871To John Adams from Artemas Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, a week after the arival of Mr. Lynch, although I had been twice in his company be fore. I have indeavoured to treat the Gentlemen Committe with Decency and Politeness, I invited them to Roxbury twice. The day after I invited them Mr. Lynch came to Roxbury, but did not dine with me, he being Ingaged to dine with Genl. Washington as he...
872To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have been long waiting for an opportunity to communicate some intelligence worthy of your notice, but nothing very important has taken place since you left the Camp; and every action with the Enemy has been published in the Newspapers, which has superseded the necessity of communicating those events by Letter. The general face of our public affairs both civil and military appear much as they...
873To John Adams from John Thomas, 24 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, am Pleased to hear the Unanimity of the Colony’s Increase, as the Salvation of our Country Depends on the United Efforts of the whole. Altho: our Number of men in the New England Colony’s may be Sufficient to Repell any Force the Ministry may be able to Send; Yet the Expence of Such an Army as is Necessary to be kept up for that purpose, would be...
874The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 24 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
The General Court of the Colony which you represent in Congress, now incloses you an application, made to your Honorable Assembly for a Grant of the sum therein mentioned: which application you will lay before said Congress or not, as you shall judge prudent. The frequent calls this Colony has been obliged to attend to in support of the Army, together with those daily made for that purpose,...
875To John Adams from William Gordon, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I begin upon a half sheet, as a quarter may possibly not hold what I have to write, but should I comprehend the whole within that compass, shall dock your allowance, the times demanding the utmost frugality as well as courage. Pray how many more burnings of towns are we to be abused with by the British Barbarians, ere the long suffering of the Congress is concluded, and every manly exertion of...
876To John Adams from James Otis Sr., 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Recived your favor of the first Current and Note the Contents and in answer say that I am Obliged for this first favor of the Kind Since you have Been In Congress. The Gentlemen of your Comitee have had Every Demonstration of Respect shewn them by the Councell and house of Representatives of this Province and I hope it Was agreeable to them : We have had an agreeable interview and our...
877To John Adams from Josiah Quincy, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your obliging Letter of the 6th: Instant. It came to hand with another for your good Lady, which was imediately forwarded to her by Mr. Thaxter who was here when I received it. At the same Time, I received a Card from our Friend Doctr: Franklin, assuring me a friendly visit before he returns to Philadelphia. If he can spare Time to take a View of the Harbor I hope to...
878To John Adams from William Tudor, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by the Post 3 Weeks ago but have not been honour’d with a Line since your Returnto Philadelphia. I should write oftener but every Thing of Importance is communicated in the Prints, and I am in no Secrets at Head Quarters, and I hate to set down to write when I can’t tell You something worth reading. About 10 Days ago two floating Batteries were ordered down Cambridge River to fire...
879To John Adams from John Winthrop, 25 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favor by Mr. Lynch. I was very sorry I had no opportunity of Shewing respectto the Gentlemen of the Congress, and was particularly concerned that I could not have more ofthe conversation of my excellent Friend Dr. Franklin. But they were continually sitting at Head Quarters, and the Council were every day sitting at Watertown; so that I never saw them butonce, which was when...
880To John Adams from Henry Knox, 26 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Encourag’d by your kindly mentioning my name in your Letters to several Gentlemen this way I now take the liberty of writing to you. A number of the Generals desir’d me to act as engineer and said that when the delegates from the Continental Congress came here the matter should be settl’d—myself as cheif engineer with the rank and pay of Colonel and a Lt. Col. Putnam as second also with the...
881To John Adams from Benjamin Hichborn, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
If tears of blood were to follow my pen, they wou’d but faintly marke the distressing anxiety I have suffered for near three months past, to be betrayed into a situation which equally exposed me to the Insults of my Enemies and the Suspicions or Contempt of my Friends, by a Scoundrel whose base duplicity, I coud neither expose or counteract, excited feelings, which often proved too severe a...
882To John Adams from Perez Morton, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I am directed by the Major part of the Council of this Colony, to acquaint You, that by Virtue of the power and Authority in and by the Royal Charter in the abscence of the Governor and Lieutt. Governor lodged in them, they have seen fit to appoint You, with the Advice and consent of Council, to be first or Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature &c. for this Colony. The inclosed is...
