151[Diary entry: 28 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
28. Rid out to the Provence Island & dind there in Compy. with sevl. other Gentlemen.
152[Diary entry: 28 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
28. Clear and warm. Wind pretty fresh from the South.
153John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
Our amiable Friend Hancock, who by the Way is our President, is to send his Servant, tomorrow for Cambridge. I am to send a few Lines by him. If his Man should come to you to deliver this Letter, treat him very kindly, because he is a kind, humane, clever Fellow. My Friend Joseph Bass, very cleverly caught the Small Pox, in two days after we arrived here, by Inoculation and has walked about...
154From John Adams to John Winthrop, 29 May 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Bearers of this are two young Gentlemen from Maryland. Aquilla Hall and Josias Carvill Hall, both of one of the best Families in Maryland, and both of independent Fortunes. Their Errand to Cambridge, is to join our Army as Volunteers, against the Enemies of their Country in order to gain Experience, in the Art of War, in which they have already made good Proficiency. As it is of importance...
155[Diary entry: 29 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
29. Dined at the City Tavern. Spent the Evening in my own Room.
156[Diary entry: 29 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
29. Warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.
Alarmed by the designs of an arbitrary Ministry to extirpate the Rights and liberties of all America, a sense of common danger conspired with the dictates of humanity, is urging us to call your attention, by our late address, to this very important object. Since the conclusion of the late war, we have been happy in considering you as fellow-subjects, and from the commencement of the present...
158[Diary entry: 30 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
30. Dined at Mr. Mease’s, & after setting a while with the Boston Gentlemen retird to my own Room. boston gentlemen : GW is referring to the Massachusetts delegates to Congress.
159[Diary entry: 30 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
30. Lowering all day & warm. Wind fresh from the So[uth]ward.
160To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Oliver, 31 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some time since Mr. Wm Lee forwarded my letter to you advising the payment of £100 from the Constitutional Society into the hands of your Bankers Messrs. Brown Collinson & Co. towards relieving the distress’d Inhabitants of Boston. On the 23d Inst. they voted £100 more for their relief which is also paid into the hands of the same Gentlemen on your Account...
161[Diary entry: 31 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
31. Dined with Mr. Jno. Rutlidge. Spent the Evening in my Chambers. John Rutledge (1739–1800) was the elder of two Rutledge brothers representing South Carolina in the Continental Congress at this time. He had served in the South Carolina House of Commons for a number of years and in the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. During the Revolution Rutledge was president of South Carolina 1776–78,...
162[Diary entry: 31 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
31. Warm, & somewhat lowering. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward.
163From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 31 May 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last (dated about the first of April) I have received from Mr Craven Peyton the Sum of £193.6.10 (as you may see by the inclosed Account) with which, and the Balance of the former Money, I now remit you the following Bills; to wit, one drawn by Mr Thomas Contee on Mr Mollison, for £40 Sterling, and another drawn by Lyonel Bradstreet on Mr William Tippell of London for the like Sum...
164[In Congress, June and July 1775] (Adams Papers)
This Measure of Imbecility, the second Petition to the King embarrassed every Exertion of Congress: it occasioned Motions and debates without End for appointing Committees to draw up a declaration of the Causes, Motives, and Objects of taking Arms, with a view to obtain decisive declarations against Independence &c. In the Mean time the New England Army investing Boston, the New England...
165Jefferson’s Annotated Copy of Franklin’s Proposed Articles of Confederation, [June–July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Articles of confederation and perpetual Union proposed by the delegates of the several colonies of New Hampshire &c. in General Congress met at Philadelphia May. 10. 1775. The Art. I. name of this confederacy shall henceforth be ‘The united < colonies > states of North America.’ The Art. II. said united colonies hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other binding on...
166Financial and Military Estimates for Continental Defense, [June–July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
souls dollars New Hampshire 100,000 82,713 2 Massachusets 350,000 289,496 Rhode island 58,000 47,973 Connecticut 200,000 165,426 New York 200,000 165,426 New Jersey 130,000
167[Fryday June 9th. 1775.] (Adams Papers)
On Fryday June 9th. 1775. The report of the Committee on the Letter from the Convention of Massachusetts Bay being again read, the Congress came into the following Resolution: Resolved, That no Obedience being due to the Act of Parliament, for altering the Charter of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, nor to a Governor or Lieutenant Governor who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour...
168To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [June 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete autograph copy: Yale University Library I would give much more than I can afford for one hours friendly Conversation with You. Writing is a tedious dilatory Business and tis impossible to enter into those Details which go to the Essence and Marrow of the Subject and enable us to judge with clearness and confidence. Since my last the face of things is grown not only alarming but...
