15011776 Jany 26. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Stopped at Sternes’s Stearns’s in Worcester, and dined with Mr. Lincoln at Mr. Jonathan Williams’s. In Putnams Office where I formerly trimm’d the Midnight Lamp, Mr. Williams keeps Laws Works and Jacob Behmens, with whose Mistical Reveries he is much captivated. This Jonathan Williams (d. 1780), Harvard 1772 , had been a law clerk in JA ’s office. He was a cousin of the better-known Jonathan...
15021776. Sunday. Jany. 28. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Upham informs that this Town of Brookfield abounds with a Stone, out of which Allum, Coperas and Sulphur are made. Out of one Bushell of this Stone, he made five Pounds of Coperas. He put the Stone into a Tub, poured Water on it, let it Stand 2 or 3 days, then drew it off, and boiled the Liquor away—let it stand and it shot into a Kind of Christals. Adding Chamberly and Alkaline Salts to...
15031776 Monday. Jan. 29. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Springfield, dined at Scotts. Heard that the Cannon at Kingsbridge in N. York were spiked up. That dry Goods, English Goods were sent round to N. York from Boston, and from N. York sold all over N.E. and sent down to Camp. That Tryon has issued Writs for the Choice of a new Assembly, and that the Writs were likely to be obeyed, and the Tories were likely to carry a Majority of Members.
1504[In Congress, Spring 1776, and Thomas Paine] (Adams Papers)
In the Course of this Winter appeared a Phenomenon in Philadelphia a Star of Disaster (Disastrous Meteor), I mean Thomas Paine. He came from England, and got into such company as would converse with him, and ran about picking up what Information he could, concerning our Affairs, and finding the great Question was concerning Independence, he gleaned from those he saw the common place Arguments...
1505[Draft Resolutions for Encouraging Agriculture and Manufactures, February–March 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils of Safety and Committees of Correspondence and Inspection, that they use their utmost Endeavours, by all reasonable Means to promote die Culture of Flax, Hemp, and Cotton and the Growth of Wool in these united Colonies. Resolved That it be recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils of Safety, that...
1506[February 1776] (Adams Papers)
Cant we oblige B. to keep a Navy on foot the Expence of which will be double to what they will take from Us. I have heard of Bullion Sp anish Flotas being stoppd least they should be taken—But perishable Commodities never were stopped. Open your Ports to Foreigners. Your Trade will become of so much Consequence, that Foreigners will protect you. Wilson. A Gentleman from Mass, thinks that a...
1507[Memorandum of Measures to Be Pursued in Congress, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Mem. The Confederation to be taken up in Paragraphs. An Alliance to be formed with France and Spain. Embassadors to be sent to both Courts. Government to be assumed in every Colony. Coin and Currencies to be regulated. Forces to be raised and maintained in Canada and New York. St. Lawrence and Hudsons Rivers to be secured. Hemp to be encouraged and the Manufacture of Duck. Powder Mills to be...
1508[Draft Resolves Concerning the Secret Committee of Correspondence and a Plan of Confederation, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved that the Committee of Secret Correspondence be directed to lay their Letters before this Congress. Resolved that be a Committee to prepare a Draught of firm Confederation, to be reported as soon as may be to this Congress, to be considered and digested and recommended to the several Assemblies and Conventions of these united Colonies, to be by them adopted, ratified and confirmed. It...
1509[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
3. Jer. 12. Go proclaim these Words towards the North. Return thou backsliding Israel and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful and will not be angry forever. On 17 Feb. Congress “ Resolved , That a committee of three be chosen to prepare instructions for the committee appointed to go to Canada”; and the members chosen were JA , Wythe, and Sherman ( JCC Worthington C....
1510[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Any Goods or Commodities, except Staves for Sale, may be exported, from the united Colonies to any other Part of the World, not subject to the Crown of G.B. Written on an otherwise blank front leaf in D/JA/26, this is evidently tentative phrasing for an article in the report of the committee of the whole on American trade. From 16 Feb. on, this committee discussed from time to time the opening...
