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.

Morris, Lewis (1726-1798) to Col. Lewis Morris (son) re: debates over the Constitution

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01461 Author/Creator: Morris, Lewis (1726-1798) Place Written: Poughkeepsie Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1788/03/07 Pagination: 2 p. + addr 33 x 21 cm Order a Copy

Discusses the violent debates back-and-forth in Albany and New York, and writes that he believes the majority of New Yorkers are against the new Constitution.

Poughkeepsie March 7th 1788
To my great satisfaction my dear son the other day I received a letter from you dated at Auber [?] Jany 30th. It made me very happy to hear you and your family were well. You have made your mother [struck: very] rejoice at receiving the many good things you have lately sent her and she beged [sic] of me when I wrote you to thank you most sincerely and she says the rice is most incomparably good-- And at the same time I received yours one from Govr T. Pinckney requesting me to purchase for him a stallion for breed. You may depend nothing gives me greater pleasure than to render any service to your friends and more especially one who has been civil to you. If I should not have time to write him by this opportunity pray make my best respects to him and tell him I have not a doubt but that I shall be able to provide him with one and cheap. If I have time I will write him by this opportunity. If not you must let him know how it is [strike out]. I am of opinion that at most such a horse will not cost more than £80. Money is hard to be got and very scarce. This I find not knowing of any opportunity but as soon as I get home will write you a long letter-- Most violent parties prevail here. Federal and atifederal [sic]--so much so that the other day a piece was published in the Albany paper against the Mayor who is an antifederalist. He went to the printers and demanded the author. The printer asked two hours for to give an answer, which was granted. The printer then went to the author who told him lest he should not remember the name he would give it in writing. Then the Mayor came to the author who told the Mayor he avowed the Piece and would give him any satisfaction [inserted: he] would choose-- Your horses to southward have [2] performed very well indeed -- I [am] called on to make haste with my letter so I must conclude. I had like to have forgot I received a letter from James. He got to Falsmouth in twenty-eight days. He says he was not sick a moment and it blowed so hard that they often [insert: were] under the necessity of laying too [sic] tho' the wind was fair. And your Brother Valentine has returned home. I have not seen him but it is said he is a stout fellow and a good sailor-- The other day I had a letter from your Uncle Stats [?]. He begs to [be] remembered to you in [inserted: a] very affect. manner. I am heartily tired of [inserted: this] Damd [sic] place and thank God so are all the Legislator. Therefore I believe the next meeting will be N. York-- A convention will be called of this State the 17th of June next and they are to meet at this Place. I am afraid the majority are against-- Newhamshire [sic] have met and ajourned [sic] to June next-- Make my most affectionate love to Nancy the two dear Boys Mrs. Elliott Mrs. Hugis--
Yours Most Afly
Lewis Morris
[docket:]
Colonel Lewis Morris
Charleston
South Carolina

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources