The Undersigned, Agents of the State of New York on the one and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the other Part, having mutually agreed under the Direction of Congress that the Honorable Robert Hanson Harrison of the State of Maryland Esqr., the honorable John Rutledge of the State of South Carolina Esqr., the Honorable George Wythe, the honorable William Grayson, the honorable James...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Elbridge Gerry and Others, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor of addressing this by our worthy friend, the honorable Mr. Sayre, who was formerly Sheriff of London. The active part, which at the commencement of the revolution, he took in favor of America, is, we presume, too well known to you, to require a relation: and the loss he sustained, in consequence of his opposition to the british ministry, is not less a matter of general...
3To John Adams from Rufus King, 2 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
A confidential intimacy with our common friend M r. Gerry, with whom I have served during the last year has given me full information of the correspondence which has lately passed between you and him: and it is in consequence of a Sentence in your last letter to M r. Gerry, that I take the Liberty of addressing this to you— if M r. Gerry remained in Congress, I should suppose that the...
4To John Adams from Rufus King, 4 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to write to you under date of the second of November, at which time the congress of the last year was at the point of seperation to make way for their successors— states sufficient to form a new Congress did not assemble until the 23 d. ult, when they proceeded to the choice of a President, and M r. Hancock, although absent, was elected— whether he will accept the Appointment...
5To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r. Hancock has accepted as President of Congress and will be here in a few days; Seven States have been represented for a few days only since November commenced— Six states only are now represented, I inclose a list of the Names of the Delegates— A Bill passed the house of representatives of massachusetts during their autumn Session, repealing all the Laws preventing the Return or Residence...
6To John Adams from Rufus King, 1 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
Seven States only have been represented in congress since October, of consequence very few questions of national importance have been under the examination of this Assembly— The meetings of the Legislatures have probably detained many of the Delegates, but it is expected, that Ten States will, within a short period, be represented—There is some ground to expect that several of the Southern...
7To John Adams from Rufus King, 2 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
M r. Alsop of this city, whom you must recollect as a delegate from this State to congress in 1775 & 1776, and whose daughter I have lately married, requests me to ask your Opinion, “whether a Refugee, whose Estate has been confiscated here, and to an amount exceeding that of his Debts, can by the British laws, or the Treaty of peace between G. Britain & the united States of america, be...
8To John Adams from Rufus King, 4 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
By the January Packet I was honored with your letter of the 23. of December, and by M r. Anstey who arrived in the February Packet, I received your’s of the 22. of January: I pray you to accept my acknowledgments for these Kind attentions, and to be assured that if any communications in my power concerning our common country, will afford you any information, the pleasure of transmitting them,...
9To John Adams from Rufus King, 5 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
It has undoubtedly been said in England that the act of congress of the 15. of February relative to the federal Revenues, is full proof that the united States are in the utmost confusion, and that the Union is nearly dissolved— ignorant as the People of England still are of the Genius and Temper of the Citizens of America, it will not be extraordinary that such Opinions should be fondly...
10To John Adams from Rufus King, 3 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
You will undoubtedly hear much of the tumultuous and irregular conduct of a considerably numerous class of people in the western counties of massachusetts— the same temper which appears to have collected these illegal Assemblies in Massachusetts, has shewn itself in New Hampshire; but General Sullivan, who is now President of that State, by very proper and decisive Measures has put an End to...
11To John Adams from Rufus King, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Letters are this moment receivid from Gen l. Lincoln giving the pleasing intillegence that he dispersed the Party under Shays on the morning of the 5 th. instant— the Insurgents had marched on the 4 th. from Pelham to Pitersham distant 30 miles, with about 1500 Men— Gen l. Lincoln moved after them at Eight OClock on the same Evening and came on them by Surprize at 9. OClock the next Morning,...
12Rufus King to William Grayson and Madison, 11 March 1787 (Madison Papers)
Extra[c]t of a Letter from a Gentleman in Boston of the 4th. March 1787. to R King— “—— has come back from Virginia with News that the Commissioners on the part of New York alarmed the Virginia Delegates, with an account that the Commissioners on the part of Massachusetts were for a monarchy ; & that those Delegates wrote their Legislature of it, who shut their Galaries and made a most serious...
