1[November 1774] (Adams Papers)
Left Brother Paine at New York to go by the Packett to New Port. Rode to Cocks at Kings bridge to break fast, to Havilands at Rye to Dinner, and to Knaps at Horse Neck in Greenwich to lodge. Rode to Bulkleys at Fairfield to dinner, and to Captn. Benjamins of Stratford to lodge. We design to Great Swamp to day. 42 miles. At Newhaven, Coll. Dyer, Deane and Sherman, Mr. Parsons, the new Speaker...
21774. Wednesday. Novr. 9. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Reeve’s of Sudbury.
31774. Tuesday. Novr. 8. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Coll. Henshaws of Leicester. Dined at Woodburns of Worcester. Furnival made the two young Ladies come in and sing Us the New Liberty Song. Lodged at Coll. Buckminsters of Framingham.
41774. Monday. Novr. 7. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Rice’s of Brookfield. Major Foster came to see us, and gave us an Account of the Proceedings of the Prov incial Congress. Lodged at Hunts in Spencer.
51774. Sunday. Novr. 6. (Adams Papers)
Went all day to hear Mr. Baldwin a Presbyterian Minister at Kingston. We put up at Scotts. Mr. Baldwin came in the Evening to see us. Hor. B. 3. O. 2. Pueros ab ineunte AEtate assuefaciendos esse rei militari et Vitae laboriosae. We walked to Meeting above 2 Miles at Noon. We walked 1/4 of a Mile and staid at one Quintouns an old Irishman, and a friendly cordial Reception we had. The old Man...
61774 Saturday. Novr. 5. (Adams Papers)
Break fasted at Austins of Suffield. Went to see a Company of Men exercising upon the Hill, under the Command of a green coated Man, lately a Regular. A Company of very likely stout men. Dined at Parsons’s of Springfield. Captn. Pynchon and another Pynchon, and Mr. Bliss, came in to see Us, and at last Coll. Worthington. Worthington behaved decently and politely. Said he was in Hopes we should...
71774. Fryday. Novr. 4. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Hartford, at Bulls, where we had the Pleasure of seeing Mr. Adams’s Minister Mr. How, who is supposed to be courting here. Lodged at Dr. Chafy’s Chaffee’s in Windsor. Very cordially entertained.
81774. Thursday. Novr. 3. (Adams Papers)
We design to Great Swamp to day. 42 miles. At Newhaven, Coll. Dyer, Deane and Sherman, Mr. Parsons, the new Speaker Williams, Mr. Trumbull and many other Gentlemen came to see us at Beers’s as soon as we got in. Coll. Dyer presented the Compliments of the Governor and Council to the Massachusetts Delegates and asked our Company, to spend the Evening. I begged Coll. Dyer to present my Duty to...
91774. Wednesday. Novr. 2. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Bulkleys at Fairfield to dinner, and to Captn. Benjamins of Stratford to lodge.
101774. Tuesday. Novr. 1. (Adams Papers)
Left Brother Paine at New York to go by the Packett to New Port. Rode to Cocks at Kings bridge to break fast, to Havilands at Rye to Dinner, and to Knaps at Horse Neck in Greenwich to lodge.
11[September 1774] (Adams Papers)
This Day, We breakfasted at Mr. Mifflins, Mr. C. Thompson came in, and soon after Dr. Smith. The famous Dr. Smith, the Provost of the Colledge. He appears a plain Man—tall, and rather Aukward—there is an Appearance of Art. We then went to return Visits to the Gentlemen who had visited us. We visited a Mr. Cadwallader a Gentleman of large Fortune, a grand and elegant House And Furniture. We...
Non Importation, Non Consumption, Non Exportation to Britain, and W. Indies. Petition to the King—Address to the People of England—Address to the People of America. Societies of Arts and Manufactures in every Colony. A Militia Law in every Colony. Encouragement of Militia and military Skill. Raising 500,000£ st. and 20,000 Men. Offering to raise a sum of Money, and appropriate it to the...
