31[October 1775] (Adams Papers)
Johnson. I should be for the Resolutions about Imports and Exports, standing, till further order. I should be vs. giving up the Carriage. The Grower, the Farmer gets the same, let who will be the Exporter. But the Community does not. The Shipwright, Ropemaker, Hempgrower, all Shipbuilders, the Profits of the Merchant are all lost, if Foreigners are our sole Carriers, as well as Seamen, &c. I...
32[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Oct. 3 [i.e. 4]. (Adams Papers)
Johnson. I should be for the Resolutions about Imports and Exports, standing, till further order. I should be vs. giving up the Carriage. The Grower, the Farmer gets the same, let who will be the Exporter. But the Community does not. The Shipwright, Ropemaker, Hempgrower, all Shipbuilders, the Profits of the Merchant are all lost, if Foreigners are our sole Carriers, as well as Seamen, &c. I...
33[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 5. (Adams Papers)
Gadsden. I wish we may confine ourselves to one Point. Let the Point be whether We shall shut up all our Ports, and be all on a footing. The Ministry will answer their End, if We let the Custom houses be open, in N.Y., N.C., the lower Counties and Georgia. They will divide us. One Colony will envy another, and be jealous. Mankind act by their feelings. Rice sold for £3—it wont sell now for...
34[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 6. (Adams Papers)
Chase. I dont think the Resolution goes far enough. Ld. Dunmore has been many Months committing Hostilities vs. Virginia, and has extended his Piracies to Maryland. I wish he had been seized, by the Colony, Months ago. They would have received the Thanks of all North America. Is it practicable now? Have the Committee any naval Force? This order will be a mere Piece of Paper. Is there a Power...
35[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 7. (Adams Papers)
Chase. It is the maddest Idea in the World, to think of building an American Fleet. Its Latitude is wonderfull. We should mortgage the whole Continent. Recollect the Intelligence on your Table—defend N. York—fortify upon Hudsons River. We should provide for gaining Intelligence—two swift sailing Vessells. Dyer. The Affair of Powder from N. York should be referr’d to the Committee. Hopkins. No...
36[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 10. (Adams Papers)
Who shall have the Appointment of the Officers in the 2 Battallions to be raised in New Jersey? Sherman. Best to leave it to the Provincial Conventions. Ward seconds the Motion. Chace. This is persisting in Error in Spight of Experience. We have found by Experience that giving the Choice of Officers to the People, is attended with bad Consequences. The French Officers are allowed to exceed any...
37[Notes of Debates, Continued] Oct. 12. (Adams Papers)
Report, on Trade, considered in a Committee of the whole. Lee. It has been moved to bring the debate to one Point, by putting the Q. whether the Custom houses shall be shut up, and the officers discharged from their several Functions. This would put N. York, N.C., lower Counties and Georgia upon the same Footing with the other Colonies. I therefore move you, that the C ustom Houses be shut,...
38[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 13. (Adams Papers)
R. Livingston. Hopes the whole Matter will be putt off. Is willing as it seems the general sense, that all should be put upon a Footing. Gadsden. Hopes it will not be putt off. S. Carolina will be in the utmost Confusion if this matter is not decided. Let the Continent determine. Stone. Can see no particular Inconvenience to Carolina. 2ds. the Motion of Mr. Livingston, for postponing the...
39[John Tyler’s Bill for Repairing A Pistol.] (Adams Papers)
To Cleaning a pistol 0: 2: 0 To one side pin 0: 0: 9 To two small screws to the Lock 0: 1: 0 To a new tumbler to ..... Do. 0: 3: 0 £0: 6: 9 M-Ar
40[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Oct. 20. (Adams Papers)
Deane. Their Plunder only afforded one Meal of fresh meat for the privates. All the rest was reserved for the Officers and their Friends among the Inhabitants. I would have Traders prohibited from importing unnecessary Articles, and from exporting live Stock, except Horses. Gadsden. If we give one leave when there is 100 who have an equal Right, it will occasion Jealousy. Let each Colony...
