371[Thursday April 25. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday April 25. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington of the 22 and 23 were referred to Mr. R. H. L ee, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Hewes. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the Letter from General Washington of the 27th. of March last and the Papers therein enclosed, Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee had come to a...
372[Fryday April 26. and Saturday April 27.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday April 26. Postponed. Saturday April 27. Ditto.
373From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 27 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the Twenty third, I received Yesterday, and it put me into a good Humour, the Benefit of which I feel to this Moment, and shall continue to experience a long Time. Was you idle enough to read the Tales in the London Papers and Magazines, a few years ago concerning the Cock Lane Ghost, and the others concerning a Man of Six feet high who leaped into a Quart Bottle and corked...
374John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I received two Letters from you from the 7th. to the 14. of April. I believe I have received all your Letters, and I am not certain I wrote one from Framingham. The one I mean contains an Account of my dining with the Indians at Mr. Mifflins. It gives me Concern to think of the many Cares you must have upon your Mind. Am glad you have taken Belcher into Pay, and that Isaac is well...
375From John Adams to John Penn, 28 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
This Morning I had the Pleasure of receiving yours of April 17th: for which I think myself much obliged to you. The Account you give of the Temper and Sentiments of the People in Virginia and Carolina, and their general Inclination to those Measures which will be absolutely necessary for the Preservation of their Liberties is very encouraging. I cannot Sufficiently admire the Spirit and Valour...
376[Monday April 29 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday April 29 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 19 and came to sundry Resolutions which may be seen in the Journal.
377From John Adams to James Otis Sr., 29 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As the day of the general election draws nigh, I think it my duty to express my grateful acknowledgments to the honorable electors of the last year, for the honor they did me in choosing me into the council. My station in the continental Congress has made it impossible for me to attend my duty at the honorable board; and as the same cause must prevent my attendance during a great part of the...
378[Tuesday April 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday April 30. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 24 of March, whereupon resolved as in the Journal. Of some importance but nothing to the great Objects still kept out of Sight. The Delegates from New Jersey having laid before Congress a number of Bills counterfeited to imitate the continental Bills of Credit Resolved that...
379[In Congress, May–July 1776] (Adams Papers)
I was incessantly employed, through the whole Fall, Winter and Spring of 1775 and 1776 in Congress during their Sittings and on Committees on mornings and Evenings, and unquestionably did more business than any other Member of that house. In the Beginning of May I procured the Appointment of a Committee, to prepare a resolution recommending to the People of the States to institute Governments....
380[Thursday May 2. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 2. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 24 of March last and after debate Resolved That it be recommitted; and as the members of the former committee are Absent, that a new committee be appointed. The Members chosen Mr. Dickinson, Mr. W. Livingston and Mr. Rutledge. The Recommitment and the names of the new...
381[Fryday May 3. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 3. 1776. A Petition from Peter Simon was presented to Congress and read. Ordered that it be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe and Mr. J. Adams. The Committee to whom the Report on General Washingtons Letter of the 24. of March last was recommitted, brought in their report which was read. Ordered to lie on the Table. This committee reported on...
382[Monday May 6. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 6. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report on General Washingtons Letter of the 24th. of March, and thereupon came to the following resolution: Whereas General Washington has requested directions concerning the Conduct that should be observed towards Commissioners said to be coming from Great Britain to America Resolved That General Washington be informed that...
383From John Adams to John Winthrop, 6 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by your son I have not received, but I hope to have that Pleasure soon together with that of waiting upon him here. Your Brothers Right to the Office you mention cannot be questioned, but whether the Court will appoint two, and who they will be I can form no Conjecture, having never had any Conversation with any Gentleman upon that Subject. An Application was indeed made to me, in...
384[Wednesday May 8. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday May 8. 1776. The Instructions from the Naval Committee to Commodore Hopkins being laid before Congress and read: Ordered That they be referred to a Committee of seven, and that it be an Instruction to that Committee to enquire how far Commodore Hopkins has complied with the said Instructions, and if upon Inquiry they shall find that he has departed therefrom, to examine into the...
385[Thursday May 9. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 9. 1776. A Committee of the whole:—Mr. Harrison reported a Resolution, which he read and delivered in. The Resolution of the Committee of the whole was again read, and the determination thereof, at the Request of a Colony was postponed till tomorrow.
386[Fryday May 10. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 10. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Resolution reported from the Committee of the whole, and the same was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no Government sufficient to the Exigencies of their Affairs, hath been hitherto established, to adopt such Government as shall in the...
387[Saturday May 11. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday May 11. 1776. A Petition from John Jacobs in behalf of himself and others was presented to Congress and read. Ordered that it be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. John Adams, Mr. Lee and Mr. Rutledge. A Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution. This days Journal of this Committee shews, with what Art other matters were referred to these...
