31To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Ward, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having the happiness once more to join the Army under your Excellency’s Command, I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the treatment I received from the Enemy, while I was in their power. Mr James Bradford, Deputy Muster Master, and myself were captivated by a party of the Enemy on the 27th of November last; they being sensible of the danger to which they would be exposed on their...
32To John Adams from Donold McDonold [i.e. Joseph Ward], 9 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I suppose you have heard we have not taken Brunswick. If any one says we have he belies us. We are however defending ourselves, first against hunger; secondly against thirst; (which often attacks us severely by reason of our heating our coppers, and hard swearing which dries the lungs excessively) thirdly against impertinent fellows who prye into our business, and ask saucy questions, such as,...
33To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The 17th Instant the Pirates all abandoned their Works in Boston and Charlestown and went on board their Ships, and on the 20th they burnt and destroyed the works on Castle Island. They now lye in Nantasket Road waiting for a fair wind; we keep a vigilant eye over them lest they should make an attack on some unexpected quarter. The particulars with regard to the Seige, the Stores taken, &c....
34To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 27 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I did myself the Honor to address a Letter to you; in answer to yours of the twentieth instant. This morning I saw the Adjutant General, and enquired whether he had transmitted the general Abstract of Musters, which I delivered him, to the Board of War? He replied that he had not, by reason of the hurried unsettled situation of things, but he would do it as soon as possible. Thus...
35To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 10 April 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have long felt an inclination to write to you, two circumstances forbid me, want of matter, & having no personal weight to supply its place. Love and venerration, to Gentlemen, as well as to Ladies, sometimes prompt to a familiarity bordering on rudeness. Thus in time past I feared I might be led into an error in addressing you. The strong existence of those sensations, is the only apology I...
36To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 6 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
Our long conflict having terminated in Independence Peace, and Glory, I have returned to resume my Citizenship in Boston. Having expended my interest in the public Cause, and it being impossible to receive payment, I was led to contemplate the means of doing business without a capital in money, and have adopted a plan which I beg leave to enclose. Your high and important Station, and the vast...
37To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 17 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 4th Inst. I had the honor to receive. (By some neglect in the Post Office, it did not come to hand ’till the 15.) I reciprocate Sir, your kind wishes. May the revolving years increase the enjoyment as much as the length of your life. The richest resource, I conceive, for happiness in advanced age, is in reviewing a useful life. Hence I conclude that forty years , employed...
38To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have lately had convincing proof of what I have long expected, that is, men employed as Contractors being allowed two or three percent for all they purchase, will give any price in order to increase their own profits. It has been suspected that these States have been cheated by some Officers in the Army by false abstracts and payrolls, (no doubt with too much reason) but I apprehend the...
39To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 28 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Continental armed Schooners Hancock and Franklin sent into Marblehead this day a Transport from Hallifax bound to New York with provisions and dry goods. There are many Tories on board, among whom is the noted Benjamin Davis. Last Sunday a Transport from Ireland came into this Harbour, (not knowing the Pirates were gone) and was taken; She had...
40To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 June 1809 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 6th Inst. I had the honor to receive the next day, just before I commenced a journey; I read it repeatedly and with great attention—and feel the importance of all your remarks. I wish every mind was duly impressed with the sentiments. The longer I live the more I am convinced that truth makes slow progress in the world; and to reform public errors is an arduous task. But...
41To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 8 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Small pox having of late spread much in the Town, it was judged impracticable to prevent its going through the Town, and on Friday last the General was inoculated, and gave permission to the Regiments in Town to inoculate. We have taken every precaution to prevent the Troops at the Posts out of Town from taking the distemper, and disposed matters in the best manner we can for defence in...
42To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 17 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I came to this Place upon some business respecting my Department. I left General Washington encamped 18 miles south of the North River. I shall return to Head Quarters this day. There are now several Ships of war coming up the North River, their design is at present unknown, but ’tis probable their intention is to alarm us this way while they make a descent on some other quarter. We...
43To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 9 September 1809 (Adams Papers)
I have to make my grateful acknowledgements for your favour of the 31 Ult. I read, it as I do every thing that falls from your pen, with great attention. Every letter in the Patriot, under your Signature, I have read with equal attention pleasure & profit. I wish most sincerely they might be read by all men. There never was a time when the propagation of sound principles was more necessary....
44To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Army marched from Middle Brook yesterday and arrived here last Evening and encamped. I presume we shall not remain in this place long. If Howe moves up the North River, or towards New England, I suppose we shall immediately push after him; but at present I apprehend the designs of the Enemy are not known, and therefore we must remain some time longer in a suspense. The unsettled state of...
45To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 8 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 10th July I have had the honour to receive, but it did not come to hand until the 5th Instant. I am happy to hear of the harmony that prevails in the Great Council of the United American States; with respect to the information which was given me, it was from a Southern Gentleman, he mentioned no Names, but speaking on the subject of Independence, he said this occasioned such...
46To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 27 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 14th, and after reading it several times, to fasten its contents in my memory, laid it up with your other favours, as a choice memorial of your Friendship. I have deposited them with similar estimable letters, received at different periods from the illustrious founders of our Nation, whose approbation encouraged me to hope I had not lived in vain....
47To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 26 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of the twentieth Instant, while on my way from North River to this place. The Army is now on its march towards Philadelphia. You inform me that Congress is impatient for my Returns; I have long been exceedingly unhappy because it hath not been in my power to carry the System for mustering the Army fully into execution. I made an Abstract of all the Muster Rolls...
48To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been long waiting for an opportunity to communicate some intelligence worthy of your notice, but nothing very important has taken place since you left the Camp; and every action with the Enemy has been published in the Newspapers, which has superseded the necessity of communicating those events by Letter. The general face of our public affairs both civil and military appear much as they...
49To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 6 – 12 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the 20th of August. Agreeable to your desire have inclosed a Return of the Continental armed Vessels fitted out in this State. If the two grateful Brothers should pay us a visit, I will omit nothing in my power to give them a reception suitable to their gratitude. And if they should not bring too much Company with them I should be glad to wait on them. I...
50To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 13 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive in due time your favour of the 27th Sept. I read it with that attention which is due to every line from your pen. The approbation you have been pleased to express in respect to the sentiments in my letter, gives me more satisfaction, than I could receive from the united voice of the whole mob of Statesmen from Newhampshire to Georgia. I continue to read with much...
51To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 5 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of your Favour of the sixteenth of April. You observe, Sir, very justly, that every motive of self preservation, of honor, profit, and glory, call upon us to fortify this Harbour so as to be impregnable; and I hope we shall hear and obey . There has been a great clamour among many people against the Troops here because they did not go on faster with the Works, but you may be...
52To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As the Ships of War now building in this and other Colonies for the Continental Service, will want Commanders, who will I conclude be appointed by Congress, I beg leave to mention to you a Capt. Fellows, late of Boston, who was bred to the Sea and is recommended as a very good Man for a Commander, and I have been desired to mention him to you. He appears to me to be a Man of activity and...