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title:“Elbridge Gerry to Ann Gerry”
authors:Elbridge Gerry
date written:1787-5-30

permanent link
to this version:
https://consource.org/document/elbridge-gerry-to-ann-gerry-1787-5-30/20130122080841/
last updated:Jan. 22, 2013, 8:08 a.m. UTC
retrieved:April 25, 2024, 7:36 p.m. UTC

transcription
citation:
Gerry, Elbridge. "Letter to Ann Gerry." Supplement to Max Farrand's The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Ed. James H. Hutson. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1987. 33-34. Print.
manuscript
source:
Autograph Letter Signed, Sang Collection, Southern Illinois Univeristy

Elbridge Gerry to Ann Gerry (May 30, 1787)

Philadelphia 30th May 1787 I have received my dearest Life, six of your Letters, the two last of which have given me inconceivable pleasure. I am in the same Family in which I have lived, when here, since the year 1778. Doctor Jones has long resided in it, and is frequently called on by his patients in the Night. Notwithstanding this I have been alarmed, whenever awoke by persons who wanted him, and have dreaded to hear their Business, lest it should respect my dearest Girl or our lovely Babe: after your next Letter I shall feel easy on that score but my Love, I must request You to guard against the Effects of the excessive Rains we have had, by avoiding carefully the Evening Air, and indeed the early morning Air. Perhaps you will say there is no Danger of taking the latter, but I thot it best to give the Caution. These Rains have made the Earth so moist, that the uplands are like Meadows, and at this Season when the Sun has such power, they will produce such Exhalations as will make the atmosphere very damp and unhealthy. Checked perspirations, Color and Fever will I am apprehensive be the prevalent Consequence; and the frequent use of porter with Exercise when the Weather is clear and moderate, will perhaps be the best preventatives. The heavy, inelastic air of this city has given me a Head-Ache at Times, accompanyed with a Loss of appetite but I am otherwise very well. Indeed I am sometimes restless, but impute this to the Use of Tea which I propose to omit. I have not Occasion for the Care of any Females, except of my dearest love, to preserve Health; but if I had, every attention would be paid me here which I could wish or require. . . . Much inquiry has been made for you my love, but Mrs. Morris has not been amongst those who made it. I dined at her table as I informed you with an elegant Circle, but I have not called on her since, & I shall not again till you arrive. Perhaps the Curiosity of many may be of the Nature you mention, it's utmost object may be to see you on some public Occasion; for private Interviews would require Hospitality which does not flourish much in this Govt. Indeed my love there is and always has been as much difference between the Hospitality of this City and that of New York, as between the Sociability of a quaker and of a military Society. The Members of the first are like Monks and Nuns cloistered in a monastery, and the others are like Citizens of the World who have neither Attachments nor prejudices from professions or local Circumstances. Whenever you arrive then, You much not expect the attention of New York, and whether you receive many or none, it will not to me be a Matter of Consequence: to be independent, is my Determination. . . . Mrs. King is very friendly whenever I meet her, but I have lost my visiting Relish. I am happy to hear the attentions of your Friends, pray remember me in the most friendly Terms to all of them. . . .

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