1321From John Adams to William Whipple, 27 January 1772 (Adams Papers)
Boston, 27 January 1772. Printed: Letters by Washington . . . and Others ... to John Langdon , Philadelphia, 1880, p. 12. JA ’s reply to Whipple’s letter of 16 Jan. on cases involving himself and “Mr. Cutt.” For this litigation, see JA, Legal Papers Legal Papers of John Adams , ed. L. Kinvin Wroth and Hiller B. Zobel, Cambridge, 1965; 3 vols. , 2:104 note. Printed ( Letters by Washington . . ....
1322Draft of a Newspaper Communication, 9 February 1772 (Adams Papers)
9 February 1772. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:53–54 Printed ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:53–54 ).
1323The Brace of Adamses, 9 February 1772 (Adams Papers)
9 February 1772. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:54–56 . Printed ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:54–56 ).
1324To John Adams from William Whipple, 13 February 1772 (Adams Papers)
Portsmouth, 13 February 1772. RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “To John Adams Esqr. at Boston favoured P Mr. Cutts”; endorsed. Whipple gives directions for litigation in the admiralty cases involving himself and Cutt. See entry for 27 Jan. , above. RC ( Adams Papers ).
Braintree, 2 March – 18 May 1772.. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:56–61 . Printed ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:56–61 ).
1326To John Adams from Nathaniel Freeman, 4 October 1772 (Adams Papers)
Sandwich, 4 October 1772. RC ( MiU-C ); addressed to John Adams in Boston; endorsed. Freeman notifies Adams that he is appealing a case to the Superior Court and urges Adams, who has been his attorney, not to “take up against me.” Adams’ one-sentence reply that he is “ready to engage for him” is on the verso. RC ( MiU-C ).
1327From John Adams to Catharine Macaulay, 31 December 1772 (Adams Papers)
Boston31 December 1772. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:75–76 . Printed ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:75–76 ).
1328I. To the Boston Gazette, 11 January 1773 (Adams Papers)
GENERAL BRATTLE, by his rank, station and character, is intituled to politeness and respect, even when he condescends to harrangue in town-meeting, or to write in a news-paper: But the same causes require that his sentiments when erroneous and of dangerous tendency, should be considered, with entire freedom, and the examination be made as public, as the error. He cannot therefore take offence...
1329II. To the Boston Gazette, 18 January 1773 (Adams Papers)
It has been said already, that the common law of England has not determined the judges to have an estate for life in their offices provided they behaved well. The authorities of Lord Coke and Lord Holt have been produced, relative to the judges of the King’s bench. And indeed authorities, still more ancient than Coke might have been adduced. For example, the learned Chancellor Fortescue, in...
1330III. William Brattle to the Boston Gazette, 18 January 1773 (Adams Papers)
As the lines of mens minds are as various as the features of their faces, they can no more upon every subject think alike than they can look alike, and yet both be equally honest; consequently they ought respectively to be treated with good manners, let their stations in life be what they may, by all excepting those who think they have infallibility on their side. For the publick peace and...
1331IV. To the Boston Gazette, 25 January 1773 (Adams Papers)
Another observation which occurred to me upon reading General Brattle’s first publication, was upon these words, “That by the charter and common law of England, there is no necessity of having any commission at all; a nomination and appointment are the words of the charter, a commission for them not so much as mentioned in it. Their commission is only declarative of their nomination and...
1332V. To the Boston Gazette, 1 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
One Thing at one Time . De Witt. The question is, in the present state of the controversy, according to my apprehension of it, whether, by the common law of England, the judges of the King’s bench and common bench, had estates for life, in their offices, determinable on misbehaviour, and determinable also on the demise of the crown? General Brattle still thinks they had, I, cannot yet find...
1333VI. To the Boston Gazette, 8 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
Two or three anecdotes, were omitted in my last, for want of room, which may be here inserted, in order to shew that General Brattle’s “rule of the common law of England” originated in the reign of King Charles the first. I say originated, because the example of Hubert de Burgo, is so ancient and so uncertain, that it is even doubted by Baron Gilbert, whether he was ever chief justiciary or...
1334VII. To the Boston Gazette, 15 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
We are now upon the commissions of our own Judges, and we ought to examine well the tenure by which they are holden. It may be depended on, that all the commissions of Judges throughout America, are without the words quam diu se bene gesserint in them; and consequently, that this horrid fragment of the feudal despotism, hangs over the heads of the best of them to this hour. If this is the...
1335VIII. To the Boston Gazette, 22 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
In all General Brattle’s researches hitherto, aided and assisted as he has been by mine, we have not been able to discover, either that the judges at common law had their commissions quam diu se bene gesserint, or for life, or that the crown had authority to grant them in that manner. Let us now examine and see, whether estates for life, determinable only on misbehaviour or the demise of the...
1336I. Reply of the House to Hutchinson’s First Message, 26 January 1773 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s Speech to the General Assembly at the Opening of this Session, has been read with great Attention in this House. We fully agree with your Excellency, that our own Happiness as well as his Majesty’s Service, very much depends upon Peace and Order; and we shall at all Times take such Measures as are consistent with our Constitution and the Rights of the People to promote and...
