1IV. A Proclamation by the General Court, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
The frailty of human Nature, the Wants of Individuals, and the numerous Dangers which surround them, through the Course of Life, have in all Ages, and in every Country impelled them to form Societies, and establish Governments. As the Happiness of the People alone , is the sole End of Government, So the Consent of the People is the only Foundation of it, in Reason, Morality, and the natural...
2To John Adams from James Sullivan, 9 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
To intrude on one who in the greatest Political Tempest is Tyed to the helm of the Mighty Vessel of Empire, wrecked and tossed by the Whirling blasts of Despotism, must give disagreeable Sensations to one (if there is such) of less Sensibility than myself—but as the greatest Events are Swiftly impelling each other upon us, and each moment in the present being worth an age in any other Time I...
3From John Adams to James Sullivan, 26 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of May 9th. and 17th. are now before me; and I consider them as the Commencement of a Correspondence, which will not only give me Pleasure, but may be of Service to the public, as, in my present Station I Stand in need of the best Intelligence, and the Advice of every Gentleman of Abilities and public Principles, in the Colony which has seen fit to place me here. Our worthy...
4To John Adams from James Sullivan, 22 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since I received your favour of the 27th of May on the Subject of Representation I have heard of a Letter being in the post office in Boston for me which I flattered myself was from you in reply to my answer to yrs above mentioned but some body has taken that with one other out of the office and embezzled them. In my answer to yours of the 27th of May I let you know that I was convinced, that...
5James Sullivan to John Adams and Elbridge Gerry, 11 October 1776 (Adams Papers)
There is no measures conceivable to me that can save this Country from utter ruin but the raising an Army to serve during the present War which to all appearance will be yet of very considerable duration. I therefore am much pleased that the Congress are taking measures to that purpose and wish their present measure may prove Effectual but am constrained to say that there is not in my mind the...
6To John Adams from James Sullivan, 24 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Numerous friends will undoubtedly give you by this Conveyance all the news we have in this part of the world, but that you may not think me wanting in that respect which we all owe to your public Character, and that Esteem I ever had for you in private life, I intrude this letter upon you: I have not however the ambition to wish you would acknowledge the receipt of it, because I am...
7From John Adams to James Sullivan, 6 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of the 24. of July and feel myself under Obligations to you for it, So much the greater as it contains freer Sentiments than most of my Friends ever write me, and as it is almost the only Letter, I received by that Conveyance, except from my Family. My Friends Sir have almost forgotten me, by Way of Retaliation I Suppose for my Apparent Neglect of them. I have...
8To John Adams from James Sullivan, 21 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
To trouble you with a Letter merely by way of compliment, or to have it known that I assume the freedom of writing to you is quite out of the way of my practice. nor can I say any thing respecting our Confederation, or constitution, but what you are perfectly acquainted with— but as M r Cranch tells me that you complain of the remisness of your friends on this side the water for not giving you...
9John Adams to James Sullivan, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged by your Favour of the 21. of December. it is a great Pleasure to learn that the Treaty of Peace gives Satisfaction. The Preservation of the Fishery, is the more prescious, as it appeared for Several Years together to be in great danger. In danger I mean of being given up, by the United States themselves, for the Sake of Peace.— it is not in our Power to do any Thing...
10James Sullivan to John Adams, 22 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 7th Sep r. I had a few days ago, shall Set off for Trenton within three days, and shall not fail to communicate One Paragraph of your Letter, the inconvenience of public parsimony I have experienced So much as gives me a full Idea of your feelings. I rejoice with you that you are again with an agreeable and charming family after so long an absence from domestic felicity, I...