initial commit of ebook 2094HEADmain

5 files changed, 13609 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/2094.txt b/2094.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4c8d7ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2094.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,13593 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Original Writings of Samuel Adams, Volume 4
+by Samuel Adams
+(#4 in our series by Samuel Adams)
+
+Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
+copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing
+this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
+
+This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project
+Gutenberg file.  Please do not remove it.  Do not change or edit the
+header without written permission.
+
+Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the
+eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file.  Included is
+important information about your specific rights and restrictions in
+how the file may be used.  You can also find out about how to make a
+donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
+
+
+**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
+
+**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
+
+*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
+
+
+Title: The Original Writings of Samuel Adams, Volume 4
+
+Author: Samuel Adams
+
+Release Date: Mar, 2000  [EBook #2094]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on July 21, 2002]
+[Last updated: September 25, 2020]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE ORIGINAL WRITINGS OF SAMUEL ADAMS, VOLUME 4 ***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by Jay Carper.
+
+
+
+THE WRITINGS
+
+OF
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS
+
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME IV.
+
+
+
+1778-1802
+
+THE WRITINGS
+
+OF
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS
+
+
+
+COLLECTED AND EDITED
+
+BY
+
+HARRY ALONZO CUSHING
+
+
+
+VOLUME IV
+
+1778-1802
+
+
+
+CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV
+
+1778.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, January 1st
+
+Military Affairs--European Politics--Articles of Confederation--Army Supplies.
+
+To --------, January l0th
+
+New Haven Conference--Legislation on Trade--Baron Steuben.
+
+To Archibald Campbell, January 14th
+
+Exchange of Prisoners.
+
+To Horatio Gates, January 14th
+
+Introducing Baron Steuben--Captain Olivier.
+
+Vote of Town of Boston, January 21st
+
+Articles of Confederation.
+
+To John Burgoyne, February 6th
+
+Declining a Conference.
+
+To Daniel Roberdeau, February 9th
+
+The Work of Congress.
+
+To Arthur Lee, March 12th
+
+Complaints of French Volunteers.
+
+To Jonathan Trumbull, March 19th
+
+Defence of Hudson River.
+
+To James Lovell, March 27th
+
+Postal Service--Military Academy--Exchange of Prisoners--Case of John Amory.
+
+To Francis Lightfoot Lee
+
+Illness--Conditions in Boston--Military Affairs.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, April 20th
+
+Action of France--Attitude of England, iii
+
+To Mrs. Adams, May 5th
+
+Journey from Boston.
+
+To the Earl of Carlisle and others
+
+Address of "An American."
+
+To Baron Steuben, June 3rd
+
+Action of Congress.
+
+To John Adams, June 21st
+
+The English Commissioners--Arrivals from France--Arthur Lee.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, July 9th
+
+Signing of Articles of Confederation.
+
+To James Warren, July
+
+Cases of Manley and McNeil--Appointment of Naval Officers.
+
+To James Warren, July
+
+Office-holders--The British Commissioners--Arrival of French Squadron.
+
+To Samuel Phillips Savage, August 11th .
+
+Return of Hancock.
+
+To Peter Thacher, August 11th .
+
+ The British Commissioners--Activity of Quakers.
+
+To James Warren, September 1st
+
+Cases of Manley and McNeil--Personal Critics--The Rhode Island Expedition.
+
+To James Bowdoin, September 3rd
+
+Conduct of John Temple.
+
+To Hannah Adams, September 8th
+
+Illness of Wife.
+
+To John Bradford, September 8th
+
+Conduct of McNeil.
+
+To James Warren, September 12th
+
+Case and Conduct of Manley--The Rhode Island Expedition.
+
+To Samuel Phillips Savage, September 14th
+
+The Rhode Island Expedition--Activity of Tories.
+
+To ----, September 21st
+
+Appointment of Auctioneers--Attitude of  Manley--Public Criticism of French
+Admiral.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, September 28th
+
+Death of Friends--Family Affairs.
+
+To William Cooper, September 3Oth
+
+Assistance in Exchange of Son.
+
+To Samuel Phillips Savage, October 6th
+
+Extravagance in Boston.
+
+To James Warren, October nth
+
+Conduct of Arthur Lee--Opinion of Silas Deane--Affairs of Du Coudray--Public
+Criticisms of Deane.
+
+To James Warren, October 14th
+
+Attacks on Arthur Lee--Berkenhout.
+
+To Jonathan Trumbull, October 16th
+
+Death of Son.
+
+To Timothy Matlack, October 16th
+
+Proposed Manifesto of General Clinton.
+
+To James Warren, October 17th
+
+Attitude of Politicians to Tories.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, October 20th
+
+Personal Enemies in Boston.
+
+To John Adams, October 25th
+
+Military Affairs--Relations with France--The Rhode Island Expedition--Naval
+Movements.
+
+To Arthur Lee, October 26th
+
+Comments on Correspondence.
+
+To ----, October 26th
+
+Falsehoods of Enemies.
+
+To the Public, October 30th
+
+Manifesto of the Continental Congress.
+
+To Samuel Phillips Savage, November 1st
+
+Share of New England in Securing Independence--Personal Relations.
+
+To James Warren, November 3rd
+
+Work of Congress--Foreign Relations--Proposed Resignation.
+
+Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 3rd
+
+Resolution of Continental Congress.
+
+To Samuel Phillips Savage, November l0th
+
+State of Society and Politics in Boston.
+
+To Jeremiah Powell, December 1st
+
+Use of Appropriation--Re-election to Congress.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, December 13th
+
+Relations with John Temple--Personal Critics--Deane and Lee.
+
+To the Council of Massachusetts, December 15th
+
+Enclosing Declaration of French Minister.
+
+To James Bowdoin, December 19th
+
+Conduct of John Temple.
