Lot 1572

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Description:

ELBRIDGE GERRY
(1744 - 1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Continental Congress who opposed ratification of the Constitution as drafted, eponym for the term 'Gerrymandering'. A.L.S. 'E. Gerry' as Vice President, 2pp. 4to., Washington D.C., April 5, 1814, to his daughter Ann regarding personal issues. In part: '...I have received, my dear Ann, your letter...[I] am greatly relieved by it, although I deeply regret your dear mother's illness. I wish you could induce her to give up the rich bread, as I have done here. I found it always soured my stomach...I could always smell it at Cambridge when the bread was new...If she remains weak cleanse her well with medicine, you will find her bowels foul. I know not how you hear that I have been so unwell, I had risen by night and lost my appetite for a few days, but have never kept house an hour, except once I gave up an evening party...' Scattered stains, minor edge wear to the right margin, else fine. Gerry spent his uneventful time as Vice President in Washington while his wife and the rest of his family remained in Massachusetts. Because of this he was constantly worrying about the health of his wife. Gerry's own health at this time however was worse…he suffered a stroke in the summer of 1813 and would never fully recover. He would die just a few months after writing this letter from a second stroke.

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August 26, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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