13Powers of the Executive, [1 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Mad: agrees wth. Wilson in his difinition of executive powers—executive powers ex vi termini, do not include the Rights of war & peace &c. but the powers shd. be confined and defined—if large we shall have the Evils of elective Monarchies—probably the best plan will be a single Executive of long duration wth. a Council, with liberty to depart from their Opinion at his peril— Farrand, Records...
14Revisionary Power of the Executive and the Judiciary, [4 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
This speech preceded Wilson’s motion, seconded by JM, to combine the judiciary with the executive in vetoing legislative acts. Mad. The Judicial ought to be introduced in the business of Legislation—they will protect their Department, and uniting wh. the Executive render their Check or negative more respectable—there is weight in the objections agt. this measure—but a Check is necessary...
15Rufus King’s Version, [18 June 1787] (Hamilton Papers)
Federal is an association of distinct Govt: into one—these fed. Govt. in some instances legislate on collective bodies, in others on individuals. The Confederation partakes of both—Piracies are cognizable by the Congress—&c. Our powers have this object—the Freedom & Happiness of our Country—we must go all lengths to accomplish this Object—if the Legislatures have no powers to ratify because...
16Election of the First Branch of the Legislature, [21 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney moved that the members of the first branch of the legislature “‘instead of being elected by the people, shd. be elected in such manner as the Legislature of each State should direct’” ( Farrand, Records Max Farrand, ed., The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (4 vols.; New Haven, 1911–37). , I, 358). Agt. the Election by the Legislatures and in favor of one...
17To John Adams from Rufus King, 27 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you previously to my departure from New York— M r. Jay has undoubtedly transmitted to you the late Acts of Congress permitting your return to America after the expiration of your Commission to the English Court, and giving you the unequivocal thanks of the U.S. for the diligent, faithful, and able discharge of your various public Duties since your Residence in...
18To James Madison from Rufus King, 6 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I send you a copy of the confederation between the New England Colonies, together with a few Extracts from the Journals of the Commissioners. As I hope to leave Town on Tuesday for Boston, I pray you to return me these papers Sometime Tomorrow. You are sensible that information from the southern States relative to the proposed Constitution will be of importance to us at Boston while engaged on...
19To James Madison from Rufus King, 16 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
We may have 360 members in our Convention, not more than 330 have yet taken their Seats. Immediately after the settlement of Elections the Convention resolved that they would consider and freely deliberate on each paragraph without taking a [question on any of them individually,] & that on the question whether they wd. ratify, each [member] shd. be at liberty [to disc]uss the plan at large....
20To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our convention proceeds slowly. An apprehension that the liberties of the people are in danger, and a distrust of men of property or Education have a more powerful Effect upon the minds of our Opponents than any specific Objections against the constitution. If the Opposition was grounded on any precise Points, I am persuaded that it might be weakened if not entirely overcome. But every Attempt...
21To James Madison from Rufus King, 23 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
Our prospects are gloomy, but hope is not entirely extinguished. Gerry has not returned to the Convention, & I think will not again be invited. We are now thinking of amendments to be submitted not as a condition of our assent & Ratification; but as the opinion of the Convention subjoined to their Ratification. This scheme may gain a few members, but the issue is doubtful. Farewel RC ( DLC );...
22To James Madison from Rufus King, 27 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
I hope your information will be confirmed; that the Tide is again turning in favor of the Constitution in Virginia. We make but slow progress in our Convention, the Friends of the Constitution who in addition to their own weight, are respectable as they represent a very large proportion of the Good Sense and Property of this State, have the Task not only of answering, but also of stating and...
23To James Madison from Rufus King, 30 January 1788 (Madison Papers)
This day for the first our President Mr. Hancock took his Seat in convention, and we shall probably terminate our business on Saturday or Tuesday next. I cannot predict the issue, but our Hopes are increasing—if Mr. Hancock does not disappoint our present Expectations our wishes will be gratified. But his character is not entirely free from a portion of caprice—this however is confidential....
24To James Madison from Rufus King, 3 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I inclose a newspaper of yesterday containing the propositions communicated by Mr. Hancock to the Convention, on Thursday last. Mr. Adams who contrary to his own Sentiments has been hitherto silent in convention, has given his public & explicit approbation of Mr. Hancock’s propositions. We flatter ourselves that the weight of these two characters will insure our success, but the Event is not...
