Historic archive comprising seven newspapers and a three-volume set of leatherbound books, covering the Constitutional Convention, ratification of the Constitution by various states, and considerations for a Bill of Rights. Includes:
(1.) Massachusetts Centinel, Boston, August 1, 1787.
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia: “The Federal Convention have acquired a large share of the confidence of this city; and there is little doubt of our taking the lead in adopting such a government as they shall recommend. General Washington presides in the Convention with his usual dignity - The venerable Dr. Franklin attends it daily, and is contributing his experience and knowledge to assist his country in her present crisis - Mr. Dickinson, it is said, has turned his thoughts for some time past to the business of the Convention, and intends to offer them to his country . . .” Report from New Haven about the arrival of Roger Sherman (a delegate to the Federal Convention) from Philadelphia: “We only learn, in general, that a happy and auspicious unanimity prevails in their councils, and that they will, probably, finish the important business entrusted to them, by the beginning of September.”
(2.) The Providence Gazette and Country Journal, April 5, 1788.
Massachusetts Constitutional Convention (debates about slavery, habeas corpus, judiciary power and right to a fair trial by jury, system of government, speech of Mr. Adams). Report about reaction to the proposed constitution from Philadelphia. Highly critical report about the “real State of the proposed Constitution, in the United States” as “ADOPTED by the delinquent counties of Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Georgia” - “in the State of Pennsylvania it was adopted by an illegal mob Convention” - “New York Convention meets 17th of June, except in the city there are no advocates for it . . .” - much more criticism and claims of fraud. Excerpt of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations concerning the Advantages of the Division of Labour. Report from Albany about approval of the Constitution in Schaghticoke.
(3). The Middlesex Gazette, Or, Federal Adviser, Middletown, CT, August 11, 1788.
NEW-YORK, August 1. Ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the State of New York. Full text of resolution ratifying the Constitution of the United States of America, done in Convention at Poughkeepsie, NY on the 26th day of July, 1788, signed by George Clinton, President. Resolution reaffirms several impressions and rights laying the foundation of the Bill of Rights, such as protection of freedom of the press, jury trials, right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures, right of assembly, and others. Speech of Gilbert Livingston in support of the Constitution, with the caveat that “I will steadily persevere, in every possible means to secure this desirable object a revision of the Constitution.” [According to a later historical account, Livingston said he would only support ratification if amendments were made. Ultimately, he voted for ratification, confident that the desired amendments would eventually be approved. The vote in Poughkeepsie was thirty (30) to twenty-seven (27), which was the closest ratification vote of any state, with many delegates reluctant to break with Governor Clinton (who opposed ratification). Livingston called his vote to ratify the most difficult political decision of his life, and he later felt vindicated once a bill of rights was proposed by Congress and ratified by the states]. Report from New York about the anticipated first meeting of Congress, with competing proposals that such meeting should occur in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York - “this interesting topic is not yet dismissed.” Chevalier John Paul Jones appointed by the empress of Russia to the position of Rear Admiral to command a squadron on the black sea. Good condition separated pages at spine.
(4.) Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 11, 1788.
Report of letter concerning Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, with commentary on the quality of the speeches. Marine accident in Southampton, Long-Island.
(5.) The Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer, Hartford, CT, July 20, 1789.
James Madison presses for consideration of the Bill of Rights, emphasizing that the matter should be considered “to quiet the apprehension of a great many persons, respecting the securing of certain rights, which it was supposed, were not sufficiently guarded” - “the freedom of the press and the rights of conscience, those choicest flowers in the prerogative of the people, are not guarded by the British Constitution.” “The rights of conscience; liberty of the press; and trial by jury, should be so secured, as to put it out of the power of the Legislature.”
(6.) The Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer, Hartford, CT, August 31, 1789, “AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.”
This is the historically significant Report of Mr. John Vining of Delaware and the Committee “to whom it was referred to take the subject of Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, generally into their consideration.” Vining's report begins: "IN the introductory paragraph before the words, 'We the people,' add, 'Government being intended for the benefit of the people, and the rightful establishment thereof being derived from their authority alone.'" It goes on to enumerate revisions to the proposed Bill of Rights, in part: "Art. 1, sec. 9 — Between par. 2 and 3 insert, 'No religion shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed.' 'The freedom of speech, and of the press, and the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to apply to the government for redress of grievances, shall not be infringed.' 'A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms.' 'No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.' Also includes a Special Message to Congress from George Washington, signed in type, calling for the creation of a commission to address differences with Indian Tribes of the southern district, and declaring in classic terms: “While the measures of government ought to be calculated to protect its citizens from all injury and violence, a due regard should be extended to those Indian Tribes, whose happiness, in the course of events, so materially depends on the national justice and humanity of the United States.” Proceedings of Congress, including report of bill for allowing compensation to The President and Vice President of the United States for their services, enrolled bill for establishing an executive department, namely Department of foreign affairs [State Department]. Debate about proposed creation of the “Home Department.” The President signed the bill establishing the Department of Foreign affairs [State Department].
(7.) The Connecticut Courant and Weekly Intelligencer, Hartford, September 7, 1789.
Proceedings of Congress, House of Representatives, Sketch of the Debate on Amendments to the Constitution. Debate about the preamble - “Government being intended for the benefit of the people” - which was supported by three states and Madison: “the proposed amendment is a truth.” Madison later observed: “the design of the amendments is to conciliate the minds of the people to the government.” Mr. Livermore proposed “Congress shall make no laws touching religion of the rights of conscience.” More debate about freedom of speech, and the press, right to peaceably assemble, right to apply to the government for redress of grievances. Madison further observed that “I wish that the amendments may consist of an enumeration of simple and acknowledged principles” and he sought to avoid doubtful propositions. He added: “the press shall be free and the people shall have the same freedom of speech and petitioning.”
(8). Wilson’s Works, 1804, 3 volume set. James Wilson (September 14, 1742 - August 21, 1798) was an American statesman, politician, legal scholar, and Founding Father who served as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1789 to 1798. He was elected twice to the Continental Congress, was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence and was a major participant in drafting the United States Constitution. A leading legal theorist, he was one of the six original justices appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court of the United States. In his capacity as first professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, he taught the first course on the new Constitution to President Washington and his Cabinet in 1789 and 1790. One cover loose.
