1To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 22 September 1775 (Adams Papers)
Under my adverse Circumstances, I stood, and still stand in great Need of your Advice; and am therefore, very sorry I had not an Opportunity to converse with you, before your Return to the Congress. Your kind Letter of July 29th is now before me. Were my Abilities equal to my Inclination, you would be amply assisted, in giving Birth to a Revolution, which, I think with you, “seems to be in the...
2To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 11 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Your amiable Lady tells me, you have often complained of your Friends not writing to you. I should have wrote to you, but was unwilling to be troublesome; for I concluded, your Head, your Heart, and your Hands must be so full, so anxious, and incessantly laboring to save your Country, that a Letter, even from a Friend, would be rather a Burthen than a Pleasure; and this Sentiment (I doubt not)...
3To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 2 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
A number of my Neighbours who are present, and in the Names of the rest who are absent, desire me to acquaint you, that, not withstanding Genl. Ward’s Request, that the Companies stationed for the Protection of Squantum would tarry there till further Orders, they are all gone, and that important Place, and the valuable Farms in the Vicinity of it, are left exposed to the Ravages of the Enemy,...
4To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your obliging Letter of the 6th: Instant. It came to hand with another for your good Lady, which was imediately forwarded to her by Mr. Thaxter who was here when I received it. At the same Time, I received a Card from our Friend Doctr: Franklin, assuring me a friendly visit before he returns to Philadelphia. If he can spare Time to take a View of the Harbor I hope to...
5To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 13 – 25 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your worthy Lady has been so good as to lend me a Pamphlet printed at Philadelphia intituled “Thoughts upon Government”: I have perused it with Pleasure, because, in general they are agreable to my own. It is difficult to contract, within the Limits of a Sheet of Paper, ones Thoughts upon such a copious Subject : however, I have selected the following for your Amusement; and when you are not...
6Petition to the General Court for Setting off “The Farms” From Dorchester to Braintree, 5 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esqr. the Honorable his Majesty’s Council and the honble. House of Representatives in General Court assembled February A.D. 1773. The Petition of Josiah Quincy John Adams and Joseph Palmer in Behalf of themselves and the North Precinct in Braintree. Humbly sheweth. That there is a certain Tract of Land in the Town of Dorchester lying on the south side of...
7From John Adams to Josiah Quincy, 17 May 1759 (Adams Papers)
Braintree, post 17 May 1759. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 1:113 , from a draft of a letter perhaps not sent. On Col. Josiah Quincy (1710–1784) and JA ’s early relations with him, see JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others,...
8From John Adams to Josiah Quincy, 29 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the honour of your letter of July the eleventh, and I feel myself much obliged, by your kind attention to me and my family, but much more by your care of the public safety, and the judicious and important observations you have made. Your letters Sir, so far from being “a burden,” I consider as an honour to me, besides the pleasure and instruction they afford me. Believe me,...
9From John Adams to Josiah Quincy, 6 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago I had the Pleasure of yours of Septr. 22. I am very Sorry to learn from your Letter that you have occasion for any Advice of mine, and have not had an opportunity of taking it. I fully intended to have made you a visit, but my stay was so short and I had So many Engagements that it was out of my Power. That a great Revolution, in the Affairs of the World, is in the Womb of...
10Report of the Committee on Proposals for Boston’s Conduct under the Port Act., 18 May 1774 (Adams Papers)
18 May 1774. Report of the Committee on Proposals for Boston’s conduct under the Port Act. No Dft found. printed : Boston Record Commissioners, 18th Report City of Boston, Record Commissioners, Reports , Boston, 1876–1909; 39 vols. , p. 175. Prepared by a committee appointed 13 May composed of Samuel Adams, John Rowe, Thomas Boylston, William Phillips, Joseph Warren, John Adams, Josiah Quincy,...