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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03774 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0083] January-March 1788 |
| Title | Rufus King to Henry Knox about ratification of the constitution in Massachusetts |
| Date | 27 January 1788 |
| Author | King, Rufus (1755-1827) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Government document |
| Content Description | King writes from the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Declares, "Our hopes do not diminish, although our confidence is not complete- The opposition are less positive of their strength, & those few among them who are honest & capable of Reflection appear uneasy concerning the Fate of the Question..." Mentions a proposal published in the [Massachusetts] Centinel for a conditional ratification. Writes, "[John] Hancock is still confined, he appears to me to wish well to the Constitution but don't care to risque any thing in its favor." Notes that Elbridge Gerry left and has not been reinvited (Gerry, an Antifederalist, previously sat in at the Massachusetts convention). "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature. Signatory of the U.S. Constitution. |
| Subjects | US Constitution Ratification Revolutionary War General Government and Civics Politics Federalists Journalism Health and Medical |
| People | King, Rufus (1755-1827) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Hancock, John (1737-1793) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Creating a New Government; Government & Politics |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Rufus King was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress (1784-1787) and a delegate to the 1787 Federal Convention, where he signed the Constitution. He later served as a U.S. senator and minister to Great Britain. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide Download PDF |