Description:

U.S. Constitution
Boston, MA, June and December 1787
Debates and Concerns About the Passage of the Federal Constitution as Reported in The Massachusetts Gazette, Excellent Collection of 3 Papers
Newspapers

Three issues of The Massachusetts Gazette dated June 15, 1787 through December 18, 1787. Boston: Samuel Hall and John Wincoll Allen. Each is 4 pages and measures approximately 10" x 15.25". Coverage beginning while the Constitutional Convention was in session, the papers feature letters expressing support for the Massachusetts state constitution and reports on the ratifying conventions held in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The Gazette underwent a change in publisher during this time. The June issue was published by Samuel Hall and John Wincoll Allen, and Hall is no longer on the masthead the two December issues. All are evenly toned, with evidence of previous binding and minor separations along left margin. Untrimmed sheets with deckled edges.

Includes:

June 15, 1787 issue contains a letter and an address on pages 1 and two praising the power and effectiveness of the state constitution in maintaining order during insurgencies in the Western counties (Shays' Rebellion). Both authors speak to the importance of the state constitution and the need to maintain state sovereignty. Left unspoken is that the Constitutional Convention was currently being held in Philadelphia (May 25 to September 17, 1787).

A notice of the return of Halley's Comet appears on page 2, column 3.

December 11, 1787 issue contains a letter signed "Agrippa" on the front page speaking out against the establishment of the federal courts ("continental court"). His position is that such a court would be subject to the rule of Congress and would lessen the power of state and local courts and that it is "Impossible to please two masters." He voices even more apprehension for the clause in the Constitution calling for a standing army.

Page two recounts the proceedings of the Pennsylvania ratifying convention and names Thomas McKean, James Wilson, and Anthony Wayne. Page three lists the names of the Boston delegation to the Massachusetts ratifying convention to be the following month. John Hancock and Samuel Adams are listed among the selectmen elected.

December 18, 1787 publishes opposing views of ratifying the U.S. Constitution. A letter signed "Cassius" fills most of the front page lauding the checks and balances written into the various sections of the Constitution. He argues in support of ratification, emphasizing the need for a stronger national government and warning against the dangers of continued weakness under the Articles of Confederation. "Agrippa's" opposition to a federal Constitution fills much of the first two columns of page two: "I have now gone through two parts of my argument and have proved the efficiency of the state government for internal regulation, and the disadvantages of the new system, at least some of the principal." Additional notices in support or expressing neutrality but praising the process appear on other pages. An article has been clipped affecting text on the sheet containing pages three and four.

A great recounting of the debate occurring at state level over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 10" x 15.25"
  • Medium: Newspapers

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