501John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
You seem to be situated in the Place of greatest Tranquility and Security, of any upon the Continent. . . . I may be mistaken in this particular, and an Armament may have invaded your Neighbourhood before now. But We have no Intelligence of any such Design and all that We now know of the Motions, Plans, Operations, and Designs of the Enemy, indicates the Contrary.—It is but just that you...
50211 July., 11 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
11 July. In response to a letter from the New Jersey Convention the congress resolved that New Jersey be informed of the measures being taken by the congress for the defense of the Province ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:541).
503John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
My very deserving Friend, Mr. Gerry, setts off, tomorrow, for Boston, worn out of Health, by the Fatigues of this station. He is an excellent Man, and an active able statesman. I hope he will soon return hither. I am sure I should be glad to go with him, but I cannot. I must write to have the Guard relieved. There is a most amiable, lawdable, and gallant Spirit prevailing, in these middle...
504From John Adams to James Warren, 15 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have Time only to tell you that I am yet alive, and in better Spirits than Health. The News, you will learn from my very worthy Friend Gerry. He is obliged to take a Ride for his Health, as I shall be very soon or have none. God grant he may recover it for he is a Man of immense Worth. If every Man here was a Gerry, the Liberties of America would be safe against the Gates of Earth and Hell....
505John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter from your Uncle Smith, and in another from Mr. Mason which I received by this days Post I am informed that you were about taking the Small Pox, with all the Children. . . . It is not possible for me to describe, nor for you to conceive my Feelings upon this Occasion. Nothing, but the critical State of our Affairs should prevent me from flying to Boston, to your Assistance. I...
50616 July., 16 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
16 July. The congress resolved that the new positions of sergeant major, quartermaster sergeant, drum major, fife major, and paymaster be created at the regimental level; that payment be made to each member of the Con necticut light horse for the maintenance of his mount; that General Schuyler be directed to work to free the army of smallpox; that the Pennsylvania Provincial Convention take...
507[Wednesday July 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday July 17. 1776. The Board of War to whom the Letter from General Washington of the 14th was referred brought in their report which was taken into consideration; whereupon Resolved That General Washington, in refusing to receive a Letter, said to be sent from Lord Howe, addressed to George Washington Esqr., acted with a Dignity becoming his Station; and therefore the Congress do highly...
508John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the Eighth contains Intelligence of an interesting Nature to the Public as well as to me, and my Family in particular.—The Small Pox is so terrible an Enemy that it is high Time to subdue it.—I am under the greatest Obligation to you, Sir, and Mrs. Smith for your kind Offer of the Accommodations of your House to Mrs. Adams and my Children. I shall be very, very anxious, untill I...
50917 July., 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
17 July. The congress resolved that Washington had acted with dignity in refusing to receive an improperly addressed letter from Lord Howe and resolved further that no American commander should receive a letter from the enemy that failed to use his official rank in the address ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937;...
510From John Adams to Joseph Ward, 17 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yesterdays Post brought me your Letter of the 8th. instant with Several others containing Intelligence of a Nature very interesting to me. The Prevalence of the Small Pox in Boston, is an incident, which I cannot but esteem fortunate for the public, atho the Stake I have in it, having all my nearest Connections among the earliest Adventurers makes me feel an Anxiety too private and particular,...
511[Thursday July 18. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday July 18. 1776. Resolved that a Member be added to the Board of War. The Member chosen Mr. Carrol, an excellent Member, whose Education, Manners and Application to Business and to Study did honour to his Fortune, the first in America. The Committee appointed to prepare a Plan of Treaties to be entered into, with foreign States and Kingdoms, brought in their report, which was read....
512From John Adams to Jonathan Mason Jr., 18 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your agreable Letter from Boston the 9th. July, was handed me, on Tuesday last by the Post. The Confusions in America, inseparable from So great a Revolution in affairs, are Sufficient to excite Anxieties in the Minds of young Gentlemen just stepping into Life. Your Concern for the Event of those Commotions, is not to your dishonour. But let it not affect your Mind too much. These Clouds will...
