1Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates, 10 December 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whereas, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Francis Dana, and James Lovell Esqrs. have been chosen by joint Ballot of the two Houses of Assembly to represent the State of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in the American Congress until the first day of January Anno Domini 1778. Resolved, That they, or any three or more of them are hereby fully...
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...
3Enclosure: List of Superior Court Justices, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Honble. John Adams Esqr. William Cushing Esqr. William Read Esqr. Honble. Rob. Treat Paine Esqr. Nathl. P. Sargent Esqr. RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “To The Honble. John Adams Esq at Philadelphia”; docketed: “Dpty Secys. Letter. Octr. 28. 1775.” For Paine’s placement in the ranking and its consequences, see James Warren to JA , 20 Oct. and notes (above).
The General Assembly having for many Reasons, and for purposes appearing to Them advantagious, taken the Resolution to negociate a Loan of One hundred and fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling in Europe, to be conducted agreeable to the enclosed Instructions given to the Agent Jonathan Loring Austin Esqr. appointed for that purpose. The Success of this undertaking is important to This State, and We...
5The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 9 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Archives; copy: Library of Congress We have just received from the Secret Committee of Congress Three Packets directed to the Commissioners of the United States at Paris. We now transmit them by Capt. Corbin Barnes Commander of the Scooner Dispatch bound for Nantz, a Vessel taken up by the Navy Board of the Eastern Department for...
6The Council to the Massachusetts Delegates, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Manifest Militation between the Resolve which passed the hon’ble the American Congress on the ninth June last relative to Establishing Civil Government in this Colony and the Resolve which passed the Congress on 18th of last July pointing to a method how the Militia should be regulated in the Several United American Colony’s hath caused some Altercation between the Hon’ble House of...
7The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Marquis De La Fayette having taken leave of this Board, being soon to embark for France, We take this opportunity in justice to his Merit to express our high sense of that Gentlemans Attachment to the American Cause. His exertions & bravery in the Field do him great Honor, which we doubt not the whole Continent have a grateful Sense of, & the prospect of...
8To John Adams from Perez Morton, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Major part of the Council of this Colony, to acquaint You, that by Virtue of the power and Authority in and by the Royal Charter in the abscence of the Governor and Lieutt. Governor lodged in them, they have seen fit to appoint You, with the Advice and consent of Council, to be first or Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature &c. for this Colony. The inclosed is...
9The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 24 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Archives The Brigantine Penet John Harris Commander by Who you will receive this Letter has been taken up and fited out for a voyage to France solely with a Veiw of Conveying to you Authoritative Intelligence of the success of the American Army in the Northern Department. We sincerely Congratulate you upon this occasion and have the pleasure to Inform you that by...
10The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We have lately received from the Secret Committee of Congress Seven Letters addressed to You, and they request that We would forward them by the quickest sailing Vessel to France. In Consequence of which We desired the Continental Agent here with all possible dispatch, to prepare one of the Continental Vessels for Sailing....