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 #: GLC02437.09886 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796) Place Written: Charlestown, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 January 1788 Pagination: 2 p. ; 29.6 x 17.7 cm. Order a Copy

Gorham signs with his initials. Discusses the ongoing Massachusetts Convention to ratify the Constitution. Applauds the resolutions of the "Boston Trades men" and asks Knox to see that they are published in New York, as they will convert or silence the delegates there. Analyzes the prospects for ratification, enclosing a list of names [not present] of supporters, opposers, and undecided delegates. Says whoever wins will do so by only a small majority. Warns that the "temper which creates the difficulty here ought to alarm all the other States who wish for good Government." Describes a heated exchange between [Elbridge] Gerry and [Francis] Dana over Gerry's right to speak at the Convention as a representative for Cambridge.

Gorham, a signer of the Constitution, was one of the Federalist delegates to the Massachusetts Convention. He notes that this letter was written on "Sunday noon." According to the Massachusetts volumes of "The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution," the letter was written 20 January 1788.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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