12 January 1863

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Pamphlet

Title: [Message of the President from Jefferson Davis to the Confederate Congress]

Annual message in which Davis discusses the state of the war. Comments on the simultaneous advance by Federal troops on two fronts and assures Congress that the Confederate armies will repulse them. Mentions the reasons for the Civil War, arguing that they date back to the Articles of Confederation.

GLC08488

1779

Hamilton, A. Jr., fl. 1769-1785

Magazine

Title: Town and country magazine or Universal Repository of Knowledge, Instruction and Entertainment for the Year 1779. [Vol 11, (1779)]

11th annual volume of a periodical journal that resembles the Gentleman's Magazine and London Magazine in format and style. 12 monthly issues plus supplement for 1779 containing reports on the War of Independence. Issues are not bound together. Includes many engraved plates. Printed for A. Hamilton, Jr. The March issue reprints the Declaration of Independence (p.148-150), and the April issue the Articles of Confederation (p. 206-209).

GLC08686

July 10, 1778

Hosmer, Titus, 1736-1780

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Law

Relays news that the Compte d' Estaing had set sail with a fleet for Delaware or Chesapeake Bay and that a British fleet has set out to intercept them. Today they were informed that d'Estaing arrived near Maryland three days earlier and set off for Sandy Hook. Notes that war had been declared in Paris against England and French troops were in transit toward America. Comments on the recent passage of the Articles of Confederation in Congress.

GLC01069

8 May 1779

Greene, William, 1731-1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Appointment of John Collins as a Rhode Island delegate to the general congress]

Signed by Greene as governor of Rhode Island, countersigned by Henry Ward as secretary of state. Commissions Collins to represent Rhode Island in the general congress in Philadelphia until ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

GLC00997

1778

Book

Title: Recueil des loix constitutives des colonies [french compilation of US documents]

French compilation of documents relating to American independence and self-rule, including state constitutions. Includes Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation. Dedicated to Franklin.

GLC01720

1784

Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Pamphlet

Title: The Articles of Confederation; the Declaration of Rights; The Constitution of this Commonwealth, and the Articles of the Definitive Treaty Between Great-Britian and the United States of America.

First Virginia printing. Swem 7430. Stab stitched. Not fully opened

GLC00716

July 14, 1786

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Comments on an impending lawsuit. Discusses Virginia Governor Patrick Henry's recent request to Congress for assistance against the Indians and the problems it poses for the federal government : "as the ultimate decision of Congress upon the propositions presented to them in a report...hath been contrary to the sense of the State and may perhaps be the subject of investigation as to its propriety upon the principles of the federal compact." Describes the present states of the government as deranged. Also discusses the accusation that he might have a personal interest in the lands…

GLC00529.01

15 June 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Manuscript document

Title: [New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation....

"Jersey" -docket on p.8. Full transcript of the New Jersey Plan in hand of Robert Lansing, Jr.. Charles Hamilton thought this document might be written in the hand of Spaight, but SK identified later as John Lansing, Jr.

GLC00819.07

15 June 1787

Butler, Pierce, 1744-1822

Manuscript document

Title: [New Jersey plan]: Resolved that the Articles of Confederation.... [partial]

In Butler's hand. A partial transcription of the New Jersey plan.

GLC00819.08

16 June 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Chevalier [Francois Jean] de Chastellux

Discusses the character of the people of the new nation and hopes that the central government will be strong to prevent anarchy.

GLC02437.02165

21 December 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes, "The insurgents who were assembled at Worcester in Massachusetts have disbanded- The people at Boston seem to be glad at this event and say it was the effect of fear- But the fact is that the insurgents effected their object, which was to prevent the Court of Common Pleas from proceeding to business. It is probable that the seizing some of the insurgents at Middlesex occasioned a greater number of them to assemble at Worcester than otherwise would have assembled merely on Account of preventing the common Pleas." Adds that it appears that the government planned to bring the…

GLC02437.03385

21 January 1785

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington [incomplete]

Comments on a recent trip Washington took to his western lands. Expresses relief that Washington did not travel as far west as he originally planned due to "the indians being in a bad temper." Referring to settlers on Washington's lands, writes "You must have been chagrined to have found your Lands possessed by a... people who hold in contempt equity- the first principle of Society." Discusses disunity among the states, writing, "We are entirely destitute of those traits which should Stamp us one nation- and the Constitution of Congress does not seem to promise any capital alteration for…

GLC02437.03087

23 October 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to George Washington

Writes that he hopes to be able to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon soon. Is convinced of the General's affection for him and feels sure that his limited correspondence will not be misconstrued; is aware that responding to too many letters can be difficult, and he has been traveling to and from Massachusetts on both public and private business, which has prevented him from writing. Argues that the political system currently in place is inadequate: "The powers of Congress are utterly inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things…

