The articles on “The Southern Commercial Conventions” appeared, unsigned, in the Boston Courier on 6 (p. 2, cols. 2–3), 9, 11, and 18 July, p. 2, cols. 1–2. They were written to make New England readers aware of important movements in other sections, especially in South Carolina, that seemed designed “to alienate the southern and southwestern States from the rest of the Union.” The thesis of the articles is that the reports of the annual meetings or conventions of southern merchants reveal that present dangers to the Union do exist. Further that the loss of foreign trade by the South, the basis of their discontent, is, contrary to their view, not chargeable to the policies of the federal government but rather to the “developement of the western country,” which has made agriculture in the South “an exceedingly difficult and precarious occupation.”

The Boston Morning Post, in its review article (4 July, p. 1, col. 5) on “The North American Review for July,” said, “The review of Davis’s Memoirs and Journal of Burr, which we believe to be from the pen of the editor i.e. Palfrey, is the best thing in the number. We find but little in it to condemn, and much to praise. In speaking of Mr. Jefferson there is none of that villainous blackguardism which distinguishes the pages of the orthodox New York Review. On the contrary, there is a very good defence of him against the charge of having used corruption to obtain the Presidency, in 1801. There are many passages of striking beauty in this article, one of which at p. 200–201 we cannot refrain from copying, on account of the kindly spirit which marks its close, and which does its author infinite honor.”