James Madison Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Gerry, Elbridge" AND Period="Madison Presidency"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-04-02-0216

To James Madison from Elbridge Gerry, 25 February 1812

From Elbridge Gerry

Cambridge 25 Feby 1812

Sir

I have the honor to enclose a Resolve of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, respecting a supply of blankets & cloathing, for the information of your Excellency, &, if you think proper, of Congress;1 & to assure you, that with the highest esteem & respect I remain your Excellency’s obedt Sert

E. Gerry

RC and enclosure (DLC). RC docketed by JM. For enclosure (2 pp.), see n. 1.

1Gerry enclosed a report from a committee of the Massachusetts General Court to the effect that the people of the state had the ability “to furnish, at very short notice, any number of Blankets, and any quantity of clothing all of the manufacture of this Commonwealth, that may be necessary to enable the General Government to fulfil any engagements made or such as may be for the interest of the United States to make.” The committee particularly mentioned “Blankets and Clothing for the necessary supply of the Indians, and such number of Troops as upon any exigency it may be found necessary for defensive or offensive war.” The report also stated that the committee had received proposals to furnish “at least 50,000 Blankets, and a like number of suits of Cloth[e]s within a short period from the date of their contract.” Appended to the report is a resolution approved by all three branches of the Massachusetts state government between 18 and 22 Feb. 1812 requesting the governor to forward this information to the U.S. government.

Index Entries