13[October 1774] (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Webster. Spent the Evening with Stephen Collins. Went to see the Election at the State House. Mr. Dickinson was chosen. As one of the representatives of Philadelphia co. to the Pennsylvania Assembly, which in turn, 15 Oct., elected him to the Continental Congress. In a letter to AA of 7 Oct. JA wrote at some length on the favorable turn of the Pennsylvania elections for the...
141774 Monday. Oct. 31. (Adams Papers)
Mr. McDougall, Mr. Scott, Captn. Sears, Mr. Platt, Mr. Hewes came to see us. All but the last dined with us. Walked to see the new Hospital, a grand Building. Went to the Coffee House. Mr. Cary and Dr. Loring dined with us. The Sons of Liberty are in the Horrors here. They think they have lost ground since We passed thro this City. Their Delegates have agreed with the Congress, which I suppose...
151774. Sunday. Octr. 30. (Adams Papers)
My Birthday. I am 39 Years of Age.—Rode to Elizabeth Town in New Jersey, where We are to dine. Rode down to Elizabeth Town Point, and put our Carriage and all our Horses into two Ferry Boats. Sail’d or rather rowed, Six Miles to a Point on Staten Island where We stoped and went into a Tavern. Got to Hulls in New York, about 10 O Clock, at night.
161774. Saturday. Octr. 29. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Prince Town, where We dine, at the sign of Hudibrass.— Vacation at Nassau Hall. Dr. Witherspoon out of Town. Paine recollected the Story of Mr. Keiths Joke upon him at Howlands of Plymouth, the Time of the Stamp Act. Paine said he would go to making brass Buckles. Keith said he might do that to great Advantage for his Stock would cost him nothing. Lodged at Farmers in Brunswick.
171774. Fryday. Octr. 28. (Adams Papers)
Took our Departure in a very great Rain, from the happy, the peacefull, the elegant, the hospitable, and polite City of Phyladelphia.—It is not very likely that I shall ever see this Part of the World again, but I shall ever retain a most greatefull, pleasing Sense, of the many Civilities I have received, in it. And shall think myself happy to have an opportunity of returning them.—Dined at...
181774. Thursday. Octr. 27. (Adams Papers)
Went this Morning with Mr. Tudor to see the Carpenters Hall, and the Library, and to Mr. Barrells and Bradfords, and then to the State House to see the Supream Court sitting. Heard Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Reed argue a Point of Law concerning the Construction of a Will. Three Judges, Chew, Willing and Moreton.
191774. Wednesday [26 October]. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home. This Day the Congress finished. Spent the Evening together at the City Tavern—all the Congress and several Gentlemen of the Town. Among other things Congress this day debated and approved the address to the people of Quebec, signed the address to the King, voted a resolution of thanks to the Pennsylvania Assembly “for their politeness to this Congress,” and “then dissolved...
201774 Tuesday [25 October]. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Clymer. General Lee &c. there.
211774. Monday. Octr. 24. (Adams Papers)
In Congress, nibbling and quibbling—as usual. There is no greater Mortification than to sit with half a dozen Witts, deliberating upon a Petition, Address, or Memorial. These great Witts, these subtle Criticks, these refined Genius’s, these learned Lawyers, these wise Statesmen, are so fond of shewing their Parts and Powers, as to make their Consultations very tedius. Young Ned Rutledge is a...
221774. Sunday. Octr. 23. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Piercy, at Mr. Sprouts. He is Chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Comes recommended to Mr. Cary of Charlestown, from her, as a faithful servant of the Lord. No Genius—no Orator. In the Afternoon I went to the Baptist Church and heard a trans Alleganian—a Preacher, from the back Parts of Virginia, behind the Allegany Mountains. He preached an hour and an half. No Learning—No Grace...
231774. Saturday. Octr. 22. (Adams Papers)
Dined in the Country, with Mr. Dickinson, with all the Delegates from N. England. Mr. Duane, Mr. Reed, Mr. Livingstone &c.
