Warren, James

Autograph letter signed ("JWarren"), 2 1/2 pages (9 1/2 x 7 3/4 in.; 240 x 196 mm), Milton, Massachusetts, 31 August 1785, to Elbridge Gerry; formerly folded, residue from mounting on final blank page. Red half-morocco clamshell box.

Printed in C.H. Gardiner, A Study in Dissent: the Warren-Gerry Correspondence (1968), p. 190

formerly folded, residue from mounting on final blank page.
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On trade policy under the Articles of Confederation.

Warren, writing to his old friend Gerry, regrets that he missed Gerry's recent attempt to visit him, and goes on to criticize the duties imposed by the Massachusetts legislature, believing Congress to be a better repository of that power: "When I condemned the policy of our State I did not mean that which relates to Britain. No retaliation can be too severe with regard to them. But why should we Involve other Nations, who have treated us with Commercial Liberalities in the Consequences of our resentment to them, or why should we be guilty of the great absurdity of Taxing the Necessaries of Life with more severity than those of the Extreemest & most Contemptible Luxury. Nails, for Instance, higher than feathers for Girls Caps etc. I am Convinced of the necessity of placing the regulation of Commerce under a Single direction & that the direction should of Course be in Congress. All my difficulty is to guard this disposal. If they have it in their power to Lay duties for the purpose of a revenue, & have the disposition of those Revenues, what security have we for our Liberties."

Congress is by no means, perfect: "Experience shews the futility of annual Elections in all Instances that have occurred." Some of its members may accumulate the power "to overturn this Constitution when he pleased, & No Government, or at least the public security of no People, should depend on the Virtue of any Man, or set of Men. But is there no such thing as separateing the regulation of Trade from the raising a Revenue. I believe there is wisdom enough in Congress to do this even if duties are necessary appendages to it, more especially under our peculiar Circumstances. You know I am an Enemy to all Imposts, Excises etc. and I have a Sentiment, perhaps peculiar to myself, that if those Measures had not been adopted by the European Nations, they would neither have been in Debt or Inslaved, and England might at this time have preserved her Control over America, without any Impediment from a Debt of 280,000,000 on her shoulders."