Lot 14
Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts. Autograph Letter Signed ("E. Gerry") as Governor of Massachusetts, 1½ pages plus integral address leaf (which is inlaid), Boston, Feb. 22, 1810. To Hon. Joseph Varnum, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington. Gerry complains that "The unfortunate grants of the Georgia lands, to grantees, charged with perfidy & fraud in obtaining them for themselves, have involved in misfortune a number of the respectable inhabitants of this Common-Wealth; most of whom are well known to yourself as well as to me: & moreover, have inferred on them severe strictures, for having speculated in those lands, - both these results have given me pain; the first, in consequece of the injuries sustained by a number of worthy members of society & their families: the last, in consequence of the unmerited wounds given to the feelings of those who have purchased in this state, under the original grantees, & who, I have every reason to believe, made those purchases without the remotest suspicion of the fraud alluded to…." One small fold split, else fine. With transcript. Elbridge Gerry is rare.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
Purchased from Paul Richards in 1982.
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| Realized $1,416 |