241774 Fryday. Oct. 21. (Adams Papers)
Dined at the Library Tavern with Messrs. Marcoo’s Markoes and a dozen Gentlemen from the W. Indies and N. Carolina. A fine bowling Green here—fine Turtle, and admirable Wine. On this day Congress approved an “address to the people of Great-Britain” and a “memorial to the inhabitants of the British Colonies”; and Galloway, McKean, JA , and Hooper were named “a committee to revise the minutes of...
251774 Thursday Octr. 20. (Adams Papers)
Dined with the whole Congress at the City Tavern, at the Invitation of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pensylvania, the whole House dined with Us, making near 100 Guests in the whole—a most elegant Entertainment. A Sentiment was given, “May the Sword of the Parent never be Stain’d with the Blood of her Children.” Two or 3 broadbrims, over against me at Table—one of em said this...
261774 Wednesday. Octr. 19. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home.
271774 Tuesday. Oct. 18. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Stephen Collins’s.
281774. Monday Octr. 17. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home.
29[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress, 17? October 1774.] (Adams Papers)
Proof of Depth of Abilities, and Wickedness of Heart. Precedent. Lords refusal of perpetual Imprisonment. Prerogative to give any Government to a conquered People. Romish Religion. Feudal Government. Union of feudal Law and Romish Superstition. Knights of Malta. Orders of military Monks. Goths and Vandals—overthrew the roman Empire. Danger to us all. An House on fire. From JA ’s loose sheets...
301774 Sunday. Octr. 16. (Adams Papers)
Staid at Home all day. Very busy in the necessary Business of putting the Proceedings of the Congress into Order. That is, the final version of the Declaration of Rights? See entry of 14 Oct., note 2 , above. So far as the Journal shows, the Declaration had been approved on 14 Oct., but there is evidence to show that some points relative to it were debated in Congress as late as the 17th; see...
311774 Saturday. Octr. 15. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Wests with the Rutledges and Mr. Middleton. An elegant House, rich furniture, and a splendid Dinner.
321774. Fryday. Octr. 14. (Adams Papers)
Went in the Morning to see Dr. Chevott Chovet and his Skelletons and Wax Work—most admirable, exquisite Representations of the whole Animal Aeconomy. Four compleat Skelletons. A Leg with all the Nerves, Veins and Arteries injected with Wax. Two compleat Bodies in Wax, full grown. Waxen Representations of all the Muscles, Tendons &c., of the Head, Brain, Heart, Lungs, Liver, Stomack, Gutts,...
331774 Thursday. Octr. 13. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Dickenson with Chase, Paca, Low, Mifflin, Mr. Penn and General Lee, at six O Clock. From 10 O Clock untill half after four, We were debating, about the Parliamentary Power of regulating Trade. 5 Colonies were for allowing it, 5. against it, and two divided among themselves, i.e. Mass, and Rhode Island. Mr. Duane has had his Heart sett upon asserting in our Bill of Rights, the...
341774. Wednesday. Octr. 12. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Captn. Richards with Dr. Coombs.
351774 Tuesday Octr. 11. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. McKean in Markett Street, with Mr. Reed, Rodney, Chace, Johnson, Paca, Dr. Morgan, Mr. R. Penn, &c. Spent the Evening with Mr. Henry at his Lodgings consulting about a Petition to the King. Henry said he had no public Education. At fifteen he read Virgill and Livy, and has not looked into a Latin Book since. His father left him at that Age, and he has been struggling thro Life...
361774 Monday. Octr. 10th. (Adams Papers)
The Deliberations of the Congress, are spun out to an immeasurable Length. There is so much Wit, Sense, Learning, Acuteness, Subtilty, Eloquence, &c. among fifty Gentlemen, each of whom has been habituated to lead and guide in his own Province, that an immensity of Time, is spent unnecessarily. Johnson of Maryland has a clear and a cool Head, an extensive Knowledge of Trade, as well as Law. He...
371774. Sunday [9 October]. (Adams Papers)
Went to hear Dr. Allison, an Aged Gentleman. It was Sacrament Day and he gave us a sacramental Discourse. This Dr. Allison is a Man of Abilities and Worth, but I hear no Preachers here like ours in Boston, excepting Mr. Duchè. Coombs indeed is a good Speaker, but not an original, but a Copy of Duchè. The Multiplicity of Business and Ceremonies, and Company that we are perpetually engaged in,...
