American Historical Ephemera & Photography

One page, 6 1/4 x 8 in. Old folds, light spotting. 

In this letter addressed to the justices of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, Strong informs of a recently passed bill and resolution that were brought to him for approval. He did not approve either, as he was unsure of the constitutionality of them, and now asks the justices for their opinion: "As I had some doubts of the existence of this right, I omitted to approve both the Bill and Resolve, and I now wish to avail myself of the authority given me by the Constitution to request the opinions of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court upon this Question." In another hand, possibly Strong's own, the question is written: "Whether the constitution of this Commonwealth authorises the inhabitants of any of the unincorporated plantations in the State to give in their votes for Governor & Lieutenant Governor?"

[With:] 21 1/2 x 17 3/4 in. printed broadside (significant separation including near full separation along central horizontal crease, chipping to edges, toning, and loss with paper and adhesive repair to verso). Undersigned in type by Caleb Strong.

Broadside features Seal of Massachusetts at top, and is a proclamation of a day of "Public Thanksgiving and Praise" appointed for Thursday, 29 November 1804.

Founding Father Caleb Strong served as the sixth and tenth governor of Massachusetts, from 1800-1807 and from 1812-1816. As governor, he most notably opposed the War of 1812 and refused to comply with the President's call for state militia troops.