1511[Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Lee &c. were referred brought in their report. Resolved that the Consideration of it be postponed till tomorrow. Mr. William Whipple from New Hampshire appeared: an excellent Member and a valuable Addition to our Phalanx. A Letter of the 14th. from General Washington, inclosing a Letter from Lord Drummond to General...
1512[9th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 9th. of Feb. 1776 The day on which Mr. Gerry and I took our Seats for this Year, sundry Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, Governor Trumbull, with Papers enclosed were read, and referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Rutledge. For these letters see JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789,...
1513John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Here I am again. Arrived last Thursday, in good Health, altho I had a cold Journey. The Weather, a great Part of the Way, was very severe, which prevented our making very quick Progress, and by an Accident which happened to one of my Horses, which obliged me to leave her at Brookfield and hire another, was delayed two days. An Horse broke loose in the Barn and corked mine under the...
1514From John Adams to James Warren, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Archibald Buchannan, and Mr. Walter Tolley both of Maryland, and hearty Friends of America, introduced to me by my Friend Mr. Chace Chase , are bound to the Camp, and Mr. Chace requested a Letter from me. Chace is a Man of common sense. I received your Packett. I am obliged to you for opening the Letter from our Friend Mr. Adams, and if you had opened all the others, you should have been...
1515John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Lee is at York, and We have requested a Battalion of Philadelphian Associators, together with a Regiment of Jersey Minute Men, to march to his Assistance. Lord Sterling was there before with his Regiment, so that there will be about 1000 Men with Lee from Connecticutt, about 600 with Ld. Sterling from the Jerseys, one Battalion of about 720 Minute Men from Jersey and one of the same No. from...
1516From John Adams to John Trumbull, 13 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I take this opportunity by Mr. Romain to write you one Line more for the sake of reminding you of my Existence, and requesting that you would favour me with authentic Evidence under your Hand of yours, than any Thing I have to Say. Politicks are a Labyrinth, without a Clue—to write you on that subject would be endless. N. York I think is now in critical state, but I hope We shall Save it. Mr....
1517[14th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 14th. of Feb. 1776 sundry Letters from General Schuyler, General Wooster and General Arnold were read and referred with the Papers enclosed, to Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Chase. On the same day Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Report of the Committee on the regulations and Restrictions, under which the Ports should be...
1518From John Adams to James Warren, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I Shall inclose to a Lady of my Acquaintance all the News Papers which have been printed in this City, Since my arrival, by which you will See, to what Point the Tide of Political Sentiment, Setts. Scarcely a Paper comes out, without a Speculation or two in open Vindication of opinions, which Five Months ago were Said to be unpopular. A vast Majority of the People, indeed, I very well know...
1519[15th of Feb. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On the 15th of Feb. 1776. Sundry other Letters from General Lee, General Schuyler and General Wooster were referred to the Committee to whom the Letters received Yesterday were referred. On the same day Congress took into Consideration the Report from the Committee of the whole house, and after debate resolved that it be recommitted. Resolved that Congress will tomorrow morning resolve itself...
1520[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1776. Feb.[16] (Adams Papers)
Cant we oblige B. to keep a Navy on foot the Expence of which will be double to what they will take from Us. I have heard of Bullion Sp anish Flotas being stoppd least they should be taken—But perishable Commodities never were stopped. Open your Ports to Foreigners. Your Trade will become of so much Consequence, that Foreigners will protect you. Wilson. A Gentleman from Mass, thinks that a...
1521[Fryday Feb. 16. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday Feb. 16. 1776. Agreable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the Propriety of Opening the Ports &c. After some time spent Mr. Ward reported, that not having come to a conclusion, The Committee asked leave to sit again. Granted. See Diary entry (Notes of Debates), 16 Feb. 1776 .
1522[Saturday Feb. 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday Feb. 17. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Arnold, Wooster, Schuyler and Lee were referred brought in their report, which was agreed to in the several Resolutions detailed in page 67. and 68 of this Volume of the Journals. Same day Resolved that Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Sherman be a Committee to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to...
