41From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 14 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
Thanks be to God, my dear Gerry, that our Tom Cod are Safe, in Spight of the Malice of Ennemies the Finesse of Allies and the Mistakes of Congress.— The Fisheries were attacked through my Sides, but they have not been wounded. We have obtained an explicit Acknowledgment of our Right to all the Fisheries, and the most unlimited Liberty to catch Fish, and Liberty to dry them on Nova scotia,...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 21 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
It was with infinite joy to me that you were yesterday announced to the Senate as envoy extraordinary jointly with Genl. Pinckney and Mr. Marshel to the French republic. It gave me certain assurance that there would be a preponderance in the mission sincerely disposed to be at peace with the French government and nation. Peace is undoubtedly at present the first object of our nation. Interest...
43From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 26 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
You will have Seen by my Public Dispatches what Prospects We have of any Sudden Arrangement with this Country. I may be more free, in a Letter to you, than I have been, in the Public Letters to M r Jay.— There is a mysterious Reserve among the Ministers which indicates either a Want of Unanimity among them, or a Dissatisfaction towards Us, or a Timidity arising from the Prejudices and Passions...
44Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 4 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
The very quick reply with wish which you honourd my Letter together with the Friendly contents of your polite favour demand my acknowledgement. If you Sir as a patriot and a Friend feel for the injurys offerd to your Country and the disgrace with which those in power are endeavouring to load our Friend, you may easily judge of the anxiety of one whose happiness is so interwoven and blended...
45From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 6 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letters I Sent to M r Jay in Cypher, but as the Conversations with the King and Queen have been reported by Lord Carmarthen and the Lord and Ladies in waiting on the Queen, and are become generally known, there is no longer a Necessity of so much mystery, yet you must be Sensible of the Delicacy of the Subject, and therefore communicate them with Discretion and in Confidence. if M...
46From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Before the Arrival of your kind Letter by Wingrove I had heard, from various quarters, of your Marriage and had received the most agreable Accounts of the Character of the Lady. give me leave to congratulate you, on this happy Event. Nothing can be more pleasing than the Transition from the Turbulence of War and Politicks to the Tranquility of domestick Life, in the Arms of a Lady of so much...
47Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 19 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11 th is just recieved, and I repeat the sincere pleasure it has given me to see you once more come forward on the stage of the nation. I have ever thought the post you now occupy the most agreeable one the nation can give, & very far preferable to that which it’s highest favor confers. and I have hoped that, within three days journey of one another, it would afford some occasion...
48From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 11 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
This Letter will be delivered you by my Friend M r Storer by whom I may write more confidentially, than I usually do, even to you. I wish I had as much publick Cause as I have private to Speak respectfully of the present Ministry. They have treated me, and I Suppose advised their Master to treat me, with all the personal Respect, and all the Regard to my public Character, which I can desire. I...
49From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 5 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am under Such Restrictions, Injunctions and Engagements of Secrecy respecting every Thing which passes in Congress, that I cannot communicate my own Thoughts freely to my Friends, So far as is necessary to ask their Advice, and opinions concerning Questions which many of them understand much better than I do. This however is an inconvenience, which must be Submitted to for the sake of...
50From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 17 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 6th. instant inclosing a letter for Consul Lee which will be forwarded as you desire. The copies of Talleyrands correspondence are returned to you under the same cover with this. As the Department of State is possessed of the originals, I see no objection to your retaining them. It gives me pleasure to find that the proceedings of the administration continue to...
51From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 16 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Le Roy the Bearer of this, is a young American educated in Amsterdam where he has good Connections. He wants mercantile Connections in America. I wish he could give you hopes of any usefull Connections between our Country and this. If he can, it is more than I am able to do. The armed Neutrality turns out little better than a Bubble. But as We have little to hope from it, We have nothing...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 7 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 11th. of October. Soon after that, your favor of the 12th. of Sep. came to hand. My acknolegement of this is made later than it should have been by my trip to England. Your long silence I ascribe to a more pleasing cause, that of devoting your spare time to one more capable of filling it with happiness, and to whom as well as to yourself I wish all those precious...
53John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favours by M r Reed and by Coll Herman, and am much obliged to you for your friendly Sentiments and instructive Communications. Your Plan of a Commission to treat with the maritime Powers, has not it Seems been adopted, and the departure of M r Jay for New York, has now rendered it, impracticable. Congress We are told is adjourned. M r Jay, and Mr Laurens as well as M r Dana...
