In the Museum’s first issue, January 1787, Carey promoted the idea of revising the Articles of Confederation. Under the pseudonym of “Nestor” Dr. Benjamin Rush submitted an article “To the People of the United States.” He pointed out the weaknesses of the Articles. Throughout the early issues, Carey included many pieces that favored national unity and a new constitution.[1] Once states had ratified the Constitution, the Museum featured articles promoting policies and legislation to form a strong central government.[2] The articles Carey preserved in American Museum have endured. They provide a valuable resource for historians studying the ratification.[3] Articles about Philadelphia’s Federal Procession are the best record of the event.[4]
BECOMING AN AMERICAN | The Federal Procession of 1788
[1] Edward C. Carter II “The Political Activities of Mathew Carey, Nationalist, 1760-1814” Bryn Mawr College PhD Dissertation, 1962, 141-2.
[2] Carter, “The Political Activities of Mathew Carey,” 160.
[3] Conversation with John Kaminski, University of Wisconsin, 35th Institute for the Editing of Historical Documents, June 22, 2006.
[4] Laura Rigal, “’Raising the Roof’ Authors, Spectators and Artisans in the Grand Federal Procession of 1788,” Theatre Journal, V. 48, N. 3 (October, 1996) 255.