2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
ELLERY, William (1727-1820). Ellery came from a distinguished Rhode Island family, and only stepped out into public life during the Stamp Act crisis, joining the Sons of Liberty and leading a march through Providence in opposition. He told the crowd: "You must exert yourself. To be ruled by Tories, when we may be ruled by Sons of Liberty - how debasing...There is liberty and fire enough; it only requires the application of the bellows. Blow, then, a blast that will shake this country." Ellery started his own legal practice in 1770 and went on to gain prominence. However, great events decreed that he would only practice law from 1770-1776. In May 1776, he was chosen as delegate to the Continental Congress, and took his seat on the 14th of the month. He became an influential member of that body, serving on a number of important committees. During this session he signed the Declaration of Independence, and he was accustomed in later years to relate the incidents connected with that event. "I was determined," he said, "to see how they all looked as they signed what might be their death warrant. I placed myself beside the secretary, Charles Thomson, and eyed each closely as he affixed his name to the document. Undaunted resolution was displayed in every countenance." During the British occupation of Rhode Island, Ellery's house was burned and much of his other property destroyed. Thus, it was not an empty gesture when he signed the great Declaration, pledging America his life, his fortune and his sacred honor. He continued a member of Congress until 1786 and then served as a Rhode Island official. In 1790 he was appointed by President Washington customs collector at Newport, a post he held for 30 years. Autograph Letter Signed, “W. Ellery” 4p. octavo, September 7, 1776, Philadelphia, and reads in part: “...As Mr. Hopkins expects the post will get to Providence before him he hat left with me the econd and third [bill] of exchange drawn by Andrew Caldwell Treasurer upon Philip Moore, A Mercer, J Donnaldson, and W. Erskine, Esqrs oweners of the privateers Congress and Chance, New England, in favour of you and others, a committe for building the two frigates at Providence, for thirty seven thousand five hundred continental dollars, value received of Stephen Hopkins, Esqr, and hath requested me to transmit to you one of the bills by the post and to keep the other...Mr. Hopkins tells me he does not propose to return to Congress untill Spring, if ever. It is therefore necessary that an additional delegate should be immediately appointed, for otherwise the State of Rhode Island & c. may be unrepresented, which might be attended with pernicious consequences to us. I may fall sick and not be able to attend Congress when some matter may be brought upon the Carpet which will immediately relate to our State; not to mention that if two delegates were here they might have an opportunity to relax now and then from that constant attention which if one delegate only should be continued here he would be obliged to give, unless he should leave the State unrepresented in COngress, which I am determined not to do, let what will be the consequence; and a constatn attendance on Congress for nine months without any relaxation is too much even for a robust constitution...Can the State of Rhode Island hesitate about immediately appointing an additional delegate? I am sure it cannot. I should be exceedingly glad taht Gov. Hopkins might return for he is well acquainted with the mode of conducting business and is well esteemed in Congress and I have reason to think from what hath passed that we should act in concert and harmony; but if he should conclude not to return it would be best that two should be immediately appointed; for matters of great consequence will be on the carpet...There is nothing against our State appointing three delegates but the expenses and if the amount of the allowance to the two delegates and their expenses for one year be summed up and compared with what would be the amount of the expense to the State of three delegates at five dollars per day I believe the difference will be found to be but trifling; but if it should be something considerable I am sure the benefits resulting to the State therefrom would compensate for any such additional expense. If a confederacy should thereafter take place a council of State would doubtless be appointed in which case our State would have only one delegate to support constantly. The other two if three should be appointed would be present only a small part of a year when the Congress shall sit. Mr. Hopkins will acquaint you with the news and the state of our armies &c. &c. So that I hope I shall be excused in not saying anyting on those subjects....Congress have ordered one of our battalions to N. York and its place to be supplied with a battalion of Militia from Massachusetts...I opposed the motion to the best of my abilities, and think we have come off pretty well. I expect taht if our affairs at N. York should take an ill turn that the other battalion will be ordered from our State; for it is the sentiment of Congress that the Continental Battalions should be drawn together, for that greater reliance is to be placed in them than a Militia unaccustomed to discipline and the hardships of a camp; and indeed the liberties of this country in my opinion cannot be established but by a large standing army. Heartily wishing success to our cause...” Clean fold splits, with slight loss at bottom of p. 4 margin, affects some characters but no loss of meaning, else VG.
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