1I. Resolutions on Saltpeter and Powder Mills, 23 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Resolved , That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils or Committees of Safety, and Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in the United Colonies, to exert themselves in devising farther ways and means of promoting and encouraging the manufacture of Salt-petre, and of introducing that manufacture into private families. Resolved , That it be recommended to the...
2II. Resolutions Concerning the Canadian Campaign, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Resolved , That the gentlemen who are appointed to go into Canada, be desired to enquire into the cause of the imprisonment of the officers of Militia, in that country and others, and take such measures in concert with the commanding officer of the continental forces there, for their enlargement or confinement, as are consistent with the principles of justice, and the safety of the United...
3III. Instructions to the Commissioners to Canada, 20 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
You are, with all convenient despatch, to repair to Canada, and make known to the people of that country, the wishes and intentions of the Congress with respect to them. Represent to them, that the arms of the United Colonies, having been carried into that province for the purpose of frustrating the designs of the British court against our common liberties, we expect not only to defeat the...
4IV. John Hancock to George Washington, 2 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; the Tribute of Thanks and Gratitude to their Friends and Benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory: and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that, as a...
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...
6VI. 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...
7VII. Committee Report on Esek Hopkins’ Letter, 7 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Committee to whom was referred the Letter from Eseck Hopkins Commodore of the Continental Fleet dated Providence May 22 1776, have taken the same into Consideration and come to the following Resolutions. Resolved that Mr. Charles Walker of N. Providence ought to be paid the Value of the Sloop Endeavour, together with four Tons of Lignum Vita and one hundred Cedar Posts taken by the said...
The Committee to whom were referred, the Letter from William Palfrey Esqr. Paymaster General, dated New York 19 May, in closing his Weekly Account ending 18 May 1776, and another Letter from the said Paymaster General dated at N. York 3 June 1776 inclosing his Weekly interest Return to May 31, have considered the same and come to the following Resolutions, vizt. Resolved, as the opinion of...
9IX. Committee Report on Fortifying Harbors, 24 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Committee appointed to consider what Harbours are proper to be fortified, have attended that Service, and come to the following Resolutions. vizt Resolved as the opinion of this Committee, that the Harbour of Cape Ann, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, ought to be fortified, and to this End that Twenty Pieces of large Cannon, with Ten Eighteen Pounders and Ten Twenty four Pounders, be...
10X. Draft Preamble of Committee Report on Inducing Foreign Officers to Desert, 27 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whereas it is probable, that among the Officers of the foreign Troops, now in the Service of the King of Great Britain, there may be many, of liberal Minds, possessed of just Sentiments of the Rights of human Nature and the inestimable Value of Freedom; who may be prompted, by the Feelings of Humanity, and a just Indignation at the disgracefull service to which they are devoted by an infamous...
11From John Adams to James Warren, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Archibald Buchannan, and Mr. Walter Tolley both of Maryland, and hearty Friends of America, introduced to me by my Friend Mr. Chace Chase , are bound to the Camp, and Mr. Chace requested a Letter from me. Chace is a Man of common sense. I received your Packett. I am obliged to you for opening the Letter from our Friend Mr. Adams, and if you had opened all the others, you should have been...
12From John Adams to John Trumbull, 13 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I take this opportunity by Mr. Romain to write you one Line more for the sake of reminding you of my Existence, and requesting that you would favour me with authentic Evidence under your Hand of yours, than any Thing I have to Say. Politicks are a Labyrinth, without a Clue—to write you on that subject would be endless. N. York I think is now in critical state, but I hope We shall Save it. Mr....
13From John Adams to James Warren, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I Shall inclose to a Lady of my Acquaintance all the News Papers which have been printed in this City, Since my arrival, by which you will See, to what Point the Tide of Political Sentiment, Setts. Scarcely a Paper comes out, without a Speculation or two in open Vindication of opinions, which Five Months ago were Said to be unpopular. A vast Majority of the People, indeed, I very well know...
14To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
We hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you again in Camp before you set out for Philadelphia, but as you don’t like a “sleepy Camp” I can easily account for your preferring the Senate. The time perhaps is not far distant when the Camp will be wakeful and active—and to leave us without excuse, I wish we may have a sufficient quantity of the Needful . The Regiments of Militia which were ordered...