1523John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I sent you from New York a Pamphlet intituled Common Sense, written in Vindication of Doctrines which there is Reason to expect that the further Encroachments of Tyranny and Depredations of Oppression, will soon make the common Faith: unless the cunning Ministry, by proposing Negociations and Terms of Reconciliation, should divert the present Current from its Channell. Reconciliation if...
1524From John Adams to Thomas Crafts Jr., 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since my arrival in this City and not before, I received your Favour of December the sixteenth. I am very sorry to learn that you ever was even for a Moment in a State of Scepticism concerning the Existence and Reality of sincere Friendship. Surely there is sincerity, surely there is Friendship among Men, altho it must be confessed that too Many Persons ground it on improper Principles and too...
1525From John Adams to William Heath, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of January 22d. never reached me, untill my arrival at this City. I am much obliged to you for the Information you have given me of the Character and services of Coll. Baldwin, and should be happy to do any Thing in my Power, to obtain Justice for so deserving an officer. Upon shewing your Letter and another from him to some of my Colleagues, they are of opinion that Coll. Baldwin...
1526From John Adams to James Warren, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
We have at last hit upon a Plan which promises fair for Success. Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Chase of Maryland, and Mr. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, are chosen a Committee to go to Canada. I must confess I have very great Confidence, in the Abilities and Integrity, the Political Principles and good Disposition of this Committee. Franklins Character you know. His masterly Acquaintance with the...
1527[Monday Feb. 19. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Monday Feb. 19. 1776 Congress attended an Oration in honour of General Montgomery, and the Officers and Soldiers who fell with him.
1528From John Adams to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have seen such a Necessity of an able Commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous Service. I tremble for your Health, yet I hope the Campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you att N. York. We want you at Cambridge. We want you in Virginia. But Canada seems of more Importance than any of those Places. And therefore you are sent there. I wish you as...
1529[Tuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and Wednesday Feb. 21.] (Adams Papers)
OnTuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and on Wednesday Feb. 21. Means were contrived to elude the Committee of the whole House.
1530[Thursday Feb. 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday Feb. 22. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington, were referred to a Committee of the whole house. Accordingly Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, and after some time, Mr. Ward reported that the Committee had come to no Conclusion, and Congress resolved that Tomorrow they would again resolve themselves into a Committee of the whole, to take into their farther...
1531[Fryday Feb. 23. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday Feb. 23. 1776. Resolved that Congress will on Monday next resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into Consideration the Letters from General Washington.
1532I. Resolutions on Saltpeter and Powder Mills, 23 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Resolved , That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils or Committees of Safety, and Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in the United Colonies, to exert themselves in devising farther ways and means of promoting and encouraging the manufacture of Salt-petre, and of introducing that manufacture into private families. Resolved , That it be recommended to the...
1533[Monday Feb. 26. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Monday Feb. 26. 1776 arrived, and a Letter from General Lee, was referred to Mr. McKean, Mr. John Adams and Mr. Lewis Morris, but no Resolution of Congress into a Committee of the whole. Lee’s letter, dated 22 Feb., is in PCC , No. 158. A “Report [thereon] was delivered in by J Adams” on 28 Feb.; action was deferred until 1 March and then quashed (Richard Smith, Diary, Burnett, ed., Letters of...
1534[Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776. The order of the day was renewed, but nothing done.
1535[Notes on Relations with France, March—April 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Is any Assistance attainable from F.? What Connection may We safely form with her? 1 st. No Political Connection. Submit to none of her Authority—receive no Governors, or officers from her. 2d. No military Connection. Receive no Troops from her. 3d. Only a Commercial Connection, i.e. make a Treaty, to receive her Ships into our Ports. Let her engage to receive our Ships into her Ports—furnish...
1536[Draft Resolution Concerning Instructions to Delegates, March—April 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Whereas, the present State of America, and the cruel Efforts of our Enemies, render the most perfect and cordial Union of the Colonies and the utmost Exertions of their Strength, necessary for the Preservation and establishment of their Liberties, therefore Resolved. That it be recommended to the several Assemblies and Conventions of these united Colonies, who have limited the Powers of their...
