2751To John Adams from James Bowdoin, 2 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
The interesting intelligence of your Letter occasioned my sending it to Council as soon as I received it. In Consequence of it, and of other corroborating information, the General Court by a resolve of the 30th. Ultimo have ordered a draft to be made the 15th. Instant to complete the raising a number of able bodied men, equal to a seventh part of the male Inhabitants within the State from 16...
2752To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 2 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of April 22d. came to hand a few days since. General Lincoln is deservedly acquited from any blame. It is as you observe impossible to guard against the intrigues of the Tories and the Negligence of the Militia. However I hope with you that few such surprises will take place. I most sincerely lament the great inattention and indifference that appears among the People in general...
2753Abigail Adams to John Adams, April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The young folks desire Mamma to return thanks for their Letters which they will properly notice soon. It would have grieved you if you had seen your youngest Son stand by his Mamma and when she deliverd out to the others their Letters, he inquired for one, but none appearing he stood in silent grief with the Tears running down his face, nor could he be pacified till I gave him one of...
2754To John Adams from James Warren, 27 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you by the post on last Thursday, Nothing very material has taken place here. Two Frigates have for some time been Infecting our Coasts. A species of Insult that has ever Gauled me, and more especially since we had Ships sufficient either to take or drive them off, lying in our harbours for months sufficient to build and Equip A large fleet. The Ships now on the Coast have taken...
2755Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 25 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The bearer is Thomas Russell Esq., who is going to The Congress in order to make Application in behalf of the Town of Charlestown for some temperal releif for the many sufferers amongst which are many widows, more so than in general, and iff any thing could be done for them, under there present dificulties, consistant with the general good I should be glad and hope some method might be found...
2756Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 24 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you last Week by Mr. Thos. Russell who was to set out for Philadelphia on Monday last. In it I gave you some Account of the Bill for regulating Prices &c. (entituled an Act to prevent Monopoly and Oppression) and the curious State we have been in since its Publication; it will not be long before I shall be able to give You a more particular Account of its Effects—something decisive...
2757To John Adams from Samuel Freeman, 23 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The General Assembly of this State frequently receives Petitions from Soldiers who have met with losses while in the Army, some who were inlisted Soldiers and some who serv’d as Militia Men—praying that they may be made good to them. Others who were taken sick on the Road and have been at an Expence pray that their Accounts may be allowed. I mention this to you that if you think proper you may...
2758To John Adams from James Warren, 23 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have been very Unwell and Absent for A fortnight. I returned here Yesterday. While I was at home I had the great pleasure of receiving several of your favours, perticularly those of March 31. April 1st. and 3d. with the Inclosures, and since my return yours by Capt. Arnold of the 6th. Instant. I think myself greatly Obliged to you for the Entertainment as well as Intelligence and Information...
2759Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The post is very Regular and faithfully brings me all your Letters I believe. If I do not write so often as you do be assurd that tis because I have nothing worth your acceptance to write. Whilst the Army lay this way I had constantly something by way of inteligance to write, of late there has been as general a state of Tranquility as if we had no contending Armies. There seems to be something...
2760Zabdiel Adams to John Adams, 19 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The great Distance that separates us occasions that we can hear of each others welfare but seldom. This therefore ought to induce us, as we were formerly much acquainted, to embrace every opportunity to write in order to perpetuate that friendship and regard that once so eminently subsisted between us. It would to me be highly acceptable could Letters be conveyed backwards and forwards...
2761To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I came to this place; all things remain much as they were; a few Companies have come in from Connecticut, and many more on their march, ’tis said that two thousand are on their march from that State, and many from Massachussetts. The constant complaint here is, that there are but few troops and the reinforcements come in extremely slow,—which is too true . On my way to this place I...
2762Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favours of March 14, 16 and 22, have received, and most sincerely thank you for them. I know not How I should support an absence already tedious, and many times attended with melancholy reflections, if it was not for so frequently hearing from you. That is a consolation to me, tho a cold comfort in a winters Night. As the Summer advances I have many anxieties, some of which I...
2763To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 16 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have too many kinds of public business, to admit my looking into the matter of Finances, and examining the Same with that precision which the Subject demands; but some methods must be taken, as Speedily as possible, to sink the Bills of Credit. Taxes will draw in large Quantities, and Lotteries will operate in aid to Taxes: And I think that you ought to borrow hard Money; ¼ the Sum emitted...
