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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03852 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0084] April-June 1788 |
| Title | Henry Jackson to Henry Knox discussing their mutual friend James Swan and the Massachusetts election |
| Date | 20 April 1788 |
| Author | Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Government document |
| Content Description | Recently heard news that their mutual friend, James Swan, arrived in France. His wife, Hepzibah Clark Swan, is still in America and hopes James will send for her. Jackson doubts he will be able to, noting "...I am sure his Finances are not sufficient to support it, that is, if he has left with me a true statement of his affairs." Refers to the Massachusetts election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Reports that their mutual friend, "the General," has 3/5 of the vote (referring to Benjamin Lincoln and the election for Lieutenant Governor). Of Massachusetts legislature, writes "Our Senate will be charming it will be Federal to a fault, this gives great satisfaction to the man of influence & property and will be a very great check to an Anti- and Insurgent lower House." Marked "private" on the address leaf. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Friendship Marriage Women's History Finance Debt France Global History and Civics Politics Government and Civics Election Federalists US Constitution Ratification Mobs and Riots Rebellion Shays' Rebellion |
| People | Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Swan, James (1754-1831) Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Women in American History; Creating a New Government |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | In the late 1780s, oppressed with heavy debts, Colonel Swan went to Paris with letters of introduction to Lafayette and other prominent men and eventually worked his way into a partnership in the firm of Dallarde, Swan et Compagnie, one of the firms that furnished supplies to the new French government after the French Revolution. When a business partner filed suit against him in 1808, Swan chose to go to a high-class debtor's prison at St. Pelagie instead of settling the claim. He stayed there for 22 years and died in 1831, just one year after his release. Hepzibah had lived in the house in Dorchester until her death in 1825 (from the Dorchester Atheneum). |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |