15151[Diary entry: 1 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
Sepr. 1. Exceeding Hot, with but little wind from the Southward. In the Night Rain (where I was).
15152To George Washington from Francis Willis, 1 September 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Francis Willis, Jr., 1 Sept. 1774. The letter is listed in Thomas Birch’s Sons catalog no. 663, item 73, 21–23 April 1891.
151531774. Fryday. Septr. 2. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Thom. Mifflins with Mr. Lynch, Mr. Middleton, and the two Rutledges with their Ladies. The two Rutledges are good Lawyers. Govr. Hopkins and Govr. Ward were in Company. Mr. Lynch gave us a Sentiment “The brave Dantzickers, who declare they will be free in the face of the greatest Monarch in Europe.”—We were very sociable, and happy. After Coffee We went to the Tavern, where we...
15154Abigail Adams to John Adams, 2 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am very impatient to receive a letter from you. You indulged me so much in that Way in your last absence, that I now think I have a right to hear as often from you as you have leisure and opportunity to write. I hear that Mr. Adams wrote to his Son and the Speaker to his Lady, but perhaps you did not know of the opportunity. Suppose you have before this time received two letters from me, and...
15155[Diary entry: 2 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
2. Din’d at Rock Hall (waiting for my Horses) & lodg’d at New Town on Chester.
15156[Diary entry: 2 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
2. Again very warm with but little wind & that Southerly. In the Night Rain.
151571774. Saturday. Septr. 3. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Dr. Shippens. Dr. Witherspoon was there. Coll. R. H. Lee lodges there. He is a masterly Man. This Mr. Lee is a Brother of the Sherriff of London, and of Dr. Arthur Lee, and of Mrs. Shippen. They are all sensible, and deep thinkers. Lee is for making the Repeal of every Revenue Law, the Boston Port Bill, the Bill for altering the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Quebec Bill,...
15158William Tudor to Abigail Adams, 3 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
You may depend on my giving your Letter to Capt. Marston who sets out for Philadelphia on Monday. A safer Hand it could not go by. Pray let your Fears subside about Tumults—there have been none. There was an Assembly of 4000 Patriots at Cambridge yesterday—where the utmost Regularity was observ’d, and after finishing their Business they all repair’d to their homes in Quiet. They procur’d a...
15159To John Adams from William Tudor, 3 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
This Week has been fruitfull of extraordinary Transactions. I will endeavour to give You some Account of them. Tuesday the Superior Court opened and Mr. Oliver took his Seat as chief Justice. When the grand Jury were called upon to be sworn they all to a Man refus’d taking the Oath, for Reasons committed to Paper, which they permitted the Court, after some Altercation, to read. The Petit Jury...
15160From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 3 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; duplicate: New York Public Library It is a long time since I have been favoured by a Line from you. I suppose you thought me on my Return to America, and that your Letters would probably not reach me here. But I have been advised by our Friends to stay till the Result of your Congress should arrive. The Coolness, Temper, and Firmness of the American...
15161From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 3 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Hearing just now of this Opportunity, I write a Line to acquaint you that I am well and hearty, Thanks to God, as I hope you are. It seems likely now that I shall stay here another Winter; you will therefore be kind in continuing to write to me. My Love to Jenney, &c. I am ever, Your affectionate Brother For reasons explained in the preceding document. Jane...
15162[Diary entry: 3 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
3. Breakfasted at Down’s. Dind at the Buck Tavern (Carsons) & lodg’d at Newcastle. down’s : a tavern operated by William Down at Down’s Cross Roads, now Galena, Md., 1½ miles south of Georgetown ( W.P.A. [2] W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Maryland: A Guide to the Old Line State . American Guide Series. New York, 1940. , 365). The Buck Tavern was in New Castle County, Del., 11 miles south of the...
