1201II. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 30 January 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have heretofore intimated my intention, of pursuing the Tories, through all their dark intrigues, and wicked machinations; and to shew the rise, and progress of their schemes for enslaving this country. The honour of inventing and contriving these measures, is not their due. They have been but servile copyers of the designs of Andross, Randolph, Dudley, and other champions of their cause...
1202VIII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 13 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
It has been often observed by me, and it cannot be too often repeated, that Colonization is Casus omissus at common law. There is no such title known in that law. By common law, I mean that system of customs, written and unwritten, which was known and in force in England, in the time of king Richard the first. This continued to be the case, down to the reign of Elizabeth and king James the...
1203XI. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 10 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
The cases of Wales and Ireland are not yet exhausted. They afford such irrefragable proofs, that there is a distinction between the crown and realm, and that a country may be annexed and subject to the former, and not the latter, that they ought to be thoroughly studied and understood. The more these cases, as well as those of Chester, Durham, Jersey, Guernsey, Calais, Gascoine, Guienne, &c....
1204VII. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 6 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
Our rhetorical magician, in his paper of January the 9th continues to wheedle. “You want nothing but to know the true state of facts, to rectify whatever is amiss.” He becomes an advocate for the poor of Boston! Is for making great allowance for the whigs. “The whigs are too valuable a part of the community to lose. He would not draw down the vengeance of Great Britain. He shall become an...
1205Committee Report on the Petition of Gyles Merrill, 10 April 1771 (Adams Papers)
10 April 1771. MS not found. Prepared by a committee appointed and reporting the same day, composed of JA , Samuel Batcheller, and John Noyes. Gyles Merrill, pastor of the First Church of Plaistow, N.H. (formerly the Second Church of Haverhill, Mass.), sought the legislature’s consent to an offer from the Haverhill parish to grant him his parsonage in fee simple. The committee’s report,...
1206Interrogatories for Doane: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, 1768 (Adams Papers)
1. Was you on Board a Whale Boat with Asa Nickerson, on or about the 21st. of June 1765, in the Streights of Bellisle, and to what Vessell did said Boat belong, and who was Master of said Vessell? 2. Did you see the said Asa Nickerson, strike any Whale or Whales, on or about that Time in said Streights, if you did in what manner, declare all you know herein. 3. How and from what Circumstances...
1207IV. Humphrey Ploughjogger to the Boston Gazette, 19 January 1767 (Adams Papers)
I Did flatter myself, as I had got so much Credit by my Writings upon Hemp, and Stamp-Act, &c. &c. that the learned Phylanthrop would just have taken some small Notice of me. * I have enquired about the Reason why he did not. Some tell me, the poor Man’s Council is always despised by the great and larned. Some say that it would be below the Dignity of Government, to take Notice of such a Man...
1208Additional Pleadings: Special Court of Admiralty, Boston, May 1769 (Adams Papers)
And the said Ezekiel Price says, that he to the said plea of the said John Ryan above pleaded to the Jurisdiction of this honorable Court, has no necessity nor is he oblidged by the Law of the Land in any manner to answer, because he says that the same plea is not sufficient in Law to put this honorable Court from taking further Cognizance of the Matters and Things contained in the Articles...
1209Petition to the General Court for Setting off “The Farms” From Dorchester to Braintree, 5 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. the Honorable his Majesty’s Council and the honble. House of Representatives in General Court assembled February A.D. 1773. The Petition of Josiah Quincy John Adams and Joseph Palmer in Behalf of themselves and the North Precinct in Braintree. Humbly sheweth. That there is a certain Tract of Land in the Town of Dorchester lying on the south side of...
1210VI. “U” to the Boston Gazette, 29 August 1763 (Adams Papers)
My worthy and ingenious friend, Mr. J , having strutted and foamed his hour upon the stage and acquired as well as deserved a good reputation as a man of sense and learning, some time since made his exit, and now is heard no more. Soon after Mr. Js departure, your present correspondent made his appearance; but has not yet executed his intended plan.—Mr. J inlisted himself under the banners of...
