Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Catherine Coles
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00184.12 Author/Creator: Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 June 1813 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
To his niece regarding the death of her father.
Washington 13th June 1813
My dear Niece,
I am exceedingly grieved by the distressing intelligence curtained in your letter of the 9th; being wholly unprepared for the unexpected, the melancholy [illegible]. I had addressed by the last post aline & your dear mama, and which anticipating without a doubt the delight which would result from her answer; Was, I am left to maim with his family, the [illegible] lot of unmutual & [illegible] friend. That we are creatures, feeble creatures indispenssiable [duty] it is & [illegible] without a manner, to the sovereign will of our Great Creator. True it is my dear, [struck] it is impossible under with circumstances & mother grief, that luxury (of distress) the indulgence which can alone affords with least temporary relief; but we must still endeavour [sic] to recor [sic] to reason, which on all Occasion is the best guide this teaches us to moderate our passions, I never [illegible] then I have too much the ascendancy. You will do well to consider that without [illegible] without the society of the best of Parents, your dear mama & her children were devoted to his happiness, did everything in their power to promote it, & would have prolonged his valuable life, had the measure been possible; but to this [illegible] of Heaven having been averse, we may truly say
"Good when He gives, supremely good,
" Nor less, when he denies;
" Even cropes sum God sovereign hand
" Are blessing in disguise."
Four letter [sic] to your brother I have requested the secretary of War to forward, & he had memorized to do it under the hand of the War office, which will ensure its delivery.
Accept my dear Niece, with my beloved sister & her family the sympathy & affectionate regard of your unsigned friend & uncle
Miss Catherine Coles E. Gerry
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.