Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814) was a member of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts. Gerry had a distinguished political career, serving as a member of the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, the Second Continental Congress, the United States House of Representatives. He became the Governor of Massachusetts in 1810 and the Vice President of the United States in 1813 under James Madison. He was a proponent of a small central government and became a highly respected figurehead in the Democratic-Republican party. The political term 'gerrymandering' gets its name from Elbridge Gerry.
The letter's recipient, Joseph Palmer (1716-1788), was the owner of various businesses in Quincy, Massachusetts and was a colonel in the Massachusetts militia. In addition, he went on different intelligence gathering trips throughout the war. At the time of the letter, Palmer and his brigade were in Boston.
This letter, written May 31, 1776 in Philadelphia, discusses the need for various supplies for the Massachusetts militias once the colonies officially divorce the mother country of England. Gerry writes that he hopes different colonies will employ and supply manufacturers for his home colony, and is optimistic that the war effort will not be under-supplied.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Elbridge Gerry on domestic production of war products, Philadelphia, 1776
- Creator: Elbridge Gerry
- Creation Date: 1776-05-31
- Subject Date: 1776-05-31
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Locations:
- Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
- Boston, Suffolk County, MA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 22.8 cm x 19.1 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 58/13
- Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Declaration Of Independence. United States--Signers
- Founding Fathers of the United States
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States. Continental Congress
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
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