169Cash Accounts, June 1775 (Washington Papers)
Cash June 7— To John Ross recd from him on Accot of Mr Andrew Leitch P[rince] William Arms [£] 32. 0. 0 To Colo. Harrison received from him on Accot of the Money paid Mr Thomson last Cong[res]s 1. 0. 0 To Overcharge on Contra Side in John Ross’s Credit 32. 0. 0 To Mr [William] Milnor recd from him on Acct of Andw Leitch P. Wm Company 7. 0. 0 13— To Messrs Willing & Morris a Bill of Excha....
170[June 1775] (Washington Papers)
June 1. Dined at Burns’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room. GW’s committee on ways and means of supplying ammunition and military stores to the colonies read its report, which was referred to the committee of the whole ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:74). 2. Dined at Mr. Josh. Shippens &...
171Acct. of the Weather in June [1775] (Washington Papers)
June 1st. Warm and clear in the forenoon—Cool afterwards. 2. Clear & rather Cool. 3. Clear and tolerably pleasant. 4. Lowering in the Forenoon, & Raining in the Afternoon. Cool all day. 5. Raining more or less all day. Wind abt. No. Et. 6. A little lowering and in the Mid day warm. 7. Lowering all day—especially in the Evening. Cool. 8. Lowering in the forenoon but clear afterwards and warm....
172To John Adams from Philopattria, 1 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
An ancient, and accounted a long headed Man, in these parts, has drop’d some words devising a scheme of reconciliation between the Colonies and Mother Country; which I think worthy of notice; and I am persuaded your zeal to a reconciliation is such that you will lend an ear to healing propositions, let it come from what quarter it may. Otherwise you would be unworthy of that eminence of...
173[Diary entry: 1 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
June 1. Dined at Burns’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room. GW’s committee on ways and means of supplying ammunition and military stores to the colonies read its report, which was referred to the committee of the whole ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:74).
174[Diary entry: 1 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
June 1st. Warm and clear in the forenoon—Cool afterwards.
175Proposals for Conscientious Objectors: Two Drafts, [before 29 September 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The outbreak of hostilities created political problems in Pennsylvania that continued to vex the province for a year or more. Compulsory military service was unknown, and the inauguration of voluntary service on a larger scale than ever before raised the acute question of what to do about those who would not serve. Franklin had confronted that question...
176[Fryday June 2. 1775.] (Adams Papers)
On Fryday June 2. 1775. Journals of Congress, page 112. The President laid before Congress a Letter from the Provincial Convention of Massachusetts Bay dated May 16. which was read, setting forth the difficulties they labour under, for want of a regular form of Government, and as they and the other Colonies are now compelled to raise an Army to defend themselves from the Butcheries and...
177John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of two Letters from you, by Dr. Church. We had been so long without any Intelligence from our Country, that the Sight of the Dr. gave us great Joy. I have received no Letters from England, untill the Dr. brought me one from Mr. Dilly. Mr. Henly goes, tomorrow, to the Camp at Cambridge. I am not so ill, as I was when I left you, tho not well. Bass has recover’d of...
178From Benjamin Franklin to Nathaniel Seidel, 2 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania I am much oblig’d by your kind Congratulations on my Return; and I rejoice to hear that the Brethren are well and prosper. I am persuaded that the Congress will give no Encouragement to any to molest your People on Account of their Religious Principles; and tho’ much is not in my Power, I shall on every Occasion exert my self to discountenance...
179To Benjamin Franklin from John Jacob Friis, 2 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Here inclosed I return the Letter, which You were so complaisant and kind to let me have the Reading of. Your Answer, which You were pleased to give to it I have forwarded already. That our dear Lord may bless You and the whole Congress in all Your Deliberations and Councels is the most sincere and cordial Wish of Your devoted and most humble Servant...
180[Diary entry: 2 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
2. Dined at Mr. Josh. Shippens & spent the Evening at Mr. Tilghman’s. Shippen was probably Joseph Shippen, Jr. (1732–1810), son of Edward and Sarah Plumley Shippen of Lancaster, Pa. He had graduated from Princeton in 1753 and served as an officer in the Pennsylvania Regiment during the French and Indian War. He was with Gen. John Forbes on the Fort Duquesne expedition and probably knew GW at...
181[Diary entry: 2 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
2. Clear & rather Cool.
182To James Madison from William Bradford, 2 June 1775 (Madison Papers)
I have two of your epistolary favours to acknowledge[,] the one handed to me by the Revd Mr Smith, some time ago & the other since by Patrick Henry Esqr. I also received 22/6. & as it exceeds what Ferguson &c Cost I shall consider you as the Cestui que Use of the surplus. I have but little to tell you of the Congress; they keep their proceeding so secret that scarce any thing transpires but...
