Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Robert R. Livingston
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03793 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 February 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 33.6 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Original of GLC02437.03790. Knox relates details of the Massachusetts ratifying convention: "On Wednesday the 30th ultimo, Mr. Hancock was well enough to take his seat in the convention. On Thursday he brought forward the proposition for adopting the Constitution, and for recommending certain alterations agreeably to the paper herein enclosed [not included]. The propositions were seconded by Mr. Samuel Adams, and committed to a large committee being Federalists." Notes that the friends of Hancock and [James] Bowdoin have united on the issue. Reports, "Handsome things are said of the open and decisive conduct of Mr. Hancock and also of Mr. S. Adams, notwithstanding his neutrality in the first part of the business."
[draft]
N York Sunday 10 Feby 1788
Dear Sir
I send you the summary of my last information from Boston and I hope [struck: by next thursday] [inserted: in a few days] to felicitate you on the adoption of the consideration by Massachusetts
On Wednesday the 30th ultimo Mr Hancock was well enough to take his seat in the convention - On thursday he brought forward the motion for adopting the constitution and for recommending certain [struck: am] [inserted: alterations] agreably to the paper herein enclosed - [struck: These] This motion was seconded by Mr [struck: S] Adams, and committed to a committee [2] to a [inserted: large] committee [inserted: of] two from each county a majority of whom were federalists. As the motion and [recommendatory] alterations were the mature production of the federalists there cannot be [struck: much] [inserted: a] doubt [struck: had] of committee [inserted: will] reporting in favor of the ratification and amendments as they stand stated in the papers
The final question [struck: would] [inserted: was] most certainly put in the convention some where between the 5th & 8th instant - The Gentlemen of the Convention and other friends who [struck: have] wrote me on the 3d had not a doubt with respect to the [3] success of the question, although they did not flatter themselves with a large majority -
A most perfect union was effected between the friends of Mr Hancock and Bowdoin. [struck: All of whom speak] Handsome [inserted: things are said] of the open and decisive conduct of Mr Hancock, and also of Mr S Adam, notwithstanding his [struck: equable] [inserted: neutrality] in the first part of the business - please to let Mr Benson see this letter [strikeout]
I am with Great
Esteem Dear Sir
Your very humble ser
HKnox
Chancellor Livingston.
[docket]
To
Chancellor Livingston
10th Feby 1788
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.