101[Diary entry: 13 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
13. Lowering with a little Rain in the forenoon. Clear afterwards.
102Eunice Paine to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am indeed the Silvia, the once favored correspondent of Diana; But I am Silvia without my Beloved flock, my former sheepfolds are Laid waste, my Lambs are scatter’d, and I mourn here among other congregations the loss of my former companions.—I thank you for the testimony you have given me of your remembrance. Should have Certifyd my grateful reception by the first Conveyance but...
103To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [14 May 1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Welcom a Hundred times Welcom to our once happy Land. Are you in Health and allow me to ask you the old question over again if you are the Same good old Soul you used to be? Your arrival gives New Spring to all have heard mention it. When Shall We See you here? Do let it be as Soon as the Congress is adjournd or dont know but your good Sister and Self Shall mount...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library God be Praised for bring you Saif back to America and soporting you throw such fatuges as I know you have sufered while the minestry have been distresing Poor New England in such a Cruil maner. Your last by Poor Quensey Advises me to keep up my Cuiridg and that foul wither does not last allways in any country. But I beleve you did not then Imagin the storm would...
105[Diary entry: 14 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Dined at Mr. Willings, & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
106[Diary entry: 14 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Clear & pleasant—rather warm.
107Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 15 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Though I am very unwell scarce able to set up long Enough to write, yet I must let my dear Friend Mrs. Adams know it gave me great pleasure to have but a Line or too from her after her very long silence. I lament with you the infatuation of Britain, the Commotions of America and the Dangers to Which the Best of men and the truest Friends to Virtue, Liberty and the British Constitution are...
108From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Central Library, Sheffield The background of this letter was conversations between the two men during Franklin’s last months in London. Burke’s record of their final meeting, even though not committed to paper until years later, is revealing enough to be worth extensive quotation. “As far as a man, so locked up as Dr. Franklin, could be expected to communicate his ideas, I believe he...
109From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 15 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I arrived here well the 5th. after a pleasant Passage of 6 Weeks. I met with a most cordial Reception, I should say from all Parties, but that all Parties are now extinguish’d here. Britain has found means to unite us. I had not been here a Day before I was unanimously elected by our Assembly a Delegate to the Congress, which met the 10th and is now sitting. All...
110[Diary entry: 15 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Dined at Burns’s & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings. In Congress a question was raised by the New York delegates on how the colony was to conduct itself in regard to the British troops expected there. Recommendations were made in Congress and a resolution passed for appointing a committee to consider what posts in that colony should be occupied and how many troops should be necessary to...
111[Diary entry: 15 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear in the afternoon. A little lowering in the forenoon.
112From Benjamin Franklin to [William?] Bradford, 16 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; draft: American Philosophical Society I have just now been urged to apply to you in behalf of a Stranger who is suppos’d to have spoken some disrespectful Words of you, and who is apprehensive of the Resentment of your Company, as he is told they are exceedingly exasperated against him. He declares that the Words ascrib’d to him, are much...
113From Benjamin Franklin to [Joseph Priestley], 16 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 550–1. You will have heard before this reaches you, of a march stolen by the regulars into the country by night, and of their expedition back again. They retreated 20 miles in [6] hours. The Governor had called the Assembly to propose Lord North’s...
114To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 16 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Duke University Library The frequent accounts of your Intentions of leaving England, also unwilling to intrude on time taken up with Matters of Consiquence prevented my Writing as often as I otherwise should have done, however constrained by a real Esteem for a Gentleman so great a friend [of] Mankind in general and of American in particular will I trust plead my Excuse for thus...
115[Diary entry: 16 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at Doctr. Shippens.
116[Diary entry: 16 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Clear & pleasant. Evening a little Cool.
117From George Washington to Fairfax County Committee, 16 May 1775 (Washington Papers)
If I could have communicated any thing by the last Post certain and satisfactory, I should most assuredly have done it agreeable to my premise, but the only articles of Intelligence which came to my hands were containd in the Gazette, & went regularly to you—This is pretty much the case at present, and leaves me little to add as the Congress are again under the Tye of Secrecy in respect to...
118To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 17 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress En attendant que j’aie l’avantage de répondre plus au long à la Lettre dont vous m’avez honoré de Londres par Mr. Rey en date du 24 fevr. 1774, Celle-ci vous sera présentée par Messieurs Giraud et Planier et leurs Epouses, quatre braves et honnêtes gens, qui pour l’amour du plus précieux de tous les biens de l’homme, pour l’amour de la liberté, ont quitté leur...
119[Diary entry: 17 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Went to the Commencemt. at the College and dined at Mr. Saml. Griffins—after wch. attended a Comm[itt]ee at the Conistoga Waggon. GW attended the ceremony at the College of Philadelphia in his role as a member of the Continental Congress, which attended as a group. For a description of the commencement, see Pa. Packet , 15, 22, 29 May 1775. The Conestoga Wagon was a small inn on Market, or...
120[Diary entry: 17 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear and pleasant in the forenoon but Cloudy & dropping of Rain afterwds.
121[Diary entry: 18 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. Dined at the City Tavern, and attended a Comee. afterwards at the State House. The president of Congress on this day gave Congress news of the capture of Ticonderoga, which he had received by messenger the evening before. Congress resolved to recommend to New York that the cannon and stores be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George, where a strong post should be...
122[Diary entry: 18 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
18. Clear and Warm all day.
123[Diary entry: 19 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Dined at Mr. Allans. Spent the Evening in my own lodgings. The committee of Congress to consider the defense of New York, which had occupied much of GW’s time for two days past, brought in its report. The report was read and referred to the committee of the whole, which made its resolutions regarding New York’s defense on 25 May (see JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of...
