This day in history: October 27

1787: The Federalist Papers

The first in a series of eighty-five essays by “Publius,” the pen name of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, appeared in the Independent Journal, a New York newspaper, on October 27, 1787. Publius urged New Yorkers to support ratification of the Constitution approved by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787.

AFTER an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the UNION, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in many respects the most interesting in the world.

– The Federalist Papers, Library of Congress Digital Collection

Alexander Hamilton - Library of Congress Digital Collection

Alexander Hamilton. Photograph of a Contemporary Portrait by John Trumbull; in the collection of the Yale School of Fine Arts. [between 1900 and 1912]. Detroit Publishing Company. Prints & Photographs Division

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General Herkimer Home State Historic Site
From this point, General Nicholas Herghheimer, known as General Herkimer, started August 3, 1777 to take command of the men who assembled in answer to his call to fight in defense of the Mohawk Valley. Placed by the German-American Alliance of the State of New York, June 14, 1912.
Historic New York: Site of the Battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777
The Military Road: Joseph Brant, familiar with the terrain, probably selected the place of ambush where a small stream crossed the military road. The military road of 1777 was about ten rods north of the present highway.
General Herkimer's Troops entered the ravine at this point.
General Herkimer's Troops entered the ravine at this point.
Small bridge crossing the stream on the military road.
Ambush started here: The militia column, on its way to the relief of Fort Stanwix, marched into this ravine, August, 6, 1777, and were ambushed by Loyalists and British. The Attackers came out of hiding in woods on the west, the south and the north.
Ambush started here: The militia column, on its way to the relief of Fort Stanwix, marched into this ravine, August, 6, 1777, and were ambushed by Loyalists and British. The Attackers came out of hiding in woods on the west, the south and the north.
The Rally: Both sides regrouped during a driving rain. Herkimer's troops concentrated here, forming an irregular circle. The attackers were on all sides.
"In the Valley homes was great mourning. For such a small population. In some families the male members were wiped out. It was many a long , weary year before the sorrow and suffering caused by the sacrifices at Oriskany had been forgotten in the Valley of the Mohawk." - Nelson Greene. History of the Mohawk Valley
"Near this spot stood the Beech Tree which during the Battle of Oriskany sheltered the wounded General Herkimer while he gave orders that made Saratoga possible and decided the fate of a Nation. Placed by the Oriskany Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Oriskany and the sons of Oriskany of New York City, June 14, 1912.
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Visually Rich Lecture on Photographer Elliott Erwitt at Fenimore Art MuseumElliott Erwitt (American, Born 1928); USA, New York City, 1974; Gelatin Silver Print.Broomsticks and Ballots by Ray Lenarcic