Congress_and_Revolution Elbridge_Gerry

john adams (portrait john trumbull) held gerry in high regard.

unlike merchants, there no evidence gerry profiteered activity (he spoke out against it, , in favor of price controls), although war-related merchant activities notably increased family s wealth. gains tempered extent precipitous decline in value of paper currencies, held in large quantities , speculated in.

gerry served in second continental congress february 1776 1780, when matters of ongoing war occupied body s attention. influential in convincing number of delegates support passage of united states declaration of independence in debates held during summer of 1776; john adams wrote of him, if every man here gerry, liberties of america safe against gates of earth , hell. implicated member of so-called conway cabal , group of congressmen , military officers dissatisfied performance of general george washington during 1777 military campaign. however, gerry took pennsylvania leader thomas mifflin, 1 of washington s critics, task in episode, , denied knowledge of sort of conspiracy against washington in february 1778.

gerry s political philosophy 1 of limited central government, , regularly advocated maintenance of civilian control of military. held these positions consistently throughout political career (wavering principally on need stronger central government in wake of 1786–87 shays s rebellion) , known personal integrity. in later years against idea of political parties, remaining distant developing federalist , democratic-republican parties until later in career. not until 1800 formally associate democratic-republicans in opposition saw attempts federalists centralize power in national government. in 1780 resigned continental congress on issue, , refused offers state legislature return congress. refused appointment state senate, claiming more effective in state s lower chamber, , refused appointment county judge, comparing offer governor john hancock made royally appointed governors benefit political allies. elected fellow of american academy of arts , sciences in 1781.

gerry convinced rejoin confederation congress in 1783, when state legislature agreed support call needed reforms. served in body until september 1785, during time met in new york city. following year married ann thompson, daughter of wealthy new york merchant twenty years junior; best man friend james monroe. couple had ten children between 1787 , 1801, straining ann s health.

the war made gerry sufficiently wealthy when ended sold off merchant interests, , began investing in land. in 1787 purchased cambridge, massachusetts estate of last royal lieutenant governor of massachusetts, thomas oliver, had been confiscated state. 100-acre (40 ha) property, known elmwood, became family home rest of gerry s life. continued own property in marblehead, , bought number of properties in other massachusetts communities. owned shares in ohio company, prompting political opponents characterize him owner of vast tracts of western lands.