124[Diary entry: 19 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
19. Clear & warm in the forenoon, but lowering & Cool afterwards.
125To John Adams from Joseph Warren, 20 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Having wrote fully upon several Subjects to Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams, upon several Matters which they will communicate to you, I can only add here that I Yesterday heard from your Family at Braintree were all in Health. A person having brought me a Letter from your Lady to me recommending one of your Brothers to be a Major in one of the Regiments, I am sorry the Letter did not arrive sooner,...
126To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I have recvd from La Duchesse de Villroy the Plan of your Armonica improved, which you will receive by this Ship. The Newspapers will give you all in the political Way. I have been several Days shut up in your Room, so have not been able to gather any thing more than the Public Prints contain. You will see by the Fate of the N York and Quebec...
127[Diary entry: 20 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
20. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at my Lodg.
128[Diary entry: 20 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
20. Clear and pleasant. Rathr. cool.
129From John Adams to James Warren, 21 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am vastly obliged to you for your Letter. It was like cold Water to a thirsty Soul. We Suffer, greatly for Want of News from you and Boston. I am very unfortunate, in my Eyes, and my Health. I came from home Sick and have been so ever Since. My Eyes are so weak and dim that I can neither read, write, or see without great Pain. Our unweildy Body moves very Slow. We shall do something in Time,...
130[Diary entry: 21 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
21. Dined at Mr. Richd. Willings and Spent the Evening at my Lodgings. Richard Willing (1745–1798) was a captain in the Philadelphia Associators during the Revolution ( WALKER [3] Lewis Burd Walker. “Life of Margaret Shippen, Wife of Benedict Arnold.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 24 (1900): 257-66, 401–29; 25 (1901): 20-46, 145-90, 289-302, 452-97; 26 (1902): 71-80, 224-44,...
131[Diary entry: 21 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
21. Clear in the forenoon with a good deal of Rain afterwards.
132To George Washington from James Cleveland, 21 May 1775 (Washington Papers)
I Am so well sattes fied that You have Got the Last letter that I shall Not right so Full as I should If I thought that Could fail as I give You a Full a Count of all My Prosedeurs & that the sarvents Plaged me Much At that Time Fore of them Ware gone to the Indanes town & that Day I should set out after them but Concluded To send stefenes after them & he Returnd to me Last Ni⟨ght⟩ With two of...
133Abigail Adams to Edward Dilly, 22 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Just before Mr. Adams set off upon his journey to Philadelphia he had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from you by way of New York, accompanied with 3 pamphlets. He determined to have wrote you immediately, but two days after he received them, we were by the Hostilities of General Gage thrown into all the horrours and distresses of civil war. Mr. Adams directed me to write you by the first...
134[Diary entry: 22 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
22. Dined at Mr. Griffins & spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
135[Diary entry: 22 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
22. Lowering in the forenoon with Rain in the Afternoon.
136From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 23 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Darlington, Memorials of John Bartram and Humphry Marshall . . . (Philadelphia, 1849), p. 521. I received your favour of the 13th inst. I think, with you, that the non-importation and non-exportation, well adhered to, will end the controversy in our favour. But, as Britain has begun to use force, it seems absolutely necessary that we should be prepared to repel force by...
137[Diary entry: 23 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
23. Dined at Mr. Jno. Cadwalladers & spent the Evening in my own Room.
138[Diary entry: 23 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
23. Lowering most part of the day.
139Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Suppose you have had a formidable account of the alarm we had last Sunday morning. When I rose about six oclock I was told that the Drums had been some time beating and that 3 allarm Guns were fired, that Weymouth Bell had been ringing, and Mr. Welds was then ringing. I immediatly sent of an express to know the occasion, and found the whole Town in confusion. 3 Sloops and one cutter had come...
140[Diary entry: 24 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
24. Dined at Mr. Andw. Allan’s & Spent the Evening at the Gov[e]r[nor’]s Club.
141[Diary entry: 24 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
24th. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind.
142[Diary entry: 25 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
25. Dined at Mr. Tilghman’s, & Spent the Evening at the City Tavern.
143[Diary entry: 25 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
25. Clear & pleasant but growing warmer.
144John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
I embrace an Opportunity by two young Gentlemen from Maryland to write you a Line, on friend Mifflins Table. The Names of these Gentlemen, are Hall. They are of one of the best Families in Maryland, and have independent Fortunes, one a Lawyer the other a Physician. If you have an Opportunity I beg you would shew to these Gentlemen all the Civilities possible. Get them introduced to your Uncle...
145From John Adams to James Warren, 26 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Bearers of this are two young Gentlemen from Maryland, of one of the best and first Families in that Province. One of them is a Lawyer, the other a Physician. Both have independent Fortunes. Such is their Zeal in the Cause of America, and Such their fellow Feeling for the People of our Province, that they are determined to Spend the Summer, in our Camp in order to gain Experience and...
146From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Marietta College Library; copy: Harvard University Library I have just now heard by Mr. Adams, that you are come out of Boston, and are at Warwick in Rhodeisland Government: I suppose it must be at good Mr. and Mrs. Green’s, to whom present my affectionate Respects. I write this Line just to let you know I am return’d well from England; that I found my Family well; but have not found the...
147[Diary entry: 26 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
26. Dined at Mr. Meridiths and Spent the Evening at the City Tavern.
148[Diary entry: 26 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
26. Clear and Warm. Wind Southerly but not fresh.
149[Diary entry: 27 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
27. Dined at the City Tavern & spent the Evening at my own Lodgings. GW, Philip Schuyler, Thomas Mifflin, Silas Deane, Lewis Morris, and Samuel Adams were named a committee to “to consider of ways and means to supply these colonies with Ammunition and military stores and to report immediately” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34...
150[Diary entry: 27 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
27. Clear and very Sultry. Wind still Southerly.