+
+To John Winthrop, December 21st
+
+Conduct of John Temple.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, December 25th
+
+Conduct of John Temple--Deane and Lee--Proposed Resignation.
+
+To Charles Chauncy, December 25th
+
+Conduct of John Temple--Gates and Heath.
+
+1779.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, January 3rd
+
+Deane and Arthur Lee.
+
+To James Warren, January 6th
+
+Silas Deane--William Lee--Arthur Lee.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, January 6th
+
+American Representatives in France.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, January 19th
+
+Negotiations with France--Diplomatic Appointments.
+
+To Jonathan Trumbull, February 6th
+
+Naval Affairs.
+
+To John Winthrop, February 6th
+
+Depreciated Currency.
+
+To Samuel Allyne Otis, February l0th
+
+Recommending Richard Checkley.
+
+To James Warren, February 12th
+
+Confidential Correspondents--Public Manners and Principles.
+
+To the Board of War, February 16th
+
+Action of Governor Clinton on Flour Shipments.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, February 21st
+
+Monopoly of Trade and Land--Course of England.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, March 7th
+
+Proposed Resignation  as Secretary--Personal Jealousies--News from France.
+
+To John Adams, March 9th
+
+Personal Reflections.
+
+To Benjamin Austin, March 9th
+
+Opinion of Deane and Arthur Lee.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, March 23rd
+
+Purpose to Resign as Secretary and as Delegate--Attitude of Countrymen.
+
+To James Warren, March 23rd, 24th
+
+Purpose to Resign--Personal Critics--Arthur Lee,
+
+To James Lovell, March 26th
+
+Case of Otis and Henley.
+
+To James Lovell, March 27th
+
+Application of Medical Officers.
+
+To James Lovell, March 30th
+
+John  Paul Jones--Retention  of Prize  Money--The "Aliance."
+
+To the Council of Massachusetts, April 1st
+
+Want of Bread--Journals of Congress.
+
+To John Pitts, April 27th
+
+Comments on Political Affairs.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, April 29th
+
+Proper Attitude toward England--Canada and Nova Scotia.
+
+To George Washington, May 26th
+
+The Marine Committee--State of the Navy.
+
+To Benjamin Hawes, July l0th
+
+Movement of Troops.
+
+To the Navy Board, July 12th
+
+Movement of Ships.
+
+To Jonathan Trumbull, July 13th
+
+Hostilities in Connecticut.
+
+To Horatio Gates, July 14th
+
+Hostilities in Connecticut.
+
+To the Navy Board, July 14th
+
+Penobscot Expedition.
+
+To Meshech Weare, July 28th
+
+Investigation of Seizure.
+
+To Arthur Lee, August 1st
+
+Enemies of Lee.
+
+To Solomon Lovell, August 6th
+
+Military Affairs.
+
+To the Council of Massachusetts, August l0th
+
+Aid for Penobscot Expedition.
+
+To the Council of Massachusetts, August 11th
+
+Movement of Troops.
+
+To Solomon Lovell, August 14th
+
+Movement of Troops.
+
+To John Frost, August 17th
+
+The Penobscot Expedition.
+
+To----, August 17th
+
+The Penobscot Expedition.
+
+To Henry Jackson, August 21st
+
+The Penobscot Expedition.
+
+To Horatio Gates, August 22nd
+
+Failure on the Penobscot--Campaign Preparation.--Luzerne.
+
+To George Washington, October 12th
+
+Raising of Troops.
+
+To the Navy Board, October 19th
+
+Lack of Fuel--Protection of Coast.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry and James Lovell, December
+
+Subscription for Children of Joseph Warren.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, December 20th .
+
+Appointment to Convention.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry and James Lovell, December 20th
+
+Education of Children of Joseph Warren.--Subscription for Benefit of
+Children of Joseph Warren
+
+To the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, December 23rd.
+
+Resolution of Council on Absentees.
+
+1780.
+
+To the Governor of Rhode Island, January 5th .
+
+Exclusion of Secret Enemies.
+
+To John Adams, January 13th
+
+Work of the Legislature--Military Affairs--Constitutional Convention--Delegates
+in Congress.
+
+To John Morin Scott, February 17th
+
+Condition of Public Records.
+
+To James Lovell, March 5th
+
+Political Details.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, March 9th
+
+Petition for Permission to Purchase Property of Absentees,
+
+To John Adams, March 15th
+
+The Massachusetts Constitution.
+
+To James Lovell, March 25th
+
+The Vermont Controversy--Work of Congress--The Penobscot Expedition--The Eastern
+Territory--Need of Consulate In France.
+
+To John Adams, May
+
+Work of the Legislature--The New Constitution.
+
+Article Signed "Vindex," June 12th
+
+Origin of the Contest--Character of the Army--Duty of the People.
+
+To James Bowdoin, June 20th
+
+Defence of Connecticut.
+
+To John Fellows, June 20th
+
+Control of Hudson River--Military Plans.
+
+To Robert Howe, June 20th
+
+Movement of Massachusetts Troops.
+
+To John Fellows, June 21st
+
+Plans for Defence of Hudson River.
+
+To Robert Howe, June 21st
+
+The Defence of Hudson River.
+
+To La Fayette, June
+
+Assistance of France--Military Preparations in Massachusetts --The Coming
+Election.
+
+To John Adams, July 10th
+
+The Massachusetts Constitution--The French Fleet.
+
+To Hannah Adams, August 17th
+
+Paternal Advice.
+
+To James Bowdoin, August 22nd
+
+French Opinion of Massachusetts Troops--The  Vermont Controversy--The New
+Constitution.
+
+To John Lowell, September 15th
+
+The Vermont Controversy--Condition of the Army.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, September 19th
+
+Sacrifice in Public Service--The Southern Campaign.
