Gerry, Elbridge, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts

Autograph letter (retained copy) signed ("E Ger"), 2 pages (9 1/2 x 7 1/8 in.; 240 x 180 mm), Boston, 31 October 1780, to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, docketed "Copy of a letter to the President and Speaker of the State October 31 1780"; formerly folded, trace of former mounting in top left margin. Red half-morocco clamshell box.

In February 1780, Gerry withdrew from the Confederation Congress because of its refusal to respond to his call for vote tallies. On his return to Massachusetts, and while he was still a member of Congress, he was elected under the new state constitution (1780) to both branches of the state legislature (Senator representing Essex County), but accepted only his election to the House of Representatives (representing Marblehead).

This is Gerry's retained copy of his letter accepting the one post and refusing the other: "Having received a summons agreeable to the Constitution of this Commonwealth to officiate as Senator I should be exceedingly happy to manifest to the respectable electors of Essex, the grateful sense I have of this unmerited proof of their confidence and regards, and to convince them of my sincere desire to promote in every occasion their interest ... but on my return to the state after several years absence a variety of concerns have occurred, which will inevitably prevent me from discharging the trust and therefore oblige me to decline the office. I propose nevertheless to accept the appointment of a seat in the House to attend on special occasions."