1To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 10 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I addressed a line to you yesterday, with a bound collection of Edes’ Gazettes printed in 1775 & 6, to the care of Mr. Marston. I now am honored by yours of the 2d & 9th instant, & am much obliged to you, for their impressive & instruct i ve contents. You are the only friend, & almost the only person of the United States, who is capable of giving full information on the subject of our...
2To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 6 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Your letters of the 11th of February has given me great pleasure. I regretted exceedingly that the incidents of the day, at our last interview, deprived me of the pleasure you then proposed, of conversing fully & freely on the subject of the Navy. I have this day written to Captain Selman (Commodore Broughton being no more) & have requested of him every information, & a copy of every document...
3To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 30 June 1814 (Adams Papers)
The subject of this letter, is the celebration of the 4th of July at Lexington; a fete which I hope will be honored by your company. The crisis appears to require every measure for animating the friends of our Independence. In this quarter they are sensible of it, & are making every exertion for honoring the day. Your ideas on this subject, as communicated by accident, always struck my mind...
4To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 26 August 1813 (Adams Papers)
By the request of Mr Wyer, lately appointed a Consul of the U States to Riga, I have the pleasure of introducing you to this Gentleman, who proposes soon to embark for Russia. Mr Wyer is governed by those principles of integrity & honor, & is possessed of such liberality & candor as cannot fail to meet your approbation & friendship. Permit me, With Mrs Gerry & my family, to express, in terms...
5To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 24 March 1813 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are two letters marked A,B, & four documents numbered from 1 to 4 inclusively, which Capt Selman agreably to my request, on the subject of our first naval enterprizes, has transmitted to me for your perusal. They are intended as records for your files of application. I have also received & included in this packet, a letter from B Austin Esq in regard to the same subject. I shall be...
6To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 9 February 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have deferred an answer to the letter, which you did me the honor of addressing on the 28th of Jany, ’till I could see Capt John Delman of Marblehead; who has refreshed my memory with the following statement, which he made in a short interview, as the facts then were presented to his recollection. “That in the fall of the year 1775, General Washington commissioned Nicolas Broughton &...
7To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 8 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I have received from Benjn Austin Esqr, for your perusal, a collection of News papers, printed by Benjn Edes of Watertown, between the 5th June 1775 & the 9th of Decr 1776; & have committed them to the care of Mr Marston. The privateering act which I formerly mentioned, is printed in the Gazette of the 13th of Novr 1775. I shall probably be absent at the time you may wish to return this book...
8To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 21 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
I must apologize my dear Sir, for the troublesome request which I made; & for your ready compliance with it on the 2d of April in your letter which I had the honor of receiving, I must request your acceptance of my cordial Thanks. I recollect the epoch of 1789, & that about that period I gave mortal offence to the Count Mouchet, for declaring in Congress, that the French nation was indebted to...
9Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am, my dear Sir, by the partiality of my friends, & discomfiture of my political enemies; again in the vortex of national politicks. My line of duty is plain & easy, & I shall endeavour to adhere to it. But I must confess, that I am much disappointed in a very pleasing anticipation, an interveiw at the seat of government with my ancient & highly respected friend of Monticello ; for I am...
10Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 12 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 1 st of may I addressed to you a letter , of which a copy is annexed. I conceive, by having been intercepted, it has shared the fate, which often attends my letters. We are in anxious expectation, that the Cord will be cut, which has too long confined us to the views & interest of our commerical Competitors May God grant to us this event ; it will save our Country. RC ( DLC ); at foot...
11Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the pamphlet this day received, respecting “the intrusion of Edward Livingston ”; & for your polite & friendly manner of transmitting it. The publick is much indebted to you on this, & on numerous other occasions, for performances; to which few are equal, & still fewer have a disposition. The opportunity now presented, is highly appretiated; as it enables me to revive those...
12Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 15 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter of the 11 th of June , in my sick chamber, & the pure friendship which it breathed, raised my spirits, then under the inevitable depression of disease. Friendship increases by its duration, almost in geometrical proportion; & yours was prior to that of my eldest surviving friend, in Massachusetts . Your remarks in regard to the British faction, are (in my mind,)...
13Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
My eldest Son will have the honor of presenting this. He is on a visit to his friends & relations at Pittsylvania , & it would have been impossible for him to have passed near to Monticello , with out manifesting that reverence & respect which he has always entertained for the friend & father of his Country. In presenting himself him to yourself & family, I am favored with an opportunity of...
14Elbridge Gerry to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very friendly letter of the 19th of June has given me great pleasure. The preference you express for the office holden by me, to the first office of the Government, is correspondent with your veiw of the same subject, when you was elected at to the former place. The latter you then justly considered as a “station of splendid misery .” My opinion on both these points is perfectly...
15Elbridge Gerry to Dolley Madison, 3 March 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Elbridge Gerry to Dolley Madison. 3 March 1814, “Senate Chamber.” “Mr Gerry presents his best respects to Mrs. Madison, & sends a letter this momen⟨t⟩ received from their honest friend at Lynn to herself & a letter accompanying it to himself. The latter contains a paragraph respecting small fishing boats, restrained by the embargo law so as to be useless to their needy owners; to be...
