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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03780 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0083] January-March 1788 |
| Title | Rufus King to Henry Knox about ratification of the constitution in Massachusetts |
| Date | 3 February 1788 |
| Author | King, Rufus (1755-1827) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Government document |
| Content Description | King discusses details of the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Reports that [John] Hancock supports the Constitution, and the Federalists rally behind Hancock's plan. Relates that Elbridge Gerry, who sat in on the Massachusetts convention for a short time, has remained nearby but has not been invited back to the convention. Expects the decision for ratification to be made in five or six days. Declares, "You will be astonished when you see the list of names, that such an Union of men has taken place on this Question- Hancock will hereafter receive the universal support of [James] Bowdoin's Friends, and we tell him that if Virginia does not unite, which is problematical that he is considered as the only fair candidate for President." Signatory of the U.S. Constitution. |
| Subjects | US Constitution Ratification Revolutionary War General Government and Civics Politics Federalists President |
| People | King, Rufus (1755-1827) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Hancock, John (1737-1793) Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Bowdoin, James (1726-1790) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Creating a New Government; Government & Politics; The Presidency |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | 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. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide Download PDF |