41[Notes of Debates, Continued] Octr. 21. (Adams Papers)
Zubly. We cant do without Powder, Intelligence, Druggs. Georgia must have an Indian War, if they cant supply the Indians. The Creeks and Cherrokees are in our Province. We must have Indian Trade. Four Millions have been spent in 6 Months. We have been successfull. But We have gain’d little. All the Power of G.B. it is true, has gained very little. N. England has been at great Expence, so has...
42Octr. 25th. 1775. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Duane told me at the Funeral of our late virtuous and able President that he, Mr. Duane, had accustomed him self to read the Year Books. Mr. De Lancey who was C hief J ustice of N. York he said advised him to it, as the best Method of imbibing the Spirit of the Law. De Lancey told him that he had translated a Pile of Cases from the Year Books, altho he was a very lazy Man. Duane says that...
43[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. Octr. 27. (Adams Papers)
R. R. Livingston. Cloathing will rise tho Provisions will fall. Labourers will be discharged. One Quarter Part of R. Island, N. York, and Pensylvania depend upon Trade, as Merchants, Shopkeepers, Shipwrights, Blockmakers, Riggers, Smiths, &c. &c. &c. The 6 Northern Colonies must raise 9 millions of Dollars to support the Poor. This Vote will stop our Trade for 14 months, altho it professes to...
441775. Octr. 29. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Paine brought in a large Sample of Salt Petre, made in this City, by Mr. Ripsama. It is very good, large and burns off, when laid upon a Coal like moist Powder. I tried it. Heard Mr. Carmichael, at Mr. Duffils, on “Trust in the Lord and do good, so shall you dwell in the Land and verily thou shallt be fed.”
Ross. We cant get Seamen to man 4 Vessells. We could not get Seamen to mann our Boats, our Gallies. Wythe, Nelson , and Lee for fitting out 4 Ships. From D/JA/25, which then has a gap until 24 Jan. 1776. The present fragment is from a debate on resolutions, agreed to this day, to fit out four armed vessels for Continental service. Another resolution added JA to the committee to execute this...
46[November 1775] (Adams Papers)
At the Rising Sun in Second Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. 2 ozs. Cinnamon £0: 6: 0 1 oz. Turkey Rhubarb 2: 6 1 oz. Cloves 2: 1 oz. Pink Root 1: £ 11: 6 M-Ar : vol. 210. A printed form filled in. £ s d
47[William Smith’s Bill for Sundry Medicines.] (Adams Papers)
At the Rising Sun in Second Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. 2 ozs. Cinnamon £0: 6: 0 1 oz. Turkey Rhubarb 2: 6 1 oz. Cloves 2: 1 oz. Pink Root 1: £ 11: 6 M-Ar : vol. 210. A printed form filled in.
48[Ann Smith’s Bill for Laundry. ] (Adams Papers)
£ s d Novr. 29 For washing of Seven doz. and 4 pieces of Lining at 3/6 per doz 1 5 4 For mending 0 3 9 1 9 1 M-Ar : vol. 210. Endorsed by JA .
49[List of Persons Suitable for Naval Commands, November 1775] (Adams Papers)
Captn. Isaac Sears Thos. Randall John Hanson Christopher Miller John Harrison. Dudley Saltonstall Eseck Hopkins. Abraham Whipple. Souther. James Dougherty Thomas More. Reed. Charles Alexander. Michael Corbitt. Davinson. Clement Lempriere. S.C. Obrian. Carghill. John Lawrence. Alexander
50[John Stille’s Bill for Clothing.] (Adams Papers)
John Adams Esqr. To John Stille Dr. 1775 June 24th. To makeing Suit of Nankeen 0: 6: 0 3 3/4 Y ard s of Linnen @ 3/6 0: 13: 1 1/2 Buttons 0: 2: 7 Thread 1/6 Silk 3/ hair 2/ Buckram /3 Staying 1/6 0:
51[Robert Aitken’s Bill for Books] (Adams Papers)
John Adams Esqr. Bought of R. Aitken 1775 Decr. 8 To 3 red Memdm. books @ 1/3 3 9 To 2 Sticks Sealing wax 1/ 2 To Marshall Saxe’s Reveries I paid to Mrs. Hall for you 13 To 1 Sett political Disquisitions 3 Vols. 1 10 0 18 9 N.B. I am not certain whither it was the Political Disquisitions or some other book you had from me, when you got them you proposed paying me but for want of Change at...
