Henry Jackson To Henry Knox About Ratification Of The Constitution In Massachusetts 20 January 1788

Discusses the debt of Mr. Swan, possibly Colonel James Swan. Gives details of the Massachusetts ratifying convention, noting that the printers are allow'd seats in the house for the purpose of taking down and publishing the debates from day to day... Declares, It is astonishing to see the weight of respectability, integrity, [property], & ability on the side of the proposed constitution, and on the other side the -- -- characters that oppose it... Includes a list of the number of Federalists and Anti-federalists at the convention by county. Notes that [Elbridge] Gerry is sitting in on debates to answer questions, but has been taking minutes, which Jackson and others consider indelicate on his part. Relates that if Samuel Adams chooses to express his opposition, he will say but little, as the meeting of the mechanicks of this Town & their proceedings must and will have an influence over him... Relates that Samuel Adams's son recently died, as did Benjamin Lincoln, Jr.