54From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 28 January 1813 (Adams Papers)
Vive la bagatelle. How shall we cure that distemper of the Mind State Vanity? You know to what a degree the ancient dominion was infected with it, and how many Sacrifices We have been obliged to make to it. You remember, how Pensilvania had it. “Pensilvania was first in Arts and Arms,”! “Philadelphia was the heart of the Union.” So said George Ross. Dr Lyman Hall of Georgia, readily...
55From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 9 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:149–150 . Adams discussed Great Britain’s shortsighted and self-defeating policy in refusing a just treaty and, as an example of Britain’s self-deception and misunderstanding of America, pointed to a peace proposal, rejected out of...
56From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 8 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Letters inclosed on the Spirit and Resources of G.B. were written by Edmund Jennings Esq. Perhaps it will be well to publish them. Be so good as to deliver the Essex result to the Chevalier, who is curious to collect Things of This kind. I hope he is well beloved among you. We are told here that Silver is exchanged in Philadelphia for Paper. Will you be so good as to inform my dear Portia,...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of February 25th came to hand on the 26th of April. I am not a little at a loss to devise how it has happened that mine of November 11th, which I sent by colonel Le Mair, and who I know arrived at New-York the 15th of January, should have been so long kept from your hands as till the 25th February. I am much afraid that many letters sent by the same hand have experienced the same...
58Tobias Lear to Elbridge Gerry, 8 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 8 Dec. 1791. Having received “the Pears and the curious fluted Cymbling which Mr. Gerry has been so good as to send them,” the president and Mrs. Washington “beg his acceptance of their best thanks for this mark of polite attention.” George D. Smith catalog #172, 1912–13, item 521. Cymling was a contemporary name for pattypan squash ( Shannon, American Dictionary of Culinary...
59John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 31 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
I learn with much Pleasure, that you are again in Congress, at the head of a respectable Delegation, and that the States in general are So well represented. Experience will Show the Necessity of having that Assembly composed of the best Men, by whom I mean Men of the most Experience, the best Talents and greatest Virtues. it is by these alone that fœderal Principles and Feelings, can be made...
60From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
Since I have read again your Line “for encouraging the fitting out armed Vessels,” printed in Ecles’s Watertown Gazette of the 13th November 1775. I have had the curiosity to look into several of our historians in order to see what notice they have taken of this transaction which had such important consequences. It was natural to begin with Mrs Warren as she was a native of this province a...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 13 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. came to hand yesterday. That of the 4th. of Apr. with the one for Monroe has never been recieved. The first of the 27th. of March did not reach me till Apr. 21. when I was within a few days of setting out for this place, and I put off acknoleging it till I should come here. I entirely commend your dispositions towards Mr. Adams, knowing his worth as intimately, and...
62From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
The British Admiralty sent Orders to Portsmouth the 21st. Feby., for the Departure of a small Squadron of Frigates, which accordingly sailed on the 28th, under the Command of Captain Marshall of the Emerald of 32. Guns: The others are the Hussar of 32, the Surprize of 28, the Squirrel, and the Heart of Oak of 20: the Sloops the Beavers Prize of 14, the Wolf and Wasp of 8, with the Cutters the...
63From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 3 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. tho’ not till the 1st. instant your favor of the 19 Feby. and beg you to accept my acknowledgments for your kind sympathy on the accident which I lately suffered. It was a very painful one, but did not extend beyond the dislocation of the pan of my knee. This was immediately replaced, and I am beginning to make a hobling use of the limb. I fear however from the slowness of its...
64From John Jay to Elbridge Gerry, 9 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
I cannot concieve ^ should have much wondered ^ what could have detained my Letter mentioned in yours of 20 Sept r last, so Long from you ^ had not ^ My Correspondence has been strangely interrupted ever since my Arrival. Your Constitution gives me much Satisfaction— It appears to me to be ^
65From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, [5 January] 1813 (Madison Papers)
Your two favors of have been some time on hand. I believe it may be assumed, that no meeting of Congress will take place immediately after the 4th. of March. The Senate has usually been detained a few days, for the sake of appointments growing out of the laws of session. It is always possible, and must be so considered at present, that other business requiring their decision, may prolong their...