883Enclosure: List of Superior Court Justices, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Honble. John Adams Esqr. William Cushing Esqr. William Read Esqr. Honble. Rob. Treat Paine Esqr. Nathl. P. Sargent Esqr. RC ( Adams Papers ); addressed: “To The Honble. John Adams Esq at Philadelphia”; docketed: “Dpty Secys. Letter. Octr. 28. 1775.” For Paine’s placement in the ranking and its consequences, see James Warren to JA , 20 Oct. and notes (above).
884To John Adams from William Tudor, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter of the 12th. Instant by Mr. Tracy. But the One you mention to have sent me some Time before I never got. I am much oblig’d by your Exertions to get my Pay augmented, which is now made fully equivalent to the Office. The Concern which you have shewn for the Advancement of my Honor and Interest in a thousand Instances, demands something more than bare Acknowlegements. If...
885To John Adams from James Warren, 28 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
I did not hear till Yesterday in the Afternoon that Coll. Reed had any Intention to leave us so soon and begin his Journey to Philadelphia on this day. The first reflection on this Occasion was that he would be missed here. I have formed an Excellent opinion of him as a Man of Sense, Politeness, and Ability for Business. He has done us great service. He is I might add strongly Attached to the...
886To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 31 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
Herewith you have a Copy of the Account of the Battle of Charlestown; the other matters will be attended to as soon as possible; That there has been an unreasonable delay, is not owing to J. P.; he is employ’d in signing &c. the Bills of Credit, which takes up, as he thinks, too much of his time. There has been a Sample of Lead-Oar, which has been assayed, and turns out 50 per cent Lead: I am...
887To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, October 1775 (Adams Papers)
The extensive system of policy which must engross your thoughts, and the vast field of business in which you are engaged, is such that I feel some checks whenever I call of f your attention for a moment on anything so unimportant as a letter of mine. Yet I cannot find myself willing to give up the pleasure of corresponding with a gentleman, I hold in high estimation, both as a defender of the...
888To John Adams from Lemuel Hayward, 1 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
The small Acquaintance I have had with your Honor emboldens me to write you on an Affair which has given me no small degree of Perplexity, out of which I hope your Influence, and wonted Benevolence will relieve me. What I have respect to is the fixing of Surgeons in this Hospital. Ever since Lexington Battle I have been wholly engaged in the Service of my Country as a Surgeon; on that Day I...
889To John Adams from John Thomas, 1 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you some time since the Gentlemen of the Committee from the Congress and presume’d to trouble you once more on the Account of the Hospital at Roxbury. When I had the command last Spring att this place it was found Necessary to Establish a Hospital here. I Apply’d to the Provincial Congress on the matter and was by them desir’d to Establish One. I Accordingly took the House on Jamaica...
890To John Adams from Samuel Osgood, 4 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have no other excuse for troubling you with another Letter but to inform you that my other ought to have been dated at Roxbury Camp Octr. 23d. pardon me the Neglect. Our worthy Generals have all been together this is the third Day. Tomorrow I hope will finish it marking as some are pleased to term it the black Sheep among the Officers and I suppose the white are to receive enlisting Orders...
891To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to recommend to your Notice Capt. Price, the Bearer of this, who has commanded one of the Companies of Riflemen in this Encampment; he has supported the Character of a good Officer and a worthy Gentleman; any Services which you may have opportunity to render him, will I apprehend, be serving our Country. We have received an account from Halifax, that great disturbances have lately...
892To John Adams from James Warren, 5 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I must begin every Letter with Thanks for the Receipt of your Favours, haveing such Abundant reason for it, that mine would be marked with Ingratitude (a Vice I detest) if I did not. Last Sunday Coll. Reed dined with us in his way to Philadelphia. By him I wrote and Inclosed some packages which I hope will reach your hand this day, since which I have not been Able to get one single Hour to...
893To 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...
894John 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...
895To 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...
896The 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...
897Credentials 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,...
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...
899To 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...
900To 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...
901To 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...
902To 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...
903To 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...
904To 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...
905To 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...
906To 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...
907Enclosure: 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...
908To 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...
909To 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...
910To 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...
911To 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....
912To 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...
913To 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...
914To 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...
915To 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...
916To 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...
917The 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...
918To 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...
919To 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...
920To 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...