201To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 6 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I take the first Opportunity to acknowledg the Honor I receiv’d in a Letter sign’d by you as Chairman of a Committee of the Honorable Congress for obtaining a just and well authenticated account of the Hostilities committed by the Ministerial Troops and Navy &c., and desiring me to take some Part in this Business. You will be so good as to present my Compliments to the other Gentlemen of the...
202John Adams’ Commission as Justice of the Peace in Massachusetts Counties, 8 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 8 November 1775. Printed form with spaces filled in appropriately ( Adams Papers ); signed by Perez Morton, Deputy Secretary, and fifteen Council members. This commission is identical to that received by JA dated 6 September appointing him Justice of the Peace of Suffolk County (see calendar entry, above) except that it broadened his powers to include all of Massachusetts. Like the...
203To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received a Letter from the honorable Committee of Congress for collecting “a just and well authenticated Account of the Hostilities committed by the ministerial Troops and Navy in America since last March,” and beg leave to inform You that Colo. Palmer, Mr. Cooper and Colo. Thomson are appointed a Committee to subserve the purpose in this Colony in the Recess of the Court, which is this Day...
204The Council to the Massachusetts Delegates, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
The Manifest Militation between the Resolve which passed the hon’ble the American Congress on the ninth June last relative to Establishing Civil Government in this Colony and the Resolve which passed the Congress on 18th of last July pointing to a method how the Militia should be regulated in the Several United American Colony’s hath caused some Altercation between the Hon’ble House of...
205Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 11 November 1775. (Misc. Papers of the Continental Congress, Reel No. 8). Although the credentials as passed by the house bear the date 10 November, the Journal of the House of Representatives Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715- ], Boston, reprinted by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1919- . (For the years for which reprints are not yet available,...
206Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of October 23. I want to hear from you every day, and I always feel sorrow when I come to the close of a Letter. Your Time must be greatly engrosed, but little of it to spaire to the calls of Friendship, and I have reason to think I have the largest share of it. Winter makes it s approaches fast. I hope I shall not be obliged to spend it without my dearest Friend, I know not...
207[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.
En passant. As Church said in his letter to the Regulars, Remember I Never deceived you. If your Congress don’t give better encouragement to the Privates, than at present is held forth to them, You will have No Winter Army. There must be some small bounty given them on the inlistment. A Strange Mistaken Opinion Obtains among the Gentlemen of the Army from the Southward and if I mistake Not in...
209To John Adams from John Trumbull, 14 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the satisfaction last evening of receiving your very friendly Letter, which was the more agreable for being unexpected. As I am setting out tomorrow on a short Tour to the eastward, I have taken the only leisure moment to answer it. You may easily guess how much I am flattered by your approbation of the little essay, you mention in yours. As to its being mysterious, as you term it, you...
210To John Adams from James Warren, 14 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I last Evening received yours by Capt. Gist, and this Morning by Fessenden. It gives me great pleasure to see things in such a fine way and you in such Choice Spirits. I Congratulate you on the takeing of St. John’s. This news Fessenden brings with him from Hartford. This gives us great Spirits. He says likewise that Arnold was within twelve Miles of Quebec. You must know that our Anxiety for...
211To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 16 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am well assured that a Supply of Powder is arrived at Statia, so writes Captain Waters on 10th. October. A Dutch Vessell bound to Surrinam has contracted with a Captain of this place for twenty five Tons, if he comes for it by Xmas. I have seen several of the principal Gentlemen here. They are wishing for the Destruction of Lord Dunmore and his fleet. Inclosed You receive the Terms on which...
212To John Adams from Charles Lee, 19 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d your obliging letter and cannot express the pleasure I feel in standing so high in your opinion as without flattery I esteem you a Man of excellent judgment and a singular good heart. Some of the queries You offer to my consideration are perhaps above my sphere, but in a post or two I shou’d endeavour to answer ’em, had I not hopes of conversing with You soon in propria persona. I...