15163[Diary entry: 3 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
3. Cloudy & Cool, Wind fresh from the Northward.
151641774. Septr. 4. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Presbyterian Meeting and heard Mr. Sprout in the forenoon. He uses no Notes—dont appear to have any. Opens his Bible and talks away. Not a very numerous, nor very polite Assembly. Dined at our Lodgings at Mrs. Yards, with Major De boor a French Gentleman, a Soldier, Mr. Webb, and another. Went in the Afternoon to Christ Church, and heard Mr. Coombs Coombe . This is a more noble...
15165To John Adams from Edward Hill, 4 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a fortnight ago by Mr. Sullivan, since which almost every day has produced some new matter of joy to the friends of Liberty. The proceedings of the people at Salem Cambridge and other places —the resignation of many of the new Councillors—the behaviour of both juries at the Superior Court held here the last week; are some of the most important. I had proposed to send you a very...
15166Poem on the Death of Elias Boudinot’s Child, [4 September 1774] (Hamilton Papers)
D , in writing of Elizabeth Hamilton, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. At the end of this poem, Elizabeth Hamilton wrote: “Written by Mr. Hamilton, when he was residing in new jersey, preparing for College, on the Death of a child of Mrs. Boudinot.” While attending Francis Barber’s academy in Elizabethtown, H was a frequent guest in the home of Elias Boudinot, a New Jersey lawyer, who...
15167[Diary entry: 4 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
4. Breakfasted at Christeen Ferry. Dined at Chester & lodged at Doctr. Shippens’s in Phila. after Supping at the New Tavern. Christina (Christiana) ferry crossed Christina (Christiana) River at Wilmington on the main road from New Castle to Philadelphia ( LINCOLN Anna T. Lincoln. Wilmington, Delaware: Three Centuries under Four Flags, 1609–1937 . Rutland, Vt., 1937. , 83–84). William Shippen,...
15168[Diary entry: 4 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
4. Again Cloudy & Cool. Wind about No. East & fresh.
151691774. Septr. 5. Monday. (Adams Papers)
At Ten, The Delegates all met at the City Tavern, and walked to the Carpenters Hall, where they took a View of the Room, and of the Chamber where is an excellent Library. There is also a long Entry, where Gentlemen may walk, and a convenient Chamber opposite to the Library. The General Cry was, that this was a good Room, and the Question was put, whether We were satisfyed with this Room, and...
15170[Diary entry: 5 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
5. Breakfasted and Dined at Doctr. Shippen’s. Spent the Eveng. at Tavern. On this day the delegates to Congress met at City Tavern. The credentials of the various members were read, and Peyton Randolph of Virginia was elected chairman, or president, and Charles Thomson of Pennsylvania secretary. Carpenters’ Hall, which has been offered by the Carpenters’ Guild of Philadelphia, was chosen as...
15171[Diary entry: 5 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
5. Cloudy all day & now and then Misting. Wind at No. Et.
151721774. Septr. 6. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Went to congress again. Received by an express an Intimation of the Bombardment of Boston—a confused account, but an alarming one indeed.—God grant it may not be found true. R. T. Paine’s Diary ( MHi ) has this account under this date: “About 2 o Clock a Letter came from Israel Putnam into Town forwarded by Expresses in about 70 hours from Boston, by which we were informed that the Soldiers...
15173[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress, 6 September 1774.] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Henry . Government is dissolved. Fleets and Armies and the present State of Things shew that Government is dissolved.—Where are your Land Marks? your Boundaries of Colonies. We are in a State of Nature, Sir. I did propose that a Scale should be laid down. That Part of N. America which was once Mass. Bay, and that Part which was once Virginia, ought to be considered as having a Weight. Will...
15174To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 6 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I am much obliged to you for introducing me to the acquaintance of General Lee. He came hither from the Southward about a month ago, when I had the pleasure of receiving by him your agreable Letter of July 28. 1773. The character you give of him is very just, and what compleats it is, that he is a hearty Friend of America. This may be no...