1337II. Samuel Adams to John Adams, 22 February 1773 (Adams Papers)
If you have had Leisure to commit your Thoughts to writing agreable to my Request I shall be oblig’d if you will send them by the Bearer. The Govr says the House have incautiously applied a Rule of the Common Law (see the 4th Coll. of his Speech). The Assertion is mine , upon your Authority as I thought. If it be vindicable, pray give me your Aid in that as briefly as you please. I am sorry to...
1338III. Reply of the House to Hutchinson’s Second Message, 2 March 1773 (Adams Papers)
In your Speech at the Opening of the present Session, your Excellency express’d your Displeasure at some late Proceedings of the Town of Boston , and other principal Towns in the Province. And in another Speech to both Houses we have your repeated Ex ceptions at the same Proceedings as being “unwarrantable,” and of a dangerous Nature and Tendency; “against which you thought yourself bound to...
1339Petition 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...
1340Petition to Have Boston Accept Pleasant Street, 5 May 1773 (Adams Papers)
Boston, ante 5 May 1773. MS ( MB ). John Adams was among the 52 signers who sought to have Pleasant Street “Accepted of and recorded as a Town street as is Usual.” The petition was approved by the Boston town meeting on 5 May 1773 ( Boston Record Commissioners, 18th Report City of Boston, Record Commissioners, Reports , Boston, 1876–1909; 39 vols. , p. 134). Pleasant Street ran south and...
1341Elected Council Members Negatived by Governor Thomas Hutchinson, 26 May 1773 (Adams Papers)
Boston, 26 May 1773. MS ( M-Ar :vol. 50:449–450. Of the 24 elected by joint ballot of the House of Representatives and outgoing Council, John Adams was one of three rejected by Hutchinson. The others were Jerathmeel Bowers and William Phillips. MS ( M-Ar :vol. 50:449–450).
1342To John Adams from Joseph Hawley, 30 June 1773 (Adams Papers)
The letter inclosed herewith contains My Answer to the young Gentn. you was pleased recommend Me to as an Assistant in his Study of the Law and it is in the affirmative. I have heard Nothing of our Publick Affairs since I left Boston. I have only to intreat, That, as I know you Sir can do Much to influence them Nothing be done through Strife or vain glory—and that in all cases which will...
1343Chrispus Attucks to Thomas Hutchinson, 19 July 1773; 26 July 1773 (Adams Papers)
Boston, 19 or 26 July 1773. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:84–85 . Unpublished newspaper contribution. Printed ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:84–85 ).
1344Genealogical Note, 7 August 1773 (Adams Papers)
Mr Henry Adams before the year 1640, I cant Say how long before, came from Bristol in England, with Eight Sons, and fixed himself at Braintree, in an House nearly opposite to the present Parsonage House of the Church of England, near the late Dr and the present Major Millers—being a Maltster by Trade he Set up a Malt House there upon a Piece of Land between the Brook on the North a Rivulet...
1345To John Adams from Catharine Macaulay, August 1773 (Adams Papers)
I was very sorry to find by your favor of the 19 of Aprill that you had so many good reasons to allege for the Depriveing me thus long of the pleasure of your correspondence. We simpathise so much in mind and Body that you cannot think me guilty of compliment when I say that I was much concerned at the account you gave me of the state of your health and the situation of your public affaires....
1346Adams Elected to Membership in Supporters of the Bill of Rights, 21 September 1773 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of a Resolution of this Society, I am to signify to you that you have this Day been duly elected a Member thereof. N.B. Subscriptions are received by frederick bull , Esq; Treasurer to this society , at his House in Leadenhall-Street, No. 96. Printed form on folded sheet approx. 13 by 8 inches ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “John Adams Esqr. Boston”; endorsed on address leaf: “Jan’y...
1347To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 11 October 1773 (Adams Papers)
MS ( Adams Papers ) in the hand of Mercy (Otis) Warren. This unsigned poem was doubtless an enclosure in a letter which has since been lost. For Mrs. Warren’s relationship with the Adamses, see Adams Family Correspondence Adams Family Correspondence , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963– . , 1:84 , note and references there. This reference is not to Gov. Hutchinson’s brother,...
1348From John Adams to James Warren, 17 December 1773 (Adams Papers)
The Dye is cast: The People have passed the River and cutt away the Bridge: last Night Three Cargoes of Tea, were emptied into the Harbour. This is the grandest, Event, which has ever yet happened Since, the Controversy, with Britain, opened! The Sublimity of it, charms me! For my own Part, I cannot express my own Sentiments of it, better than in the Words of Coll Doane to me, last...
1349From John Adams to James Warren, 22 December 1773 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, the Governor called a Council at Cambridge. Eight Members met at Brattles. This no doubt was concerted last Saturday, at Neponsit Hill, where Brattle and Russell dined, by Way of Caucass I Suppose. Sewall dined with their Honours Yesterday. But Behold what a falling off, was there. The Governor, who last Fryday, was fully persuaded, and told the Council, that some late Proceedings...
1350To John Adams from James Warren, 3 January 1774 (Adams Papers)
I Received your last and am to Acknowledge that the Contents of it gave me great pleasure. I have for some time thought it necessary that the People should strike some Bold stroke and Try the Issue. They have long enough Submitted to Oppressions and Insults following one another in A rapid Succession without finding any Advantage. They have now Indeed passed the River and left no retreat and...