RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May 1812 and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (DLC); at head of text: “duplicate”; unsigned; on verso of RC of Gerry to TJ, 12 June 1812; enclosed in James Madison to TJ, 22 June 1812. Enclosures: (1) Gerry, Speech of His Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to both Houses of the Legislature, at the session commencing on the second Wednesday in January, 1812 (Boston, 1812; Sowerby, description begins E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 1952–59, 5 vols. description ends no. 3407), exhorting state lawmakers to forego divisiveness and support the United States government in resisting British attempts to “degrade these States to the level of colonies” (p. 10); submitting to the legislature printed copies of President James Madison’s 14 Nov. 1811 message to the United States Congress; lambasting Great Britain for continuing to enforce its Orders in Council,sabotaging United States commerce and nonimportation acts, and seizing and impressing American seamen; accusing “royalists” in America, including certain printers and writers, of betraying the government; contending that British provocations will increase if the United States fails to take action; stating that America can supply itself with the goods it needs; reporting that the Massachusetts treasury remains strong, but that additional firearms are needed; and revealing that he has recently “received several anonymous threats of assassination, for having supported the national government” (p. 19). (2) Gerry, Message from His Excellency the Governor. February 27, 1812 (Boston, 1812; Sowerby, description begins E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, 1952–59, 5 vols. description ends no. 3408), reporting on the 1811–12 investigation he authorized to examine Boston newspapers’ defamatory editorials; explaining that those seeking protection from and redress for libelous behavior must currently rely on “inconsistent and contradictory” English common-law provisions; urging state lawmakers to pass legislation establishing guidelines for settling such disputes while also safeguarding fair criticism of nonelective officials, such as judges; and stating that out of 238 libel investigations, bills of indictment were brought against only ten newspaper editors and publishers, two of whom received jail sentences and both of whom he pardoned. (3) TJ to Derbigny, 20 Apr. 1812.