King, Rufus (1755-1827) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03899 Author/Creator: King, Rufus (1755-1827) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 June 1788 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
King, who had served as part of the Massachusetts ratification convention, discusses the government of Massachusetts. Writes, "Every account must confirm to you the information of the surprising change in this Government- perhaps at no Time has there been more able and honest men in the administration of this State- the conviction of the necessity of good & efficient Government pervades every part of the State, and the Federal Government will be as affectionately supported by the People of this Commonwealth as by any people in the Union…" Comments on the Constitutional ratification conventions in New Hampshire and Virginia. Referring to ratification in New York, writes "The Federalists will have hard work…"
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 16 June 1788
Dear General,
[draft]
Boston 16 June 1788
Dear General,
Every account must confirm to you the information of the surprising change in this Government - perhaps at no Time has there been more able and honest men in the administration of this state - the conviction of the necessity of good & efficient Government pervades every part of the state, and the federal Government will be as affectionately supported by the People of this Commonwealth as by any people in the Union - New Hampshire meets on Wednesday and we are taught to believe that they will complete the work already nearly accomplished - We yet hear nothing from Virginia; my hopes overbalance my fears, - and I sincerely wish that I may not be disappointed -- Mrs. King accompanies me on Tuesday to Newby.Port, we shall go on to Portsmouth and return here in about a fortnight[.]
The Federalists will have hard work in NYork. I have not forgotten the necessity of communicating the Decision of N Hampshire (if favorable) to Poughkeepsie -
Farewel[l]
RKing
Genl. Knox
[address leaf]
General Knox
New York
[docket]
Rufus King Esqr.
16 June 1788.
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