+
+To James Warren, October 6th
+
+The Massachusetts Election--Reflections on Congress.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, October 10th
+
+Visit of Arthur Lee to Boston--Election of Hancock--Treason of Arnold.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, October 17th
+
+Opinion of Arthur Lee--Election of Hancock.
+
+To James Warren, October 24th
+
+Public Service and Proper Government.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, October 31st
+
+The Campaign in Virginia--Opinion of Arthur Lee.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, November 7th
+
+Visit of Arthur Lee to Boston--Legislation for the Army--The Southern
+Campaign.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, November nth, 13th
+
+Robbery of the Mail--The Massachusetts Election.
+
+To James Warren, November 20th
+
+Activity of Personal Enemies--Local Politics.
+
+To Thomas Wells, November 22nd
+
+Advice on Married Life.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, November 24th
+
+Reflections on Results of Public Service.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, November 27th.
+
+Proposed Retirement of Adams--Necessity for Public Service of
+Gerry--Character of Massachusetts Government.
+
+To John Adams, December 17th
+
+Military Activities--Treason of Arnold--Diplomatic Appointments--The
+Massachusetts Constitution.
+
+To John Adams, December 20th
+
+Conditions in the South--Need of a Navy.
+
+To John Scollay, December 30th
+
+Support of Warren's Children--The  New Government of Massachusetts--Character
+of the Population.
+
+1781.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, January 15th
+
+Opinion of Arthur Lee--Recurrence to First Principles.
+
+To John Pitts, January 17th
+
+Office-seeking.
+
+To James Warren, February 1st
+
+Effect of Foreign Influence.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, February 1st
+
+Relations with Dr. Cooper--Relations with Hancock.
+
+To Mrs. Adams, March 15th
+
+Desire to Return Home--Situation of Son.
+
+Article, Unsigned, April 2nd
+
+Character of Government--The Massachusetts Election.
+
+To Caleb Davis, April 3rd.
+
+Admission of Belligerent Subjects--Affairs at Boston.
+
+Article, Unsigned, April 16th
+
+The Massachusetts Election--The Duty of Citizens.
+
+To Samuel Cooper, April 23d
+
+Political Details--Attacks of Rivington.
+
+To Thomas McKean, August 29th
+
+Return of John Laurens--Peace and the Fishery--Executive Appointments.
+
+To Thomas McKean, September 19th
+
+Recommending Major Brown--Need of Strong Navy.
+
+To Horatio Gates, October 11th
+
+Proposed Court of Inquiry--The Southern Campaign.
+
+To William Heath, November 21st
+
+Relations of Canada and Vermont.
+
+To Selectmen of Other Towns, December 14th
+
+Letter of  Boston  on the  Fishery--Instructions to  Representatives.
+
+To John Adams, December 18th
+
+Local Politics.
+
+To John Adams, December 19th
+
+Proposed Revision of Statutes--Education--Public Manners --Action of Boston on
+the Fishery.
+
+1782.
+
+To Alexander McDougall, May 13th
+
+Purpose of Patriots.
+
+To John Lowell, May 15th
+
+Legislative Procedure--Election of Representatives.
+
+To John Lowell, June 4th
+
+Controversy with Governor as to Legislative Procedure.
+
+To Arthur Lee, November 21st
+
+Petition of William Burgess.
+
+To Arthur Lee, December 2nd
+
+Affairs in Canada.
+
+1783.
+
+To Arthur Lee, February 10th
+
+Case of Landais--The Fishery.
+
+To the Selectmen of Boston, March 10th
+
+Election as Moderator.
+
+To Arthur Lee, April 21st
+
+Political Fictions--Journals of Congress.
+
+To Benjamin Lincoln, May 1st
+
+Case of John Allan--Recommendations.
+
+To Horatio Gates, May 2nd
+
+Case of John Allan--The Saratoga Campaign.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, September 9th
+
+Committee of Correspondence--Relation of Congress to the People.
+
+To John Adams, November 4th
+
+Need of Public Jealousy--Foreign Influences--Negotiation with Holland.
+
+1784.
+
+To John Adams, February 4th
+
+Commending Appleton.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, February 25th
+
+Work of the Committee of Correspondence--Financial Legislation--Case of
+Gridley.
+
+To John Adams, April 16th
+
+Action  on  Treaty--Treatment of Aliens--Need of Commercial Treaty--Danger of
+Popular Conventions--The Cincinnati.
+
+To John Adams, April 17th
+
+Cases of Noyes and Dashwood.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, April 19th
+
+The Cincinnati--Gerry's Proposed Retirement.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, April 23rd
+
+The Court of Appeals--The Cincinnati--Foreign Influence.
+
+To Noah Webster, April 30th
+
+Commutation of Pay of Officers--Popular Committees and Constitutional
+Government.
+
+To John Adams, June 20th
+
+Personal Greeting.
+
+To John Adams, December 2nd
+
+Case of Dashwood.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, December 23rd
+
+Conditions in Congress--Effects of Peace--Foreign Relations --National
+Policy--Attitude of England.
+
+1785.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, March 24th
+
+The Six Nations--Case of John Allan.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, April 14th
+
+Introducing Macauley Graham.
+
+To John Adams, July 2nd
+
+Conditions of Trade--Massachusetts Election.
+
+To John Adams, August 16th
+
+Case of Captain Stanhope.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, December 17th
+
+Case of Captain Landais.
+
+1786.
+
+To John Adams, April 13th
+
+William Gordon--Relations with England.
+
+To John Adams, July 21st
+
+Political Liberty and National Faith--The Tories.
+
+1787.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, December 3rd
+
+The National Constitution.
+
+1789.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, April 22nd
+
+Powers of Congress--Commending Leonard Jarvis.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 27th
+
+Accepting Election as Lieutenant-Governor.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, July 14th
+
+The State Governments--Political Applications.