To the Kings most excellent Majesty The Peti Humb Petition of the Freeholders & Freemen of the Colonies of New Hampshire Massachuses Bay Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, the Governm t of on Delaware, Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina & the Parish of S t . Johns in the Colony of Georgia, by their Representatives convened in general Congress at the City...
184[Saturday June the 3d 1775.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday June the 3d 1775. Congress however ordered the Letter to lie under on the Table for farther Consideration. On Saturday June the 3d 1775. The Letter from the Convention of the Massachusetts Bay dated the 16th. of May, being again read, the Subject was again discussed, and then Resolved That a Committee of five Persons be chosen, to consider the same and report what in their Opinion is...
185Abigail Adams to Eunice Paine, 3 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
So good an opportunity offering, tho I had not wrote before I have detaind the Bearer, just to thank you for your obliging favour, and ask you how you do? I know how much you have sufferd for your Friends, and pitty your distance from them. As news like the Snow Ball, allways gathers according to the distance it passes, we were not so much allarmd here as one would have immagined; but at...
186[Diary entry: 3 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
3. Dined at the City Tavern & spent the Evening at my lodgings. Congress appointed a number of committees, including one composed of GW, Philip Schuyler, Silas Deane, Thomas Cushing, and Joseph Hewes, “to bring in an estimate of the money necessary to be raised” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. ,...
187[Diary entry: 3 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
3. Clear and tolerably pleasant.
188Eunice Paine to Abigail Adams, 4 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yours received last Evening deserves my Early acknowledgment; as a token of your Love, it revived my drooping Spirits; as a Testimony of your Comfortable Existance, it turn’d my heart to Praise; and your kind Promise to write again soon, gives me a pleasing Expectation. I was deny’d a pleasure which I should have made a merit had we received the Packet from Newport a few hours sooner; but...
189[Diary entry: 4 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
4. Dined at Mr. Robt. Morris’s on the Banks of Schoolkill & Spent the Eveng. at the City Tavn. Robert Morris (1734–1806), born in England, came in his youth to Maryland where his father was engaged in the tobacco export business. The younger Morris settled in Philadelphia and in 1754, as a partner in the firm of Willing, Morris & Co., eventually became one of America’s wealthiest merchants....
190[Diary entry: 4 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
4. Lowering in the Forenoon, & Raining in the Afternoon. Cool all day.
191To John Adams from Alexander McDougall, 5 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
While you are anxiously engaged to preserve the rights of your Country, I cannot entertain the least doubt, but you will readily excuse this address, when I assure you, I am induced to it, from a Sincere desire to promote the common cause of America in this City. The Delegates of this Colony who are in Trade, can inform you, I have no private interest, in the Subject on which I now Sollicit...
192From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Life, 5 June 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office I have just received your Favor of April 5. giving me an Account of the Progress of my Suit. I called at your House just before I came away to settle Matters with You, and it was no small Disappointment to me that I did not meet with You. I did then propose returning in October, but I find Things here...
193[Diary entry: 5 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Dined at Mr. Richard Penns. On a Committee all the Afternn. This was the committee appointed on 3 June to estimate the amount of money needed to be raised.
194[Diary entry: 5 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
5. Raining more or less all day. Wind abt. No. Et.
195John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of 24th. May and a Copy of your Letter to Mr. Dilly, and one Letter from him. Your Letter to him is a very agreable one. I hope you will continue to write him, whenever you have Opportunity. I am afraid you will have more Alarms than are necessary, in Consequence of the Brush at Grape Island. But I hope you will maintain your philosophical Composure. Saturday last, I took...
196[Diary entry: 6 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. At Mr. Willm. Hamiltons & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
197[Diary entry: 6 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
6. A little lowering and in the Mid day warm.
198[Wednesday June 7. 1775.] (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday June 7. 1775. On motion resolved, that Thursday the 20th. of July next be observed throughout the twelve united Colonies, as a Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; and that Mr. Hooper, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Paine, be a Committee to bring in a resolve for that purpose. The Committee appointed to prepare Advice in Answer to the Letter from the Convention of Massachusetts Bay,...
199John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 7 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago, I was very agreably surprized by a Letter from you, which was acceptable both for the important public Intelligence it contained and as it informed me of your Escape from Boston. I had suffered much Anxiety, on Account of yourself and your Family, supposing you were confined in Town and subject to I knew not what Inconveniences or Indignities. I cant yet learn that Mr. Boylstone,...
200From John Adams to James Warren, 7 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
We have been puzzled to discover, what we ought to do, with the Canadians and Indians. Several Persons, have been before the Congress who have lately been in the Province of Canada, particularly Mr. Brown and Mr. Price, who have informed us that the French are not unfriendly to us. And by all that we can learn of the Indians, they intend to be neutral. But whether We Should march into Canada...