381774 Saturday Octr. 8. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. George Clymer—Mr. Dickinson and a large Company again.
391774 Fryday Octr. 7. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Thos. Smith, with a large Company, the Virginians and others.
401774 Thursday. Octr. 6. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Hodge, Father in Law to Mr. Bayard.
41[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress, 6? October 1774.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gadsden. There are Numbers of Men who will risque their all. I shudder at the thought of the Blood which will be spilled, and would be glad to avoid it. Mr. Pendleton. How is the Purchaser to know whether the Molosses, Sugar, or Coffee, has paid the Duty or not? It cant be known. Shant We by this hang out to all the World our Intentions to smuggle? Don’t We complain of these Acts as...
421774. Wednesday Octr. 5th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Dr. Cadwallador, in Company with Governor Hamilton, Gen. Lee, Mr. Henry, Mr. Pendleton, Mr. De Hart, and many others —Mr. Maese and others—Spent the Evening at Home with Mr. McDougal, and Mr. Sherman—in sad and solemn Consultation about the Miseries and Distresses of our dear Town of Boston.
431774 Tuesday. Octr. 4. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Alexander Wilcox, with all the Delegates from N. York, and several other Gentlemen.—This Evening General Lee came to my Lodgings and shewed me an Address from the C ongress to the People of Canada which he had. It was not, however, until 21 Oct. that Congress resolved to prepare an address to the people of Quebec, which was brought in by a committee (on which JA did not serve)...
441774 Monday Octr. 3. 1774. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at home with Coll. Dagworthy of Maryland, Captn. Dagworthy his Brother, Major De Bois, Mr. Webb, Dr. Clopton &c. The hurry of Spirits I have been in, since my Arrival in this City, has prevented my making Remarks in my Journal as I wished to have done. The quick Succession of Objects, the Variety of Scenes and Characters, have rendered it impracticable. Major De Bois says he will...
451774. Sunday. Octr. 2. (Adams Papers)
Went to Christ Church and heard Mr. Coombs upon “Judge not according to the Appearance, but judge righteous Judgment.” Went to Mr. Sprout’s in the Afternoon and heard Mr. Tenant Tennent . Spent the Evening at home with Mr. Macdougal, Mr. Cary of Charlestown, Mr. Reed and Coll. Floyd.
461774. Saturday [1 October]. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Webster. Spent the Evening with Stephen Collins. Went to see the Election at the State House. Mr. Dickinson was chosen. As one of the representatives of Philadelphia co. to the Pennsylvania Assembly, which in turn, 15 Oct., elected him to the Continental Congress. In a letter to AA of 7 Oct. JA wrote at some length on the favorable turn of the Pennsylvania elections for the...
47[August 1774] (Adams Papers)
The committee for the Congress took their departure from Boston, from Mr. Cushing’s house, and rode to Coolidge’s, where they dined in company with a large number of gentlemen, who went out and prepared an entertainment for them at that place. A most kindly and affectionate meeting we had, and about four in the afternoon we took our leave of them, amidst the kind wishes and fervent prayers of...
48[Miscellaneous Expenses, August–September 1774.] (Adams Papers)
a Guinea to the lame Man pd. the Barber 2£:5s:0d. Philadel. 1£:16s. L.M. 6 Dollars.—pd. 2 Washings.—pd. for Leather Straps at Watertown. These items are written inside the front cover of JA ’s paper booklet “22”; see note on entry of 4 Sept., below.
491774 Fryday [30 September]. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Jonathan Smiths—Dr. Allison, Mr. Sprout and many other Gentlemen. On this day Congress adopted, in principle, a nonexportation agreement, to go into effect on 10 Sept. 1775. ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 1:51–52). On the same day JA introduced a series of resolves in support of...
501774. Thursday. Sept. 29. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Home, with the Delegates from North Carolina and a No. of other Gentlemen.