16To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 2 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
The Count de Crillon, son of the celebrated Duke, who beseiged Gibralter, & was famous as a great mi[li]tary character, arrived here a day or two past, & proposes to go on to Washington. He came from England in company with Captain Henry, formerly of our army; whom you probably know, is also a great military character, & in every point, truly respectable. He wishes to pay his personal respects...
17To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 21 December 1813 (Madison Papers)
I was arrested in my intention to have left my family in time to have met the Senate on the first day of their Session, by the sudden & severe illness of Mrs Gerry & two children; & after their recovery, did not conceive that the political campaign would open before the newyear, & concluded it best to remain here & avoid the extreme bad roads. The Publick are anxiously waiting the result of...
18To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 17 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
I have read your message, with great attention & pleasure. It is clear, candid, firm & dignified, & cannot fail of convincing G Britain, that your object is just, your demands are reasonable, & that you will support them at all events. In this resolution, you will unite the eastern part of the nation; except british subjects, traders & partizans, who in case of a conflict, would soon...
19To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 20 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have heard, Dear Sir, with no small surprize, that charges have been preferred against Doctor Waterhouse, for misconduct as physician of the U. S. marine hospital at Charleston. I have been intimately acquainted with the Doctor for thirty years, so far at least as to have been able to form for myself, a correct opinion, which has ever been a respectful one, of his moral, political, &...
20To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 3 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
I addressed, at the request of some Gentlemen, a line to you yesterday, introducing the Count de Crillon to your Excellency; and think it expedient to inform you, that I am in every respect uninformed in regard to the politicks of that nobleman, he being to me an entire stranger. Respectfully your Excellency’s unfeigned Friend RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Later docketed by JM,...
21To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 7 April 1814 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Elbridge Gerry. 7 April 1814, Washington. “I have the Honor of enclosing another letter from B General Boyd, on the subject of his rank. I do this, to comply with his manifest wish & expectation, in writing to me on the subject.” RC and enclosure ( DLC ). RC 1 p. The enclosure (3 pp.) was Brig. Gen. John P. Boyd to Gerry, 24 Mar. 1814, stating Boyd’s belief that his merits and...
22To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 15 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor last week of addressing a line of introduction to yourself, of my neighbour John Appleton Esq, stating his desire to be occupied in some public office; and being apprized of his wish to administer the functions of the Marshalls office in regard to Prisoners, it is incumbent on me to be explicit on the subject, by declaring, that this was not my object, but that on the other...
23To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 13 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
From some circumstances which have come to my knowledge, I am induced to think, that measures are adopted to shake the confidence of Government, in their district attorney, George Blake Esqr. If so, the grounds are said to be, his having had in his office, a brother, & his having associated with native & foreign gentlemen, of different politicks . I regret exceedingly, that reports of this...
24To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 26 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am honored, dear Sir, by your letter of the 14th. instant in answer to mine of the 20th of february, stating, that “tho you do not enter into the aptitude of all my observations, you perceive in them a very interesting veiw of our public affairs.” Since the adoption of those measures, the relaxation of Government, in regard to the embargo, has happily changed the phrenzy, excited by the last...
25To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 12 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
The late President Adams communicated to me yesterday, in a friendly interveiw at my house, the enclosed extract of a letter; & expressed great apprehension, that if all the propositions, for enforcing the non intercourse act, should be adopted, they will overthrow the republican governments of the New England States & make them compleatly federal. The searching houses, as proposed before the...
26To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 22 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
Since my recovery from indisposition, I have had an interview with General Dearborn, who informed me that he was soon to depart from Boston; & being informed by him of the state of our Castle, I enquired what was to prevent the Enemy, if apprized of our defenceless situation, from embarking all its regular troops at Nova Scotia, in transports trusting its defence for a short period to their...
27To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 13 July 1812 (Madison Papers)
I addressed a line to you on the 5th, & am happy to learn that Colo Porter has the command of Fort Independence; that he has upwards of three hundred men; & that he is daily receiving reinforcements. Sure I am, that nothing will be wanting on the part of the Republicans in this State, to aid General Dearborn, & to promote the veiws & orders of the national Government. It is impossible to say,...
28To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 27 December 1811 (Madison Papers)
I addressed a line to you yesterday on a minor subject; at this time, my mind is intent on a very important point. It has been confidentially communicated to me, that there are two revolutionary officers on the list of candidates for the office of Commander in chief of the national Army; Governor Hull & General Brooks. Governor Hull & General Dearbo[r]n were in my mind the most prominent...
29To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 19 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have been honored by your letter of the 9th, & having heard of two instances only, in which is manifested a disposition to embarrass the detachments, I flatter myself they will be generally successful. When I came into office there were seven federal of eleven Major Generals, & now there are but six of seventeen; being the number of existing militia divisions. The increase I effected as an...
30To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 20 May 1812 (Madison Papers)
In a letter which I addressed to You yesterday, I omitted to mention, that you have the entire confidence of the republicans in this quarter. They veiw with deep regret, every attempt of a few of the republican party to supplant you; with indignation, the proffered support of the federalists to your competitor; & with grief, the division, small as it is, which has been the result: but you may...