1537[Fryday March 15. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 15. 1776. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into Consideration the State of New York, and after some time the President resumed the Chair and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have come to certain Resolutions. These may be seen in the Journal and relate wholly to the defence of New York. This is the first Appearance of Mr. Harrison as Chairman...
1538[March 1776] (Adams Papers)
How is the Interest of France and Spain affected, by the dispute between B. and the C olonies ? Is it the Interest of France to stand neuter, to join with B. or to join with the C. Is it not her Interest, to dismember the B. Empire? Will her Dominions be safe, if B. and A merica remain connected? Can she preserve her Possessions in the W.I. She has in the W.I. Martinico, Guadaloupe, and one...
1539[Fryday March 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 1. 1776. Resolved that this Congress will tomorrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into Consideration the Letter of General Washington of the 14th with the Papers inclosed. Resolved That the Memorial from the Merchants of Montreal be referred to a Committee of five Mr. Wilson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. L. Morris and Mr. Tilghman. JA here again...
15401776 March 1. (Adams Papers)
How is the Interest of France and Spain affected, by the dispute between B. and the C olonies ? Is it the Interest of France to stand neuter, to join with B. or to join with the C. Is it not her Interest, to dismember the B. Empire? Will her Dominions be safe, if B. and A merica remain connected? Can she preserve her Possessions in the W.I. She has in the W.I. Martinico, Guadaloupe, and one...
1541Monday March 4. 1776. (Adams Papers)
Resentment is a Passion, implanted by Nature for the Preservation of the Individual. Injury is the Object which excites it. Injustice, Wrong, Injury excites the Feeling of Resentment, as naturally and necessarily as Frost and Ice excite the feeling of cold, as fire excites heat, and as both excite Pain. A Man may have the Faculty of concealing his Resentment, or suppressing it, but he must and...
1542[Tuesday March 5. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday March 5. 1776. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into their consideration the Letter from General Washington of the 14th of Feb. and the Papers enclosed and after some time the President resumed the Chair and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have had under their consideration the Letters and Papers to them referred, but have come to no resolution...
1543[Wednesday March 6. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 6. 1776. A Letter from General Washington of the 26. of Feb. was read. Resolved that it be referred to the Committee to whom his other Letters are referred. The order of the day renewed. Washington’s letter is printed in his Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 , ed. John C. Fitzpatrick, Washington,...
1544[Thursday March 7. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday March 7. 1776. The order of the day was renewed.
1545From John Adams to John Thomas, 7 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress, have determined to send you to Canada. They have advanced you one Step, by making you a Major General, and have made an handsome Establishment for a Table. Your Friends the Delegates from your native Province were much embarrassed, between a Desire to have you promoted and placed in so honourable a Command, on the one Hand, and a Reluctance at loosing your Services at Roxbury or...
1546[Fryday March 8.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 8. No order of the day. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Schuyler, Wooster and Arnold were referred brought in their report. These letters had been read in Congress on 4 March and referred that day to the committee (of which JA was a member) appointed to prepare instructions for the commissioners going to Canada ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals...
1547John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday by Major Osgood I had the Pleasure of a Letter from Mr. Palmer, in which he kindly informed me of your and the Familys Welfare. This is the first Intelligence I have had from Braintree since I left it—not a Line from you. Am sorry to learn that Braintree People are alarmed—hope they will not be attacked. Want to know the Particulars—how they have been threatned &c. Thomas is made a...
1548II. Resolutions Concerning the Canadian Campaign, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Resolved , That the gentlemen who are appointed to go into Canada, be desired to enquire into the cause of the imprisonment of the officers of Militia, in that country and others, and take such measures in concert with the commanding officer of the continental forces there, for their enlargement or confinement, as are consistent with the principles of justice, and the safety of the United...
1549[Saturday March 9. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday March 9. 1776. The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions for the Commissioners going to Canada, brought in a draught which was read.
1550[Monday March 11. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday March 11. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Instructions to the Commissioners going to Canada. Postponed.