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Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03604 Author/Creator: Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 July 1787 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 22.5 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Briefly discusses events concerning mutual friends. Emphasizes his support for the idea of a stronger federal government. States, "I fully agree with you in the necessity of a National Government & hope that a system, in some measure resembling ours, will be adopted, which operating upon the large scale must, in a relative view, reduce the powers of each state to that of our Counties, such a government in my humble opinion would extend its authority over all these petty states & increase in the proportion as they are ... " Adds that a strong central government will help quash rebellion. Also writes that "we have experienced a dangerous insurrection arising from in some part a jealousy between the Country interest & that of Sea Ports, happily however by a fair discussion of this subject in the late session, … the enmity entirely subsided ... " Also discusses [Robert] Morris's narrow extrication from financial collapse.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Breck, Samuel, 1747-1809
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

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