201To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 7 June 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office William Strahan was one of the few British political correspondents whom Franklin retained after leaving England. The Scot had bought himself a seat in Parliament in 1774, and consistently supported the government’s American policy. The outbreak of war, much as he regretted it, did not shake his faith...
202To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Agreeable to a Message from Lord Shelburn, I waited on the Prince de Masserano spanish ambassador, for a Book which his Lordship informed me was for You. After my Name was sent up, his Secretary came and asked if I spoke French, and answering in the affirmative I was immediately admitted into the Princes Chamber, where he was dressing. He then told me that the...
203[Diary entry: 7 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Dined at the City Tavern and spent the Evening at home. GW’s committee to estimate the amount of money to be raised today gave 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. , 2:81). GW made a number of purchases on this day, including “5...
204[Diary entry: 7 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
7. Lowering all day—especially in the Evening. Cool.
205To George Washington from James Cleveland, 7 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
These lines Comes to Let you know how I go one With improven First I Cleard & got in Corn a bote 20 or 25 acares or More Which is More than I rote Before I have bult as Much as Would be praised To a bout 160 Pounds by the Men that is to prais⟨e⟩ It as the lands is hard to Clear & rail timber very Schase I find from Expearance that buld in is the Best Way I have rote so Much a bout the sarvents...
206[Diary entry: 8 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Dined at Mr. Dickensons and spent the Evening at home.
207[Diary entry: 8 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
8. Lowering in the forenoon but clear afterwards and warm.
208To Thomas Jefferson from St. George Tucker, 8 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I must apologize to you for the Liberty I take in addressing you as a Member of the General Congress , but the Importance of the Occasion I hope will excuse it. I shall therefore without further prelude proceed to the Occasion of this Letter. The Island of Bermuda, by it’s detached Situation, by the Number of it’s Inhabitants, by its inconsiderable produce, and by the small progress made there...
209To John Adams from Unknown, 9 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
The great Character he hath heard of you, induces a private Man to offer to your Consideration the following Hints, with an Assurance, that your Regard for your Country, will improve upon them for the general Good of all America. When one Colony is declared to be in actual Rebellion, when all the others are anounced to be accessary to, and Favourers of that Rebellion, when the Sword is drawn,...
210[Diary entry: 9 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Dined at Mr. Saml. Pleasants and went to hear Mr. Piercy preach.
211[Diary entry: 9 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
9. Clear after the Morning and very warm.
212John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Church returns to Day, and with smarting Eyes, I must write a few Lines to you. I never had in my Life, such severe Duty to do, and was never worse qualified to do it. My Eyes depress my Spirits and my Health is quite infirm. Yet I keep about and attend Congress very constantly. I wish I could write freely to you my Dear, but I can not. The Scene before me, is complicated enough. It...
213John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Church has given me a Lotion, which has helped my Eyes so much that I hope you will hear from me oftener than you have done. Pray write me as often and particularly as possible. Send your Letters to the Care of the Committee of safety who will forward them. I long to know, how you fare, and whether you are often discomposed with Alarms. Guard yourself against them my Dear. I think you are...
214From John Adams to Moses Gill, 10 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
It would be a Relief to my Mind, if I could write freely to you concerning the Sentiments Principles, Facts and Arguments which are laid before us, in Congress: But Injunctions, and Engagements of Honour render this impossible. What I learn out of Doors among Citizens, Gentlemen, and Persons of all Denominations is not so sacred. I find that the general Sense abroad is to prepare for a...
215From John Adams to James Warren, 10 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have written a few Lines to Dr Warren to whom I refer you. It is of vast Importance that the officers of our Army should be impressed with the absolute Necessity of Cleanliness, to preserve the Health of their Men. Cleanness, is one of the three Cardinal Virtues of a soldier, as Activity and Sobriety are the other two. They should be encouraged to go into Water frequently, to keep their...