25To George Washington from Rufus King, 6 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
Our convention this day ratified the constitution 187 affirmatives 168 negatives the majority although small are very respectable, and the minority in addition to great Temper & moderation, publickly declare that the Discussion has been fair & candid, and that the majority having decided in favor of the constitution, they will devote their Lives & Fortunes to support the Government—with...
26To James Madison from Rufus King, 6 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you that on the final Question of assinting to & ratifying the constitution our convention divided, and 187. were in the affirmative & 168 in the negative: the majority although small is extremely respectable, and the minority are in good Temper; they have the magnanimity to declare that they will devote their Lives & property to support the Government, and I...
27To James Madison from Rufus King, 25 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I leave this city Tomorrow for Boston, and shall be extremely obliged to you to inform me of the Progress and determination of your Convention—you can with difficulty conceive the real anxiety experienced in Massachusetts concerning your Decision—there remains no doubt that a very large majority of the People of Mass: are in favor of the federal constitution. The late Elections for Governor...
28To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 12 June 1788 (Hamilton Papers)
I have made an arrangement to forward by express the result of the convention of New Hampshire to Springfield in this State, from which place Genl. Knox has engaged a conveyance to you at Poughkeepsie. Those who are best informed of the situation of the Question in New Hampshire are positive that the Decision will be such as we wish, and from the particular Facts which I have heard, I can...
29To James Madison from Rufus King, 20 July 1788 (Madison Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate you on the decision of your convention, and am pleased to hear from your Colleague Mr. Brown that by this Time you have returned to New York. I am greatly indebted to you for the frequent information of the progress of your Convention, and should before now have made you my acknowledgements, had I not supposed that you was on your way to Congress, and that Letters...
30To Alexander Hamilton from Elbridge Gerry, Rufus King, George Mathews, Lambert Cadwalader, James Jackson, and John … (Hamilton Papers)
The Subscribers appointed on the part of Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Burke to consider whether there was an honorable Ground of accomodation between the parties in respect to certain Expressions made use of by Mr. Burke in the house of Representatives on Wednesday last, relatively to an Eulogium pronounced by Mr. Hamilton on general Green on the 4th. of July last, having inquired into the...
31To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 24 March 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, March 24, 1791. “The Legislature of this State have incorporated the Bank, limiting its capital to a million of Dollars and its duration to twenty years . The Treasurer is authorised to subscribe to the Loan proposed to Congress all the Continental paper in the Treasury and by a bill that passed the Legislature this morning, he is directed to take in behalf of the State, one...
32Enclosure: Extract from Rufus King to Alexander Hamilton, [ca. 9] April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Elliot, who, it has been said, was appointed, will not come to America; owing, say his friends here, to a disinclination on his part, that has arisen from the death of his eldest, or only son. Mr. Seaton yesterday read me an extract of a letter from London, dated Feb. 2. and written as he observed by a man of information, which says ‘Mr. Fraser is appointed Plenipotentiary to the U. S. of...
33To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [15 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
The fall of Bank certificates may have some good effects, it will operate to deter our industrious citizens from meddling in future with the funds, & teach them contentment in their proper vocations. So far as I am informed, the loss will be divided among a great number of individuals, and where it is heaviest, the sufferers will generally be characters who will neither excite nor deserve...
34To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 10 July [1792] (Hamilton Papers)
You will see by our papers to what we are tending —hitherto I have been quite aside, and have not engaged in the controversy. The addresses from albany and other northern Towns, together with Mr. Jays answers leave no room to doubt that the question will be brought to a decision in some way or other—if it can be done under any authority of Law I shall rejoice, because I consider the...
35To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 29 July 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Jay will be with you this week —you will therefore have an opportunity to converse with him respecting our very unpleasant situation. All the measures which have been pursued have been calculated to induce the Legislature to call a convention to revise the decision of the canvassers. So far as I am able to form an Opinion, a majority of the Assembly are Clintonians, and if so, will not...
36To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 17 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
If the enemies of the Government are secret and united we shall lose Mr. Adams. Burr is industrious in his canvass and his object is well understood by our Antis. Mr. Edwards is to make interest for him in Connecticut, and Mr Dallas who is here, and quite in the Circle of the Governor & the Party, informs us that Mr. Burr will be supported as V. President in Pennsylvania. Should Jefferson &...
37To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 27 September 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
Care has been taken to put our friends at the eastward on their guard. Measures have been pursued to ascertain opinions in different quarters, and on this as on a former occasion, the object may be silently abandoned should it appear absolutely desperate. If Clinton should be supported this will be the case; if not the Party must resort to some other northern character, hence the Hopes of this...