+
+To Elbridge Gerry, August 22nd
+
+Congressional Control of Lighthouses--Constitutional Amendments.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, August 24th
+
+Nature of the Constitution--Importance of Amendments.
+
+To Richard Henry Lee, August 29th
+
+Power of Removal--Relations with Washington--The Eastern Boundary.
+
+1790.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 28th
+
+Accepting Election as Lieutenant-Governor.
+
+To John Adams, September 2nd
+
+Application of Captain Lyde.
+
+To John Adams, October 4th
+
+Political Reflections.
+
+To John Adams, November 25th
+
+Nature of the Constitution--The American Legislatures--Succession in
+Office--Effects and Nature of Good Government --Universal Education and
+Liberty.
+
+1794.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 17th .
+
+Death of Governor Hancock--The Federal Constitution--The Massachusetts
+Constitution--Essential Principles of Government--Public Education.
+
+Proclamation, February 19th
+
+Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 31st
+
+General Election--European War--Object of the Constitution.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 4th
+
+Use of Castle Island.
+
+Proclamation, November 3rd
+
+Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
+
+1795.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 16th
+
+Object of Frequent Sessions--Purity of Elections--European
+Affairs--Fortifications--Pennsylvania Insurrection--Amendment of State
+Constitution.
+
+To Jeremy Belknap, March 30th
+
+Action of Continental Congress with Reference  to Captain Cook.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 3rd.
+
+Re-election as Governor--Duty of Public Officers--Justification of Colonial
+Settlers--Foreign Relations--Public Education --Amendment of State
+Constitution--The Judicial System--Public Credit.
+
+To the Public, July 4th
+
+Address at Laying of Corner-stone of State House.
+
+Proclamation, October 14th
+
+Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
+
+1796.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 19th
+
+Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures--The  National and State
+Constitutions--Treaty-making Power--The  Treaty with England.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 31st
+
+Duty to the Union--Duty of the Legislators.
+
+Proclamation, October 6th
+
+Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, November 17th
+
+Choice of Presidential Electors.
+
+To the Senate of Massachusetts, November 23rd
+
+Vacancies in Electoral College.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, November 24th
+
+Vacancies in Electoral College.
+
+1797.
+
+To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 27th
+
+Retirement of Washington--General Elections--Public Education--The
+Militia--Determination to  Retire from  Public Life.
+
+Proclamation, March 20th
+
+Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
+
+To John Adams, April 17th
+
+Introducing Mr. Wyllys.
+
+1801.
+
+To Thomas Jefferson, April 24th
+
+Congratulations on Election--Political Comments.
+
+To Thomas Jefferson, November 18th
+
+Congratulations on Peace.
+
+1802.
+
+To Thomas Paine, November 30th
+
+Defence of Infidelity--Effect of Proposed Age of Reason.
+
+
+
+
+
+1778
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Jany 1 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter dated at York the 23d of
+Novr last, which mentions your having before written to me by a young
+Gentn Capt Romane who was to pass through this Place in his Return to
+France. That Letter has not yet come to Hand. I shall regard all your
+Recommendations with the utmost Respect.
+
+Our military Affairs in the middle Department are in such a Situation
+as to afford us too much Reason to be chagrind. We have indeed sufferd
+no shameful Defeats, but a promising Campaign has however ended
+ingloriously. To what are we to attribute it? I believe to a miserable
+Set of General Officers. I mean to make some Exceptions. For the Sake
+of our Country, my dear Friend, let me ask, Is our Army perpetually to
+be an unanimated one; because there is not Fortitude enough to remove
+those bad Men. I remember the Factions in Carthage which prevented her
+making herself the Mistress of the World. We may avoid Factions and yet
+rid our Army of idle cowardly or drunken officers. HOW was Victory
+snatchd out of our Hands at German Town! Was not this owing to the same
+Cause? And Why was only one General officer dischargd? Was it because
+there were just Grounds to suspect only one? Is there not Reason to
+fear that our Commander in Chief may one day suffer in his own
+Character by Means of these worthless Creatures? May he not suffer
+under the Reputation of an unfortunate Commander, than which I think he
+cannot suffer a greater Evil. It is difficult to seperate from the
+Minds of the People the Idea of unfortunate from that of the Want of
+some necessary soldierly Quality. At best the unfortunate General has
+Pity only as the Reward of his Services; and how soon does Pity
+degenerate into Contempt. Cicero if I mistake not some where tells us,
+that when a General is fortunate it matters not whether it is ascribd
+to his being a Favorite of the Immortal Gods, or to certain good
+Qualities in him which others are incapable of observing. His Soldiers
+will encounter every Danger under his Conduct. His Enemies will be
+confounded at his Approach. His Country will revere him. The Reverse is
+equally just. As therefore we regard the Reputation of the Comdr in
+Chief of our Armies, which is of the greatest Importance to our
+Affairs, let us promote this Winter a strict Scrutiny into the Causes
+of this unfortunate Campaign. Our Affairs are far from wearing a
+desperate Aspect. Our Successes at the Northward must give us
+Reputation abroad; and Reputation is a Kind of real Strength. That our
+Men are brave, Brandy Wine & German-town can witness. Let us then give
+them officers worthy of them, and Heaven will prosper our righteous
+Cause. There is indeed one thing which to me appears threatning. It is
+absolutely necessary that the Commissarial Departmt should be restored
+to a better State, or the Army will soon suffer. This my dear Sir
+requires your speedy Return to Congress. Did the Army suffer or was it
+in Danger of suffering before the Alterations in that Department the
+last Summer, why then should we not put it upon its old Footing &
+prevail upon the former Commissary, who is the fittest Man I know, to
+act again in that office.1 I have been favord with a Letter from Dr Lee
+since his Return to Paris from Berlin.2 The Powers of Europe I
+perceive, are too timid, or too intent upon enslaving others, to
+espouse the Cause of Liberty in America. No Matter, my Friend. We shall
+not be obligd to them; and they will hereafter be more sensible of our
+Importance when they find that we have struggled thro our Difficulties
+without them. We shall do greater Honor to our Selves and our Cause;
+and those Liberties for which we pay so dear a Price will be more
+justly & more highly valued by our selves and our Posterity. France, in
+my Opinion, misses the Sight of her true Interest in delaying to take a
+decisive Part. She runs a great Risque; for if Britain should be so
+politick as to recognize our Independence which she sees us determind
+at all Hazzards to maintain, and should propose to us a Treaty of
+Alliance offensive & defensive, would not the flattering Expectations
+of France be cut off? I mention this, not because I expect or wish for
+it. But should such Recognition & such Proposals be made the next
+Spring, which may happen, would France have any Reason to fault America
+for acceeding to it? We are independent. The Nations of Europe may
+acknowledge it when they dare to do it. We have Fortitude enough to
+maintain it. This is our Business. The Nations may reap honest
+Advantages from it. If they have not Wisdom enough to discern in
+Season, they will regret their own Blindness hereafter. We will dispose
+our Favors as we please.
