Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03684 Author/Creator: King, Rufus (1755-1827) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 October 1787 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 23.3 x 18.7 cm.

Summary of Content: 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." Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Background Information: Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

William Cushing (1732-1810) was a longtime judge on the Massachussets Supreme Court. In 1789, he would be one of the first justices appointed by George ...Washington to the United States Supreme Court.See More

Full Transcript: [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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People: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
King, Rufus, 1755-1827

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: US ConstitutionRevolutionary War GeneralRatificationFederalistsGovernment and CivicsJudiciaryRebellionFreedom and IndependencePolitics

Sub Era: Creating a New Government

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