1211Message to Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson on the Command of Castle William, 23 October 1770 (Adams Papers)
23 October 1770. MS not found. Printed: Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715–], Boston, reprinted by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1919–. (For the years for which reprints are not yet available, the original printings are cited, by year and session.) , 1770–1771, p. 111. Prepared by a committee appointed 17 October composed of Samuel Adams,...
1212Report of the Committee on Proposals for Boston’s Conduct under the Port Act., 18 May 1774 (Adams Papers)
18 May 1774. Report of the Committee on Proposals for Boston’s conduct under the Port Act. No Dft found. printed : Boston Record Commissioners, 18th Report City of Boston, Record Commissioners, Reports , Boston, 1876–1909; 39 vols. , p. 175. Prepared by a committee appointed 13 May composed of Samuel Adams, John Rowe, Thomas Boylston, William Phillips, Joseph Warren, John Adams, Josiah Quincy,...
1213IX. Governor Winthrop to Governor Bradford, 2 February 1767 (Adams Papers)
Govr. W. to Govr. B. I promised you, another Letter, concerning the wicked Maxims, the delusive Arts, and the false Assertions, of that devoted Writer, Phylanthrop. I remember to have read in Diodorus the Sicilian, of an Institution among the ancient Aegyptians, intended to reconcile a Reverence for the Persons of their Princes, with an Endeavour to instruct and reform them. This Method was,...
1214X. Governor Winthrop to Governor Bradford, 9 February 1767 (Adams Papers)
You have my promise of another letter, concerning the maxims, arts, and positions of Philanthrop; whose performances of the last week I shall proceed to consider, without any formal apology for departing from the plan I proposed at first. The art employed by this writer, in the introduction to his account of the Concord anecdote, is worth observation; before we undertake an examination of the...
1215Committee of the Boston Sons of Liberty to John Wilkes, 6 June 1768 (Adams Papers)
The friends of Liberty, Wilkes, Peace and good order to the number of Forty five, assembled at the Whig Tavern Boston New England, take this first opportunity to congratulate your Country, the British Colonies and yourself, on your happy return to the land alone worthy such an Inhabitant: worthy! as they have lately manifested an incontestible proof of virtue, in the honorable and most...
1216Committee of the Boston Sons of Liberty to John Wilkes, 5 October 1768 (Adams Papers)
Your very obliging favor we receiv’d by Capt. Bruce the 18th ultimo. The members were immediately assembled and inexpressible was the satisfaction of our regale on the genuine sentiments of a worthy Briton. Your health your friends and cause were the toasts of the evening. We congratulated ourselves on our well plac’d confidence, and presumed much on the exertions of such a Martyr to universal...
1217An Act for the Limitation of Personal Actions, 20 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
20 November 1770. MS , engrossed copy, signed by Hutchinson ( M-Ar ). Printed: Mass., Province Laws The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay , Boston, 1869–1922; 21 vols. , 5:109–111. Prepared by a committee appointed 16 October composed of JA , John Worthington, and Joseph Hawley ( Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of...
1218Decr. 31st. 1766. (Adams Papers)
“Whatever tends to create in the Minds of the People, a Contempt of the Persons of those who hold the highest Offices in the State, tends to a Belief that Subordination is not necessary, and is no essential Part of Government.”—Now I dont See the Truth of this. Should any one say that the Steeple of Dr. Sewals Meeting was old, and decay’d and rotten, and in danger of falling on the Heads of...
1219Boston Town Meeting Committee Report on Measures for the Vindication of the Town, 18 October 1769 (Adams Papers)
Boston, 18 October 1769. MS ( MB ). Printed: Boston Record Commissioners, 16th Report City of Boston, Record Commissioners, Reports , Boston, 1876–1909; 39 vols. , p. 299–300, 303–325. On 4 Oct., JA was named to a committee “to Consider what Measures are proper to be taken to vindicate the Character of the Town” from charges made by Gov. Bernard and others in letters to Lord Hillsborough...
1220Report of the Committee on Ways and Means, 17 June 1774 (Adams Papers)
17 June 1774. Report of the Committee on Ways and Means. No Dft or minutes found. printed : Boston Record Commissioners, 18th Report City of Boston, Record Commissioners, Reports , Boston, 1876–1909; 39 vols. , p. 176. With John Adams acting as moderator pro tempore , Dr. Joseph Warren, a member of the committee, “acquainted the Town, that they thought it best to defer making Report, till they...