66From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 11 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gadsden of South Carolina whose Fame you must have heard, was in his younger Years, an officer, on board the Navy, and is well acquainted with the Fleet. He has Several Times taken Pains to convince me that this Fleet is not so formidable to America, as we fear. He Says, We can easily take their sloops, Schooners, and Cutters, on board of whom are all their best Seamen, and with these We...
67From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 24 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your Favour of the 12 th. of April. The Arrets I inclosed to King, to be delivered to you, if at New York, and to be Sent to you if gone to N. England, unless he Should have occasion to use them in Congress. I now inclose you some Papers relating to the British Whale Fisheries by which you will see What forced Plants they are, and how easily We may rival them. When you...
68From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 26 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of this morning; and in Answer inform you that I have not recd an Answer to my Letter to Mr Pickering. The Engagement of his office, besides the confusion of a removal have been extreamly pressing.—I Shall See him Soon and Something will be determined. I Shall not have the Pleasure of Seeing you again probably till next Summer, Imperious Necessity or absolute Duty...
69From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 April 1813 (Adams Papers)
A very fortunate day to write to you, My dear Sir, and especialy on a Subject, without which my Letters of 1775 would have been no Blessing. In my last Letter I intimated a design of looking into other American Historians, after that of Mrs Warren, on the Subject of a Navy. C.J. Marshal, in the 2nd. Vol. of his Life of Washington p 255 in the month of October September, Says “The importance of...
70From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 28 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 24 of February was this morning put into my Hand. That which you refer to as informing me, that M r Livingston was in nomination with M r Rutledge and me, I have not yet received. Of all the Letters I ever received in my Life, excepting one from M r Osgood, this is perhaps the most friendly and faithfull and lays me under the greatest Obligations. I rejoice in the...
71From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 13 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
It was but last Week that I received your Letter of the 14 th. of July.— With regard to the Money borrowed by me, and applid to the discharge of M r Morris’s Draughts, My Bankers in Amsterdam have as they inform me, transmitted their Accounts both to the Board of Treasury and M r Barclay.— By them it will appear that Several Millions of Livres I mean were remitted to Le Couteulx at Paris, and...
72From John Jay to Elbridge Gerry, 19 February 1784 (Jay Papers)
It was not until the last week that your Fav r . of the 24 Nov r . last reached me. I was ^ am glad to ^ find it dated at Ph a ., as that Circumstance leads me to suppose that you was again serving our Country in Congress— It is of the last Importance that our federal Head should constantly possess both Wisdom & Power
73From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 18 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have at last obtained liberty, by a vote of Congress, to acquaint my friends with a few of the things that have been done. The Congress have voted, or rather a committee of the whole house have unanimously agreed, that the sum of two million dollars be issued in bills of credit, for the redemption of which, in a certain number of years, twelve colonies have unanimously pledged themselves....
74Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received Letters dated about the middle of November from Mr. Adams, in which he was very urgent with me to come out early in Spring, if I declined a Winters voyage. Since that time I have not heard from him. Capt. Callihan will sail for London in April. My Friends advise me to take passage in him, but I cannot feel fully determined untill I hear from you. Your favour by Mr. Thaxter gave me...
75From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 17 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
The destruction of the Capitol by the Enemy having made it necessary that other accomodations should be provided for the meeting of Congress, chambers for the Senate and for the House of Representatives, with other requisite apartments, have been fitted up, under the direction of the Superintendent of the City, in the Public Building heretofore allotted for the Post and other Public offices....
76From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Morning favoured with your Letter of the 24th. When I wrote Congress, I was informed, that there were several Arms in Lancaster belonging to the public. These with their Accoutrements, I wished to be collected & put into the Hands of the Militia coming from Virginia; But I did not mean that any—the property of Individuals, should be taken, because I did not conceive myself...
77From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 20 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have transmitted my Account to the Board of Treasury, according to their Directions together with my Vouchers, and have desired that these last may be delivered to you after the Board should have done with them. I must beg the favour of you to receive them and transmit them to me by a safe Hand. I see that Congress have allowed to their Commissioners, one half of what they voted in the...
