11011774. Aug. 22. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning We took Mr. McDougal into our Coach and rode three Miles out of Town, to Mr. Morine Scotts to break fast. A very pleasant Ride! Mr. Scott has an elegant Seat there, with Hudsons River just behind his House, and a rural Prospect all round him. Mr. Scott, his Lady and Daughter, and her Husband Mr. Litchfield were dressed to receive Us. We satt in a fine Airy Entry, till called into...
11021774 Aug. 23. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
We went upon the new Dutch Church Steeple and took a View of the City. You have a very fine View of the whole City at once—the Harbour, East River, North River, Long Island, N. Jersey &c. The whole City is upon a Levell—a Flatt. The Houses in general are smaller than in Boston and the City occupies less Ground. We breakfasted with Mr. Low, a Gentleman of Fortune and in Trade. His Lady is a...
11031774 Aug. 24. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This Day Cushing and Paine went over to Long Island to dine with Phill. Livingston. Adams and I sent our Excuse that we were not very well. It was raw and wett.
11041774 Aug. 25. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Mathew Cushing came and escorted Us into Trinity Church and Church Yard. Under the Chancell of this Church Mr. Pratt was buried. This is an old Building. We then went into St. Pauls. This is a new Building which Cost 18,000£ Y ork Money. It has a Piazza in Front and some Stone Pillars, which appear grand, but the Building taken all together does not strike me, like the Stone Chappell or...
11051774 Aug. 26. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning We went to see the City Hall, the Chamber where the Supream Court sitts, and that where the Mayor and Recorder sit. Afterwards We went down to the new Dutch Church, which is a much more elegant Building than St. Pauls—it is the most elegant Building in the City. The Pillars are smaller than Dr. Coopers, and the Pews are all painted, but the Building is not so handsome. At Nine o...
11061774 Aug. 27. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went to view the City of Brunswick, there is a Church of England, a Dutch Church and a Presbyterian Church in this Town, there is some little Trade here—small Craft can come up to the Town. We saw a few small sloops. The River is very beautifull. There is a stone Building for Barracks which is tolerably handsome. It is about the Size of Boston Goal. Some of the Streets are paved and there are...
11071774 Aug. 28. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Heard Dr. Witherspoon all Day. A clear, sensible, Preacher. Mr. Mason came to see us. We sent a Card to Mr. Serjeant a Lawyer. He dined, drank Coffee and spent the Evening with Us. He is a young Gentleman of about 25 perhaps. Very sociable. He gave us much Light concerning the Characters of the Delegates from N. York, Philadelphia, Virginia &c. and concerning the Characters of the Principal...
1108John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your kind Letter, at New York, and it is not easy for you to imagine the Pleasure it has given me. I have not found a single Opportunity to write since I left Boston, excepting by the Post and I dont choose to write by that Conveyance, for fear of foul Play. But as We are now within forty two Miles of Philadelphia, I hope there to find some private Hand by which I can convey this....
1109From John Adams to William Tudor, 28 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging Letter at New York, and it was peculiarly acceptable to me and my Companions, and of great Use to Us among our Friends at New York. We all intreat the Continuance of your Favours, you can have no Idea of the Pleasure We take, in the Letters of our Friends and especially in yours because the Contents of it were very usefully particular and interesting. The Generals...
11101774 Aug. 29. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Trenton upon Delaware River, to break fast. At Williams’s the Tavern at Trenton Ferry, We saw four very large black Walnut Trees standing in a Row behind the House. It seems that these Trees are plenty in these Southern Provinces—all the black Walnut Timber which is used by our Cabinet Makers in Boston is brought from the Southern Provinces. This Town of Trenton is a pretty Village—it...
11111774. Aug. 30. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Walked a little about Town. Visited the Markett, the State house, the Carpenters Hall where the Congress is to Sit, &c.—then call’d at Mr. Mifflins—a grand, spacious, and elegant House. Here We had much Conversation with Mr. Charles Thompson Thomson , who is it seems about marrying a Lady a Relation of Mr. Dickensons with 5000£. st erling . This Charles Thompson is the Sam. Adams of...
1112Aug. 30. (Adams Papers)
Sent to be washed at Philadelphia. 6 shirts 5 Stocks—2 Caps in and Pair worsted stockings in one silk Handkerchief. This homely entry is on the front flyleaf of the present booklet.
11131774 Aug. 31. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Mr. Bayards of Philadelphia, with Mr. Sprout a presbyterian Minister. Made a Visit to Governor Ward of Rhode Island at his Lodgings. There We were introduced to several Gentlemen. Mr. Dickenson, the Farmer of Pensylvania, came to Mr. Wards Lodgings to see us, in his Coach and four beautifull Horses. He was introduced to Us, and very politely said he was exceedingly glad to have...
