1To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
On the 6 th. of this Month was held our General Election for Officers for the Ensuing Year; they are nearly the same as the last, saving a few more Federal Charecters in the Lower-house. Their was Instructions from the Towns of Newport & Providence to their Deputies to use their Influence for a State Convention the Business was taken up, but we soon found Their was no probability of succeding,...
2To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 16 June 1789 (Adams Papers)
I Returned yesterday from attending the Gen l Assembly, the great matters on which the in s. & outs differ were bro’t on. we lost the Convention by 11 Votes. The Repeal of the Tender by 9. on the whole we gain a little. but our progress is so slow that we shall never arive at our wish’d for point except something like M r Bensons motion in Congress, could be obtained. it was usual for us to...
3To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 22 July 1789 (Adams Papers)
I was honoured with your favour of the 18 th. of June for which I return you my Thanks, and was happy to hear of the safe arival of M rs Adams and family. our Rulers continue as obstinately opposed to the Federal Government as ever, and I have no Idea that they ever intend to call a Convention; they are striving to alienate the minds of the people at large by exagerating the amount of the...
4To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 31 August 1789 (Adams Papers)
By the operation of the Commercial Regulations of the United States, those that have been friends, and for adopting the New Constitution in this State, are like to be exceedingly oppressed as well as Mortify’d. your Laws say that the productions & Manufactures of the Country shall be imported Duty Free by this the Farmers (who compose the Anti federal party) are highly favour’d, the Collecter...
5To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 25 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should have done my self The Honour of paying my Respects to you in person, did not my Duty require my attendance at The General Assembly tomorrow at South Kingston, where The great Question of calling a State Convention to adopt the Federal Constitution will be acted upon. we hope for a favourable Issue, but cannot be free from Fear, lest we may be disappointed Thro The Intrigues of The...
6To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 15 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter that I addressed to your Excellency in Boston I informed you that I should attend the General Assembly, where the Question would be determined wheather we should Call a Convention, or not. altho’ we found a small Majority, whose private sentiments were for the motion, yet so many of them were bound by Instructions from their Constituents to vote against it that the motion was lost...
7To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 28 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate you on the accession of N o. Carolina to the general Government. our Antis are Thunderstruck at the News more especially as the Majority was so large. I have waited several Days to find out what they intend to do wheather to agree to Call a Convention, or stand out longer; in hopes that something would Turn up to perplex the New-Government. They are not well agreed among...
8To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 17 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 27th ulto came safe to hand, and if I made an impropper request in my former Letter you[r] Excellency will Pardon me, as it arose from the great Anxiety I had on viewing our almost forlorn situation. I now have the pleasure Sir of informing you that the General Assembly have passed a Resolve, Recommending The People to Choose Delegates to meet in a State Convention on the...
9To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 15 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
I doubt not but You have been inform’d that our Gen l Assembly have order’d a Convention to be called to meet a South-Kingston the first Monday of March. the Delegates were Chosen the 8 th. of this Month and from the Returns we Count Thirty Two Federals and Thirty Eight Antis—so that the Battle will go hard against us if some methods cannot be hit upon to affoard us some help. as I hinted in a...
10To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 9 March 1790 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 27 th. ult o. came safe to hand yesterday. I attended the Convention last week and after choosing a President &c we heard the Constitution Read by paragraps with the objections which were verry few and of no great importance, and were fully answered a Committe was then appointed to draw a Bill of Rights with such Amendments as they tho’t necessary. which they Reported and...