Autograph Letter Signed

Approval of Constitution

Constitution debated, many man unhappy with its contents.

1788

06

13

New York

Benjamin Lincoln

Henry Knox

Samuel Ogden

Faesh

New York

Boone town

Morris town

Rhode Island

Virginia

Constitution

approval

ratification

1788061300001

1

4

New York 13 June 1788 [notation in another hand in upper right corner:] 2.
My dear Sir
I received your favor of the 6th instant
and its enclosure by the post last evening, and it
will be forwarded to Mr Faesh to morrow so that
he will receive it on the same day. He resides
at Booneton, about 9 miles east of Morris Town
the same place formerly occupied by Mr Saml
Ogden.
The proposed constitution seems to
be as well received as could have been conjectured
by the most sanguine. The proposition was complex
in itself and subject to a thousand misrepresentations.
It is not suprizing that it has had its
enemies. Mankind are infinitely deversified
in their situations and faculties, and being
constrained by local circumstances to view
the same
same object through different mediums and
with different apparatus, it is no wonder that
their conceptions and opinions should be different.
Happy indeed is it for the public and I hope
for posterity that so many states have already
agreed to it and that none have rejected
excepting Rhode Island. The conduct of
the majority of that state - The insurrections of
Massachusetts, and the opposition to the impost
by New York have been the corrosive means
of rousing america to an attention to her liberties -
Thank Heaven a government is proposed which
in case of a storm will sheild the principle
of liberty and its votaries from the rude attacks
of anarchy and tyranny.
Eight States have already adopted
the Constitution, and there is good reason to believe
that Virginia will also receive it on the plan of
Massachusetts - You may cherish the hope
my dear
dear friend that by the 4th of July you will receive
the information that Virginia is the 9th State
which has ratified the Constitution
How far Virginia's acceptance will
influence the conduct of this state is uncertain
as the Antifederalists have a decided Majority of
47 out of 66. Their present policy appears to
be to postpone to a distant day. This will be
more deadly than a rejection, and they mean
it shall have that operation - In every event
however of their conduct they will find 3/7ths
of the state as ready to oppose them as they
seem inclined to believe, the minorities of the other
states will be to support them
The real disposition of New
Hampshire seems to be concealed - we cannot
learn any thing decisive respecting her intentions.
Should she reject the constitution, she would be
blind indeed! North Carolina will follow Virginia -
permit me
my
my dear friend to congratulate you on the
affection manifested for you by your fellow
Citizens on your late election to the office of
Lieut Governor. Mrs Knox presents her
love to you, and I hope to take you by the
hand in Boston in about 3 weeks time
In the mean time
I am your truly
sincere friend
H Knox
Genl Lincoln
[Docket in margin in another hand]
Gen. Knox
June 13 1788