Adams Papers
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To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 14 July 1775

From Nathan Rice

Camp in Dorchester July 14th 1775

Dear Sir

I have, since I have had the Happiness to see you become a Son of Mars. Should have done myself the Pleasure of writing before this had not I thought your Time was spent in more importance than in reading my Letters. Have been very much tyed since I Entered the Army. Mrs. Adams informs me you complain of the Remissness of your former Correspondence; wish Sir it was in my Power to make up their Deficiency.

I am much pleased with my Situation in the Army. Have formed the highest Opinion of the Gentlemen whom you have appointed our Generals. Have had but one Opportunity to be in their Company. Should be very happy were you Sir in our military Order. I dare say Sir you would find it a very agreable Situation. We are continually Saluted with the Roar of Cannon, but Familiarity breeds Contempt. Our Army has not the least apprehension from the Enemy. Our Regiment yesterday went on Long Island1 amidst the Enemies Fire and burnd the Buildings and Hay took of[f] about an 100 Sheep and 20 Head of Cattle lost but one Man.2 Have lately burnt Browns Building upon the Neck. Should mention many other things, but Major Morgan is waiting by whom I send this.3 Please to excuse my haste and Errors. Mrs. Adams and little Folks well yesterday. I have entered Adjutant in Genl. Heaths Regiment. I am Sr. your very humble Servant

Nathan Rice4

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To the Honbe. John Adams Esqr. in Philadelphia Pr Favour Major Morgan”; docketed, probably by Rev. William Gordon: “Nathan Rice July 14. 1775.”

1. In Boston Harbor.

2. See also William Tudor to JA, 19 July (below), and AA to JA, 16 July, Adams Family Correspondence description begins Adams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963– . description ends , 1:245–251.

3. Possibly Maj. Abner Morgan of Elisha Porter’s Massachusetts militia regiment (Heitman, Register Continental Army description begins Francis B. Heitman, comp., Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution, new edn., Washington, 1914. description ends , p. 401, 447).

4. For a sketch of Rice, one of JA’s law clerks, see JA, Legal Papers description begins Legal Papers of John Adams, ed. L. Kinvin Wroth and Hiller B. Zobel, Cambridge, 1965; 3 vols. description ends , 1:cviii.

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    Adams Papers
    Title
    To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 14 July 1775
    Author
    Rice, Nathan
    Recipient
    Adams, John
    Date
    14 July 1775

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To John Adams from Nathan Rice, 14 July 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0047. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 3, May 1775 – January 1776, ed. Robert J. Taylor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1979, pp. 78–79.]

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