213To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I did Myself the Pleasure to write to You from Baltimore Town, relative to two Vessells, which could be procured there, and that I was informed and beleived the Brigg was reasonable. The Owner is waiting your Answer, I therefore beg You to send the Determination of the Committee to Mr. Robert Alexander of that Town. I this Evening learn the Capture of Quebec. Montreal would gloriously close...
214To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 25 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
From my last, you may form some judgment of the disagreeable state of mind I have suffered from the Commencement of my late misfortunes. Anticipating your approbation, I have so far overcome the restraint I have long labour’d under, as to attempt again to write you. My first interview with Ayscough, after his discovery of the Letters, I think worth relating—(if I had been subject to fits, I am...
215Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Tis a fortnight to Night since I wrote you a line during which, I have been confined with the Jaundice, Rhumatism and a most voilent cold; I yesterday took a puke which has releived me, and I feel much better to day. Many, very many people who have had the dysentery, are now afflicted both with the Jaundice and Rhumatisim, some it has left in Hecticks, some in dropsies. The great and incessant...
216[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 .
217To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 30 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have to acknowledge your Favors of the 14th and 15th Novr. and now Sir I think myself sufficiently happy since you have authorized me to write with Freedom and no advantage will be taken of my Simplicity. I flatter myself that the most triffling Intelligence from Camp if sometimes there is interspersed any Thing of Importance will not be disagreeable to you in your present Situation. Their...
218To John Adams from Lemuel Robinson, 30 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
These Lines are to inform you of my Situation which in the Multaplicity of your Business is undoubtaley far from your Mind. Let it Suffice to Say an Army is Raising in which I have no part. As to the part I have taken for Several Years past to prepare for the Last Appeal is not unknown to You. At the Battle of Concord, So Called, You was there When we took post On Roxbury Hill. I was obliged...
219Enclosure: Endororsement for Lemuel Robinson from the Committee of Safety, 30 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
We the Subscribers, Members of the late Committee of Safety of this Colony, do certify, That Colo. Lemuel Robinson of Dorchester has exerted himself in his Countrys cause, perhaps, as much as any other Man in the Government, and so as, in our opinion, to merit much of his Country, and said Committee did all in their power to obtain the Command of a Regiment for him, in the Colony Service, but...
220To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 2 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr. Revere returned, and brot your acceptance, which was truly acceptable to our Friends. Since mine by Revere, I have been exploreing some of the Mountains of North and Southhampton; and in the former we examined a Lead-Mine which has been worked, and in which, much loss has been Sustained. The circumstances of this Mine I will now give you, as near as I can recollect, but shall be...
221To John Adams from William Tudor, 3 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Long before the Receipt of this You will have heard by Express from the General, of the important Prize we have made in the Capture of the Brig Nancy loaded with Ordnance Stores for the Army at Boston. Orders were given that she should be unloaded with all possible Expedition, and we have now the greatest Part of her Cargo safely hous’d in the Laboratory here. The Loss must be very great to...
222To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 3 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour some time since to receive your Favour of the 14 Ultimo which I am now to acknowledge. The Enemy have not made any important movements for a considerable time. Last week Genl. Howe sent 300 of the poor inhabitants of Boston to be landed near Point Shirley, which was such a distance from any Houses where they might receive entertainment and many of them being in very poor...
223To John Adams from James Warren, 3 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Returned from Plymouth last Wednesday after An Absence of about 10 days. In my way I called on Mrs. Adams and found her pretty well, having recovered her Health after a Bad Cold which threatoned A fever. From her I received the Inclosed Letter, which I presume will give you A full Account of herself and Family. I came to Watertown with full Expectation of receiving several of your favours....
224To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favour of the 5th of Novr and the Enquiries relative to Vessels suitable to be armed, Commanders and Seamen to man the same, secure places for building new Vessels of Force &c. are important in their Nature, and to have the same effectually answered I propose to submit them as soon as may be to the Court that a Committee may be raised for obtaining the Facts from the Maritime...
225To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I fancy such an Army was scarcly ever collected together before. What a Contrast do my Eyes behold every Day: in Boston an Army of Slaves!—on this Side the Sons of the respectable Yeomanry of New England. At Home we are Lords of our own little but sufficient Estates. Some of the worthy Committee from the Honble. Continental Congress were very uneasy, the Soldier’s Pay being too high in their...
