Auction Date:2011 Sep 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Retained draft ALS signed “E. Gerry,” one page both sides, 7 x 9.5, October 31, 1780, docketed by him on the reverse, “Copy of a Letter to the Presidt & Speaker of ye State Octr 31 1780.” To “The honr President of the Senate & the honr Speaker of the House of Repres of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” In full, with Gerry’s crossed out words in brackets: “[Sir] Gentlemen, Having received a Summons agreable to the Constitution of this Commonwealth to officiate as a Senator, I should be exceedingly happy to manifest to the respectable Election of Essex, the grateful Sense I have of this unmeritted Proof of their Confidence & Regards, & to convince them of my sincere Desire to promote in every occasion their [particular] Interest [on all Occasions, to promote their] Interest in particular as well as that of the publick in general [in particular, as well as that of the publick in general]; but on my Return to the State, after several years absence, a Variety of Concerns have occurred which will inevitably prevent me from [faithfully] discharging the Trust & therefore [have] obliged me to decline the [appointment] office. I propose nevertheless to accept ye appointment of a seat in the House to [serve] atend on Special occasions, [Having ye Honor to be Sir] I have ye Honor to be Gentlemen with due Respect your most obed & most hum Sert.” In very good condition, with toning to upper left from old tape and adhesive remnant on reverse, scattered light toning, and intersecting folds. Housed in a custom clamshell case, red leather over tan cloth boards, spine ruled in gilt with five raised bands, and four compartments in brown titled in gilt upper case lettering “Elbridge Gerry” “ALS” “October 31, 1780” “To the Senate and House.” Lined with wood over marbled paper.
On September 22, 1780, Gerry was elected with the new state of Massachusetts delegates to the Congress. Under the new 1780 state Constitution, he was also elected as both a state representative and a state senator. By the letter here offered, Gerry officially accepted his election to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, rather than a seat in the Massachusetts State Senate or the Continental Congress. Letters mentioning the acceptance seats in Congress are quite rare and desirable.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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