Ellery, William (1727-1820) to Benjamin Huntington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00192 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 March 1789 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 16 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to reprise a letter he had previously sent stating that he wishes "to hold some post under the new government." Prefers to be made a judge for the Eastern District, and in that case would like his son, William Ellery Jr., to succeed him as loan officer. If Ellery is not appointed a judge, he would like to remain loan officer and also be appointed a "collector of Impost" for Rhode Island, if that office is created. Informs Huntington that he sent a similar letter to Congressmen Oliver Ellsworth and Roger Sherman and asks him to tell them of this letter. Pleads with Huntington to look into payment of his salary as loan officer. Suspects the General Assembly meeting at Greenwich will not call a Convention. Feels it likely that local officials will propose changes to the Constitution to relieve the state of its debts. Inquires as to the proper form of address for the president, vice president and senators. Comments on the death of his brother, Christopher Ellery.
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. Huntington was a member of the first Congress.
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