Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 21

From John Quincy Adams

From François d’Ivernois
Thomas Chittenden to John Adams, 9 November 1794 Chittenden, Thomas Adams, John
From Thomas Chittenden
Sir State of Vermont Novr: 9th. 1794.

I have the honour to transmit to Congress a Copy of a Resolution of the Legislature of this State approving of and ratifying the Articles proposed by Congress as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States1

I am with sentiments of perfect esteem, Your Honour’s / most obedient and / very humble Servant

Thos. Chittenden

RC and enclosure (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate); internal address: “The President of the Senate / of the United States.”

 1.

Originally from East Guilford, Conn., Thomas Chittenden (1730–1797) served intermittently as governor of Vermont from 1778 until his death. He enclosed a copy of Vermont’s ratification of the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which barred federal courts from hearing certain lawsuits against states and those brought by citizens of foreign jurisdictions. George Washington laid Chittenden’s documents before Congress on 8 Jan. 1795. The amendment, which was proposed on 4 March 1794, was ratified on 8 Jan. 1798 ( ANB ; AFC , 9:444; Annals of Congress , 3d Cong., 1st sess., p. 477; same, 5th Cong., 2d sess., p. 809; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 17:373).