52[Daniel Smith’s Bill for Entertainment.] (Adams Papers)
Jno. Adams Dr. s d 1775 To Club Venison Dinner 10 10 2 Bottles Cyder 2 S 12 10 M-Ar : vol. 210. Date supplied from an entry in JA ’s Account with Massachusetts, Aug.–Dec. 1775 , above.
53[December 1775] (Adams Papers)
Having Yesterday as ked and obtained Leave of Congress to go home, this Morning I mounted, with my own Servant only, about twelve O Clock, and reached the red Lyon about two where I dine. The Roads very miry and dirty, the Weather pleasant, and not cold. This is the first regular entry since 29 Oct. in JA ’s Diary. Why he failed to keep a record of either personal or congressional affairs...
541775. Decr. 9th. (Adams Papers)
Having Yesterday as ked and obtained Leave of Congress to go home, this Morning I mounted, with my own Servant only, about twelve O Clock, and reached the red Lyon about two where I dine. The Roads very miry and dirty, the Weather pleasant, and not cold. This is the first regular entry since 29 Oct. in JA ’s Diary. Why he failed to keep a record of either personal or congressional affairs...
55[Sarah Yard’s Bill for Board.] (Adams Papers)
To Board from Septr. 12 to Decr. 8 at 30s. per Week 18: 17: 0 To a Servants Board for same Time at 15s. per Week 9: 8: 6 To Clubb in Punch and Wine at Dinner and in your own Room 11: 0: 0 To Sperma Ceti Candles at .05s. per Week 3: 0: 0 To Firewood for 8 Weeks at 7s: 6 per Week 1: 10: 0
561775. Decr. 10. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Rode from Bristol to Trenton, breakfasted, rode to Princetown, and dined with a Captain Flahaven, in Ld. Sterlings Regiment, who has been express to Congress from his Lordship. Flahaven’s Father lives in this Province. He has lived in Maryland. Says that the Virginia Convention granting the Scotch Petition to be neutral has done all the Mischief and been the Support of Lord Dunmore. He says...
57[Joseph Bass’ Bills to John and Samuel Adams.] (Adams Papers)
AD 1775 Sepr. 11 For bording at Mr. Dibleys 0: 8: 5 Oct. For one pr. of Quality binding 0 4 0 Paid to the Sadler 0 2: 3 Paid for triming of the horses 0 5: 0 For one Quir of paper
58[January 1776] (Adams Papers)
This heading without text is the last entry in D/JA/24. After a week in Braintree JA resumed his seat, 28 Dec., in the Massachusetts Council, which was sitting in Watertown. A payroll record in the Council Papers ( M-Ar : vol. 164) indicates that he attended sixteen days between then and 24 Jan., the day before he set out once more for Congress, and was paid £5 10s. 10d. for travel and...
591776 Jany. 3d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This heading without text is the last entry in D/JA/24. After a week in Braintree JA resumed his seat, 28 Dec., in the Massachusetts Council, which was sitting in Watertown. A payroll record in the Council Papers ( M-Ar : vol. 164) indicates that he attended sixteen days between then and 24 Jan., the day before he set out once more for Congress, and was paid £5 10s. 10d. for travel and...
601776. January 24. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Began my Journey to Phildelphia, dined at C olonel Mifflins at Cambridge with G. Washington, and Gates and their Ladies, and half a Dozen Sachems and Warriours of the french Cocknowaga Tribe, with their Wives and Children. Williams is one, who was captivated in his Infancy, and adopted. There is a Mixture of White Blood french or English in most of them. Louis, their Principal, speaks English...