+
+The Letter from Congress to the Assembly of this State, inclosing the
+Articles of Confederation, came to Hand the Day of its Adjournment,
+which is to a shorter Day than was intended that the weighty Matters
+recommended might be considerd with all possible Speed. The Assembly
+will meet on the 7th Instant. It will be difficult for the Members to
+prevail upon themselves to make a new Law after having been
+necessitated so late to repeal one framed for the same purpose. A Comt
+however I am inclind to think will be appointed to meet those of the
+other States mentiond in the recommendation. The Articles of
+Confederation seem to be well liked. I suppose you will have the Sense
+of this Assembly soon.
+
+I am much pleasd with a spirited Act lately made by your Assembly for
+the Supply of our Troops and the beneficial Effects it has had. I am
+not in much Pain about Cloathing for this year. A large Quantity has
+been lately brought here by the Agent of the Clothier General--Part of
+which has been made & I suppose by this time arrivd at Camp. The
+Taylors and others are busily employd. Every Method should nevertheless
+be tryed for further Supplys. A Superabundance will not be amiss. Laws
+in other States similar to yours will eventually facilitate this Part
+of our Work.
+
+I understand that our Army is gone or going into Winter Quarters at the
+Distance of 18 Miles from Philadelphia. Why could not Barracks have
+been as well erected near enough to have.... the Enemy all the Winter.
+Our Army was within three or four miles of them the whole Winter when
+they were in this Town. I hope the Campaign will be opend by us very
+early the next Spring.
+
+I should have written to you before this time, but on my Arrival here I
+found the Genl Assembly sitting, unluckily for me as it engagd me in
+publick Business; and I have been obligd to spend a Fortnight in the
+Country.
+
+Adieu my friend & believe me to be affectionately,
+
+Your,
+
+1 Cf., vol. iii., page 317.
+
+2 Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, vol. i., p. 517.
+
+
+
+TO --------------.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Jany 10 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+The General Assembly of this State having sat the greatest part of the
+Time since I arrivd here & the Council constantly has prevented my
+writing so often to my Friends, and when I have wrote, so fully as I
+have an Inclination to do. The Assembly is now sitting, and have made
+Choice of Mr Cushing Mr Pain and a Country Gentleman1 whose Name I do
+not now recollect, to join Committees of other States at New Haven
+agreable to a late Recommendation of Congress. But having been obligd
+so lately to repeal an Act of a similar Nature to that which is now
+proposd, I am doubtful whether they will be prevaild upon to pass a new
+one. It will however have its due Consideration if the joynt Comtes
+should propose such a Measure. I expect every Day to have the Articles
+of Confederation brot forward, and have good Reason to think it will be
+agreed to, even those parts which it may be wishd had been different,
+for the Sake of that Union which is so necessary for the Support of the
+great Cause.
+
+The Resolutions of Congress recommending passing a Law similar to that
+lately passed in Virginia &c were yesterday read at the Council Board.
+I had the Oppty of hearing them read once, so that I cannot yet form my
+Judgment of them. Indeed I think it is easy to see the Necessity of
+such a Law as that of Virginia, but whether it would be practicable to
+put into Execution a Law prohibiting the Sale of Goods without Licence
+requires Consideration for Nothing more betrays the Weakness of
+Government than to make Laws wch cannot be executed. I am sensible it
+is nearly of as much Importance to suppress the Monopolizers as to
+provide for our Army, but the blow must be levelled at them only. If
+the Popular Indignation can once be raisd to a suitable Pitch as I
+think it can it will become dangerous for them to withhold their Goods
+or demand an exorbitant Price for them and the Evil will be cured. I
+think every Step should be taken for the Downfall of such Wretches, and
+shall be ready to joyn in any Measure within Doors or without which
+shall be well adapted to this Effect.
+
+It is the general Observation of those who are in the way of observing
+that the sinking our State bills for Notes & thereby lessening the
+Quantity in Circulation & the Taxes we have laid has already reduced
+the price of Goods.
+
+This was mentioned to me by Mr S A Otis with whom I have just dined.
+
+I have written to Bro Gerry by the Baron De Steuben whom I strongly
+recommend to the Notice of my worthy Colleagues & others. Mr Gerry will
+shew you my Letter, which makes it needless for me to add further than
+that from the recommendatory Letters of Dr Franklin & other papers wch
+I have seen & the Conversation I have had with the Baron, I really
+esteem him a modest candid & sensible Gentn. The Dr says he is spoken
+highly of to him by two of the best Judges of military merit in France,
+tho he is not him self a Frenchman but a Prussian.
