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...