2764Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 14 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
We hear of your being at Philadelphia and wish You a comfortable Session there. The spring is now opening and with this (probably) some grand Important Scenes that will call for the Wisdom of the Politician and the Skill and Bravery of the Warrior. Troops are dayly marching from this State to the several Places of their Destination and were all the Levies compleated from the several States,...
2765To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 13 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Enemy made an attempt to surprise General Lincoln. This morning they advanced by three divisions. One crossed the Rarotan about a mile above Head Quarters—the second division came up in front of the Town—the third to the left of the Town and crossed the River cald Boundbrook. Besides these three divisions there was a Corps of de reservs commanded by General Mathews. The Padroles and Guards...
2766Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 10 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours by post I have received, and with what Armes is Arrived this way, hope will be a full supply, and wish there were an equal Number to make Use of them. Although Our Number is not compleated, yet by what we can learn, we have as many or more than any of the goverments and are marching forward dayly. The story of the burning the Arsenal att Plymouth wish was more Authenticated, As we have a...
2767Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I hope to receive some Letters from you this week, the date of the last was the 7 of March and now tis the 7 of April. I cannot suppose according to your usual practice but you must have wrote several times since; I sent a Letter to the post office a Saturday, but yesterday hearing of an express I thought to write a few lines by it, just to tell you that the family are well as usual, that I...
2768To John Adams from Isaac Foster, 7 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
As nothing worthy your Attention has occurred since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Philadelphia except what you must have had from better Authority, I need rather appologize for troubling you with this, than for not having sooner improved your kind invitation of writing to you; when I left Philadelphia I hoped for an Oppurtunity of visiting Boston, but the Enemy begining to move I have...
2769To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have neither seen nor heard of any Resolution of Congress approving or disproving of the Laboratory being fixed at Springfield. If the Congress approves thereof it will be necessary for them to say so there being now an Order for it’s being fixed at Brookfield and the Council of the Massachusets State commissioned to provide the materials for the erection of the necessary Buildings at that...
2770To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I scratch a Line in utmost Hast—Your kind Letter I receiv’d by Mr Jackson the Day after sending one to you. Your Tickets sell rapidly. Your Loan Office will fill apace. I wrote to you, or Mr Adams on the American Navy. Manly’s Character rises here. He has sail’d to Cape Ann for some Men there and has press’d thro great Difficulties to get out—something must be done to expedit Matters in that...
2771To John Adams from James Warren, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 15th. and 18th. of March. There are few things I wish for more than A War between Britain, and France &c. I am therefore greatly pleased with the Accounts you have of the probability of it. Such has been the situation, of matters for some time that I could not see how it could be Avoided, and yet my Impatience makes me Uneasy at the...
2772Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I sit down to write tho I feel very Languid; the approach of Spring unstrings my nerves, and the South winds have the same Effect upon me which Brydon says the Siroce winds have upon the inhabitants of Sicily. It gives the vapours, blows away all their gaiety and spirits and gives a degree of Lassitude both to the Body and mind, which renders them absolutely incapable of performing their usual...
2773Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours by Docto. Jackson I received last week, he had letters to Others likewise. I waited on him with some Others att his lodgings. Mr. Jonathan Williams Offering his servise, itt was not worth while for more to be concerned. I recommended him to a person att Salem, and to Our Kindsman Tufts att Newbury, who writes me he has undertaken to dispose of a quantity and whose fidellity may be...
2774To John Adams from William Gordon, 27 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I expected some how or other to have had the happiness of falling into your company when you was last in this State, but was disappointed. I have had the pleasure of hearing that you and your fellow traveller had joined the Congress, and further of the Congress’s having got back to Philadelphia, where I hope they will be suffered to remain in peace and quietness. All things considered, and I...
2775To John Adams from Thomas Johnson Jr., 27 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have pleasure in calling your Attention back to a Subject which was mentioned at Bush Town. Doctor Howard, in Compliance with his promise to Genl Green has reduced his Sentiments, on the Medical Department, to writing which you will be pleased to inclose to the General after you have considered them. My Occupations in Life have not enabled me to form a correct Judgment in this Matter nor...
2776Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I this morning Received yours of March 7 favourd by Dr. Jackson. I rejoice to hear you are so comfortable. Col. Palmer informd me a Sunday that he is going to morrow as far as the Jersies being one of a Committe sent by our assembly to know of the General what proportion of Continental Troops will be allowed to this State; and does not know but he shall be obligd to proceed as far as...
