, which according to Sargent stated "that we should ratify &c. & propose certain Amendments..." Asks if General [Arthur] St. Clair will hold a treaty with an unspecified tribe of Native Americans and discusses business of the Ohio Company. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03783

3 July 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Arthur St. Clair

Marked private at the top of page one. Declares, "I rejoice my dear sir in having the pleasure of congratulating you on the adoption of the Constitution by ten states. In Virginia, the business has been highly interesting and critical, and finally succeeded by a majority of ten- In New Hampshire the majority eleven- The latter passed it on Saturday the 21, and Virginia on Wednesday the 25th ultimo." Discusses the New York convention presently deciding on ratification of the Constitution. Predicts that "the Convention will stipulate for amendments previous to the adoption... Congress will…

GLC02437.03926

17 July 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sargent writes, "the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia & New Hamshire [sic] is a Circumstance of very high Gratification to all your Friends in this Western World- I am unhappy that you should seem to suspect me of Inattention to you since my Arrival here-" Notes that he has been unable to use his right hand, thus writes with his left. Encloses a letter to [Richard] Platt (not included), asking Knox to inspect it. Discusses the Ohio land interests of a Mrs. Colden and the retention of settlers to Northwest Territory lands. Hopes to accommodate "those Settlers who are every day…

GLC02437.03937

12 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to [Adam Stephen?]

Addressed to General Stephens. Possibly to General Adam Stephen, whose name is often misspelled Stephens. Discusses Indian policy, stating "[t]he affairs of the Cherokee Indians are peculiarly perplexed, and require a stronger arm to put them into a proper train than is proposed the present government ..." Mentions a previous treaty with Congress made in 1785. States that he is happy Stephens approves of the new government, and writes "it seems the only mean[s] to avoid the horror and miseries of the weakness of our present situation - New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Connecticut - New…

GLC02437.03724

February 17, 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan relates the details of his passage to France. He had planned to avoid conversing with people from Boston, but ran into people he knew aboard ship. Received introductions from French nobility during his passage. Asks for news related to the United States Constitution. Discusses his debt, stating his interest in obtaining a consular position to an unspecified location in Europe. Notes that the merchants' wives are the most extravagant in their spending, while the higher order are "very prudent & oeconomical, tho' showy." Discusses letters of introduction, mentioning two previous…

GLC02437.03801

30 October 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Returns Swan's account against John Campbell, "who has been liberated from Goal by an oath of Insolvency & gone to Europe." (Swan had a dispute with Campbell; see GLC02437.03437). Says he does not know what the charges of Colonel [Alexander?] Hamilton are on this business, but will let Swan know when he finds out. Supports the new Constitution, and believes it will be adopted ultimately. Adds, "Should Massachusetts & the other Eastern states embrace it eagerly much evil would be avoided." Date from docket.

GLC02437.03690

January 19, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Knox transmits a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette delivered to Knox by the Count de [Moustier], a French Minister. He informs Sullivan, Governor of New Hampshire, that Lafayette wrote the letter "on the supposition of your being in this City and President of Congress." Discusses ratification of the Constitution: "The fact however is that the present system called the confederation has run down... something must be done speedily, or we shall soon be involved in all the horrors of anarchy, and separate state interests..." Notes that if Massachusetts and New Hampshire reject the Constitution…

GLC02437.03765

3 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Thanks him for his last letters. Apologizes for not writing to him about private matters, but alludes to the fact that the custom in Europe (where Swan is) is for the post officers to open the mail, so he did not feel comfortable going into detail. Hopes very sincerely that Swan is able to extricate himself from financial difficulty and "avail yourself of the rising prosperity" of the United States. Mentions that he has been in Boston and Swan's wife and children are in perfect health. Discusses the new Constitution of the United States, explaining that the legislatures of New York and…

GLC02437.04068

7 March 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for sending his application to President Washington and also informs him that the Rhode Island state convention adjourned without discussing the question of whether or not to adopt the Constitution. Writes that "[t]his Extraordinary Step was warmly opposed, but without effect; Reason, Duty, necessity, and every other Argument was made use of, to no purpose." Feels that the Anti-federalist party is postponing the decision only to serve their own selfish motivations and secure their own representatives in the senate. Writes that "[t]he Convention in Order to Cover their design and…

GLC02437.04533

January 18, 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that the state legislature will be holding a convention "to determine on, the adopting, or rejecting, the General Government of the United States..." Writes that "[t]his decision gives us the Strongest reason to conclude that the measures and practices of that Set of men which have so long disturbed the Honor and Happiness of a respectable Body of Citizens are at an End, and we have every reason to hope by the Expiration of Two Months from this time, that Congress will have official Information that the State of Rhode Island is convinced of her Errors and will with heart and hand…

GLC02437.04474

31 May 1790

Sherburne, Henry, 1748-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sends Knox a copy of the "Ratification of the Constitution of the United States, by the Convention of this State on the 29th Inst. by a Majority of Two Votes." Copy not included. He goes on to say "this Important Business being now happily accomplished (tho not without the greatest difficulty) I hope this State will do every thing in her power to answer the most Sanguine wishes of the Friends to the Government." Again, asks for Knox's help in obtaining the position of "Office of Collector for the Newport District ..."

GLC02437.04621

21 June 1788

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sullivan, President of the New Hampshire Consittutional ratification convention, reports on the Constitution's progress: "I have the pleasure to inform you that our Convention have this moment adopted the New Constitution..." Address leaf indicates "from Poughkeepsie."

GLC02437.03905

24 December 1787

Parsons, Samuel H., 1737-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that "By a Resolution of Congress the Ohio Company are intitled to sink their military Rights in the Purchase to the Amount of the Seventh of the Purchase Monies" and asks for documents to facilitate that end. Notes that he has contracted with the Connecticut commissioners "to run the lines of their Reserve to the Indian Boundary." Asks if the military there can assist him, if "a Post will be establish'd next Season near the Mouth of the Cuyahoga, or whither Capt. Hutchins will be directed to take the Course of Lake Erie next Spring." Recommends Mr. [Manasseh?] Cutler to replace Mr.…

GLC02437.03737

29 December 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel H. Parsons [incomplete]

Discusses the possibility of granting lands to soldiers and officers by resolves of Congress. Explains how the lands may be granted and that some might be located in the Ohio territory, commenting, "it is not for me to determine what assistance you shall receive from the troops of the United States on the lines you are to run..." Also states his happiness that the new Constitution will likely be accepted, and considers the likelihood of ratification in several states.

GLC02437.03746