Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Gerry, James T., 1797-1854 to Ann Gerry

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09099.10 Author/Creator: Gerry, James T., 1797-1854 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 24, 1854 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Superior officer's jealousy, recent ports of call, and status of his officers. Believes his Commodore is jealous of him, and has therefore selected him for the most difficult missions possible. Many of his officers are sick. Of his voyage to Jamaica says "Jamaica is a wreck of what it formally was." Says the plantations are no longer functioning, which he blames on the emancipation of the slaves. "How any man in his right mind can advocate such a system of things perplexes me, and then to witness the general amalgamation of classes is too revolting to think of." Written on board the U.S.S. "Albany" at St. Jago de Cuba. Addressed to "Brother and sisters," sent to Ann Gerry and the rest of his siblings.

Gerry, James Thompson, 1797-1854
Gerry, Ann, 1791-1883

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources