1770-1819

Header Record

Title: Annapolis Convention: 20 letters & docs [decimalized]

Annapolis Convention member: [decimalized 02450.01-02450.20]

GLC02450

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

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