1114[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...
1115[Notes on Measures to Be Taken Up by Congress, September–October 1774.] (Adams Papers)
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...
11161774 Septr. 1. Thursday. (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...
11171774. Fryday. Septr. 2. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Thom. Mifflins with Mr. Lynch, Mr. Middleton, and the two Rutledges with their Ladies. The two Rutledges are good Lawyers. Govr. Hopkins and Govr. Ward were in Company. Mr. Lynch gave us a Sentiment “The brave Dantzickers, who declare they will be free in the face of the greatest Monarch in Europe.”—We were very sociable, and happy. After Coffee We went to the Tavern, where we...
11181774. Saturday. Septr. 3. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Dr. Shippens. Dr. Witherspoon was there. Coll. R. H. Lee lodges there. He is a masterly Man. This Mr. Lee is a Brother of the Sherriff of London, and of Dr. Arthur Lee, and of Mrs. Shippen. They are all sensible, and deep thinkers. Lee is for making the Repeal of every Revenue Law, the Boston Port Bill, the Bill for altering the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Quebec Bill,...
11191774. Septr. 4. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Presbyterian Meeting and heard Mr. Sprout in the forenoon. He uses no Notes—dont appear to have any. Opens his Bible and talks away. Not a very numerous, nor very polite Assembly. Dined at our Lodgings at Mrs. Yards, with Major De boor a French Gentleman, a Soldier, Mr. Webb, and another. Went in the Afternoon to Christ Church, and heard Mr. Coombs Coombe . This is a more noble...
11201774. Septr. 5. Monday. (Adams Papers)
At Ten, The Delegates all met at the City Tavern, and walked to the Carpenters Hall, where they took a View of the Room, and of the Chamber where is an excellent Library. There is also a long Entry, where Gentlemen may walk, and a convenient Chamber opposite to the Library. The General Cry was, that this was a good Room, and the Question was put, whether We were satisfyed with this Room, and...
11211774. Septr. 6. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Went to congress again. Received by an express an Intimation of the Bombardment of Boston—a confused account, but an alarming one indeed.—God grant it may not be found true. R. T. Paine’s Diary ( MHi ) has this account under this date: “About 2 o Clock a Letter came from Israel Putnam into Town forwarded by Expresses in about 70 hours from Boston, by which we were informed that the Soldiers...
1122[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress, 6 September 1774.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Henry . Government is dissolved. Fleets and Armies and the present State of Things shew that Government is dissolved.—Where are your Land Marks? your Boundaries of Colonies. We are in a State of Nature, Sir. I did propose that a Scale should be laid down. That Part of N. America which was once Mass. Bay, and that Part which was once Virginia, ought to be considered as having a Weight. Will...
11231774 Septr. 7. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went to congress again. Heard Mr. Duchè read Prayers. The Collect for the day, the 7th of the Month, was most admirably adapted, tho this was accidental, or rather Providential. A Prayer, which he gave us of his own Composition, was as pertinent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I ever heard offered up to Heaven. He filled every Bosom present. Dined with Mr. Miers Fisher, a young...
11241774. Septr. 8. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty on the Committee all Day, and a most ingenious, entertaining Debate We had. —The happy News was bro’t us, from Boston, that no Blood had been spill’d but that Gen. Gage had taken away the Provincial Powder from the Magazine at Cambridge. This last was a disagreable Circumstance. Dined at Mr. Powells, with Mr. Duché, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Steptoe, Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. Johnson, and...
1125[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Septr. 8. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
In the Committee for States Rights, Grievances and Means of Redress. Coll. Lee. The Rights are built on a fourfold foundation—on Nature, on the british Constitution, on Charters, and on immemorial Usage. The Navigation Act, a Capital Violation. Mr. Jay. It is necessary to recur to the Law of Nature, and the british Constitution to ascertain our Rights. The Constitution of G.B. will not apply...
1126John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
When or where this Letter will find you, I know not. In what Scenes of Distress and Terror, I cannot foresee.—We have received a confused Account from Boston, of a dreadfull Catastrophy. The Particulars, We have not heard. We are waiting with the Utmost Anxiety and Impatience, for further Intelligence. The Effect of the News We have both upon the Congress and the Inhabitants of this City, was...
11271774 Septr. 9. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty upon Committees. Dined at home. “9th. The Committee met, agreed to found our rights upon the laws of Nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and charters and compacts; ordered a Sub-Committee to draw up a Statement of Rights” (Samuel Ward, Diary, Burnett, ed., Letters of Members Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress, Washington,...
