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Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03754 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 January 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 30.4 cm, Width: 18.7 cm Order a Copy

Discusses the Massachusetts convention scheduled to meet in February to decide on ratification of the Constitution of the United States. Relates that the Boston Delegates to the state convention dined with [James] Bowdoin the previous Thursday. Discusses the aftermath of [Samuel] Adams's opposition to ratification. Reports that Nantucket "from their foolish religious whims will not send to the establishment of a Government which has a right to raise armies... so five votes are lost- when they will be needed enough- for from several untoward circumstances the elections have gone wrong in several places that were considered as sure..." Also mentions that the opposition (to the Constitution) of James Winthrop and Oliver Prescot[t] "has had a very bad effect in this County... it will be tight work but I will not despair." Location inferred.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803
Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790
Winthrop, James, 1752-1821
Prescott, Oliver, 1762-1827

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