To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 5 July 1812
From Elbridge Gerry
Cambridge 5th July 1812
My dear Sir,
War is declared, God be praised, Our Country is safe. But great care & caution, at this Time is necessary. The Castle, I understand, is under a Captain’s command, & he a Federalist; with a single company of Artillerists; & may be carried by a coup de main. This Prospect is the tory plan, as the best stratagem to change the Government. The Governor, I am informed, obstinately refuses the application of General Dearborn for any part of the detached militia; & prompt measures appear to me necessary, for putting into the Castle a strong Garison, & an experienced officer of a higher grade, & for obtaining the militia required by Government. A Law ought to provide for refractory Governors, & militia officers. I have been confined about ten days to a sick chamber, where I still am, but hope to be out in a day or two.
Our Castle would be safe with such a man as Colo. Boyd,1 & with such troops as compose his regiment. With the highest esteem & respect Yours very sincerely
E. Gerry
RC (DLC); FC (NN). RC docketed by JM.
1. John Parker Boyd (1764–1830) of Newburyport, Massachusetts, had entered the army in 1808. In November 1811 he commanded a detachment of the Fourth Infantry at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Promoted to brigadier general on 26 Aug. 1812, he served thereafter on the Canadian frontier and played a prominent role in the capture of Fort George in May 1813 and at the Battle of Crystler’s Farm in November of that year (, 1:236; Niles’ Weekly Register, 2 [1812]: 12–13).