78From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
As to the Boundaries of Mass. I have asked Mr. A. about them but he did not recollect them. The Council appointed a Committee, within a few days after my Arrival, to ascertain them and did me the Honour to put me upon it, altho not a Member of Either House, with Mr. Bowdoin and Mr. S. A. but we have never met, and now it would be improper. They will appoint a new one I suppose. As to the Claim...
79From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 6 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have duly received your letter of the 25. Feby. inclosing a resolve of the Legislature of Massachusetts relating to a supply of Blankets, and other requisite articles. The information conveyed by it, is the more agreeable, as it shews at once, the progress of some of the most useful branches of Manufacture, and the patriotic spirit of the State comprizing them. The proper enquiries &...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 26 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 12. was safely delivered to me by mr ——, but not till Dec. 28. as I arrived here only three days before that date. it was recieved with great satisfaction. our very long intimacy as fellow-labourers in the same cause, the recent expressions of mutual confidence which had preceded your mission, the interesting course which that had taken, & particularly & personally as it...
81From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding my last Letters to Congress were very explicit, and expressive of the wants of this Army—the necessity of arranging many matters in it—and making the necessary appointments without a moments loss of time, yet, when I consider the advanced Season, and consult my past experience of delay, I am induced to take the liberty of claiming your particular attention to this business;...
82From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 30 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have just recd your favours of 28. May, No. 6 and No. 7. with a Copy of No. 3. This last I had recd before. I had no share in the Recall of Monroe, and therefore am not responsible for the Reasons of it.—But I have heard such reports of his own Language in France at his own Table, and the Language of those whom he entertained and countenanced, and of his correspondences with Bache Beckley &c...
83From James Madison to Elbridge Gerry, 14 February 1813 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 14 February 1813. Acknowledged in Gerry to JM, 20 Feb. 1813 , as enclosing a certificate of Gerry’s election as vice president. A copy of the certificate, which reproduced the Senate resolution of 11 Feb. 1813 that had specified its wording and required that it be “laid before the President,” survives (2 pp.; NHi; printed in Annals of Congress Debates and Proceedings in the...
84From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 7 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I know not when I have received So much pleasure from a Letter as from yours this Moment brought in, to to me of the 3d. The Circumstances of your family are Such as to Excite the tenderest feelings & anxieties and Mrs: Gerrys Resolution does her great honor. She never will repent of it, I fully beleive. Mr: Marshall is here and will Sail next week for Amsterdam, It will be adviseable for you...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 2 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Being to sail from this port tomorrow I cannot deny myself the pleasure of recalling myself to your recollection for a moment. I have impatiently hoped your arrival here before I should depart: but I suspect that the belles of Philadelphia have exercised their power over you, for it is there I understand you make your principal delay. When I arrived here I found Mrs. Adams within 36 hours of...
86From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning yours of the 25th and as yours are the best Letters I receive I must hasten to acknowledge it. But the Press upon me is so great that I must be very short. Your Brief of the formidable Position of France is very true as it appears, at present: but Intelligence of the surest kind which is not laid before the public shews it to be all hollow at home and abroad: in Spain,...
87From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 7 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I lament with you the arbitrary aplication of party nicknames & unpopular appellations & although with you I heartily wish, yet I cannot say I hope that the wickedness of the wicked will come to an end. On the contrary it appears to me, that unlike the rising light which shineth more & more to the perfect day, the darkness will thicken till it may be felt. In the multitude of applications for...
88Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 15 October 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your obligeing favour was handed me from Mr. Guild, at a time when I was engaged in the Melancholy office, of attending the dieing Bed, of a dear, and venerable parent. I need ask no further excuse of you for omiting a speedy replie, and thanking you for your kind attention to me. Neither the contents of your Letter; or the extracts inclosed, were unexpected to me; from many of Mr. Adam’es...
89From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 15 December 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of the 24 of Novr. I sent your Letter to me of the 20 of October, from Quincy to the Secretary of State and requested him to publish it. He has returned it to me and declines publishing it. I return it to you inclosed, as I think it will be attended with no good Effect if I should publish it. You will judge for yourself whether it is necessary for you to publish it. My...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 28 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
You very justly suppose, in your’s of the 9th. inst. that the act of duty which removed your brother from office, was one of the most painful and unwilling which I have had to perform. very soon after our administration was formed, the situation of his accounts was placed under the notice of the Secretary of the treasury, and consequently communicated to me . he was written to. the failure to...