Re: [26-11956] Freedom of Information Act Request – Stanley Evans

Dear Mr. Evans:

This is in response to your December 16, 2025, Freedom of Information Act request (26-11956) about records relating to the authentication, evaluation, classification, and reliance upon Connecticut legislative records relating to the proposed Titles of Nobility Amendment submitted to the states in 1810.  We received your request on December 19.

1. All records reflecting any authentication, verification, or validation conducted by NARA (or predecessor agencies) concerning: the Connecticut House Journal entry from the May 1813 session; and the Connecticut Committee Report from May 1813
that are relied upon to support the conclusion that the Connecticut General Assembly “did not ratify” the Titles of Nobility Amendment.

►We have searched the records in our custody but we were unable to locate any information concerning your inquiry.

2. All records describing the evidentiary standards, policies, or procedures used by NARA to authenticate state legislative records used for Article V ratification determinations, including any standards applied to attestation signatures.

►We have searched the records in our custody but we were unable to locate any information concerning your inquiry.

3. All records reflecting reconciliation, comparison, or evaluation between the Connecticut House Journal and Committee Report and the following executive-branch certifications and acknowledgments transmitted to or received by the federal government: Governor John Cotton Smith executive transmittal dated June 2, 1813, stating that the amendment was “resolution adopted”; Department of State circular dated January 12, 1814, issued under President James Madison and Secretary of State James Monroe; Department of State correspondence dated October 20, 1816, stating that the amendment had become part of the Constitution.

► The extant Department of State records from the nineteenth century that might include documentation of interest have been microfilmed.  The microfilm has been digitized and is now available online at no charge through the National Archives Catalog.  For more information about the records and links to the online resources, see: https://text-message.blogs.archives.gov/2023/07/11/department-of-state-central-files-1789-1910-available-online-an-omnibus/.

4. All records identifying the legal or archival authority relied upon by NARA to treat internal Connecticut legislative materials (journals or committee reports) as controlling over authenticated executive certifications transmitted under Article V and 1 U.S.C. § 106b.

►We have searched the records in our custody but we were unable to locate any information concerning your inquiry.

5. All internal memoranda, correspondence, emails, notes, or reports (including those prepared by NARA staff, contractors, or counsel) that discuss: the ratification status of the Titles of Nobility Amendment; and the role or treatment of Connecticut’s 1813 records in reaching a “did not ratify” conclusion.

►We have searched the records in our custody but we were unable to locate any information concerning your inquiry.

6. All records reflecting communications between NARA and any other federal agency (including the Department of State, CRS, or Congress) concerning the authenticity, reliability, or classification of Connecticut’s 1813 ratification-related records.

►We have searched the records in our custody but we were unable to locate any information concerning your inquiry.

This concludes the processing of your request.

We do not consider this a denial of your FOIA request. However, if you are not satisfied with our action on this request, your options for appeal and dispute resolution are as follows:

You have the right to file an administrative appeal in writing via regular U.S. mail or email.  Your appeal should be received within ninety (90) calendar days from the date of this letter and it should explain why you believe this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.  Please address it to the Deputy Archivist of the United States (ND), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740.  Both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked “Freedom of Information Act Appeal.”  You may also submit your appeal to FOIA@nara.gov also addressed to the Deputy Archivist. All correspondence should reference your internal case tracking number noted above.

In addition to your right to file an administrative appeal with the Deputy Archivist, you may seek assistance from our FOIA Public Liaison, Rebecca Calcagno. Contact information for the FOIA Public Liaison at the National Archives, Washington DC area is as follows:

Accessioned Executive Branch Agency Records – Washington, DC Area
FOIA Public Liaison:  Rebecca Calcagno
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone:  301-837-3190
Email:  DC.foia.liaison@nara.gov

You may also contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), the Federal FOIA Ombudsman’s office, for assistance.  OGIS offers mediation services to help resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies. The contact information for OGIS is:

Office of Government Information Services
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road–OGIS
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone:  202-741-5770 or 1-877-684-6448
Email: ogis@nara.gov

Sincerely,
DAVID A. LANGBART
Transparency and Access Program
National Archives at College Park (Archives II)

david.langbart@nara.gov
www.archives.gov

RRAR 26-11956