+
+Since I last wrote to you I am favord with yours of 27 Decr inclosing
+among other papers Copy of a Letter from your Correspondent in Holland.
+Before you knew the Contents I bolted out your Letter in the presense &
+hearing of Madam & other good Ladies. I cannot promise you that
+Mischief is not done. I am endeavoring (and Mr Gerry will say it is
+just like him) to turn the torrent toward Braintree; for I really think
+my Namesake is full as suspectable as I am. I thank Mrs Clymer for her
+good opinion of me, and I can assure her, the Hint you gave me of this
+in your Letter to me was very timely & is likely to make Matters easy
+with me.
+
+I might have dated this Letter at the Council table where I am writing
+in Haste.
+
+My best Regards to all who love our Country in Sincerity. Colo Chase
+tells me your Son behaves well & that he is very clever.
+
+Your Family is well provided for as I am informd. You will never I am
+perswaded think your self under an obligation to baulk your publick
+Sentiments from an Idea of Gratitude to private Friends. Sat Verbum. I
+may explain my self more fully in another Letter. Adieu my friend. Burn
+this.
+
+1 Elisha Porter of Hadley.
+
+
+
+TO ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Jany 14 1778
+
+SIR
+
+Your Letter of the 10th Instant came to my hand on the 12, and I should
+instantly have returnd an Answer upon an Affair, in the Dispatch of
+which you must feel yourself so nearly interrested, had an opportunity
+presented.
+
+Colo Allens Exchange, it is probable, may not so easily be negotiated
+as that of Colo Webb; But this Gentleman has been much longer in
+Captivity than the other. And although I have no personal Acquaintance
+with him, yet I am well assured that he is a brave Soldier. Such a
+Character, you, Sir, must esteem; and this is also the Character of
+Colo Webb. I have not been insensible of the Obstruction which may have
+hitherto prevented the Exchange of Colo Allen, and the true Source of
+it. If private or partial Motives have prevaild in the Mind of any
+Gentleman in New York, to the Prejudice of a Man of distinguishd Merit,
+I can only observe, that it is totally inconsistent with those pure
+Principles, which you will allow me to say, have, and I trust ever will
+actuate Americans in the present Contest. You will excuse my saying any
+more to you on so delicate a Point.
+
+I sincerely wish the Release of every man in Captivity; and shall for
+my own part be well pleasd with your availing your self of an Exchange
+with either of the above mentiond Gentlemen, if it may be consistent
+with the Sentiments of Congress.
+
+My first Concern is for the Honor & Safety of my Country. Having
+premised this, I can readily subscribe with due Respect,
+
+Yr very hbl Servt,
+
+1 An officer in the English army.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO HORATIO GATES.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Jan 14 1778
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+Yesterday I took the Liberty of writing to you by the Baron De Steuben
+a Native of Prussia who I doubt not will deliver the Letter into your
+Hand. He will previously wait on Genl Washington to whom he has Letters
+of warm Recommendation from the Commissioners of America in France. He
+has also Letters to Mr President Laurens and other Members of Congress
+from gentlemen of Note in that Country. He offers his Services to
+America as a Volunteer; wishing to give no Offence by interfering in
+Command. He appears to me to be a modest, candid & sensible Gentleman;
+and, I have Reason to think, from the Letters I have seen, he has great
+military Merit. Of this you will be able to form a decisive Judgment.
+
+There is a certain Canadian Officer, by the Name of Laurens Olivier, a
+Captain, whose Character and warm Attachment to our Cause while he was
+an Inhabt of Canada, my Friend Mr Thos Walker a Gentn well known to Mr
+Gerry, speaks highly of. This Officer will make known certain
+Difficulties he is under to you. I am told he is a deserving Man; Such
+a Character I may with Confidence recommend to your patronage. You may
+rely upon it I will never willingly trouble my self or you with persons
+of a different sort.
+
+I am &c,
+
+
+
+VOTE OF TOWN OF BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Boston City Clerk's Office; the text, with variations, is in
+Boston Record Commissioners' Report, vol. xviii., p. 298.]
+
+[January 21, 1778.]
+
+The Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the several
+States now represented in the Continental Congress, having been laid
+before this Town, were distinctly and repeatedly read and maturely
+considerd, Whereupon; Resolvd, as the opinion of this Town, that the
+said Articles appear to be well adapted to cement the Union of the said
+States, to confirm their mutual Friendship, establish their Freedom and
+Independence, and promote their general Welfare: And the
+Representatives of the Town are hereby instructed, to give their Votes
+in the General Assembly, that the Delegates of this State may be
+authorizd to ratify the said Articles of Confederation in order that
+the same may become conclusive.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN BURGOYNE.1
+
+[MS., Public Record Office, London; a draft is in the Samuel Adams
+Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Febry 6th, 1778.
+
+SIR
+
+I should not have failed yesterday to have returned an Answer to your
+Letter, which was brought to me the preceding Evening, had it not been
+for the violence of a Disorder which had seized me near a Week before.
+That Disorder still continues to afflict me much, and prevents my
+seeing any one but my physician, or doing any business even of the most
+trifling Nature.
+
+Under such Circumstances, you will excuse me if I decline to engage
+with you in Conversation, upon a subject in which you think the general
+Cause of Humanity and possibly the essential Interests of both our
+Countries are concerned.
+
+I have the Honor to be
+
+Sir
+
+Your most humble Servt
+
+1 Lieutenant General in the English army.
+
+
+
+TO DANIEL ROBERDEAU.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Feb 9 1778
+
+SIR
+
+I have not been unmindful of the favor you did me in writing to me some
+time ago. My not having returnd an Answer has been owing, I do assure
+you, altogether to many Avocations, and at last to a bodily disorder by
+which I have been confind to my House and great part of the time upon
+my bed for near a fortnight. I am now about my Room and gladly take the
+Opportunity to drop from my Pen an Expression of the honest Friendship
+which I feel for your self and your agreable Connections.
