James Madison to James T. Austin (February 6, 1832)

Montpellier Feby 6 1832.

I have recd your letter of 19th ulto requesting "a communication of any facts connected with the services of the late V. President Gerry in the Convention of 1787" The letter was retarded by its address to Charlottesville instead of Orange City. It would give me pleasure to make any useful contribution to a biography of Mr. Gerry for whom I had a very high esteem and a very warm regard. But I know not that I could furnish any particular facts of that character separable from his general course in the Convention, especially without some indicating reference to them. I may say in general, that Mr. G. was an active an able, and interesting member of that assembly, and that the part he bore in its discussions and proceedings was important and continued to the close of them. The grounds on which he dissented from some of the results are well known.