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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03239 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1777 |
| Title | Elbridge Gerry to James Warren regarding the surrender at Saratoga and general politics |
| Date | 13 November 1777 |
| Author | Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) |
| Recipient | Warren, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written by Gerry as delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress to Warren as a member of the Continental Navy Board. References Warren's letter of 23 October 1777, in which he found news of General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga earlier that month. In that letter Warren expressed misgivings about the terms of surrender that General Horatio Gates gave to Burgoyne, known as the Articles of Convention. Gerry says he had the same misgivings, but says Gates was justified in giving generous terms because Sir Henry Clinton was making moves to reinforce Burgoyne. Says that they finished working on the Articles of Confederation that evening and that they will be sent to the states shortly for consideration. Says John Adams left Congress two days previously and includes two letters that he received at York after he left (not included here). Gerry says he opened them on instructions of Adams. One, which he did not read, was in a female hand that he assumes is Abigail Adams. Postscript says it appears Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia will be attacked soon. Gerry's information was correct as Fort Mifflin fell on 16 November 1777. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Global History and Civics Battle Battle of Saratoga Surrender Convention Army Articles of Confederation Continental Congress Congress Government and Civics President Women's History First Lady Frontiers and Exploration Fortification |
| People | Warren, James (1726-1808) Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) Gates, Horatio (cb. 1727-1806) Clinton, Henry, Sir (1730-1795) Burgoyne, John (1722-1792) Adams, Abigail (1744-1818) |
| Place written | York, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Women in American History; Government & Politics; The Presidency |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Published: Smith, Letters of Delegates, 8: 253. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |