Rufus King to Henry Knox about politics - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.03684
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0082] October-December 1787
Title	Rufus King to Henry Knox about politics
Date	28 October 1787
Author	King, Rufus (1755-1827)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Informs Knox that Henry Jackson will send him the "Resolve for calling a convention and tell you every thing relative to the situation of public affairs with more precision and particulars than is in my power." Discusses his efforts in advocating for the passage of the Constitution, such as speaking to the representatives from Maine, and trying to correct "some ill impression" they received. Also mentions the advocacy work some judges are doing in support of passage: "[William] Cushing the Chief Justice gave a solemn charge last week in Bristol to the Grand Jury, enlarged upon our distressed situation, the Danger of Anarchy, and the well founded fear that we might yet lose our Freedom for want of Government and concluded in favor of the adoption of the Report of the Convention."
Subjects	US Constitution Revolutionary War General Ratification Federalists Government and Civics Judiciary Rebellion Freedom and Independence Politics
People	Knox, Henry (1750-1806) King, Rufus (1755-1827)
Place written	Boston, Massachusetts
Theme	Creating a New Government; Government & Politics; Law
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Signer of the U.S. Constitution. William Cushing (1732-1810) was a longtime judge on the Massachusetts Supreme Court. In 1789, he would be one of the first justices appointed by George Washington to the United States Supreme Court.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Boston 28 Oct. 87 Dr. Genl. Genl. Jackson will send you the Resolve for calling a convention and tell you every thing relative to the situation of public affairs with more precision and particulars than is in my power. I am laboring in my way - and I doubt not that others labor against me - but I cannot discover any person of consequence in this quarter who stands wrong - last Evening I spent in preaching on the Report of the Convention to the Representatives of Main[e], they had received some ill impression, I hope and believe that I removed some Difficulties - [2] on the whole, judging from the conversation I hear & bear a part in, & from the [complexion] of a numerous House of Reps. I think if the Question was before this Legislature that it wd be carried by a great majority - but what may happen between this time & the meeting of the Convention I know not - the Judges of the surpreme Court are in favor - Dana is zealous in favor of the plan - Cushing the Chief Justice gave a solemn charge last [3] week in Bristol to the Grand Jury, enlarged upon our distressed situation, the Danger of Anarchy, and the well founded fear that we might yet lose our Freedom for want of Government and concluded in favor of the adoption of the Report of the Convention - this Charge will be repe[a]ted on Tuesday at Cambridge - Farewel[l] R King Genl. Knox [docket] The hon Mr King 28 Octr/87

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