2777To John Adams from Samuel Freeman, 25 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Being informed that you are of a Committee of Congress, appointed to consider what further Regulations are necessary to be made in the Post Establishment —I beg leave to recommend to your attention the present plan of riding between this Town and Falmouth Casco Bay (of which Place I have the Honor of being Post Master) and to propose an alteration therein. The Post Rider from Falmouth sets out...
2778To John Adams from Jonathan Hastings Jr., 25 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor per Dr. Jackson of the 7 Instant came to hand this day. It gives me pleasure that you are upon the Committee to consider of further Regulations of the Post Office. Previous to the Regulations in the Office which took place the 5th. of October 1776, the Posts from the Southward and elsewhere arrived as punctually on the Days fixed as they were ever known to do. What Instructions the...
2779Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have a very good opportunity of writing to you by Major Ward, who sits of tomorrow morning. I most sincerely rejoice at your return to Philadelphia. I shall now be able to hear from you every week or fortnight. You have had journeying this winter and sufficent exercise for a year. We have very agreable Intelligence from France which suppose will be communicated to you before this reaches...
2780John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 19 of Feb and thank you for your perpetual almanack for with the assistance of my Mamma I soon found it out and find it is a very useful thing I have been a reading the history of Bamfylde moore carew he went through the biggest greatest part of america twice, and he gives a very pretty Desscription of maryland and philadelphia and new york but though he got a great...
2781To John Adams from William Tudor, 23 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday ask’d Permission to resign my Post of J.A.G. and to retire from the Army, but met with a Refusal, which, though softened by a Compliment from the General, gave me some Chagrine. A Person at my Time of Life ought to be, if possible in the Road to Wealth or Fame, or both, my Office will never intitle me to either. For the Pay annexed to it, from the Depreciation of the Currency and...
2782To John Adams from James Warren, 23 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last from Plymouth about three weeks ago after which I was detained at Home longer than I Expected and did not get here till last Tuesday. I Understand that Letter and one wrote at the same time to Mr. Adams went by the Post. As I wrote with some freedom I should be glad to hear of the receipt of it. Since I have been here I have had the pleasure of yours of the 17th. Feby. and am...
2783Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 22 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 25th Ulto. I received sometime since by my Schooner and have sent your B arre l flour—As likewise a packet of yours by a schooner a few days since. A schooner that came Out with mine charged by Our Commite of Warr (Arnold Master) is suppos’d to be taken. As to my Affairs att Baltemore they fell into the hands of those people not by choice and wish I had known sooner what sort of...
2784John Thaxter to John Adams, 22 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
You mention, Sir, in the beginning of your Letter, that you are indebted to me for several Letters. I shall never presume to consider you indebted in that Respect, or myself entitled whilst the public at large, or any Individual of it, has a Title to your Attention in preference to mine. It was not a Consideration of your being indebted Sir, that has prevented my frequent writing to You, but...
2785To John Adams from William Tudor, 16 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Since the Return of one half their Troops from Rhode Island I think the Enemy must be full 10,000 Men. They have only two out Posts Bonam Town and Piscatuqua which are too near their main Body to be surpriz’d, were the Detachments at those Posts less vigilant than they are. The Enemy never sleep with their Cloaths off, and are always prepared for an Attack. They have been continually harrassed...
2786Extract of a Letter from William Bingham, 15 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Officers of the first Distinction have embarked at Havre De Grace for America, and a large supply of Field Pieces, military stores &c were sent by the Same Vessells. I have seen a confidential Letter, wrote by a Gentleman at Paris to a Person of Distinction here, wherein he mentions, that there is the greatest Appearance of a Treaty, being concluded betwixt France and America, by which our...
2787Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
We have had very severe weather almost ever since you left us. About the middle of Febry. came a snow of a foot and half deep upon a Level which made it fine going for about 10 day’s when a snow storm succeeded with a High wind and banks 5 and 6 feet high. I do not remember to have seen the Roads so obstructed since my remembrance; there has been no passing since except for a Horse. I Have...
2788To John Adams from John Avery, 7 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favor of the 10th. Feby. Ultimo have received and agreeable to your Request have communicated the Resignation of your Office as Judge of the superiour Court; but whether the Hon’ble Board will accept of it ’till they shall have the Pleasure of seeing you, is to me very uncertain; Tho its my Opinion that it will take some Time to fill up the Vacancy with a Gentleman of your Merrit and...