15175[Diary entry: 6 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
6. Dined at the New Tavern—after being in Congress all day. On this day GW spent 15s. for shoes, etc., for William Lee, his body servant, who accompanied him to Philadelphia (Cash Memoranda, 24 Mar.—25 Oct. 1774, CSmH ). In Congress today the decision was made to keep secret the proceedings of the Congress ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress,...
15176[Diary entry: 6 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
6. Clear & pleasant with but little Wind.
151771774 Septr. 7. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went to congress again. Heard Mr. Duchè read Prayers. The Collect for the day, the 7th of the Month, was most admirably adapted, tho this was accidental, or rather Providential. A Prayer, which he gave us of his own Composition, was as pertinent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I ever heard offered up to Heaven. He filled every Bosom present. Dined with Mr. Miers Fisher, a young...
15178From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Todd call’d to see me yesterday. I perceive there is a good deal of Uneasiness at the Office concerning the Delay of the Accounts. He sent me, in the Evening, to read and return to him a Letter he has written to you for this Mail. Friendship requires me to urge earnestly your Attention to the Contents, if you value the Continuance of...
15179From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received yours of July 3. from New York, with the Bill of Exchange for Forty Pounds, Cobham on Bond & Ryland, which is carried to the Credit of your Account. I have spoken in Mr. Antill’s Favour, but there seems to have been a previous Disposition of those Places. At the Time of making up the Mail for the August Packet, I...
15180From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It is long since I have heard from you, tho’ I have written several Letters to you. There is great Expectation here of the Result of your appointed Congress, both among Friends and Enemies. If you declare and resolve your Rights, and confederate not to use British Manufactures till they are acknowledg’d and confirm’d here, you will...
15181From Benjamin Franklin to the New Jersey Assembly Committees of Correspondence, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have just received two of your Favours of July 26. requiring my Attention to the several Acts of your Assembly passed the last Session, and Endeavours to obtain the Royal Approbation of them. This Instruction I shall most certainly observe, and it will be a great pleasure to me if I meet with the Success you wish. I hope to receive by...
15182From Benjamin Franklin to James Parker, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; draft: American Philosophical Society I received the Honour of yours, dated July 5. relating to the Act for establishing the Division Line. It was by a Letter from J. Kinsey, and J. P. Hewlings Esqrs. that I was directed to solicit the Royal Confirmation of that Act: Accordingly when it was obtain’d I sent the two authenticated Copies to those Gentlemen; one by...
15183From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Timothy, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of May 26. and am much oblig’d by your kind Invitation to your House, which I should certainly accept with Pleasure, if I should ever go to Carolina. You wish me to correspond with you on publick Affairs. Those relating to America have been and still continue in so disagreable a Situation, that I cannot write upon...
15184[Diary entry: 7 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
7. Dined at Mr. Pleasants and spent the Evening in a Club at the New Tavern. Mr. Pleasants is probably Samuel Pleasants, a Philadelphia Quaker, who was married to Mary (Polly) Pemberton, a member of another prominent Quaker family. Most of the work of Congress during the next two weeks was done in two committees appointed this day, to neither of which GW was appointed ( JCC Worthington...
15185[Diary entry: 7 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
7. Clear and Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.
151861774. Septr. 8. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty on the Committee all Day, and a most ingenious, entertaining Debate We had. —The happy News was bro’t us, from Boston, that no Blood had been spill’d but that Gen. Gage had taken away the Provincial Powder from the Magazine at Cambridge. This last was a disagreable Circumstance. Dined at Mr. Powells, with Mr. Duché, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Steptoe, Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. Johnson, and...
15187[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] Septr. 8. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
In the Committee for States Rights, Grievances and Means of Redress. Coll. Lee. The Rights are built on a fourfold foundation—on Nature, on the british Constitution, on Charters, and on immemorial Usage. The Navigation Act, a Capital Violation. Mr. Jay. It is necessary to recur to the Law of Nature, and the british Constitution to ascertain our Rights. The Constitution of G.B. will not apply...
