TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.21.108
Henry Knox. Autograph letter draft signed: New York, to George Washington, 1788 January 14. 5 p.

[inserted– in different hand: To Genl. Washington]

New York 14 January 1788

My dear Sir

Some time has elapsed since I wrote you, [struck: because] [inserted: as] I had nothing to offer but what you [struck: would] were acquainted with through the medium of the public [struck: print] papers.

The [inserted: new] constitution has hitherto been as well received as could have been expected considering the various existing opinions prejudices and parties in the respective states.

[struck: Con] In addition to Delaware Pensylvania and Jersey, Connecticut has adopted [struck: last Thurs on the 9th instant] [inserted: the Constitution] by a noble majority of 127, to 40. I call the majority a noble one because it included every character in the convention of any real importance excepting Genl James Wadsworth [2] whom you may remember [struck: as] commandant of a brigade of Connecticut militia in the year 1776 – Colonel Wadsworth writes me [strike-out] that the [struck: Governor] the present Governor & Lieutenant Governor, The late Governor The Judges of the Supreme Court [inserted: who] were all present excepting one, and all the Council excepting (James Wadsworth) were unanomous in favor of it.

Massachusetts Convention [struck: were] to meet on the 9th – [struck: There can be no doubt] The decission of Connecticut will influence in a degree their determination and I have no doubt the Constitution will be adopted – But it is at this moment questionable whether with a large majority.

There are three parties existing in that state at present not exceedingly [3] different in their respective [struck: strengths] [insert: numbers] [struck: although] [inserted: and] greatly differing in wealth & ability.

The 1st is the commercial part [inserted: of the state] to whom are added all the men of considerable property – The clergy – the Lawyers including all the judges of all the courts – [inserted: and all the officers of the late army] – [struck: not only the actively commercial part of the state, but] [inserted: and] the neighbourhood of all the great towns are of this party – [struck: which includes a very ] its strength in point of numbers may include 3/7 of the whole State – This party [struck: the ] are for the most vigorous Government, – perhaps many of them would have been more pleased with the new Constitution had it been still more analagous to the british Constitution

The 2d party, are the Eastern part of the state lying beyond New Hampsher [4] formerly the Provence of Main – This party are [struck: cheifly] mostly looking towards the erection of a new State, and the Majority will adopt or reject the New Constitution as it may facilitate or retard their designs, without much regard to the great merits of the question – This party may not be [struck: far distant of] [inserted: less than] 2/7 of the state.

[struck: The 3] The third party are the insurgents and [inserted: their favorers] the great majority of whom, are for an annihilation of debts public and private and therefore cannot approve the new constitution – [inserted: This party may be more than 2/7ths.]

If the 1st and 2d party agree as will be most probable & also some of the party stated as in the insurgent interest, the Constitution will be adopted [inserted: by a great majority] notwithstanding all exertions to the contrary

[5] Mr Saml Adams has declared that he will oppose it to the very great disgust of the people of Boston his constituents It is said [struck: they] Boston were about to take some spirited measures to prevent the effect of his opposition – It is probable the debates will be lengthy and that that Convention will sit one month before they decide

The disputes between france and England [struck: are] [inserted: were] [inserted: on the 27 Octr] accomadated as you will see by the enclosed paper.
I have been confined to my chamber for a fortnight past with the Rheumatism but am gotten better –

Mrs Knox joins with me in presenting our affectionate compliments of the Season to you and Mrs Washington and your family, including Colo. Humphreys

I am my dear Sir
Your affectionate
H Knox

His Excellency Genl Washington

[inserted in margin of page 4:
No 2. Genl K. to Genl. W
Jany 14 1788]

Notes: Published in Twohig, Dorothy et al. The Papers of George Washington. Confederation Series. v. 6: 39-40.