Ellsworth, Oliver (1745-1807) to Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00641 Author/Creator: Ellsworth, Oliver (1745-1807) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 March 1789 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 23.1 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Ellsworth, a Senator from Connecticut, reports to his wife, who he calls "Nabby," concerning the first Presidential election. States that "the Votes for the President-& Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of-General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter." States that a public building was erected and finished for the new national leaders.
Ellsworth served as a member of the Continental Congress 1778-1783 and as a delegate to the convention that framed the federal Constitution in 1787.
New York March 8. 1789-
Dear Mrs. Ellsworth,
You will be glad to hear that I arrived here safely in three days from Hartford, & that I am accommodated with the lodgings in a good family-
Most of the Members from the Eastern States are arrived, but mot a Sufficient number yet from the Southward to proceed to business-. I employ my time, as I presume a number of others do, in looking into and preparing for the business we are soon to enter upon. The votes for the President & Vice-President are not yet opened, but there is no doubt of General Washington's being chosen to the first office & Mr. John Adams of Boston to the latter.-
No pains have been spared by the inhabitants of this place to provide for the reception of Congress & to render their stay here agreeable. [2] A publick building has been erected & finished [inserted: for them] in a very short time, at the expense of fifteen thousand pounds, which does honor to the City & surpasses in elegance any building in this Country- I wish the business expected to be transacted in it may be as well done and as universally admired as the house is-
You have the kind remembrance of Doctr Johnson & his Lady, who are in heaviness for the loss of their daughter that was married here. Her funeral was attending the moment I arrived- - That your life & health & that of the dear children may be preserved you will readily believe is the daily petition of an affectionate friend
Olivr: Ellsworth
You may let Chauncey know
I shall not have occasion for}
him as the family in which}
I live incline to furnish me}
with what- attendance I want
Mrs. Ellsworth.-
[docket]
Hartford March 13, 1789
[address leaf]
Mrs. Nabby Ellsworth
Windsor
Connecticut
Free
Olivr Ellsworth.
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