Ellery, William (1727-1820) to George G. Channing
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00108.04 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 August 1812 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 21 x 17 cm. Order a Copy
Reprimands his grandson for the delay in sending his last letter. Channing asked for aid regarding a bank in which Ellery owned stock. Ellery replies that he will help his grandson and uses a shipping metaphor to preach moderation. Ellery considers nations with intemperate rulers as being punished by God. He thinks it highly unlikely that there will be a President of the United States from the North. Writes that though enslaved people increase Southern representation he believes that enslaved people would side with the North if given a chance. Thanks Channing for the pamphlets written by Mr. O., W. Garoner, and W. Sullivan. Remarks that the end of the War of 1812 depends on the British Cabinet.
Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island from 1776 until 1785. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820. Channing was a publisher in Boston and a clergyman later in life.
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