513[Fryday July 19. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday July 19. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration whereupon Resolved. See the Resolutions in the Journal. The Committee appointed to prepare a Resolution for subjecting to Confiscation the property of the Subjects of Great Britain &c. brought in the same which was read: Ordered to lie on the Table, and that the same be taken into consideration on...
51419 July., 19 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
19 July. The congress resolved that General Schuyler should police the pricing of goods sold to soldiers, observe the rule of the congress that officers hold no more than one office each, and promote harmony among the units of the different states ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:591: Note: Two...
515[Saturday July 20. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday July 20. 1776. Resolved that the Letter from General Lee with the papers inclosed, which were received and read Yesterday be referred to the Board of War. A Petition and memorial of Monsieur Pellissier was presented to Congress and read. Resolved that it be referred to the Board of War. Resolved that the Plan of Treaties be printed for the Use of the Members, under the Rest r ictions...
516John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit the Opportunity of writing you, a Line, by this Post. This Letter will I suppose, find you, in some degree or other, under the Influence of the Small Pox. The Air is of very great Importance. I dont know your Phisician, but I hope he wont deprive you of Air, more than is necessary. We had Yesterday, an express from General Lee, in Charlestown South Carolina, with an Account of a...
517John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
This has been a dull day to me: I waited the Arrival of the Post with much Solicitude and Impatience, but his Arrival made me more solicitous still.—“To be left at the Post Office” in your Hand Writing, on the back of a few Lines from the Dr. were all that I could learn of you, and my little Folks. If you was too busy to write, I hoped that some kind Hand would have been found to let me know...
518John Adams to Cotton Tufts, 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of July 5th. never reached me, till this Morning. I greatly regret its delay. But that it might answer its End, without further Loss of Time, I waited on my Friend Dr. Rush, an eminent Phisician of this City, and a worthy Friend of mine, who with a Politeness and Benevolence, becoming his Character, promised to furnish me with his Sentiments, concerning Inocculation, so that I may...
51920 July., 20 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
20 July. The congress resolved that Jacques Antoine de Franchessin be commissioned a lieutenant colonel and assigned to the Flying Camp ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:595; Note: An additional resolution immediately following and recommending Dr. Isaac Senter to Dr. John Morgan may have proceeded...
520From John Adams to Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 21 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 19th. from Trenton, reached me, Yesterday. It is very true that We were Somewhat alarmed at the last Clause in your Constitution. It is a pity that the Idea, of returning under the Yoke, was held up, in So good a System, because it gives Something to Say, to a very unworthy Party. I hope you will assume the Style of the Common Wealth of New Jersey, as Soon as your new...
521[Monday July 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 22. 1776. The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the Articles of confederation, and after some time the President resumed the Chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have made some progress in the matter to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again. Resolved that this Congress will...
522[Tuesday July 23. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday July 23. 1776 was employed in making Referrences to the Board of War, and in receiving, considering and adopting their reports, as may be seen in the Journal. Also in a Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:601–603.
523John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
This Mornings Post brought me yours of July 13 and 14 and has relieved me from an huge Load of Anxiety.—Am happy to hear that you are so comfortably situated, have so much agreable Company, and such fine Accommodations. I would very joyfully agree to have the small Pox, over again, for the Sake of the Company. Since the Letters of July 3d. and 4th. which you say you have received, I have...
52423 July., 23 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
23 July. The congress resolved, despite allegations, to allow Col. Lewis Dubois to proceed in recruiting his regiment as originally planned; to inform Washington of the confidence the congress had in his military judgment in disposing troops and of its approval of the loan to the New York Convention; and to appoint M. St. Martin lieutenant colonel as an engineer ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and...
525[Wednesday. July 24. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday. July 24. 1776. A Letter from Lieutenant Colonel William Allen was laid before Congress and read; requesting Leave to resign his Commission. Resolved that Leave be granted. About this time it was that, the Gentlemen in the Pennsilvania Proprietary Interest generally left Us. A Petition from George Kills Kitts was presented to Congress and read. Resolved that it be referred to the...
52624 July., 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
24 July. The congress resolved to take into continental service the South Carolina rangers and prescribed their table of organization and rates of pay and further resolved to take on the same conditions rangers to be raised in Georgia ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:606–607; Note: Additional...