388John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of April 21. came to Hand yesterday. I send you regularly every Newspaper, and write as often as I can—but I feel more skittish about writing than I did, because since the Removal of Head Quarters to New York, We have no Expresses, and very few Individual Travellers, and the Post I am not quite confident in. However I shall write as I can. What shall I do with my Office —I want to resign...
389From John Adams to James Warren, 12 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of Ap. 30. was handed me yesterday. My Writing So seldom to you, proceeds from Necessity not Choice, I assure you. I can Sympathize with you in your ill Health, because I am always unwell my self. Frail as I am, at best, I am feebler in this Climate than at home. The Air here has no Spring—And My Mind is overborne with Burdens. Many Things are to be done here and many more to think upon...
390From John Adams to John Winthrop, 12 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with yours by your son, who has arrived here in good Health. I wish he may be provided for in one of the Ways you mention, because I esteem him deserving of it. The Question of Independence is so vast a Field that I have not Time to enter it, and go any Way in it. Many previous steps are necessary. The Colonies should all assume the Powers of Government in all its Branches first....
391[May 1776] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Duane moves that the Delegation from N. York might be read. When We were invited by Mass. Bay to the first Congress an Objection was made to binding ourselves by Votes of Congress. Congress ought not to determine a Point of this Sort, about instituting Government. What is it to Congress, how Justice is administered. You have no Right to pass the Resolution—any more than Parliament has. How...
392[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress, 13–15 May 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Duane moves that the Delegation from N. York might be read. When We were invited by Mass. Bay to the first Congress an Objection was made to binding ourselves by Votes of Congress. Congress ought not to determine a Point of this Sort, about instituting Government. What is it to Congress, how Justice is administered. You have no Right to pass the Resolution—any more than Parliament has. How...
393[Monday May 13. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 13. 1776. Sundry Petitions were presented to Congress and read, viz. one from Dr. Benjamin Church, and one from Benjamin, Samuel and Edward Church, with a Certificate from three Physicians respecting the health of Dr. B. Church. Here I am compelled, much against my Inclination to record a Fact, which if it were not necessary to explain some things I should rather have concealed....
394[Tuesday May 14. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 14. 1776. A Letter of the 11th. from General Washington inclosing sundry Papers; a Letter of the 3d from General Schuyler; and a Letter of the 9th. from Daniel Robertson were laid before Congress and read. Resolved that they be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. John Adams. William Ellery Esqr. appeared a Delegate from...
395[Wednesday May 15. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday May 15. 1776 reported the following which was agreed to Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late Act of Parliament, excluded the Inhabitants of these united Colonies from the Protection of his Crown; and whereas no Answer whatever to the humble Petitions of the Colonies for redress of Grievances and reconciliation...
396John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Church setts off, tomorrow Morning. I have sent this Morning by Mr. William Winthrop, about half a dozen Letters containing Papers &c. Have nothing new to write. We have been very busily engaged for 4 or 5 days in procuring Assistance for Boston. Congress has at last voted three Additional Battallions for Boston and that the five old ones be filled up, and We shall send you a Major General...
397V. Preamble to Resolution on Independent Governments, 15 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his crown; And whereas, no answer, whatever, to the humble petitions of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain, has been or is likely to be given; but, the...
398From John Adams to James Warren, 15 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
This Day the Congress has passed the most important Resolution, that ever was taken in America. It is, as nearly as I can repeat it, from Memory, in these Words. “Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in Conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late Act of Parliament, excluded the Inhabitants of these united Colonies from the Protection of his Crown and Whereas No Answer...
399[May 16. 1776. Thursday.] (Adams Papers)
May 16. 1776. Thursday. The following Letters were laid before Congress and read. One of the first from the Commissioners of Congress in Canada: one of the 10th from General Schuyler, and one without date from General Washington, inclosing a Letter to him from Dr. Stringer. Resolved That the Letter from Dr. Stringer to General Washington be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare...
400John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have this Morning heard Mr. Duffil upon the Signs of the Times. He run a Parrallell between the Case of Israel and that of America, and between the Conduct of Pharaoh and that of George. Jealousy that the Israelites would throw off the Government of Egypt made him issue his Edict that the Midwives should cast the Children into the River, and the other Edict that the Men should make a large...
401From John Adams to James Warren, 18 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 8 May received this Morning, and am as I ever have been much of your Opinion that The Enemy would return to the Massachusetts if possible. They will probably land at Hingham or Braintree, or somewhere to the Northward of Boston, not make a direct Attempt upon Boston itself, the next Time. I hope no Pains, no Labour or expence will be neglected to fortify the Harbour of Boston however....
402[Monday. May. 20. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday. May. 20. 1776. Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnet appear as Delegates from Georgia: both intelligent and spirited Men, who made a powerful Addition to our Phalanx. Certain Resolutions of the Convention of South Carolina, respecting the Battalions to be raised in that Colony; also certain resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the said Colony, respecting the manner in which...
