Book excerpt: The supplemental documents are intended to provide a fuller documentation and understanding of the debate over the ratification of the Constitution in Rhode Island than was possible in the printed volumes of the Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution (Wisconsin Historical Society Press/Center for the Study of the American Constitution). This supplement contains official documents, letters, and newspaper items. Except for some photographic reproductions (facsimiles), the documents consist mostly of literal transcripts. The documents are arranged chronologically except for the grouping "Controversy Over John Carter and the Impartiality of the Providence Gazette, 22 December 1787-9 February 1788." There are two facsimiles in this Supplement: Jeremiah Olney's letter to Alexander Hamilton of 12 February 1790, and Samuel Nightingale's Memo Concerning Expenses Incurred for Fourth of July 1788 Celebration in Providence. These facsimiles provide a visual representation of original documents, some of which were difficult or impossible to transcribe.