Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 4, May 16 1776-August 15 1776
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Elbridge Gerry to To: Joseph Palmer


Dear sir
Philadelphia May 31 1776

   The Conviction which the late Measures of Administration have


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brot to the Minds of doubting Persons has such an Effect, that I think the Colonies cannot long remain an independant depending People, but that they will declare themselves as their Interest & Safety have long required, entirely separated from the prostituted Government of G Britain. Upon this Subject I have wrote to our Friend Colo. Orne & beg Leave to refer You thereto.(1) The principal object of our Attention at this important Time I think should be the Manufacturing Arms, Lead & Cloathing, & obtaining Flints, for I suppose since the Measures adopted by North Carolina & Virginia that there cannot remain a Doubt with our Assembly of the propriety of declaring for Independency & therefore that our Tho'ts will be mostly directed to the Means for supporting it. Powder & Cannon are so successfully manufactured that if the Spirit continues with sufficient Encouragement for the Manufacturers I think We may be sure of full Supplies. With respect to Arms then, is it not necessary that each assembly should give such Encouragement as will effectually answer the purpose? I was of Opinion last fall that twelve Dollars should be given for all that should be brot to the Commissary in Consequence of the Resolve then issued by the Court, but since that was not the opinion of the Members in General & We are now greatly in Want of this Article would it not be a good plan to exempt from the Duties of War all Manufacturers of fire arms, to give a premium to them for each Apprentice which they shall take & Journey Man that they shall employ, & thirteen or fourteen Dollars for all that shall be delivered agreable to the former Resolve in twelve Months. Surely when the Success of our Measures so much depend on obtaining this Article We shall not hesitate to give such Encouragement as will obtain it with as good Success as We have heretofore the article of Saltpetre.

   Lead You have before attended to, & I hope You will pursue the plan of carrying on the Works at North Hampton. If a Manufacturer is Wanted I apprehend the Colony of Virginia will spare us one. They sent to Europe for several & are now successfully carrying on the Works in that Colony, pray my Dear sir pursue these objects as of the greatest Importance.

   Flints I think must be imported, & Cloathing may be manufactured if the Inhabitants are timely apprized thereof. Would it not be well to recommend to them at large to exert themselves for obtaining by their manufactures a Sufficiency of Woolens & Linnens for the ensuing Year & also for the Assembly to cause a sufficient Number of Blankets, Coats &c to be made for the Soldiers agreable to the Method pursued the last Year? The Men must be well fed, cloathed, armed, & payed or You can never oblige them to do their Duty. Our Friends Majer Hawley, the Speaker [James Warren], Genl. Orne & Mr. Sullivan I think will assist & promote these Measures, if you think it convenient to suggest the same.



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   I hope that one or more Cannon Forges will be encouraged in our Colony, & with respect to Cloathing think that after this Year our Trade will plentifully supply us. I remain sir with sincere regard for yourself & Friends Your most obedt & very hum sevt,

   Elbridge Gerry

   P.S. If Manufacturers can be obtained without sending to Virginia It will save much Time & Expence, as the Works are far beyond the Allegheny Mountains.


Note:

   RC (MeHi).



1 Not found.