1221II. The Earl of Clarendon to William Pym, 20 January 1766 (Adams Papers)
You and I have changed Sides. As I told you in my last, I can account for your Tergiversation, only on the Supposition of the Insincerity, Baseness and Depravity of your Heart. For my own Part, as the Change in me is not so great, neither is it so unaccountable. My Education was, in the Law, the Grounds of which were so riveted in me, that no Temptation could induce me, knowingly, to swerve...
1222I. The Earl of Clarendon to William Pym, 13 January 1766 (Adams Papers)
The revolution which one century has produced in your opinions and principles, is not quite so surprizing to me, as it seems to be to many others. You know, very well, I had always a jealousy, that your humanity was counterfeited, your ardor for liberty canker’d with simulation, and your integrity problematical at least. I confess however, that so sudden a transition from licentiousness to...
1223III. To General Gage, 10 October 1774 (Adams Papers)
The Delegates from the Several Provinces in North America, now assembled in Congress, beg Leave to address your Excellency upon Subjects of very great Importance, to your own Character to your own Happiness and Peace of Mind, as well to his Majestys Service, and to the Welfare of the Province over which you preside, and of all North America, perhaps of the whole British Empire. Your Situation...
1224A Bill for Granting Support to Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson, 10 April 1771 (Adams Papers)
10 April 1771. MS ( P.R.O. : Colonial Office, 5:760). Prepared by a committee appointed and reporting the same day, composed of John Hancock, JA , and John Gallison. The committee listed above was to prepare a bill for a grant of £506 to Hutchinson for his services as lieutenant governor. A second committee, of which JA was not a member, was appointed to draft a bill for Hutchinson’s support...
1225Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
1226V. Misanthrop, No. 1, January 1767 (Adams Papers)
“’Tho I sincerely wish the Reformation of Paskalos and his Abettors and Assistants, yet I own from what I know of their Views and Principles, I am without Hopes of it: But my design is to contribute according to my best Ability, towards the support of good Government, and the Vindication of much injured Innocence. These two great Ends I am determined Steadily to pursue; and if I can be in any...
1227II. Report of the Braintree Committee respecting Minute Men, 15 March 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed to consider relating to Minute Men offerd their report as follows. The Committee appointed to consider what Encouragement it will be proper for the Town to give to Minute Men to be raised in this Town: Report as their opinion that it is proper for this Town to make Provision for three Companies of Minute Men each to consist of Forty one Men including officers one...
The Committee who was directed to take a Plan and make Division of the North Commons (so called) at the Meeting of the Town in March last past having proceeded on that affair and have taken a Plan thereof Excepting the following peices (viz.) about Three acres taken off by the Road at the Swamp called purgatory swamp, about four acres taken off by the Road or Towns Way between Benja. Savels...
1229Report of the Braintree Committee for the Sale of the North Common, 30 September 1765 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed by the Town for the Sale of the North Commons offered their Report to the Town and therewith exhibited a number of Bonds payable to the Treasurer of said Town being the produce of the Sale of said Commons together with the account of their Expences. The Report as follows (viz.). We the subscribers the Committee appointed to make Sale of the North Commons beg leave to...
1230III. To the Inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
The history of the Tories, begun in my last, will be interrupted for some time: but it shall be reassumed, and minutely related, in some future papers. Massachusettensis, who shall now be pursued, in his own serpentine path, in his first paper, complains, that the press is not free, that a party has gained the ascendency so far as to become the licencers of it; by playing off the resentment of...
1231Report of the Braintree Committee on the Proceeds of the Sale of the South Common, 19 May 1762 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed to Consider in what manner the Proceeds of the Sale of the South Commons may be Secured as a fund to the Town made their Report as follows, (viz.) We the Subscribers appointed a Committee to consider in what manner the Proceeds that may arise by the Sale of the South Commons be Secured to the Town as a fund that the Town may Reap the annual Benefit of the Same and if...