+
+I find by the Letters I receive from Mr Lovell who is kind enough to
+write to me often, that Congress is reduced to a small Number present.
+This has not been unusual in the Winter Season. But you have a great
+Deal of Business and that of the arduous Kind. It would be a strong
+Inducement to me to leave domestick Enjoymt, that I might take as great
+a Share of the Burthen with you as my Shoulders would bear. It is no
+Satisfaction to me, you may rely upon it, to be able to plead the Want
+of Health sufficient to go through so long a Journey at this rigorous
+Season. My Brother Gerry can recollect with how much pleasure the few
+who were at Baltimore passed through the Fatigues of Business the last
+Winter, when our Affairs wore a more gloomy Aspect than they have ever
+yet done. We did it with Alacrity, because there was a Spirit of Union
+which leads to wise & happy Decisions. I hope the same Spirit now
+prevails and that Measures are taking to collect & support an Army and
+to introduce (Economy & Discipline among officers of Rank as well as
+private Soldiers, so as by Gods Blessing to insure us a successful
+Campaign. Your Resolution respecting Burgoyne I think must have nettled
+him. I have long with Pain suspected a perfidious Design. This
+Resolution must have crossd it. It will cause much Speculation in
+Europe. No Matter. The Powers there seem more inclind to speculate than
+to espouse the Rights of Man. Let them speculate. Our Business is to
+secure America against the Arts & the Arms of a treacherous Enemy. The
+former we have more to apprehend from than the latter.
+
+Please to pay my due Regard to your Sisters & Family in which Mrs A
+desires to be joynd & be assured that I am
+
+Yr unfeigned friend
+
+1 Cf., Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography.
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON March 12th 1778
+
+MY DEAR FRIEND
+
+This Letter will be deliverd to you by Captn Romanet a young French
+Gentleman Nephew to General Grobouval Commander of the french
+Artillery. He is a modest well behaved youth, and is one of Monsr du
+Coudrays Corps many of whom I suppose are returnd to France
+dissatisfied with the Determination of Congress against ratifying Mr
+Dean's Compact. The Necessity of doing this was disagreable to the
+Members, but it could not have been otherwise, without causing a great
+Uneasiness in our Army at a very critical Juncture. I hope no ill
+Consequences will result to our Country and Cause from the Complaints
+of these Gentlemen. Mr Romanet ingenuously acknowledges to me that Mr
+Du Coudrays Disappointment appears to him to have been necessary, and
+possibly his Connections in France may give Weight to his opinion.
+
+I have been favord with your acceptable Letter of the 31 July from
+Paris. From your not having noticed several Letters which I have
+written to you, I suspect they have miscarried. I know not that they
+would have servd any other good Purpose, than to have shown how
+desirous I was of reviving a Correspondence which heretofore.....
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel
+Adams, vol. iii., pp. 7, 8,]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY BOSTON Mar 19 1778
+
+SIR/
+
+I am to acquaint your Excellency in the Name & by order of the Council
+of this State, that your Letter of the 16th Instant directed to the
+President, relative to the Defence of Hudsons River has been receivd &
+read at that Board. The General Assembly is now under a short
+Adjournment, and the Council are not authorizd in their Executive
+Capacity & seperate from the House of Repts to order any Part of the
+Militia of this State beyond its Limits. The Assembly will meet on the
+first Day of the next Month. Your Excellencys Letter, together with
+another receivd this Day from Govr Clinton upon the same Subject, will
+then be laid before that Body; and altho the Government of this State
+are now under the Necessity of keeping up more than fifteen hundred of
+the Militia to guard the Troops of Convention & for other extraordinary
+Service in and about the Town of Boston, yet there can be no Doubt but
+a due Attention will be given to so interesting & important a Concern
+as the Defence of Hudsons river.
+
+I have the Honor to be with the most cordial Esteem
+
+Yr Excys most Humble Servt
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON March 27 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+You cannot imagine how much I feel my self obligd to you for writing to
+me frequently. Your Letters however do not come to me in regular Order.
+HOW is it that I did not receive those of the 10th & 16th of Feby by
+the Post till yesterday? I am affraid there is some Deficiency in the
+Post office Department; but as I would fain hope our Friend Mr Hastings
+is not in Fault, I will beg you in his Behalf, to move to the Post
+Master General for an Addition to his Salary, for he assures me he
+cannot live upon what he now receives.
+
+I am very sorry your Letter of the 10th did not come in Season, for I
+should have gladly interrested my self for so valueable a Citizen as Mr
+Leach at the late annual Meeting. I have long wishd that for the
+Reputation as well as substantial Advantage of this Town a military
+Academy was instituted. When I was in Philadelphia more than two years
+ago I mentiond the Importance I conceivd it to be of, in Letters to my
+Friends here. At least we might set up a publick School for military
+Mathematicks, and I know of no one better qualified for an Instructor
+than Mr Leach. I wish he had mentiond it to me. Perhaps he may have had
+Promises of Attention to him from some other Person upon whom he
+relies. I will consult with such Men of Influence in the Town as I am
+acquainted with, and will not be wanting in Endeavors to improve your
+Hints for the mutual Benefit of the Publick & Mr Leach.
+
+I am pleasd to observe in your Letter of 28 Feby that Mr Burgoyne seems
+to be alterd in his Ideas of Congress. The Gentleman to whom you
+request me to communicate the Contents of that Letter, I am not in the
+least acquainted with, but shall comply with your Request whenever I
+shall find an opportunity of doing it.
+
+I fear from what you mention in your Letter of the 7th of March that
+the Expectations of the People with Regard to Ty. & Independence will
+be baulkd. If they are, the Cause in my opinion will be injurd & the
+Confidence of the People in those who have the Mannagement of our
+Affairs civil & military lessend, which I should be very sorry to see.