403From John Adams to James Warren, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Every Post and every Day rolls in upon Us Independance like a Torrent. The Delegates from Georgia, made their Appearance, this Day in Congress, with unlimited Powers, and these Gentlemen themselves are very firm. South Carolina, has erected her Government and given her Delegates ample Powers, and they are firm enough. North Carolina, have given theirs full Powers after repealing an Instruction...
404[Tuesday May 21. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 21. 1776. Three Letters from General Washington, inclosing Letters and Papers of Intelligence from England, and a Copy of the Treaties made by his Britannic Majesty with the Duke of Brunswick for 4084 of his Troops; and with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel for 12,000 of his Troops; and with the Count of Hanau for 668 of his Troops. A Letter from William Palfrey with a Copy of his...
405VI. Amendment to a Committee Report, 21 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
13. Resolved that the Commissioners in Canada and General Schuyler be informed that We cannot give them any positive assurance of maintaining our Army there by hard Money, but that We are this might not check discourage our Operations, Congress being determined to send from these Colonies, the necessary Supplies of Provisions and all other Necessaries if hard Money cannot be obtained, and that...
406John Adams to Abigail Adams, 22 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
When a Man is seated, in the Midst of forty People some of whom are talking, and others whispering, it is not easy to think, what is proper to write. I shall send you the News-Papers, which will inform you, of public Affairs, and the particular Flickerings of Parties in this Colony. I am happy to learn from your Letter, that a Flame is at last raised among the People, for the Fortification of...
407[Thursday May 23 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 23 1776. Resolved That a Committee of five be appointed to confer with General Washington, Major General Gates, and Brigadier General Mifflin, upon the most speedy and effectual means of supporting the American Cause in Canada. The Members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee and Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Rutledge. This “committee of conference” brought in a report next day...
408[Fryday May 24. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 24. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates and Brigadier General Mifflin brought in their report. The Resolutions reported and adopted may be seen on the Journal. Agreable to order, General Washington attended in Congress, and after some Conference with him, Resolved that he be directed to attend again tomorrow.
409[Saturday May 25. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday May 25. 1776. Resolved that a Committee be appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates, and Brigadier General Mifflin, and to concert a Plan of military Operations for the ensuing Campaign. The Members appointed Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr....
410From John Adams to James Sullivan, 26 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of May 9th. and 17th. are now before me; and I consider them as the Commencement of a Correspondence, which will not only give me Pleasure, but may be of Service to the public, as, in my present Station I Stand in need of the best Intelligence, and the Advice of every Gentleman of Abilities and public Principles, in the Colony which has seen fit to place me here. Our worthy...
411[Monday May 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 27. 1776. Agreable to order, the Indians were admitted to an Audience.
412John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have three of your Favours, before me—one of May 7., another of May 9. and a third of May 14th. The last has given me Relief from many Anxieties. It relates wholly to private Affairs, and contains such an Account of wise and prudent Management, as makes me very happy. I begin to be jealous, that our Neighbours will think Affairs more discreetly conducted in my Absence than at any other Time....
413[Wednesday May 29. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday May 29. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with the Generals brought in a Report which was read and considered, Resolved that the farther Consideration of the Report be postponed till tomorrow.
414From John Adams to Benjamin Hichborn, 29 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Favour of 20th. May, was handed me Yesterday and it gave me much Pleasure on various Accounts—one particularly as it gave me Evidence of your Existence, which for some Time past you have Suffered to remain problematical. I have long expected Letters from you, but yet, I cannot find fault, because I believe I am much in your Debt. However, if you had considered the situation I am...
415[Thursday May 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 30. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Generals. Resolved that it be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported one Resolution, relative to the defence of New York. Leave to sit again.
416From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 30 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 20th. was handed me by the last Post. I congratulate you upon the first modern Election, on the last Wednesday in May of Councellors as at the first. I could not avoid indulging myself Yesterday, in Imagination with my Friends in Boston, upon an Occasion So joyfull. I presume you must have had a very solemn and ceremonious Election, and wish that no Interruption may ever hereafter...
417[Fryday May 31.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 31. The Committee of Conference brought in a farther report which was read. Resolved that it be referred to the Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported a request to sit again. Granted.
418[In Congress, June–August 1776] (Adams Papers)
The Committee for preparing the Model of a Treaty to be proposed to France consisted of When We met to deliberate on the Subject, I contended for the same Principles, which I had before avowed and defended in Congress, viz. That We should avoid all Alliance, which might embarrass Us in after times and involve Us in future European Wars. That a Treaty of commerce, which would opperate as a...
419[Saturday June 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday June 1. 1776. Colonel Joseph Read resigned his Office of Secretary to General Washington. Committee of the whole again. Mr. Harrison reported some resolutions. Leave to sit again.
420John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 1 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of May 14. and 22d. are now before me. The first I shewed to Mr. Morris, as soon as I received it. The last contains Intelligence, from Hallifax of the Streights to which our Enemies are reduced, which I was very glad to learn. I am very happy to learn from you and some other of my Friends that Boston is securely fortified; but still I cannot be fully satisfied untill I hear that...