527From John Adams to Nathaniel Barber Jr., 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th. instant came duely to Hand, by Yesterdays Post. I shall be happy to render you any Service in my Power, But I conceive the most regular Method will be for you to make application to General Ward, and request him to make a Representation of your Affair to Congress, either directly, or through General Washington. In this Mode, I conceive there will be no difficulty in...
528From John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had, by yesterdays Post, the Honour of your Letter of the 15th. instant. I Should esteem it an Honour, and an Happiness, to discharge the friendly Trust of Executor to Mr. Quincys Will, (because I have a great Respect to his Memory and a great Regard for his Family,) if my Situation and Circumstances were such that I could possibly accomplish it, with Advantage to the Interest of the Family....
529From John Adams to James Warren, 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 10th. instant, came by Yesterdays Post. This I Suppose will find you, at Boston, growing well of the Small Pox. This Dis temper is the King of Terrors to America this Year. We shall Suffer as much by it, as We did last, Year by the Scarcity of Powder. And therefore I could wish, that the whole People was innoculated. It gives me great Pleasure to learn, that Such Numbers have...
530[July 1776] (Adams Papers)
Terms in this Article, equivocal and indefinite. Jefferson. The Limits of the Southern Colonies are fixed.... Moves an Amendment, that all Purchases of Lands, not within the Boundaries of any Colony shall be made by Congress, of the Indians in a great Council.— Sherman seconds the Motion.... Chase. The Intention of this Article is very obvious, and plain. The Article appears to me to be right,...
531[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress on the Articles of Confederation] July 25. 1776. (Adams Papers)
Terms in this Article, equivocal and indefinite. Jefferson. The Limits of the Southern Colonies are fixed.... Moves an Amendment, that all Purchases of Lands, not within the Boundaries of any Colony shall be made by Congress, of the Indians in a great Council.— Sherman seconds the Motion.... Chase. The Intention of this Article is very obvious, and plain. The Article appears to me to be right,...
532[Thursday July 25. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday July 25. 1776. A memorial from sundry Officers, who served in Canada, referred to the Board of War. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation. Letter from General Washington inclosing Letters from Governor Trumbull, and the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire, referred to the board of War.
533From John Adams to John Avery, 25 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I find myself, under a Necessity of applying to the Honourable the general Court for Leave to return home. I have attended here, So long and So constantly, that I feel myself necessitated to ask this Favour, on Account of my Health, as well as on many other Accounts. I beg Leave to propose to the Honourable Court an Alteration in their Plan of Delegation in Congress, which it appears to me,...
534[Notes of Debates on the Articles of Confederation, Continued] July. 26. (Adams Papers)
Rutledge and Linch oppose giving the Power of regulating the Trade and managing all Affairs of the Indians, to Congress. The Trade is profitable they say. Gwinnett is in favour of Congress having such Power. Braxton is for excepting such Indians as are tributary to any State. Several Nations are tributary to Virginia. Jefferson explains it to mean the Indians who live in the Colony. These are...
535[Fryday July 26. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday July 26. 1776. A Committee of the whole, on the Articles of the Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair.
536From John Adams to James Warren, 26 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
My Health has lasted much longer, than I expected but at last it fails. The Increasing Heat of the Weather added to incessant application to Business, without any Intermissions of Exercise, has relaxed me, to such a degree that a few Weeks more would totally incapacitate me for any Thing. I must therefore return home. There will be no difficulty, in finding Men Suitable to send here. For my...
537John Adams to Abigail Adams, 27 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Disappointed again.—The Post brought me no Letter from you, which I dont wonder at much, nor any Intelligence concerning you, which surprizes me, a good deal. . . . I hang upon Tenterhooks. Fifteen days since, you were all inocculated, and I have not yet learned how you have fared. But I will suppose you all better and out of Danger. Why should I torture myself when I cant relieve you? It...