226To John Adams from James Swan, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
By a resolve of Congress the 18th of Oct. last, I perceive the Sufferers by fire and Seizures, occasion’d by the Enemy, are invited to lay their loss before them. For that reason I now trouble you, as one of the Committee. You are doubtless acquainted with the General damage from the fire, which happen’d last May, in the Town dock of Boston, caused by Genl. Gage’s 47s. or Tarring and...
227To John Adams from John Warren and Others, 4 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
As Surgeons of the continental Hospital we take the Freedom to address you upon an Occasion which though it does not immediately Concern our Department, yet as it relates to the Hospital with which we are so nearly connected, we thought called for our Attention, as being a Subject, upon which, we might be able to give some Information, which might perhaps be of some little service in assisting...
228To John Adams from William Cooper, 5 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
The letter you did me the honor of writing me dated October 19th. came to hand but a few days past. The notice taken of me by the Committee of Congress appointed to collect an account of hostilities &c. I own myself indebted to you for, and you may be assured that I shall do every thing in my power to forward that business: A Committee of both Houses of which I am one has been appointed in...
229The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 5 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
We are informed by his Excellency General Washington, that it is his opinion, the paying our Troops, by the Lunar Month, will throw the rest of the Army into disorder, as the Continental Congress have resolved, that it is the Kalender Month they mean to pay by; and that the difference between the two, must be consider’d as a Colonial, and not a Continental Charge. We are sensible, it is...
230[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...
231[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.
232To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 8 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for your Letter of 2nd. Instant. I intirely agree with You in Sentiment as to the Propriety, nay the Necessity of assuming and exercising all the Powers of Government. Our Convention only met yesterday afternoon. I shall, if possible, induce our People to set the Example, and first take Government. We have no News here worthy of your Notice. I cannot but intreat your...
233[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
234Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your obliging favour by Mrs. Morgan, with the papers, and the other articles you sent which were very acceptable to me. As they are not to be purchased here, I shall be very choise of them. I have according to your desire been upon a visit to Mrs. Morgan, who keeps at Major Miflins. I had received a Message from Mrs. Mifflin some time agone desireing I would visit her. My Pappa who...
235To John Adams from William Tudor, 11 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I seize a few Minutes before the Post sets out to send You a little Information. Manley took two Prizes last Saturday, a large Ship of more than 300 Tons with a Cargo of Coals (chiefly) a large Quantity of Porter, some Wine and 40 live Hogs—destin’d for the beseiged Troops at Boston. The Captain found Means to throw overboard every material Letter. The other Capture was a large Brig from...
236To John Adams from James Warren, 11 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Since my last I have not A Scrip from you. Whether you Intend by withholding the Encouragement you used to give to get rid of the Trouble of my many long and Tedious Letters I don’t know. However I am determined to write this once more at least not out of Spite, and malice, but to rectify some Errors I find I Committed in my last and to remove any Impressions of despondency the Temper I wrote...
237To John Adams from Thomas Crafts Jr., 16 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I ever thought thare was such a Thing as sincere friendship, and that some perticular Persons, with whom I had long been Intemate with And had made such great professions of it to me where possese’d with It. But I had given up the very Idea of such a thing, for the last three Months, and was become a perfect Infidel, Till yesterday Col. Warren shew me a Letter from you to him in which you...
238To John Adams from Lemuel Hayward, 16 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
By the hand of Dr. Morgan I had the Pleasure of receiving yours of Nov. 13. and thank you not only for the Honour you did me in writing, but for your kind Disposition towards me discoverable in it. Agreable to your Advice upon the Arival of Docter Morgan I waited on him, and find him the Person you represented a well bred Man of Sense. He appears pleased with those Houses under my Care and...
239To John Adams from Joseph Hawley, 18 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your favour of the 25th of Novr. as soon as I arrived at this town which was last friday and a very kind and generous return I esteem it to the few lines I sent you from Brookfield. I hope the lines will not be Abandoned. I hope an Army will be inlisted for the Next year before the Spring Advances but am clearly of Opinion that the Charge of Marching in the Militia their equipment...
