William Gordon, A.L.S. Jamaica Plain [Mass.] March 8 & 11 1784 : to Elbridge Gerry

William Gordon, A.L.S. Jamaica Plain [Mass.] March 8 & 11 1784 : to Elbridge Gerry

Jamaica Plain, [Mass.] 1784

[4] p. ; 23 cm.

MSS L2011F176

Gordon describes his discussions with founding members of the Society of the Cincinnati about his concerns over the hereditary aspect of the new organization as they approach their first general meeting in Philadelphia in May. "Numbers will after awhile become tradesmen & merchants & will be jealous of their own particular new property, after having disposed of their robes. Domestic & social life will eat out the military spirit and manners. Numbers will be likely to separate when they perceive they are becoming the object of the people’s jealousy, and therefore excluded from civil authority ... I shall try General Knox upon the following alterations, that it shall not be hereditary but finish in the decease of the present members, that no honorary members shall be admitted, and that the fund shall end with the Society ..."
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