Written by Elbridge Gerry, member of the Philadelphia Convention
from Massachusetts, and one of the number who refused to sign the
Constitution, for reasons given in his letter to the presiding
officers of the Massachusetts legislature (Elliot I, 494). Gerry
made himself conspicuous in the contest in Massachusetts over the
ratification, and though not elected to the State Convention, was
requested by them to attend and answer questions. His life, by James
T. Austin, (Boston, 1828), makes no mention of this pamphlet.
“E. G. has come out as a _Columbian Patriot_—a pitiful performance.
The author sinks daily in public esteem, and his bantling goes
unnoticed.”—Rufus King to John Alsop, March 2d, 1788.
The first edition of this pamphlet was printed without a title page,
or imprint, and an examination of the Massachusetts newspapers shows
it was never for sale; making it probable that it was printed for
Gerry, and not for general circulation. Greenleaf reprinted it in
New York, for the [Anti] Federal Committee, who distributed sixteen
hundred and thirty copies to the local county committees of that
State.
“We have received yours by a Columbian Patriot—a well composed piece
but in a style too sublime and florid for the common people in this
part of the country.”—Albany Committee to N. Y. Committee, April
12th, 1788.