Editing Elbridge Gerry (section)

==Vice presidency ==
Gerry's financial difficulties prompted him to ask President James Madison for a federal position after his loss in the 1812 election held earlier in the year.<ref name="Billias, p. 323" /> He was chosen by the party [[Congressional nominating caucus]] to be Madison's vice presidential running mate in the [[1812 United States presidential election|1812 presidential election]], although the nomination was first offered to [[John Langdon (politician)|John Langdon]].  He was viewed as a relatively safe choice who would attract Northern votes but not pose a threat to James Monroe, who was thought likely to succeed Madison.  Madison narrowly won re-election.<ref>Billias, p. 324</ref>

Gerry took the oath of office at Elmwood in March 1813.<ref>Billias, p. 324</ref> During this time the office of vice president was largely a [[sinecure]]. Gerry's duties included advancing the administration's agenda in Congress and dispensing [[patronage]] positions in New England.<ref>Billias, p. 327</ref> Gerry's actions in support of the War of 1812 had a partisan edge: he expressed concerns over a possible Federalist seizure of Fort Adams (as Boston's [[Fort Independence (Massachusetts)|Fort Independence]] was then known) as a prelude to Anglo-Federalist cooperation and sought the arrest of printers of Federalist newspapers.<ref>Morison, p. 2:57</ref>

Gerry became the second vice president in a row to die in office, after [[George Clinton (vice president)|George Clinton]].