From John Jay to Samuel Adams Wells, 15 March 1827
To Samuel Adams Wells
Bedford—West Chester County—New York—15 March 1827
Sir
I recd. last week your Letter of the 5th. of this month.1 Being engaged in collecting materials for a Biography of your Grandfather Mr. Saml. Adams, you are desirous to obtain from me some Information ^on Subjects in which^ which he and I were joint were joint actors; and particularly what Agency Mr. Adams had in drafting the Report of the Committee appointed by Congress in 1774, to state the Rights of the Colonies, and the violations of those Rights—
The Committee was numerous, and had two members from each of the States— Several of them were distinguished by their Talents, & were well qualified for the Purpose assigned to them. More than Fifty years having since elapsed, I cannot recollect the individual Gentlemen who essentially advanced the Business of the Committee— nor can I recollect by which of them in particular the Report was formed.—2
My long continued State of Debility allows me little Thought or attention on Subjects of Investigation— I will nevertheless observe, that to me it appears more than probable that Massachusetts in general, and Boston in particular, will afford for your memoirs of Mr. S. Adams, ample Information relative to his public Services, and his personal Qualities,— especially as they had for a long course of years, become well known to many of intelligent and worthy Citizens both of that State and City— I am Sir, your obt. and h’ble Servt
To Samuel Adams Wells Esqr. (Boston)
Dft, NNC (EJ: 13083). Endorsed: “… In ansr. to his of the 5th. / Instt—”.
1. Wells to JJ, 5 Mar. 1827, ALS, NNC (EJ: 13074). Samuel Adams Wells (1787–1840), merchant and grandson of Samuel Adams. He prepared a three volume manuscript biography of his grandfather. In his letter, Wells asked JJ “In the congress of 1774, you and mr Adams were members of a committee to state the rights of the colonists, and the violations, or infringements of those rights. I am desirous of knowing what agency mr Adams had in drafting the report of the committee?” He noted that “The country begins to feel an interest in the lives and characters of its benefactors.— The American Revolution grows in interest, as it grows in age. As the actors in that great event pass away, the desire of knowing their characters and particular services increases. The time is approaching when a disposition to render justice will exist.” For the committee in question, see JCC, 1: 27–28, 42, and JA’s Diary, MHi: Adams Family, Diary 22A, September–October 1774. JA was a co-committee representative with Samuel Adams from Massachusetts.
2. Wells had already been in contact with TJ and his great-uncle JA. See Samuel Adam Wells to JA, 3 May 1813, MHi: Adams Family; JA to Samuel Adam Wells, MHi: Adams Family, 7 May 1819; TJ to Samuel Adams Wells, 12 May 1819, PTJ, 14: 288–94; TJ to JA, 15 May 1819, PTJ, 14: 298; and JA to TJ, 27 May 1819, PTJ, 14: 339–40.