38To John Adams from Rufus King, 30 September 1792 (Adams Papers)
By accounts from England as late as the 23d of August we learn that on the 10th. of that month the national assembly suspended the King, removed the ministry, and took on themselves the Executive powers—they have since decreed that the primary assemblies should meet on the 26. of August, to appoint deputies to a national convention, to be convened on the 20. of Sepr. for the purpose of...
39To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 24 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
Averse to any connexion with the war beyound what may be permitted by the laws of strict neutrality, we are pleased to see the Proclamation. I have no precedents with which to compare it, but I could have wished to have seen in some part of it the word “Neutrality,” which every one would have understood and felt the force of. Having anxiously considered the point respecting which we conversed...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, [June–July 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Not finding Philadelphia notes to remit, I have directed Specie to be sent to you, by the messenger of the Branch, who sets out tomorrow. Will not the late change of affairs in Holland enable you to proceed with a loan? On every account, it would be truly advantageous, if you had a handsome Sum to invest at this Time. The Bank you are sensible are disposed to do all in their power, but...
41To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 14 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, June 14, 1793. On June 15, 1793, Hamilton wrote to King : “The ideas expressed in your letter of the 14th correspond with my view of the subject.” Letter not found. ]
42To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 3 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The french fleet from the Chesapeak arrived here yesterday, and are in the north river above the Battery. The Ambuscade also arrived last Evening and her accounts, confirmed by those of many Spectators of the combat, have no doubt of the Flight of the English Frigate. (You will have seen in our news papers, an invitation for a meeting in the Fields to address Mr. Genest who is daily expected...
43To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 10 August 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 10, 1793. On August 13, 1793, Hamilton wrote to King : “The Post of to day brought me your letter of the 10th.” Letter not found. ]
CERTAIN late publications render it proper for us to authorize to inform the Public, that a report having reached this City from Philadelphia, that Mr. Genet, the French Minister, had said he would Appeal to the People from certain decisions of the President; we were asked, on our return from that place, whether he had made such a declaration—we answered, THAT HE HAD, and we also mentioned it...
45John Jay and Rufus King to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 26 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
You will recieve herewith enclosed a Publication by Mr Genet denying his having declared that he wd. appeal from the President to the People —a publication by us that we would shortly proceed to state the Evidence and Circumstances relative to that Transaction, and also our manuscript address to the public containing such Statemt. We think it more expedient as well as more delicate with...
46To Alexander Hamilton from Rufus King, 26 November 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
About a Fortnight since I wrote to you intimating the probability that Mr. Jay & I should call on you and General Knox on the subject of Mr Genets Declaration that he would appeal from the President to the people. A letter of this date from Mr. Jay & me will inform you & the General of the present posture of this Business—you will perceive that the Statement that we have concluded to publish,...
You will recieve herewith enclosed a Publication by M r Genet denying his having declared that he w d . appeal from the President to the People— a publication by us that we would shortly proceed to state the Evidence and Circumstances relative to that Transaction, and also our ^manuscript^ address to the public containing such Statem t .— we think it most ^more [ illegible ]^ expedient ^^[...
48John Jay and Rufus King “To the Public,” 26 November 1793 (Jay Papers)
Although well constituted free Governments only, can give and preserve to men the Enjoyment of rational liberty, yet no government can liberate individuals from the impulse, and domination of their passions. Hence it is that the excesses of these passions so frequently produce Parties in all communities, and that personal motives, are so often found to be masked by patriotic professions. While...
49To John Jay from Rufus King, 9 December 1793 (Jay Papers)
I inclose M r . Dallas’ publication relative to his interview with M r . Genet— At present I am unable to inform you in what manner Col. Hamilton & General Knox will proceed— M r . Jefferson’s report of this transaction to the President, states that M r . Dallas informed him that Genet had said “that he would appeal from the President to the People”; and I understand that the President will...
50To John Jay from Rufus King, 15[–16] December 1793 (Jay Papers)
Soon after M r . Genet’s arrival from New york he had an interview with the Attorney general, at which he pressed the prosecution demanded in his letter— and as I am informed, intimated his expectation that Col. Hamilton & General Knox should be included in it— the Attorney General replied that he did not consider himself, on this, or any other, occasion, obliged to institute a prosecution,...