forehead, and a quick piercing and expressive eye, completed the outline of a striking physiognomy. Extremely temperate in all the indulgences of pleasure, he preserved a constitution, not originally robust, in a good degree of strength, so that to his latest day he never used a cane, and was able to read the smallest print without the aid of glasses.

The refined pleasures of intellectual life, the conversation of educated females, and the charms of polished society, were his most admired relaxation from the laborious and patient industry, which he was accustomed to devote to political duties; and in these circles of intelligence and taste, his own contribution to the general amusement, was readily bestowed and most highly appreciated. Belonging to that school of manners, which commenced under the royal government, and perfected its pupils in the camp and cabinet of the revolution, regulating the deportment with courtesy towards others, and a personal dignity that never lost its self-respect, lofty without arrogance, affable without familiarity, he was at all time and under all circumstances, entitled to the reputation of a perfect gentleman.

The retirement he enjoyed during the period under review, was varied by two incidents of a political character. In 1804, he was a member of the electoral college of Massachusetts, by the unexpected success of the republican party, and joined in the unanimous vote given by the electors

of the state to Thomas Jefferson for president, and George Clinton for vice-president, of the United States. The venerable James Warren of Plymouth, long the correspondent and always the friend of Mr. Gerry, was president of this college, and in this act completed the public services of his valuable life.

The attack made in 1808 by the British ship Leopard on the American frigate Chesapeake, presented another occasion for his influence with his fellow citizens.

In order to give a full expression to the public feeling and to strengthen the administration in such measures of resistance as the exigency might demand, it was determined to hold a body meeting in Boston, as was the usage in the earlier periods of the colonial controversy.* The state-house was selected for this purpose, but the concourse of people soon filled the hall and the multitude collected on an open area at the north.

Upon the uppermost of the steps which led from the floor of the building, and exactly on the spot where now stands Chantry's magnificent statue of Washington, a table was placed for the moderator.

A gentleman announced that Elbridge Gerry was in town, and moved that "this patriot distinguished in the first movements of resistance to a haughty adversary" be invited to preside over

* Hutchinson, 3d vol. p. 430.

the present deliberations. The motion was carried by acclamation, and a committee appointed to conduct him to the chair.

Mr. Gerry then hardly recovered from a disease from which even fatal consequences had been apprehended, was at the house of a friend a short distance from the assembly, without having had any notice of the meeting, or the most distant idea of being called to preside. He readily accepted the invitation, and walked with the committee by the usual avenue to the gothic hall of the state-house. Nothing indicative of a convention was visible. Scarcely a solitary passenger crossed his path. As ignorant of the location assigned him, as the assembly was of his approach, he was conducted across the hall, when the folding doors were thrown open, and he found himself not only in the presence of several thousands of his fellow citizens, but in the place appointed for their moderator, and actually presiding in their councils.

Surprise could not be more complete either to him or them. Bowing in acknowledgment for the plaudits, which seemed to shake the very skies, and allowed him a moment to recover his self-possession, he addressed the assembly in the following animated sentence.

I had not anticipated that at my time of life, there could have been a scene like the present, but I yield to the call that is made on me, as I

hold it to be the duty of every citizen, though he may have but one day to live, to devote that day to the good of his country.

This sentiment, indicative of the governing principle of his life, is the epitaph recorded on his monument, and was then reechoed by an approving multitude, who felt that the virtue of the revolution was resuscitated at a crisis, which called for a similar exercise of its energy and zeal.

CHAPTER X.

Elected governour of Massachusetts...........Conciliatory temper of the administration........Degree of doctor of laws conferred on him by Harvard College.......Inauguration of president Kirkland.........Reelected governour of Massachusetts.........Policy of the administration changed.....Speech to the legislature...Measures of the republican party........Their character considered........Doctrine of libel........ Correspondence with judge Parker........Message to the legislature on the same subject..........Message on the resources of the state........Complies with the requisition of the government of the United States for a detachment of militia........Is superseded as governour of Massachusetts.

FROM this long period of repose, Mr. Gerry was unexpectedly awakened by a call on him again to become a candidate for the office of governour of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A nomination had usually been made during the sitting of the legislature, and the first suggestion of an intention of again presenting his name to the public, was communicated to him by a committee of gentlemen, who reported that he had been, with great unanimity, selected by the republican party. At the earnest solicitation of his political friends, but in his own language," at the sacrifice of domestic and family interests, and with great personal inconvenience," he assented to the request. A canvass now commenced, which exceeded in its violence whatever had before occurred of a