240To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 20 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have just heard of your return from Philadelphia, and am exceeding sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you as you passed thro’ Providence; I want very much to consult you Sir, about entering into the Practise of Law, and the favour you did me when an Opportunity offered for my going into Business at Portsmouth, encourages me to make this Application. I have for this some time past had a...
241To John Adams from John Sullivan, 21 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
Did not the hurry of our affairs prevent; I Should often write you Respecting the State of our Army: but it has been my fortune to be Employed almost night and Day. When I had Winter Hill almost Compleated I was ordered to Plowed Hill where for a Long Time I was almost Day and night in Fortifying. Since have I been ordered to the Eastward to fortify and Defend Pescataway Harbour but...
242To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 22 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
My Concern for your Welfare induced me carefully to watch the Weather till I conjectured you had got to the End of your Journey, and I have the Pleasure of believing it has been more agreable than one might have expected at this Season. I hope you found Mrs. Adams and Family in a confirmd State of Health. I will not envy you, but I earnestly wish to enjoy, at least for a few Weeks, domestick...
243Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, 2 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you sometime Ago, desireing you to inquire of the So. Carolina Gentlemen whether they wanted to make Exchange of some money, I had in So. Carolina, but as itt is not very likely I Apprehend I have concluded, to send a Vessell to bring the Value in Rice, which I find is Allowed—so would not give you the trouble. I wrote Mr. Black to send me a Phila. weekly paper but as I have not...
244To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 2 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
A number of my Neighbours who are present, and in the Names of the rest who are absent, desire me to acquaint you, that, not withstanding Genl. Ward’s Request, that the Companies stationed for the Protection of Squantum would tarry there till further Orders, they are all gone, and that important Place, and the valuable Farms in the Vicinity of it, are left exposed to the Ravages of the Enemy,...
245To John Adams from George Washington, 7 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
You will excuse me for reminding you of our conversation the other Evening, when I inform’d you that General Lee’s departure for New York is advisable upon the Plan of his Letter, and under the circumstances I then mentioned, ought not to be delayed. In giving me your opinion of this matter I have no doubt of your taking a comprehensive view of it. That is, you will not only consider the...
246From George Washington to John Adams, 7 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will excuse me for reminding you of our conversation the other evening, when I inform’d you that General Lee’s departure for New York is advisable upon the Plan of his Letter, & under the Circumstance I thene mention’d, ought not to be delayed. In giving me your opinion of this matter I have no doubt of your takeing a comprehensive view of it. That is you will not only consider the...
247To John Adams from Samuel Chase, 12 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Business of our provincial Convention draws to a Conclusion, and the Session will end in a few Days. I have Leave to visit my Family before I sett off for the Congress, and I expect to take You by the Hand before 1st. of Febry. I cannot omit in the mean Time to express to You my opinion on the present State of our public Affaires, and the Measures I would wish to be adopted. The early...
248To John Adams from Samuel Adams, 15 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Altho I have at present but little Leisure, I cannot omit writing you a few Lines by this Express. I have seen certain Instructions which were given by the Capital of the Colony of New Hampshire to its Delegates in their provincial Convention, the Spirit of which I am not altogether pleased with. There is one part of them at least, which I think discovers a Timidity which is unbecoming a...
249To John Adams from Jason Haven, 15 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
My Freedom in troubling you upon the Affair, which is the Subject of this Epistle, may need an Apology. Your Candor and Goodness will excuse it. The Design is benevolent to the Publick, as well as to a particular Friend. I partake in the general Satisfaction of this Province, in your being appointed chief Judge of our Superior Court. I doubt not the Publick will reap great advantages from the...
250To John Adams from George Washington, 15 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry I did not know that you were in this place today. Our want of Men and arms is such, as to render it necessary for me to get the best advice possible of the most eligeble mode of obtaining of them. I adjourned the Council of Officers today, untill I could be favourd with your opinion (together with that of others of the General Court) on these heads. They meet again...