1128I. Heads of Grievances and Rights, 9 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
Whereas since the Accession of the present King, Parliament has claimed a Power of Right to bind the People of the Colonies in North America by Statutes in all Cases whatsoever: And for carrying the said Power into Execution, has by some Statutes expressly taxed the People of the said Colonies, and by divers other Statutes under various Pretences, but in Fact, for the Purpose of raising a...
11291774 Septr. 10. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty upon the Sub Committee. Dined at home. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Cocks Cox , Mr. Spence Spencer , and several other Gentlemen, Major Sullivan and Coll. Folsom dined with us upon Salt Fish. Rambled in the Evening with Jo. Reed, and fell into Mr. Sprouts Meeting where We heard Mr. Spence preach. Mr. Reed returned with Mr. Adams and me to our Lodgings, and a very social, agreable and...
11301774. Septr. 11. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
There is such a quick and constant Succession of new Scenes, Characters, Persons, and Events turning up before me that I cant keep any regular Account. This Mr. Reed is a very sensible and accomplished Lawyer of an amiable Disposition—soft, tender, friendly, &c. He is a friend to his Country and to Liberty. Mr. Reed was so kind as to wait on us to Mr. Sprouts Meeting, where we heard Mr....
11311774. Septr. 12. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty on the Committee, untill one O Clock, and then went with my Colleagues and Messrs. Thompson and Mifflin to the Falls of Schuylkill, and viewed the Museum at Fort St. Davids, a great Collection of Curiosities. Returned and dined with Mr. Dickinson at his Seat at Fair Hill, with his Lady, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Norris and Miss Harrison. Mr. Dickinson has a fine Seat, a beautyfull...
11321774. Septr. 13. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty all Day, on the Sub Committee. Agreed on a Report. 1. and 2. Phil. and Mary. C. 10. ss. 7. To the full committee on stating the rights of the Colonies, &c. See the following entry and note 2 there. The statute cited in this detached note is “An Acte wherby certayne Offences bee made Tresons,” 1554–1555, of which the 7th section is a “General Saving” or exemption: “Saving to...
11331774. Sept. 14. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Visited Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Deane, Coll. Dyer, &c. at their Lodgings. Gadsden is violent against allowing to Parliament any Power of regulating Trade, or allowing that they have any Thing to do with Us.— Power of regulating Trade he says, is Power of ruining us—as bad as acknowledging them a Supream Legislative, in all Cases whatsoever. A Right of regulating Trade is a Right of Legislation, and a...
1134John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have written but once to you since I left you. This is to be imputed to a Variety of Causes, which I cannot explain for Want of Time. It would fill Volumes to give you an exact Idea of the whole Tour. My Time is to totally filled from the Moment I get out of Bed, untill I return to it. Visits, Ceremonies, Company, Business, News Papers, Pamphlets &c. &c. &c. The Congress will, to all present...
1135From John Adams to William Tudor, 14 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have been so totally taken up, that I dont know whether I have acknowledged your Agreeble Letters or not. They have been of Use as well as Amusement to me I assure you. You can hardly conceive the avidity with which your Letter and Mr. Trumbulls, and indeed every Scrap of Letter or Newspaper from Boston is read here. You cannot conceive the Esteem And Honour in which the Mass. is held here....
11361774. Sept. 16. Fryday [i.e. Thursday, 15 September]. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Wallace, with a great deal of Company at a paultry elegant Feast again. JA clearly dated this entry one day late, since (1) R. T. Paine’s Diary ( MHi ) records dining with “Mr. Wallace” on Thursday the 15th; and (2) Paine and other members record attending “a grand Dinner to the Congress at the State House,” at which “about 500 dind at once,” on Friday the 16th (same; also...
1137John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
Having a Leisure Moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write you a Line. When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a Motion, that it should be opened with Prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of N. York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious Sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Aanabaptists, some Presbyterians and...
11381774. Sept. 17. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This was one of the happiest Days of my Life. In Congress We had generous, noble Sentiments, and manly Eloquence. This Day con vinced me that America will support the Massachusetts or perish with her. Dined with old Mr. Smith, with much Company. Visited the bettering House, a large Building—very clean, neat, and convenient for the Poor. Viewed the Gardens, &c. On the 16th “Paul Revere arrived...