GLC02437.03319

1770-1819

Header Record

Title: Annapolis Convention: 20 letters & docs [decimalized]

Annapolis Convention member: [decimalized 02450.01-02450.20]

GLC02450

1786/08/09

Bowdoin, James, 1726-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

The Governor of Massachusetts asks Gerry to attend a meeting for the selection of state representatives for the Annapolis Convention, where matters of interstate commerce in regard to the restrictions in the Articles of Confederation would be discussed. Implies the need for Gerry to serve, because "the council" had concluded there could "be no such representation, unless some of the Gentleman appointed for that purpose by the General Court, accept the appointment." The meeting was scheduled for the following day, in the Massachusetts senate chamber. A draft of Gerry's response dated 11…

GLC02450.03

1786/08/28

Cushing, Thomas, 1725-1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts urges Gerry, as one of the men selected to represent their state at the upcoming Annapolis Convention, to make arrangements to attend. Discusses confusion and problems in confirming that the state will have representatives in Annapolis. Gerry's drafted response dated 28 August 1786 explains that "it is not in [his] power to proceed on the Business of the Convention." His explanation refers to a meeting mentioned in GLC02450.03.

GLC02450.06

1787

Varnum, James M., fl. 1787

Book

Title: The case of Trevett against Weeden: On Information and Complaint,....

Evans 20825, Kress B1355, Sabin 98638. The legal case tested the powers of the Articles of Confederation to the right of Trial by Jury.

GLC02443

26 December 1786

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lamenting Shays' Rebellion, writes "I feel, my dear Genl. Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these States. Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them!" Alludes to "combustibles in every State, which a spark might set fire to." Notes that Virginia is (at the moment) calm, but worries over disputes regarding navigation of the Mississippi. Discusses an amendment to the existing Constitution regarding paper emissions and military certificates. Expresses sadness regarding the recent death of General…

GLC02437.09409

3 February 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to the constitutional rights of Massachusetts. Also discusses insurgents in that state (Shays' Rebellion was losing momentum). Relates in confidence that he does not want to go to the Constitutional Convention (to be held in Philadelphia) but that convention organizers have included him and implored him not to make a final decision regarding whether or not he will attend. Admits that "powers are wanting" in government, but takes a pessimistic view, wondering how such powers shall be derived. Comments that Knox's opinion, to build a central national government, is energetic and…

GLC02437.09410

2 April 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relates reasons for not wanting to attend the Constitutional Convention, including the possibility that all states might not attend (rendering representation partial). Notes that if all Delegates attend with the power to address and cure the defects of the Constitution, the Convention will be a worthwhile endeavor. Asks Knox to find out from his friends in Congress the degree of power Delegates will possess. Also asks him to probe for others' views regarding his attendance (or non-attendance). Hopes to see Knox in Philadelphia before the Convention (Knox will be there for a Society of the…

GLC02437.09412

15 October 1787

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter to Henry Knox, discussing the Constitution, its level of support and the level of wisdom and foresight possesed by the Constitution's authors. Admits the document may have flaws, but believes it should be accepted, and then fixed as time goes on. "The Constitution is now before the Judgement Seat - It has, as was expected, its adversaries, and its supporters: which will preponderate, is yet to be decided. The former it is probable will be most active: because the major part of them it is to be feared will be governed by Sinister and Self important considerations on…

GLC02437.09316

1777

Massachusetts. General Court

Pamphlet

Title: Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, ...

Full title, Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. John Gill printing based upon the Lancaster, Penn. printing, by order of the Massachusetts General Assembly. Folio, stab-stitched as issued. Including 4 page printed notice to Massachusetts residents concerning bills of credit. Evans 15623.

GLC00268

June 17, 1782

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

News of the War in West Indies, situation at Charleston, S.C., plight of Pendleton's nephew, a British prisoner there, acknowledgment of U.S. Independence by the Dutch (John Adams, Ambassador), powers of Congress, settlement of pre-war merchant debt, finances of Virginia and war debt. Mentions: West Indies, Richmond (Va.), Count Rochambeau, Count De Grasse, Military rumors, Baltimore (Md.), Gen. Greene, Charleston (S.C.), Harry Pendleton, Gen. Leslie, Lord Cornwallis, trade with Britain, Powers of Congress, War debt.

GLC00099.090

March 15, 1783

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: concerns over the finances of the United States

Concerns over the finances of the United States and of Virginia, public debt, elections.

GLC00099.108

April 14, 1783

Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: need for a strong Federal government

Necessity for a strong Federal government, settlement of loans and elections, urges John Taylor of Caroline for Congress.

GLC00099.110