15From John Adams to Thomas Crafts Jr., 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since my arrival in this City and not before, I received your Favour of December the sixteenth. I am very sorry to learn that you ever was even for a Moment in a State of Scepticism concerning the Existence and Reality of sincere Friendship. Surely there is sincerity, surely there is Friendship among Men, altho it must be confessed that too Many Persons ground it on improper Principles and too...
16From John Adams to William Heath, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of January 22d. never reached me, untill my arrival at this City. I am much obliged to you for the Information you have given me of the Character and services of Coll. Baldwin, and should be happy to do any Thing in my Power, to obtain Justice for so deserving an officer. Upon shewing your Letter and another from him to some of my Colleagues, they are of opinion that Coll. Baldwin...
17From John Adams to James Warren, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
We have at last hit upon a Plan which promises fair for Success. Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Chase of Maryland, and Mr. Charles Carroll of Carrollton, are chosen a Committee to go to Canada. I must confess I have very great Confidence, in the Abilities and Integrity, the Political Principles and good Disposition of this Committee. Franklins Character you know. His masterly Acquaintance with the...
18From John Adams to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have seen such a Necessity of an able Commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous Service. I tremble for your Health, yet I hope the Campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you att N. York. We want you at Cambridge. We want you in Virginia. But Canada seems of more Importance than any of those Places. And therefore you are sent there. I wish you as...
19To John Adams from John Morgan, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
On my Arrival at Cambridge Mr. Craigie waited on me and sollicited my appointing of him Apothecary to the General Hospital. He represented that he had been in that Station, from the beginning of the War, and had continued so ever since. He was informd the Appointment rested in me, and begged my continuing him in that Station. At the time, I had overlooked that part of the Copy of the...
20To John Adams from Joseph Palmer, 19 – 24 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Family were pretty well yesterday; also Mr. Cranches and mine; N Q has a bad cold. I have been sick a few days, but am now better, so as to be abroad again. Yesterday a Gentleman arrived here, said to be a Prussian Knight, from France to the W Indies, thence bound to Philadelphia, but brot on upon the back of the Cape, from thence hither, and now at head Quarters, has many Letters for Dr....
21To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 29 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you One or two letters not knowing of your being coming home all that time. We have nothing Material in this quarter. By some people a few days since Out of Boston they seem to think they will move off soon, As the Transports seem to be in readiness to receive any thing On board, and that there are Apprizements on the Friends of goverments Estate but I apprehend itt differantly that is...
22To John Adams from William Tudor, 29 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
We have Nothing here sufficiently important to communicate, As it is hardly worthwhile to tell you that a Vessel was last Sunday taken by one of our Privateers loaded with coals and Potatoes; or that a Night or two ago we had one or more Deserters, from the Enemy. Preparations have been for some Time silently making for an important Manoevre, and from the Contents of General Orders for several...
23To John Adams from Elisha Boudinot, 2 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I must beg the Liberty of introducing to your acquaintance, Capt. Harry G. Livingston of New York. He is a young Gentleman who has not been sparing of his Time nor fortune in the publick Service. He is recommended by the provincial Congress of New York as a Lieut. Colonel. There are few young Gentlemen better qualified than he is, as he has been indefatigable in acquiring the military Art...
24To John Adams from Joseph Frye, 4 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Gordon Hutchins the bearer hereof, being a Man of Experience in Military Service, the late war with France, had a Company the last year in the Continental Army, and is very desireous of entering the Same Service again. I therefore take leave to recommend Him to you for that Purpose, if there Should be any room for His admittance. If that Should be the Case, and your Honour Should please...
25From John Adams to John Thomas, 7 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Congress, have determined to send you to Canada. They have advanced you one Step, by making you a Major General, and have made an handsome Establishment for a Table. Your Friends the Delegates from your native Province were much embarrassed, between a Desire to have you promoted and placed in so honourable a Command, on the one Hand, and a Reluctance at loosing your Services at Roxbury or...
26To John Adams from James Warren, 7 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have been very much Indisposed for the greater part of the Time since you left us. I have been at Home three weeks, and the whole time Confined to the House, and a fortnight of it unable either to read or write. My disorders have at last Terminated in a fit of the Gout. How much longer I am to be Confined by that I know not. The Consolations that are dealt out to me in the Bitterness of...
