To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 22 May 1812 (Abstract)
§ From Elbridge Gerry
22 May 1812, Cambridge. “The letter enclose[d], I recd, from Colo Sherburne of Newport, an old revolutionary Officer.1 He has been always respected as a Soldier, a Gentleman & man of honor. I am not informed of his politicks, but if the office he applies for in the war department should be conferred on him, he would undoubtedly discharge it With fidelity.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Sherburne”). RC 1 p. Signature torn from RC, probably by removal of seal. Docketed by a War Department clerk as received on 8 June 1812. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Gerry enclosed a 17 May 1812 letter from Sherburne (1 p.) outlining his Revolutionary War credentials and soliciting Gerry’s assistance in obtaining one of the two positions in the War Department that JM had requested Congress to create (see JM to Congress, 20 Apr. 1812).