BIB_ID
102265
Accession number
MA 157.1
Creator
Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814.
Display Date
1788 Jan. 21.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1907.
Description
1 item (8 p.) ; 24.8 cm
Notes
Part of a collection of autograph letters signed of Elbridge Gerry and others relating to the French Commission. Items in the collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
William Cushing served as Chief Justice of Massachusetts from 1777-1789, was Vice President of the Constitution Convention of Massachusetts in 1788 and served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1789-1810.
William Cushing served as Chief Justice of Massachusetts from 1777-1789, was Vice President of the Constitution Convention of Massachusetts in 1788 and served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1789-1810.
Provenance
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from J.F. Sabin in 1907.
Summary
Setting forth an explanation for his position and his actions at the meeting of January 19th of the Constitutional Convention of Massachusetts; protesting the treatment of him by Judge Dana; saying "...if there is at this time so little freedom in America as that a person in discharging a most important public trust cannot conduct according to the obligations of honor & the dictates of his Conscience, it appears to me of little consequence, what form of Government we adopt, for we are not far removed from a state of slavery. I shall only add Sir, that I have subjoined a state of facts founded on documents relative to my consent that the lesser States should have an equal representation in the senate;" offering his respect for the "honorable Convention", but adding "that I cannot again place myself in a situation where I must hear my conduct misrepresented without the privilege of requesting leave of your honorable body to establish facts & promote Justice.
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