216To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 10 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My mother promis’d Lord Drummond to send a letter to you by him, she deputed Mr. Williams to write it for her, but as he has already written by this Vessel he desir’d me to do it. I pleaded being very sleepy and stupid, they said writing would rouse and enliven me, I do not find they said true, however, I will write on. I have the pleasure to tell you that...
217[Diary entry: 10 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined at Mr. Saml. Griffens. Spent the Evening in my own Room.
218[Diary entry: 10 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
10. Lowering Morning but clear afterwards. A
219From Thomas Jefferson to St. George Tucker, 10 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknoledge the receipt of your letter, and to scribble a line in answer, being just in the moment of setting out on my journey. The situation of your island is truly hard, and I should think deserves a relaxation of our terms if I may trust my first thoughts on the subject. I also think it probable it might be mutually beneficial to us. Should I continue of that opinion I will...
220Virginia Resolutions on Lord North’s Conciliatory Proposal, 10 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved , that it is the Opinion of this Committee that an Address be presented to his Excellency, the Governor, to inform him that we have taken into our Consideration the joint Address of the two Houses of Parliament, his Majesty’s Answer, and the Resolution of the Commons which his Lordship has been pleased to lay before us. That wishing nothing so sincerely as the perpetual continuance of...
221John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been this Morning to hear Mr. Duffil, a Preacher in this City whose Principles, Prayers and Sermons more nearly resemble those of our New England Clergy than any that I have heard. His Discourse was a kind of Exposition on the thirty fifth Chapter of Isaiah.—America was the Wilderness and the Solitary Place, and he said it would be glad, rejoice, and blossom as the Rose. He laboured to...
222From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 11 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Gadsden of South Carolina whose Fame you must have heard, was in his younger Years, an officer, on board the Navy, and is well acquainted with the Fleet. He has Several Times taken Pains to convince me that this Fleet is not so formidable to America, as we fear. He Says, We can easily take their sloops, Schooners, and Cutters, on board of whom are all their best Seamen, and with these We...
223To John Adams from James Warren, 11 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since my last I have waited with Impatience to hear from you. I mean Individually. The public Expectation to hear from the Congress is great. They dont Complain but they wonder that the Congress should set a month without their receiveing something decisive with regard to us. I presume we shall have it in due time, at least that nothing will be wanting in your power to relieve the distresses...
224[Diary entry: 11 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
11th. Went to Church in the forenoon & then went out & Dined at Mr. H. Hills. Returnd in the Afternoon.
225[Diary entry: 11 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
11. Very warm with little or no wind in the forenoon—a thunder gust in the Afternoon & cooler.
226Draft Resolution Appointing a Fast-Day, 12 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved that it be and hereby it is recommended to the Inhabitants of the united Colonies in America of all Denominations That Thursday the 20th day of July next be set apart as a day of public humiliation fasting and prayer, that a total Abstinence from servile labor and recreation be observed and all their religious Assemblies solemnly convened to humble themselves before God under the...
227[Diary entry: 12 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
12. Dined at the City Tavern & Spent the Evening at my lodgings.
228[Diary entry: 12 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
12. Warm with Showers about Noon—Cooler afterwards.
229From Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 13 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wonder’d it was so long before I heard from you. The Packet it seems was brought down to Philadelphia, and carry’d back to Burlington before it came hither. I am glad to learn by your Letters that you are happy in your new Situation, and that tho’ you ride out sometimes, you do not neglect your Studies. You are now in that time of Life which is the...
230[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13. Dined at Burn’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodging’s.
231[Diary entry: 13 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
13th. Clear but somewhat Cool.
232[J. Young Jr.’s Bill for Riding Equipment.] (Adams Papers)
John Adams Esqr. B ough t of J. Young Junr. 1775 June 14. To a new Pad and Double raind Curb Bridle £ 14 6 15. Mendg. an old Bridle 1 July 3. To a Cover for sword Scabboard 3 14. To a small pad for housings 2
233[Diary entry: 14 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Dined at Mr. Saml. Merediths. Spent the Evening at home. After Congress resolved that “six companies of expert rifflemen, be immediately raised in Pensylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia . . . That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army,” it named...