27To John Adams from Horatio Gates, 8 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Monday Night Two Thousand men under the Command of Brigadier General Thomas took possession of Dorchester Heights; a vast Quantity of Materials being previously Collected, especially Chandiliers, and Fascines, our Troops were soon covered, and long before day, began to Break Ground to thicken their defences against The Enemys Cannon. To Conceal our design, and divert the Enemys Attention, a...
28To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 10 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
As your time is so Much Devoted to the Service of the publick that you have Little Leasure for Letters of friendship or Amusement And Conscious of Incapacity to write anything that would be of the smallest utility to the Common Weal, I have been for sometime Ballancing in my Mind Whether I should again Interrupt your Important Moments, but on Reperusing yours of January 8th I find a query...
29To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 14 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The 2 instant at night we began a cannonade and bombardment upon the Enemy, and continued it three nights successively; on the 4th at night we threw up works upon the heights on Dorchester Point. The next morning the Pirates in Boston and in the Harbour appeared to be in great agitation, and every day and night since have been preparing (according to our observations, and the information from...
30To John Adams from John Sullivan, 15 – 19 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your very Acceptable Favour of the 7th Instant Came to hand this Day. You could not have Conferred a greater obligation on me than by giving yourself the Trouble to write me; but when you give me to understand that my Services are acceptable in Your Eyes and in the Eyes of the Congress in General I already Esteem myself fully rewarded for all my toils; and cannot but persevere in my Endeavours...
31From John Adams to James Warren, 21 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I have not received more than one Letter from you since I left you and that was a very Short one. I have written as often as I could. If you get a sight of the New York and Philadelphia News Papers you will see what a mighty Question is before the Tribunal of the Public. The Decision is yet in suspence, but a Guess may be formed what it will be. The Day before Yesterday the Committee of...
32From John Adams to Horatio Gates, 23 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had the Pleasure, a few days ago, of your Favour of 8th. Instant, for which I esteem myself under great obligations to you. We rejoice here at the Prospect there is of your driving the Enemy from Boston. If you should Succeed in this I hope effectual Measures will be taken to fortify the Harbour, that the Navy may never enter it again. I think the Narrows may be So obstructed that large...
33To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 23 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The 17th Instant the Pirates all abandoned their Works in Boston and Charlestown and went on board their Ships, and on the 20th they burnt and destroyed the works on Castle Island. They now lye in Nantasket Road waiting for a fair wind; we keep a vigilant eye over them lest they should make an attack on some unexpected quarter. The particulars with regard to the Seige, the Stores taken, &c....
34To John Adams from Jonathan Trumbull, 25 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Two accounts of loss by hostilities committed by the Ministerial Navy, which came to hand since my last, are enclosed. I do most sincerely congratulate you on General Washington’s success—And on the shameful retreat of our Enemies from Boston—Which demand our humble admiration and praise of the supream Director of all Events, for His marvellous interposition for our help. Tyranny and...
35I. To William Hooper, 27 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Subject, on which you was pleased to request my Sentiments, is of infinite Importance to Mankind. Politicks is the Science of human Happiness—and the Felicity of Societies depends entirely on the Constitutions of Government under which they live. That puerile famous Couplet of a very great Poet, “For Forms of Government let Fools contest That’s best administered, is best,” Shows him to...
36II. To John Penn, 27 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
If I was possess’d of Abilities equal to the great Task you have imposed upon me, which is to sketch out the outlines of a Constitution for a Colony, I should think myself the happiest of Men in complying with your Desire: because as Politicks is the Art of Securing human Happiness, and the Prosperity of Societies depends upon the Constitution of Government, under which they live; there cannot...
37III. Thoughts on Government, April 1776 (Adams Papers)
If I was equal to the task of forming a plan for the government of a colony, I should be flattered with your request, and very happy to comply with it; because as the divine science of politicks is the science of social happiness, and the blessings of society depend entirely on the constitutions of government, which are generally institutions that last for many generations, there can be no...
38To John Adams from Jeduthun Baldwin, 28 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
This acknowledges the favour of your Letter dated Feby 18th. which I received March 15th the Day that I Received orders to come to this place, I came in the 25th. have been round to the Several works that are begun. There will be in a fiew Days a large No. of formidable works Compleated, and men sufficient to defind them. The great fateague I have had thro’ the winter, and for about 3 weeks...
