The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 2

"Fears are now frequently expressed that we are to have trouble in the free states. There seems to exist a great number of peace men, men who are willing to make peace on any terms "only stop the war." The "Knights of the Golden Circle" (K.G.C.) a secret Society are said to have become numerous and are ready to overthrow the Govt if necessary to make Peace. "Union Leage" Secret Societies are now forming all over the Country to counteract the K.G.Cs. I intend to Join the U.L. tomorrow night. It is intended to have the unconditional Union Men in this City and all over the Country ready (at a moments warning, "armed to the teeth") for any emergency. The action of some of the State Legislatures, and conventions of the People, and the tone of some of the Interior Papers is somewhat alarming. There is as this State of things prove a great lack of confidence in those at the head of the Govt and who manage the War. But a Victory or two will put things "all right." No Separation. "No peace" for ten years to come, unless those in rebellion are willing to lay down their arms and return to their duty as Loyal Citizens, so say I.

- Horatio Nelson Taft, Washington Feb. 11, 1863.

Discovered this little "gem" from the writings listed below...

"...Self defence is a primary law of nature, which no subsequent law of society can abolish; this primæval principle, the immediate gift of the Creator, obliges every one to remonstrate against the strides of ambition, and a wanton lust of domination, and to resist the first approaches of tyranny, which at this day threaten to sweep away the rights for which the brave sons of America have fought with an heroism scarcely paralleled even in ancient republicks...."

- Elbridge Gerry, Observations On the new Constitution, and on the Federal and State Conventions. (Mr. Gerry signed the Declaration of Independence. Was a Delegate to the 1787 U.S. Constitutional Convention. Representative from Massachusetts, and later Vice-President of the U.S. under Madison.)

Elbridge Gerry, Pamphlets on the Constitution of the United States, published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788

Gerry, Eldridge. Observations On the New Constitution, and On the Federal and State Conventions. By a Columbian Patriot. Sic Transit Gloria Americana. [boston: 1788.]

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Webster, Noah. an Examination Into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution Proposed By the Late Convention Held At Philadelphia. With Answers to the Principal Objections That Have Been Raised Against the System. By a Citizen of America.

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Jay, John. an Address to the People of the State of New-york On the Subject of the Constitution, Agreed Upon At Philadelphia, the 17th of September, 1787. New-york: Printed By Samuel Loudon, Printer to the State. [1788].

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Smith, Melanchthon. an Address to the People of the State of New-york: Showing the Necessity of Making Amendments to the Constitution, Proposed For the United States, Previous to Its Adoption. By a Plebeian. Printed In the State of New York.

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Webster, Pelatiah. the Weakness of Brutus Exposed: Or, Some Remarks In Vindication of the Constitution Proposed By the Late Federal Convention, Against the Objections and Gloomy Fears of That Writer Humbly Offered to the Public, By a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Printed for, and to be had of John Sparhawk, in Market-Street, near the Court House M.

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Coxe, Tench. an Examination of the Constitution For the United States of America, Submitted to the People By the General Convention, At Philadelphia, the 17th Day of September, 1787, and since adopted and ratified by the Conventions of Eleven States, chosen for the purpose of considering it, being all that have yet decided on the subject. By an American Citizen. Philadelphia: Printed by Zachariah Poulson, Junr. in Fourth- Street, between Market and Arch-Street.

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Wilson, James. Substance of an Address to a Meeting of the Citizens of Philadelphia, Delivered, October Sixth, Mdcclxxxvii , 1787

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Dickinson, John. the Letters of Fabius, In 1788, On the Federal Constitution; …. Copy-right Secured. From the Office of the Delaware Gazette, Wilmington, By W. C. Smith. 1797.

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Hanson, Alexander, Contee. Remarks On the Proposed Plan of a Federal Government, Addressed to the Citizens of the United States of America, and Particularly to the People of Maryland, By Aristides. “as a Confederated Government Is composed of petty republics, it enjoys the internal happiness of each; and with regard to its external situation, by means of the association, it possesses all the advantages of extensive monarchies.” Mont. Sp. of Laws, B. 9, Ch. 1. Annapolis; Printed by Frederick Green, Printer to the State.

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Randolph, Edmund. Letter On the Federal Constitution, October 16, 1787, By Edmund Randolph [richmond: Printed By Augustin Davis, 1787.]

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Lee, Richard Henry. Observation Leading to a Fair Examination of the System of Government, Proposed By the Late Convention; and to Several Essential and Necessary Alterations In It. In a Number of Letters From the Federal Farmer.

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Mason, George. the Objections of the Hon. George Mason, to the Proposed Federal Constitution. Addressed to the Citizens of Virginia. ….. Printed By Thomas Nicholas.

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Iredell, James. [answers to Mr. Mason's Objections to the New Constitution, Recommended By the Late Convention. By Marcus. Newbern: Printed By Hodge and Wills, 1788.]

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Ramsay, David. an Address to the Freemen of South Carolina, On the Subject of the Federal Constitution, Proposed By the Convention, Which Met In Philadelphia, May, 1787. Charleston, Printed By Bowen and Co., No. 31, Bay.

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Bibliography and Reference List of the History and Literature of the United States Constitution 1787–1788.