Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03767 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 20, 1788 Pagination: 10 p. : docket Height: 29.8 cm, Width: 18.4 cm Order a Copy

Discusses the debt of Mr. Swan, possibly Colonel James Swan. Gives details of the Massachusetts ratifying convention, noting that "the printers are allow'd seats in the house for the purpose of taking down and publishing the debates from day to day..." Declares, "It is astonishing to see the weight of respectability, integrity, [property], & ability on the side of the proposed constitution, and on the other side the ----- ------ characters that oppose it..." Includes a list of the number of Federalists and Anti-federalists at the convention by county. Notes that [Elbridge] Gerry is sitting in on debates to answer questions, but has been taking minutes, which Jackson and others consider "indelicate on his part." Relates that if Samuel Adams chooses to express his opposition, "he will say but little, as the meeting of the mechanicks of this Town & their proceedings must and will have an influence over him..." Relates that Samuel Adams's son recently died, as did Benjamin Lincoln, Jr.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Swan, James, 1754-1830
Adams, Samuel Jr., fl. 1788
Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803
Lincoln, Benjamin, Jr., -1788

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources