King, Rufus (1755-1827) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03774 Author/Creator: King, Rufus (1755-1827) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 January 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 32.5 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
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.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
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.
[draft]
Boston Sunday 27 Jan - 88
Dear General
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 - yesterday's centinel [sic] contains a proposal for a conditional Ratification, said to have come from Sullivan, The Opposition give it some Countenance - I mention the Circumstance rather to shew that our Opponents are not so confident of their Numbers, since hitherto they have reprobated the Suggestion of Amendments and insisted among their Party on a total Rejection of the Constitution -
From motives of Policy we have not taken any Question which has divided the [2] House, or shewn the strength of sides -
Hancock is still confined, he appears to me to wish well the Constitution but don't care to risque any thing in its favor - Gerry has not returned, & no motion has been made to reinvite him - We shall probably continue Ten or Twelve days longer together before the Question receives its Fate - Farewel[l] R King
Genl Knox
[address leaf]
Geneeral Knox
New York
[docket]
Boston 27 Jany. 1788.
Rufus King Esqr
[free frank stamp on the address leaf]
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