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

Autograph letter signed ("E Gerry"), 4 pages (9 x 7 1/2 in.; 228 x 190 mm), [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], 1 September [1787], to [his wife Ann Thompson Gerry]; formerly folded, tiny ink stain in upper left of first page. Blue half-morocco clamshell box.

Family concerns while attending the Constitutional Convention.

The Convention was nearing a conclusion (17 September), and Gerry, one of the three delegates who was to refuse to sign the finished product, was finding the results less and less to his liking. As time went on, he would have much preferred to remain with his beautiful wife Ann in Cambridge Massachusetts; she had just borne their first child Catharine.

He writes : "I am distressed my dear girl exceedingly, at the information ... of your indisposition, & shall prepare myself to leave this city on the arrival of the next post unless you are better. Indeed I would not remain here two hours, was I not under a necessity of staying to prevent my colleagues from saying that I broke up the representation, and that they were averse to an arbitrary system of government; for such it is a present & such they must give their voice to unless it meets with considerable alterations. I think it probably that the Convention will rise in ten days ..."

"I am very happy to hear our little darling is so thriving & wish most ardently to have the same good tidings respecting yourself. ... Yesterday I dined with General Pinckney and Mrs. Pinckney made particular enquiry for you & the baby. There was considerable company, & she was very agreeable & attentive. The General is as we always thought the cleverest being alive. I love him better every time I meet him ..."