Received his recent letter. Declares that he is sorry that so much of the Waldo patent populace is still under the influence of bad Counsellors. The land belongs to us and to our constituents - It cannot be taken from us while Society and Laws shall exist - If the people will be so blind to their true interest, and so unjust as to desire to wrest the property from the rightful owners they must take the consequences. Adds that he and the Winslows have made reasonable offers - we cannot enforce them But we shall hold the right of the Land. Mentions that the Winslows will be visiting the Waldo patent this season and can solve a dispute about the size of the lots of land. Also adds that he is sorry for Ulmer's losses and would be happy to help. Finally, suggests he arrange a meeting with Captain [Thomas] Vose and the Winslows.

Encloses a letter from Captain [George] Ulmer stating that the citizens of the Waldo patent lands he manages are discontented. Discusses his dealings with several of these unhappy individuals, who brought petitions from the settlers of the Waldo patent lands. Explains what the petitions contain and suggests courses of action.

Received his last letter, as well as one from Captain [George] Ulmer, which discusses some of the discontents living on the Waldo patent lands. Provides more discussion of land patent and settlers on the patent in greater detail. Comments on how best to deal with settlers who claim they deserve to own the land they have settled on.

Mentions that he recently arrived in the Waldo patent lands, and has found the people there mostly healthy, though grain is scarce and some people are quite destitute. Reports that Captain [George] Ulmer told him he had written to Knox regarding the discontentedness of the populace, but Vose has not found evidence of that yet. Declares that Isaac Winslow, Jr. and his cousin agreed to lease part of their farm on the patent, and that he would visit his brother in Portland soon to get his consent as well. Discusses his inability to collect enough money from the populace to purchase tools and equipment to get his farm running. In order to avoid a delay, felt it necessary to ask to borrow money from Knox (though he apologizes for the impropriety). Received Knox's note with his consent to borrow the money. Also discusses the payment of taxes on the lands, and his own lack of money. Significant water damage on page three of the document.

Discusses complaints from the people on the [Waldo] patent lands. Informs Ulmer he now represents the entire patent, except for Orphan Island (present day Verona Island, Maine) and 6,000 acres on the Northwest part of Belfast, Maine. Notes he is willing to execute the agreement from 1788. Writes, That while I endeavor the disposition and kindness of a father on the one hand, I possess on the other, a fixed determination to defend my just and legal rights in all respects whatever - Says the people who did not compromise in 1788 shall be given a reasonable quantity of land and the deeds to the land once payment is received. Discusses further stipulations and details on purchasing the patent lands. Also speaks of the other people (the compromised people?) who signed in 1788 and the stipulations and agreements concerning them. Authorizes Ulmer to receive payment on the lands from the 1788 signers in his neighborhood and to submit monthly accounts reflecting those payments to Thomas Vose.

Informs Knox he is either sending or has sent him a list of letters (not included) of people who have applied for land in Knox's patent (likely part of the Waldo patent lands). Notes he marked the quantity and price agreed on next to each man's name. Also notes when he will begin surveying the townships. Mentions Knox's timber located around Belfast, Maine is being pillaged. Also mentions a town's sheriff who is in need of Knox's assistance.

This ambitious book examines the constitutional and legal doctrines of the antislavery movement from the eve of the American Revolution to the Wilmot Proviso and the 1848 national elections. Relating political activity to constitutional thought, William M. Wiecek surveys the antislavery societies, the ideas of their individual members, and the actions of those opposed to slavery and its expansion into the territories. He shows that the idea of constitutionalism has popular origins and was not the exclusive creation of a caste of lawyers. In offering a sophisticated examination of both sides of the argument about slavery, he not only discusses court cases and statutes, but also considers a broad range of "extrajudicial" thought—political speeches and pamphlets, legislative debates and arguments.