13 November 1777

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Warren

Written by Gerry as delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress to Warren as a member of the Continental Navy Board. References Warren's letter of 23 October 1777, in which he found news of General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga earlier that month. In that letter Warren expressed misgivings about the terms of surrender that General Horatio Gates gave to Burgoyne, known as the Articles of Convention. Gerry says he had the same misgivings, but says Gates was justified in giving generous terms because Sir Henry Clinton was making moves to reinforce Burgoyne. Says that they…

GLC03239

16 June 1812

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Cutts

Near the beginning of the outbreak of the War of 1812, Gerry describes and criticizes Federalist politics as an attempt "to place in the executive departments of the Nation & States, men devoted to the interest & Government of Great Britain." Written the day after he was notified of his nomination for Vice President. Cutts was a New Hampshire senator.

GLC03240

23 July 1776

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses plans to have artillery pieces cast in New York and relays information he has gathered in regard to the necessity of small, mobile weapons for fighting in the New York landscape. Also mentions copper held by the New Jersey government and discusses the New York Convention's plans to purchase it through John Cortland of New York. If George Washington does not desire the ordnance, Gerry will obtain it for Massachusetts. Offers a general recommendation for what to have cast. Gerry was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Massachusetts. Free frank signed by Elbridge Gerry.

GLC02437.00388

2 March 1790

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox about what is due to an officer in Colonel Henry Jackson's regiment, Samuel Rogers, who was killed in the Battle of Yorktown, which Gerry calls "the seige of Cornwallis."

GLC02437.04524

4 September 1790

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox of his travel plans and about adding subscribers to "Mrs. Warrens poems." Page two includes notes written in Knox's hand regarding what appears to be cargo on a vessel. Also includes calculations in an unknown hand.

GLC02437.04717

10 June 1791

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Massachusetts Congressman Gerry to Secretary of War Knox. Says he requested 26 shares in the Bank of the United States from Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Cox. Enclosed a $650 bank note "to make the first specie payment." Asks Knox to take care of the payment if something prevents Cox. Says "we are in daily expectation of the Secretary of the Treasury[,] Mr Jefferson &c, but I hear nothing of your intentions to visit Massachusetts." Postscript gives Knox permission to open his letter to Cox if he is absent.

GLC02437.04983

circa 1790

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the payment of a debt. The "draft inclosed" is likely GLC02437.04526.

GLC02437.08109

27 May 1777

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts to an unknown recipient, but probably an army officer in Massachusetts. Begins letter with financial information. Hopes a vigorous execution of the laws will correct those disaffected with the Revolution. Mentions mistaken information on the raid at Danbury, which took place 23-28 April 1777. Gerry says the British lost between 150-200 men, including Governor William Tryon. While the British stated they lost 154 killed and wounded, Tryon was not amongst them. The British were…

GLC07273

30 December 1776

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Patrick Henry?]

Gerry, a Continental Congressman, discusses an unspecified request and an appeal brought before Congress. Informs Henry, Governor of Virginia, that he will ask Congressional President John Hancock why the appeal has not been presented to Congress and will attempt to "move it as early as possible." States "We have just heard from General Washington, that he cross'd Delaware just above Trentown, ye Evening after Christmas with 2500 men, attacked ye Enemy who were posted with about 1500 men in ye Town about 8 oclock ye next Morning, routed them & took 750 prisoners that are brot over ye…

GLC05346

November 14, 1811

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Monroe

Gerry praises a message written by President James Madison, possibly pertaining to hostilities with England precipitating the War of 1812, as "firm, cool, candid, judicious & dignified - it is entitled to the resolute support of every friend to his Country, by every mean [sic], civil & military." In a postscript, he thanks Monroe for a letter he wrote and agrees with his ideas on "men & measures."

GLC01248

January 26, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Apparently a retained draft briefly outlining the manner in which Gerry will take the vice presidential oath of office It is written on the verso of the docketed address leaf of a letter from Madison to Gerry. With Madison's free frank.

GLC02343

May 9, 1789

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Letter signed by Gerry as a Maryland Congressman. Also signed by William Smith of Maryland and Josiah Parker of Virginia. Requests that Sullivan, as the Governor of New Hampshire, transmit the proper statements to the House of Representatives concerning the revenue and commerce of the state. This letter is written on page two. On page one is an extract of a motion of the House of Representative signed by John Beckley, as Clerk, directing that information be gathered on imports and exports from several states and foreign and domestic vessels entering and leaving.

GLC01496

June 23, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James T. Austin

Comments on the loss of a ship, the Chesapeake. Also notes the slow progress of the Ways and Means Committee, the resignation of General Henry Dearborn for health reasons, and the recovery of President James Madison from an illness. Discusses witnessing a demonstration of "liquid fire, inextinguishable for a period, by water" by a "Mr Lloyd of Adams in Pennsylva" and the products potential for weaponry. Gerry was then vice president. Written from the chamber of the senate. One engraving of "Elmood," once the residence of Elbridge Gerry, included as collateral.

GLC00137

June 13, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: Catherine Coles

The letter is written to his niece regarding the death of her father.

GLC00184.12

June 7, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James T. Austin

Elbridge Gerry remarks that the governor of Massachusetts, Caleb Strong, "displayed his british colours," referring to Strong not allowing the Federal Government to recruit troops for the War of 1812 in his state. He notes that President Madison recovered from an illness and praises the president and his wife. He mentions that he cannot send a document that Austin wants. In response to Strong, President Madison withdrew all protection from Massachusetts. Gerry was then vice president.

GLC00239

February 7, 1778

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts, writes from York, where the Continental Congress was convening. Dismisses rumors of a possible plot to undermine Washington's authority, but stresses the need to guard against internal dissension within the army. Writes, "I know not ye Source of the Uneasiness which We are speaking of, but it would not be any Ways surprizing to me to find ye Enemy at ye Bottom of ye Dispute & if they did not originate it, they will certainly promote it unless ye officers of ye Army should wisely prevent it…

GLC00619

[1790 ca.?]

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph manuscript

Title: The Government of the United Provinces [notes]

Gerry's notes on the history and constitution of Holland. Possibly copied from a history.

GLC08596

1814/03/05

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Responds to a letter from Madison in which he told Gerry that Parliament had abolished the Courts of Session in Middlesex. Gerry considers the news "laughable." In a long note after his signature he comments on the popularity of a certain Mrs. Derby and also notes "that our republican ladies refuse to mix with those of the high federalists of our quarter." Gerry was Madison's vice president.

GLC01814

1787/08/13

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hon. [?] Warren re: newly proposed Constitution

GLC07870