538From John Adams to James Warren, 27 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have directed a Packett to you, by this days Post, and Shall only add a few Words by Fessenden. I assure you the Necessity of your sending along fresh delegates, here, is not chimerical. Paine has been very ill for this whole Week and remains, in a bad Way. He has not been able to attend Congress, for several days, and if I was to judge by his Eye, his Skin, and his Cough, I should conclude...
539[Monday July 29. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 29. 1776. A long List of Refferences to the Board of War of Letters from Washington, Schuyler, Reed, Trumbull, Convention of New Jersey, Council of Massachusetts &c. &c. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration, whereupon resolved as in the Journal. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. Only a portion of...
540John Adams to Abigail Adams, 29 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
How are you all this Morning? Sick, weak, faint, in Pain; or pretty well recovered? By this Time, you are well acquainted with the Small Pox. Pray how do you like it? We have no News. It is very hard that half a dozen or half a Score Armies cant supply Us, with News. We have a Famine, a perfect Dearth of this necessary Article. I am at this present Writing perplexed and plagued with two knotty...
54129 July., 29 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
29 July. The congress resolved that General Washington could use the newly formed Connecticut regiment at his discretion; that M. Jean Artur Vermonet be appointed brevet captain and another French volunteer, M. Marie Fidel Dorrè, be used as seemed proper; that M. Christopher Pellisier be appointed an engineer with the rank of lieutenant colonel and sent to New York; that General Washington...
Dr. Franklin. Let the smaller Colonies give equal Money and Men, and then have an equal Vote. But if they have an equal Vote, without bearing equal Burthens, a Confederation upon such iniquitous Principles, will never last long. Dr. Witherspoon. We all agree that there must and shall be a Confederation, for this War. It will diminish the Glory of our Object, and depreciate our Hope. It will...
543[Tuesday July 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday July 30. 1776. Two reports from the Board of War, with Resolutions in consequence of them as in the Journal. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:620–621. These concerned fees to officers for obtaining recruits, Gen....
544John Adams to Abigail Adams, 30 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
This is one of my fortunate days. The Post brought me, a Letter from you and another from my Friend and Brother. The particular Account you give me of the Condition of each of the Children is very obliging. I hope the next Post will inform me, that you are all, in a fine Way of Recovery. You say I must tell you of my Health and Situation. As to the latter, my Situation is as far removed from...
54530 July., 30 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
30 July. The congress resolved that the recruitment bounties paid to officers be extended to those enlisting men in the new army for three years; that General Mercer’s plan to build boats be approved and materials supplied for that purpose; that General Schuyler be permitted to publish portions of the treaty with the Six Nations; and that an Indian chief, Cayashuta of Niagara, be invited to...
546[Wednesday July 31. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday July 31. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration: whereupon Resolved as in the Journal. A Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation Mr. Morton in the Chair. JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:623. Concerning “musquet powder” for Washington’s...
54731 July., 31 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
31 July. The congress resolved that five tons of powder be sent to General Washington at New York and that those militia forces thought necessary by the Massachusetts General Court be supplied and paid by the Continent ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:623).
548[August 1776] (Adams Papers)
Hooper. N.C. is a striking Exception to the general Rule that was laid down Yesterday, that the Riches of a Country are in Proportion to the Numbers of Inhabitants. A Gentleman of 3 or 400 Negroes, dont raise more corn than feeds them. A Labourer cant be hired for less than £24 a Year in Mass. Bay. The neat profit of a Negro is not more than 5 or 6£ pr. An num . I wish to see the day that...
Hooper. N.C. is a striking Exception to the general Rule that was laid down Yesterday, that the Riches of a Country are in Proportion to the Numbers of Inhabitants. A Gentleman of 3 or 400 Negroes, dont raise more corn than feeds them. A Labourer cant be hired for less than £24 a Year in Mass. Bay. The neat profit of a Negro is not more than 5 or 6£ pr. An num . I wish to see the day that...
550[Thursday August 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday August 1. 1776. Letters from General Mercer and General Roberdeau referred to the Board of War. Committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation, Mr. Morton in the Chair. Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler and Col. Dubois referred to the Board of War. The Board of War brought in two Reports, which were accepted as in the Journal. JCC Worthington C. Ford and...