2789To John Adams from William Tudor, 7 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter from Baltimore of 25th. Feby. I got to Day and was not a little pleased with its Receipt, as it convinc’d me You was not averse to renewing a Correspondence which is the most pleasing and honorary I can boast of. There was not sufficient Evidence to satisfy the Court Martial that Buckner ought to suffer capittally. With me there was not the least Doubt. I am sure the Man is a...
2790Vernejoux to the President of the Board of War, 4 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I beg Leave to write your Excellencys this Letter to have the honour to present you my Respect. I pray you to you Remember wath you promised my one autre Commission if my Superiors Officers was satisfied of my Services. I have send to this Excellencys John Hancock one Letter of Recomendetion of the honorable major General Sullivan. I have stay with him some time. I believe what is it satisfied...
2791John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 3 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
I write to Congratulate you upon your arrival in baltimore and hope you will not omit writing to me. I have been very earnest to write to you for some time but could not find a subject we have no news here unless telling you that we have had several severe snow storms since you went away and yesterday we had one that banked over the tops of the fences we have not had so much snow before for...
2792To John Adams from Nathanael Greene, 3 March 1777 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time since I wrote to you, or you to me, who stands in debt upon the schore of Letters I cannot tell therefore I shall begin anew if you have time and inclination you will give it an answer if not—I shall consider it as the Ladies do their Visits after Marriage, if theres no return the acquaintance drops. I believe you are pretty well convinced of the truth of the observation I...
2793To John Adams from James Warren, 22 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 3d. and 5th. Instant the first that have come to hand since your departure. I am Extreamly glad to hear of your safe Arrival in health, and good Spirits at Baltimore. I have had some Uneasiness about you, the weather has been very severe, and I supposed you must pursue a disagreable if not a dangerous route. But the climbing...
2794To John Adams from John Sullivan, 14 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
I hope you will pardon me for not writing to you oftner of the state off affairs in the army of our Victories and Defeats Advances and Retreats but I have many things to Alledge in Excuse. I don’t Recollect that I am a Letter in Debt to you as I think I have punctually answered yours. I have ever been so full of Business that I could find no time to write but still I have a more weighty Reason...
2795Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bromfield was so obliging as to write me Word that he designd a journey to the Southern States, and would take perticuliar care of a Letter to you. I rejoice in so good an opportunity of letting you know that I am well as usual, but that I have not yet got reconciled to the great distance between us. I have many melancholy Hours when the best company is urksome to me, and solitude the...
2796To John Adams from William Tudor, 12 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
We had a Court Martial set at Chatham last Week for the Trial of a Colo. Buckner of the 6th. Virginia Battalion in the Continental Service, accused of Misbehaviour and Cowardice. The Court after a hearing of two Days found him guilty “of misbehaving before the Enemy, and of deserting his Post and Party in Time of Action.” And sentenced him to be cashiered, and rendered incapable of ever...
2797Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Before this time I fancy you at your journeys end; I have pittied you the Season has been a continued cold. I have heard oftner from you than I ever did in any of your former journeys, it has greatly releaved my mind under its anxiety. I have received six Letters from you, and have the double pleasure of hearing you are well, and that your Thoughts are often turnd this way. I have wrote once...
2798Amended Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates, 4 February 1777 (Adams Papers)
Whereas the Commission given the Delegates in Congress Representing this State, by a Resolve of the Tenth of December last, Confines the exercise of their Representation and Powers to any three or more of them from which many Inconveniences may arise, and their Vote in Congress may be lost, on any Question when only two are present, one may Controul two when three are present and the same...
2799Abigail Adams to John Adams, 26 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tis a Great Grief to me that I know not how to write nor where to send to you. I know not of any conveyance. I risk this by Major R ic e who promisses to take what care he can to get it to you. I have Received 3 Letters from you since you left me, 2 from H artfor d and one from D edha m. Tis a satisfaction to hear tho only by a line. We are told the most dissagreable things by use become less...
2800To John Adams from William Cushing, 14 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
I return the two volumes of Hume (by my brother) which you were so good as to lend me, and should be glad of two volumes of Mrs. McCawley, if Mrs. Adams has got them home from her Asylum at Scadden; which my brother will call for on his return from Boston. Three first volumes I have read in quarto which go to 1642; the two next I want. If those are not at home I should be glad of the 2d. and...