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.

Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03681 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 October 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25.5 x 17.4 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the Massachusetts legislature setting a date to meet and decide whether or not to ratify the Constitution. Mentions changing the date from "the 12 of December to the second Wednesday of January - the numbers present 161 - voted for the question 129 - Killam of Newbury port was very troublesome but he was so nice & so much upon the hair splitting plan that no body knows exactly what he would be at - write me what you hear respecting the business from the Southward -" Stamped "Boston."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

[draft]
Boston Oct 25 1787
Dr Sir
The House yesterday concurred with the Senate in the Convention business - only altering the time of meeting from the 12th. of December to the second Wednesday of January - the numbers present 161 - voted for the question 129 - Killiam of Newbury Port was very troublesome but he was so nice & so much upon the hair spliting plan that no body knew exactly what he would be at - write me what you hear respecting the business from the Southward - & believe me
to be Yours sincerly
N Gorham
Genl Knox

[address leaf]
Hon Henry Knox Esqr
Secretary at War
New York

[docket]
N Gorham Esqr
25 Octr 1787

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796
Killam, fl. 1787

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