Ellery, William (1727-1820) to Elbridge Gerry
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01497 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 June 1790 Pagination: 2 p. 33 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Writes to Congressman from Massachusetts Gerry to say that since the Constitution has been ratified, it is now proper for him to ask for his support for appointment as the Collector of the Southern District of Rhode Island. He has asked him to be appointed a judge, but now thinks he is more qualified to be a collector. Thinks that the state legislature of Rhode Island will continue to insist that the national government assume the debt of the states. Sends his regards to their mutual acquaintances: Colonel Partridge, "father Sherman," "old Foster, and all my congressional acquaintances." A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until his death.
The New Constitution being adopted by this State I can now with propriety request your influence that I may be appointed Collector of the Southern District in this State.
In my former letter I think I mentioned the office of District Judge as the object of my wishes. I have since relinquished that Idea, because I thought myself better qualified for the office of collector than of a Judge, and that our mutual friend Mr. Marchant would fill the Judge's chair with reputation to himself, and with honour to the United States.
I am not unacquainted with mercantile business, and I was a Naval Officer of this State when it was under the British Government.
If by your influence and that of my other friends I should be so happy as to obtain my wishes I shall endeavour to conduct myself in such a manner, as not cause you or them to regret their recommendations.
Our Senator, I expect will be at New York by the middle of next week. One of them (Mr. Foster of Providence) is a modest, ingenious man, the other (Mr. Stanton of Charlestown) I am not acquainted with, but he is not perfectly esteemed by my acquaintances. They have no instructions from the Legislature; but I imagin [sic] they will both consider themselves bound by the third article of the amendments proposed by the Convention to oppose the assumption of the State Debts. Indeed the latter is so strongly attached to the party who procured the Act forfeiting the State Securities which should not at the periods prescribed by that act be exchanged for paper bills at par, that, the article alluded to aside, he would without doubt be against the Assumption. As some of our States Securities have been exchanged for paper bills, and the rest are forfeited the Inhabitants of this State in general are averse to that measure; but they whose Securities [2] have been so unrighteously forfeited will never sit down contented with their losses.
As long as the State Debts are unassumed we shall not enjoy peace in this State. The holders of State Securities will Strenuously endeavour to obtain an administration which will do them justice, and the Sticklers for the forfeiting act will as strenuous[inserted:-ly] contend for a legislature that will support that act, and I presume that the State Creditors throughout the Union will never be at ease until the State Debts are assumed. These considerations alone, if there were no other in favour of it would induce me to wish [inserted: for] an assumption. I recollect that under the Old Confederation there were sometimes opposite sentiments on very important subjects; but that perseverance in what was well founded was finally successful.
By the Act passed at the late Session of our General Assembly prescribing the mode of chusing [sic] a Representative has rendered it impossible that the people should be represented in this Session of Congress.
Please to present my regards to Col. Partridge and all the gentlemen of your States, to Father Sherman, Old Foster, and all my old congressional acquaintances.
I should be happy in a more frequent epistolary intercourse with you, and am with great esteem
Your very hble Servant
William Ellery
Honble
Elbridge Gerry Esqr.
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