39From John Adams to James Warren, 29 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since the joyfull News of the Reduction of Boston by the Forces of the united Colonies, my Mind has been constantly engaged with Plans and Schemes for the Fortification of the Islands and Channells in Boston Harbour. I think that if Cannon and Ammunition, in the necessary Quantities can possibly be obtained, Fortifications ought to be erected upon Point Alderton, Lovells Island, Georges...
40To John Adams from James Warren, 30 March – 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
When I wrote you last I was at Plymouth sick, and Confined. I did not return to this place till three days ago. In my way Mrs. Warren and I lodged at Braintree, and had the pleasure of finding Mrs. Adams, and Family well. Here I find the world turned Topsy Turvy to such A degree that I can scarcely realize the present Appearances of things. The Enemies Army fled, and our own marching into...
41To John Adams from Hugh Hughes, 31 March 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour by ’the reputed Author of Common Sense’ I have not yet answered, as I was not then, nor for some Time afterward, quite clear how Matters would be carried on. But now, I confess our Affairs begin to wear a very different Aspect, as you will perceive by the inclos’d Return to General Thomson. Indeed our Citizens seem determin’d to work out their Salvation not only on Earth, but in...
42From John Adams to George Washington, 1 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this Letter Francis Dana Esqr. of Cambridge, is a Gentleman of Family, Fortune and Education, returned in the last Packett from London where he has been about a Year. He has ever maintained an excellent Character in his Country, and a warm Friendship for the American Cause. He returns to share with his Friends in their Dangers, and their Triumphs. I have done myself the Honour to...
43From John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 2 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
This will go by my worthy Brother Dana who, is returned, as he went a very good Whigg and much more abundantly. I hope he will be appointed a Judge or Attorney General immediately, as he is extreamly well qualified for Either. Since my return to this Place, I have lived in tolerable good Humour with our old Friend, notwithstanding the rash Anger he expressed in certain Letters. I have had two...
44From John Adams to James Warren, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As foreign Affairs become every day more interesting to Us no Pains should be spared to acquire a thorough Knowledge of them, and as the inclosed Extract contains some observations which are new to me, I thought it might not be uninteresting to you. Howe has put 3000 Troops on board of Transports, which lie or at least lay last saturday at Staten Island. Whether this is a Feint, or a Serious...
The Congress being Inform’d by a Letter from Genl. Washington, that two Thousand of the Continental Troops at Cambridge and Roxbury are deficient in Fire Arms, and that he has not been able to Purchase the Same from the Inhabitants or Obtain them from the Assemblies of the New England Colonies, have directed the General to make Returns to the Assemblies of the Numbers of men Inlisted from...
46To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
As the Ships of War now building in this and other Colonies for the Continental Service, will want Commanders, who will I conclude be appointed by Congress, I beg leave to mention to you a Capt. Fellows, late of Boston, who was bred to the Sea and is recommended as a very good Man for a Commander, and I have been desired to mention him to you. He appears to me to be a Man of activity and...
47To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 3 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
The sudden departure of the plunderers of Boston and the removal of the Continental troops from Cambridge occasions a temporary calm in the eastern region; but if the storm should again burst upon this quarter, I fear we shall be too destitute of skillful navigators, to oppose its fury with success: though we have still a few left among us whose tried courage and experience has set danger at...
48To John Adams from John Winthrop, 5 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit so good an opportunity as now offers, of paying my respects to you. Nothing remarkable has occurred among us since the disgraceful flight of the British troops on the 17th ultimo. Tis generally believed they are bound to Halifax. General Washington set off yesterday. His conduct has met with universal approbation, and has gained him the highest applause. Saltpetre is made and...
49To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 6 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here last Evening in a very indifferent State of Health and shall return or not return according as I have Reason to believe I may be more useful here or there. So then! I am told You have a Report that Cato’s Commissioners are coming at last, 46,000 strong. Mr. ——, I suppose, will tell us that he never expected the Commissioners to come without a strong Force to back them. O for the...
50To John Adams from Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, 11 – 12 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your late worthy Governor Hutchinson used to mark some of his Letters confidential . You will give me Leave to use this Hint and at the same Time to take the Liberty of adding that, I believe, You know pretty well whom I can confide in, among our Acquaintances in Congress. The Jersey-Delegates (will You believe it) are not in the sweetest Disposition with one another. Mr. D’ Hart has gone home...