1232IX. Humphrey Ploughjogger to the Boston Evening-Post, 5 September 1763 (Adams Papers)
It is a pleasant Thing to see ones Works in print.—When I see the news, with my letter int about Hemp, I do say it made me feel as glad, as a glass full of West India rum, sweetned with loaf shugar, would.—But yet, even then I want so presumptious, as to hope hardly, that such a fine ellokent gentleman, as Mr. U. would stoop to take so much notice of me.—He is a noble, high flown riter, like...
1233II. Humphrey Ploughjogger to Philanthrop, 5 January 1767 (Adams Papers)
As It is my Design to write a good deal to you, before I have done, So I have gained favour in the Eyes of our S c hool Master, to write out my Letters to you, for the Time to come, and to mend the Spelling a little that I may appear in public a little more handsome; tho he will not be very nice about the Matter, and will leave you now and then an opening, Pedant as you are to carp, at...
1234Adams’ Copy of the Libel and Report of the Trial: Court of Vice Admiralty, Boston, October 1768-March 1769 (Adams Papers)
Be it remembered that on the 26 October 1768 Joseph Dowse of Salem in the County of Essex Esqr., Surveyor and Searcher for the Port of Salem and Marblehead in said Province, who prosecutes as well &c. comes and gives the Court to be informed that on the Sixth day of September last at Glocester in the Port aforesaid, he Seized as forfeited, one Third to the King &c. Thirty Three Hogsheads and...
1235New Pleadings: Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, August 1772 (Adams Papers)
And the Said William Crafts, Giles Brewer, Benjamin Richardson and Asa Stodder, come and defend &c. and as to the Force and Arms, and any Thing that is against the Peace, and also the whole Trespass aforesaid excepting the Breaking and entering the Dwelling House aforesaid, breaking and entering the Close aforesaid, and breaking down and erasing to the Foundation the brick Walls and Chimnies...
1236VIII. “U” to the Boston Gazette, 5 September 1763 (Adams Papers)
It seems to be necessary for me, (notwithstanding the declaration in my last) once more to digress from the road of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; and to enter the list of disputation with a Brace of writers in the Evening Post, one of whom has subscribed himself, X , and the other, W. —I shall agree with the first of these Gentlemen, that “to preach up non resistance , with the zeal of a...
1237V. “U” to the Boston Gazette, 1 August 1763 (Adams Papers)
Man , is distinguished from other Animals, his Fellow-Inhabitants of this Planet, by a Capacity of acquiring Knowledge and Civility, more than by any Excellency, corporeal, or mental, with which, mere Nature, has furnished his Species.—His erect Figure, and sublime Countenance, would give him but little Elevation above the Bear, or the Tyger: nay, notwithstanding those Advantages, he would...
1238Committee Report on Naming a Day of Prayer and Humiliation, 17 October 1770 (Adams Papers)
17 October 1770. MS not found. Draft prepared by a committee appointed 16 October composed of JA , Timothy Danielson, and James Warren. The committee’s report, submitted the following day, was recommitted and, at the same time, JA was excused from the committee with Samuel Holten appointed in his place ( Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715–],...
1239VIII. Governor Winthrop to Governor Bradford, Some Fragments, January 1767 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to find Phylanthrop, attempting to vindicate the high flying, Maxims, the arbitrary Precedents, and the Tyrannical Practices of that self sufficient Innovator that arrogant, pedantical Tyrant King James the first. This Exception in the Dedimus, is laying the Ax to the Root of the Tree of Liberty. It is Hewing it down, or tearing it up, as Nero swore he would Virtue by the Roots....
1240Message to Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson on the Command of Castle William, 20 November 1770 (Adams Papers)
MS not found. Printed: Mass., House Jour. Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715–], Boston, reprinted by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1919–. (For the years for which reprints are not yet available, the original printings are cited, by year and session.) , 1770–1771, p. 171–172. Prepared by the committee on the state of the province, appointed 16 October (see...
1241Committee of the Boston Sons of Liberty to John Wilkes, 4 November 1769 (Adams Papers)
Many unforeseen engagements, and unavoidable accidents, furnish us with our only apology for not transmitting a seasonable answer to your favour of March last. We flatter ourselves you will be so kind as yet to accept of our most sincere thanks, for all your noble and generous expressions of regard for the Colonies. We yet too sensibly feel the loss of every right, liberty and privilege, that...