Elbridge Gerry to Abigail Adams, July 30, 1781
Marblehead July 30 1781
My dear Madam
I have been honored with your Letter of the 20th Instant, on a Matter of the highest Concern
to the Continent, as well as to our mutual Friend, who represents it in Europe.
Previous to the Receipt of the Letter I saw a Copy of one from Dr.
F [ranklin] to C [ongress] , 1 and was soon after confidentially informed by a Gentleman at the
southard of the proceedings thereon, which I confess have given me the greatest Pain and
uneasiness. I cannot write so freely, Madam, as I shall confer with You, at a convenient
Opportunity; but thus much I am greived to impart, that the Decree is past for revoking all
the former Powers of our Friend, and for appointing him to execute new Instructions, with a
Fraternity, some of whom to injure him, would I fear go greater Lengths than Judas did, to
betray his Lord. 2
I think it no difficult Task to trace the Vestiges of an undue Influence, which dared to
approach our publick Councils as early as the period of the first Instructions, and which
appears to me, for political purposes foreign to the Interest of America, to have produced a
deep layed Plan for removing a Gentleman from office, upon whom alone many of the States could
rely for obtaining a safe and honorable Peace.
If I have a right Idea of the last Powers, there can be no great Honor in executing them,
either seperately or jointly; and the only object worth contending for in
C [ongress] will be, a Revocation of these, and a Confirmation of the former
Instructions with one Minister to execute them: but it is a Matter of Doubt in my Mind,
whether the proceedings of C [ongress] have not made such a Measure altogether
impracticable.
We shall however, Madam, be better able to judge understandingly, on the Return of Mr.
L [ovell] who in his last Letter proposed soon to be in Boston: and altho the
Times may justify the Sentiment that “the Post of Honor is a private Station” 3 I shall not decline a publick one, whilst there is the least
prospect of serving my Country on so important an occasion. I need not add Madam that nothing
will afford me greater pleasure than an opportunity of rendering Services to Yourself and
Family, and that I have the Honor to be with the sincerest Esteem your most obedt. & very
hum. sert:,
E. Gerry