11391774. Septr. 18. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to Church, and heard Mr. Coombs read Prayers, and Mr. Duchè preach. A fine Preacher, indeed. Dined at home. Went to Dr. Allisons Meeting in the Afternoon. Heard Mr. —— a very ingenious Preacher, of Benevolence and Humanity. Spent the Evening at home with General Lee, Capt. Dagworthy, Mr. McDougall and others. Wrote many Letters to go by Mr. Paul Revere.
1140John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I received your very agreable Letter, by Mr. Marston, and have received two others, which gave me much Pleasure. I have wrote several Letters, but whether they have reached you I know not. There is so much Rascallity in the Management of Letters, now come in Fashion, that I am determined to write nothing of Consequence, not even to the Friend of my Bosom, but by Conveyances which I can be sure...
1141John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
In your last you inquire tenderly after my Health, and how we found the People upon our Journey, and how We were treated. I have enjoyed as good Health as usual, and much more than I know how to account for, when I consider the extream Heat of the Weather, and the incessant Feasting I have endured ever since I left Boston. The People, in Connecticutt, New York, the Jerseys and Pensyl vania,...
1142John Adams to Richard Cranch, 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I thank you most kindly for your obliging Letter. And beg the Continuance of your Correspondence. Every Line from Boston is a Cordial, and of great Use to us in our Business. It is a grief to my Heart that I cannot write to my Friends so often and particularly as I wish. But Politicks I cant write, in Honour. I send the Votes of Yesterday, which are ordered to be printed, and this is the only...
1143From John Adams to Josiah Quincy Jr., 18 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letter, and to thank you for it, and then Seal my Letter. Business, Ceremony, Visits and a thousand &cas. take up my Time so entirely that I can scarce find half enough for Sleep. I have Spoken to several Gentlemen concerning you and Shall to more. I wish you a prosperous Voyage and much of the exalted Pleasure of serving your Country. You are...
11441774 Monday Septr. 19. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Dr. Rush in Company with Dr. Shippen, and many others. Folsom and Sullivan from N. Hampshire. Mr. Blair &c. &c.
1145John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 19 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I have received your pretty Letter, and it has given me a great deal of Pleasure, both as it is a Token of your Duty and Affection to me and as it is a Proof of your Improvement in your hand Writing and in the faculties of the Mind.—I am very sorry to hear of your Grand Mamma’s Indisposition: but I hope soon to hear of her Recovery. Present my Love to your Mamma, and to your Brothers, Johnny,...
11461774 Tuesday Septr. 20. (Adams Papers)
Had Cards a Week ago to dine with Mr. Maese Mease —but forgot it, and dined at home. After We had dined after 4 O Clock, Mr. Maes’s Brother came to our Lodgings after Us. We went, after Dinner, and found Mr. Dickinson, Mifflin, Dr. Rush, Mr. West, Mr. Biddle, and Captn. All and Mr. Maes’s Brother—a very agreable Company. Our Regret at the Loss of this Company was very great. Mr. Dickenson was...
1147John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am very well yet:—write to me as often as you can, and send your Letters to the Office in Boston or to Mr. Cranches, whence they will be sent by the first Conveyance. I am anxious to know how you can live without Government. But the Experiment must be tryed. The Evils will not be found so dreadfull as you a ppreh end them. Frugality, my Dear, Frugality, OEconomy, Parcimony must be our...
11481774 Wednesday. Septr. 21. (Adams Papers)
Captn. Callender came to breakfast with Us. Coll. Dagworthy and his Brother Captn. Dagworthy breakfasted with Us. Mrs. Yard entertained Us, with Muffins, Buck Wheat Cakes and common Toast. Buckwheat is an excellent grain, and is very plenty here.—Attended Congress from 9 to after 3. —Rode out of Town six Miles to Mr. Hills where we dined with Mr. Hill and Lady, Mr. Dickinson and his Lady, Mr....
11491774. Thursday. Septr. 22. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Chew, Chief Justice of the Province, with all the Gentlemen from Virginia, Dr. Shippen, Mr. Tilghman and many others. We were shewn into a grand Entry and Stair Case, and into an elegant and most magnificent Chamber, untill Dinner. About four O Clock We were called down to Dinner. The Furniture was all rich. —Turttle, and every other Thing—Flummery, Jellies, Sweetmeats of 20...
11501774. Fryday. Sept. 23. (Adams Papers)
Walked along Second Street Southward, untill I got out of the City into the Country. The Uniformity of this City is dissagreable to some.— I like it. Dined with the late C hief Justice Allen—with all the Gentlemen from North Carolina, and Mr. Hambleton Hamilton , late Governor— and Mr. Andrew Allen Attorney General. We had much Conversation, about Mr. Franklin. The C hief J ustice and Attorney...