234[Diary entry: 14 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
14. Very warm—being clear & the wind Southerly.
235Remarks on the Quebec Bill: Part One, [15 June 1775] (Hamilton Papers)
In compliance with my promise to the public, See page 78 of the Farmer Refuted, a pamphlet published last winter by James Rivington. and in order to rescue truth from the specious disguise, with which it has been cloathed, I shall now offer a few remarks on the act, intitled, “An Act for making more effectual provision, for the government of the province of Quebec, In North-America” whereby, I...
236[Diary entry: 15 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Dined at Burns’s in the Field. Spent the Eveng. on a Committee. Congress resolved today “that a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 2:91). GW, nominated by Thomas Johnson of...
237[Diary entry: 15 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
15. Clear, and Cooler than Yesterday.
238To George Washington from Martha Washington, 15 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Martha Washington, 15 June 1775. On 18 June 1775 GW wrote to his wife : “I have receivd your Letter of the 15th.”
239To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 15 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Parke Custis, 15 June 1775. On 19 June 1775 GW wrote to Custis : “I have receiv’d your Letter of the 15th Instt.”
240Abigail Adams to John Adams, 16 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I set down to write to you a monday, but really could not compose myself sufficently: the anxiety I sufferd from not hearing one syllable from you for more than five weeks; and the new distress ariseing from the arrival of recruits agitated me more than I have been since the never to be forgotten 14 of April. I have been much revived by receiving two letters from you last Night, one by the...
241Abigail Adams to James Bowdoin, 16 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure of acquainting you that I last Evening recieved Letters from Mr. Adams, wherein he informs me that the Congress are determined to support the Massachusetts—that there is a good Spirit among them, and that they have an amazing Field of Business before them—that it is extensive, complicated and hazardous, but their Unanimnity is as great as before—that they have a Number of...
242Mary Nicolson to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I hoped long ere now to have Been at Braintree, but evry circumstance has hitherto been Against me. I have been very unwell ever since I left you, have not been Abroad for a month, tho not wholly confined all that time. A repeated sore throat and Eyes, has been the difficulty, this has prevented my being ready to go to you, but had I been ever so much so, no Opportunity of conveying even a...
243[Diary entry: 16 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Dined at Doctr. Cadwaladers. Spent the Evening at my lodgings. GW was informed officially in Congress of his appointment as general and commander in chief, and he read his acceptance speech “standing in his place.” He refused the salary which Congress had voted, asking only that his expenses be paid. Other resolutions on this day set up an establishment of major generals, brigadiers,...
244[Diary entry: 16 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
16. Cooler, wind Easterly, & somewhat lowering.
245Address to the Continental Congress, 16 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
The President informed Colo. Washington that the Congress had yesterday, Unanimously made choice of him to be General & Commander in Chief of the American Forces, and requested he would accept of that Appointment; whereupon Colo. Washington, standing in his place, Spake as follows. “Mr President, Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me in this Appointment, yet I feel great...
246From Benjamin Franklin to [Catharine Greene], 17 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I received your kind congratulations with infinite pleasure, as I learn by them that you and yours are well. I long much to see once more my native Country, and my friends there, and none more than my dear Caty and her family. Mr. Green I hope will allow an old man of 70 to say he loves his wife, it is an innocent affection. I have great Obligations to him...
247From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you some time since, having heard from one of the Delegates that you were at Warwick, and I supposed it must be with that good Family, so I directed my Letter to you there; I hope you receiv’d it. I have since received your kind Letter of May 14. with one from dear Mrs. Green. I sympathise most sincerely with you and the People of my native Town...
248[Diary entry: 17 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Dined at Burns’s in the Fields. Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.
249[Diary entry: 17 June 1775] (Washington Papers)
17. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that So.
250From George Washington to Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brigadier General Horatio Gates, 17 June 1775. On 22 June Gates wrote to GW : “Last night I was Honourd by the receipt of your Obliging Letter of 17th Instant.”