Primary sourceLetter3 February 1787
To Henry Knox, 3 February 1787
George Washington · 3 February 1787
A letter from George Washington expressing alarm over Shays' Rebellion and its threat to government authority.
Washington's own words show his anxiety over Shays' Rebellion and his evolving views on national government.
About this source
What it is
This is a letter written by George Washington from Mount Vernon to Henry Knox on 3 February 1787. It responds to Knox's reports about unrest in Massachusetts and survives in the published collection of Washington's writings.
Why it matters
The letter reveals Washington's deep concern that Shays' Rebellion showed weaknesses in the government under the Articles of Confederation. His worry about the ability of government to enforce its laws helped motivate support for a stronger national union, which would later lead to the Constitutional Convention.
Look closer
- What words does Washington use to show how urgent he thinks the crisis is?
- Why might a private letter to a trusted friend reveal more than a public statement?
- What does Washington's hesitation about attending the Convention tell you about his caution regarding public roles?
This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George Washington on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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