15188John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
When or where this Letter will find you, I know not. In what Scenes of Distress and Terror, I cannot foresee.—We have received a confused Account from Boston, of a dreadfull Catastrophy. The Particulars, We have not heard. We are waiting with the Utmost Anxiety and Impatience, for further Intelligence. The Effect of the News We have both upon the Congress and the Inhabitants of this City, was...
15189[Diary entry: 8 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
8. Dined at Mr. Andw. Allan’s & spent the Evening in my own Lodgings. Andrew Allen (1740–1825), a son of William Allen, chief justice of Pennsylvania until 1774, and Margaret Hamilton Allen, graduated from the College of Philadelphia and studied law in England as well as Philadelphia. He was at this time an influential Patriot active in opposing British policies. Allen was attorney general of...
15190[Diary entry: 8 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
8. Again Warm & clear, wind in the same place.
151911774 Septr. 9. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty upon Committees. Dined at home. “9th. The Committee met, agreed to found our rights upon the laws of Nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and charters and compacts; ordered a Sub-Committee to draw up a Statement of Rights” (Samuel Ward, Diary, Burnett, ed., Letters of Members Edmund C. Burnett, ed., Letters of Members of the Continental Congress, Washington,...
15192I. Heads of Grievances and Rights, 9 September 1774 (Adams Papers)
Whereas since the Accession of the present King, Parliament has claimed a Power of Right to bind the People of the Colonies in North America by Statutes in all Cases whatsoever: And for carrying the said Power into Execution, has by some Statutes expressly taxed the People of the said Colonies, and by divers other Statutes under various Pretences, but in Fact, for the Purpose of raising a...
15193Note on the Fourth and Fifth Editions of Experiments and Observations, [9 September 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S. To Which Are Added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole Corrected, Methodized, Improved, and Now First Collected into One Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates. (London, 1769.) Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in...
15194To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 9 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft copy: British Museum This letter carries on the story begun in Cooper’s earlier one above, August 15, of the collapse of royal authority in Massachusetts. But, as with his description of the crisis that culminated in the Tea Party, the chronology is confused; and in the confusion the principal developments are obscured. Outside Boston, as the King’s...
15195[Diary entry: 9 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
9. Dined at Mr. Tilghman’s & spent the Evening at home (at my Lodgg.). James Tilghman, Sr. (1716–1793), originally of Maryland, had moved to Philadelphia in 1765 and married Anna Francis, daughter of Tench Francis. He was a member of the provincial council and secretary of the proprietary land office. In May 1774 he had been sent to Williamsburg with James Allen to consult with Governor...
15196[Diary entry: 9 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
9. Warm & close, Weather lowering, & in the Afternoon Rain, tho little of it.
151971774 Septr. 10. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Attended my Duty upon the Sub Committee. Dined at home. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Cocks Cox , Mr. Spence Spencer , and several other Gentlemen, Major Sullivan and Coll. Folsom dined with us upon Salt Fish. Rambled in the Evening with Jo. Reed, and fell into Mr. Sprouts Meeting where We heard Mr. Spence preach. Mr. Reed returned with Mr. Adams and me to our Lodgings, and a very social, agreable and...
15198From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 10 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Bearer Mr. Ralph Westley, goes to Pennsylvania to look out a proper Tract of good Land, on which to settle some able Norfolk Farmers, who are about to remove thither with their Families. One of whom, Mr. Foulger, is a Relation of mine. As the Farmers of that Country are reckoned the most skilful in England, and the comfortable Settling of these first...
15199From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 10 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is now nine long Months since I received a Line from my dear Debby. I have supposed it owing to your continual Expectation of my Return; I have feared that some Indisposition had rendered you unable to write; I have imagined any thing rather than admit a Supposition that your kind Attention towards me was abated. And yet when so many other old Friends...
15200[Diary entry: 10 September 1774] (Washington Papers)
10. Dined at Mr. Richd. Penn’s. Richard Penn was the former governor who had been superseded by his brother John (see main entry for 16 May 1773 ).