+In the same Letter you tell me that Lt Colo Anstruthers Request to seek
+his own Release on Condition of his getting Colo Allens is granted. I
+now inclose a Letter which I had mislayed & omitted to send, relating
+to Lt Colo Campbells who I wish might be exchanged for Friend Ethan.1
+
+I do not wonder that you have been mortified upon the Delay of a
+certain Affair to which you refer in your Letter of the 10th Instant. I
+wrote you the Opinion of this Town respecting that Affair above a Month
+ago. I shall only observe that in my opinion, every one who is
+intrusted with the Affairs of the Publick does not feel so sensibly for
+its Reputation as I think you do. I have inclosd the Instructions of
+the General Assembly to their Delegates in Congress upon the
+Confederation, and when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you I may
+perhaps give you the Causes why that important Matter was not determind
+sooner. I immediately after reading your last mentiond Letter
+communicated to the Council that part of it which relates to the
+Propriety & Necessity of making regular Returns of what is done here in
+Consequence of the Recommendations of Congress; and a Committee of that
+Board is now looking over the Journals & Papers for that Purpose. In
+the same Letter you mention your having receivd a Letter from Mr John
+Amory, with his Request that you wd put a memorial into Congress for
+him. In what Manner could Congress interpose for him if you should
+comply with his Request? His Residence in this State was deemd by the
+Genl Assembly to be dangerous to the State. Will Congress order or
+recommend that He should reside in it notwithstanding? "He was surprizd
+into an Oath of Allegiance!" He said upon his Examination here that he
+was not compelled to take the Oath. He did not recollect the Form or
+Tenor of the Oath he had taken--but desired to live peaceably in his
+Native town but could not in Conscience take up Arms against the
+British King. I will desire Mr Appleton to write to you on the Subject.
+
+1 Allen. Cf. page 9.
+
+
+
+TO FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+[BOSTON, ----, 1778.]
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+It was much longer than the usual time before your very acceptable
+Letter of the 22 Decr came to my hand. I receivd it as a singular Favor
+and felt the more thankful for it, because I knew that hardly anything
+could induce you to write a Letter but the urgent Affairs of our
+Country or the powerful feelings of private Friendship. I should have
+written you an Answer sooner but the peevish nominal Saint who scrap'd
+an Acquaintance with me at Baltimore the last Winter, has followd me
+even to this place. I think he is the most impertinent & troublesome
+Visitant I ever had. I am so thoroughly disgusted at the Creature that
+I have taken every Method that could be devisd to prevent my being ever
+plagud with him again. He seems at length to be about leaving me & he
+may depend upon it I shall deny all his Visits for the future.
+
+The Spirit of Avarice, I am sorry to be obligd to say it, prevails too
+much in this Town; but it rages only among the few, because perhaps,
+the few only are concernd at present in trade. The old substantial
+Merchants have generally laid aside trade & left it to Strangers or
+those who from nothing have raisd fortunes by privateering. The Body of
+this Community suffer proportionably as much as the great continental
+Publick. It must be confessd that the Charges of Trade are enormous,
+and it is natural for men when they have at great Risque & Expence
+imported Commodities which are wanted by every body, if they must
+receive in payment for them what is valued by no body, to demand as
+much of it as they please, especially if it is growing daily into less
+Repute. This you know has been the Case. There is but one effectual
+Remedy; & that is to lessen the Quantity of circulating paper Money.
+This is now doing here. Our Assembly have laid on a very heavy Tax, &
+are determind to repeat it again and again. Besides which they have
+called in a large Quantity of their bills, for which they have issued
+Notes payble with Interest. The Effects are already felt & the prices
+of Goods have been for some time past gradually sinking.
+
+You tell me we have a great many men now inlisted & that you hope Means
+will be found to collect them. I joyn with you in these hopes, and that
+we may keep them together when they are collected and make a good Use
+of them. Howe I understand has fortified himself by a Line of Redoubts
+from River to River. Has he more than 13 or 14 [sic] Men in America? If
+not why should we wait till he is reinforced before we make an
+Enterprize somewhere.
+
+Your Resolution to stop the Embarkation here I fancy has nettled
+Burgoyne. He has since been soliciting Interviews with A & B & wishes
+for private Conversations upon a Matter in which "he thinks the General
+Cause of Humanity and possibly the essential Interests of both our
+Countries are concernd."1 He has not prevaild upon A to comply with his
+Request; for more Reasons than one which I think must be obvious upon a
+short Review of our History. The Resolutions of Congress will afford
+Matter of Speculation for the Politicians in Europe. But must they not
+all acknowledge that Burgoyne himself had made it necessary? After a
+solemn Declaration made to the very Officer with whom he had enterd
+into the Convention that it was broken on our Part, Does he, if he
+believes his own Declaration hold him self bound by it on his part?
+Would he not, if sufferd to go to Sea, most probably carry a
+Reinforcement to Genl Howe & laugh at us for puting it in his Power?
+
+I have twenty things to say to you, but my ill state of Health prevents
+my adding more than that I am, with sincere Regards to Mrs Lee in which
+Mrs A very cordially joyns
+
+Yr affectione
+
+1 Cf. page 12.
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., American Philosophical Society.]
+
+BOSTON April 20 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR----
+
+I most heartily congratulate you on the happy and important News from
+Europe which will be conveyd to Congress by Mr Dean the Brother of our
+late Commissioner who will be so kind as to deliver you this Letter.
+France has acted with Magnanimity; while Britain continues to discover
+that Meanness and Poverty of Spirit, which renders her still more than
+ever contemptible in the Eyes of all sensible People. The Moderation of
+France is such as becomes a great and powerful Nation. Britain
+forgetfull of her former Character, sinks into Baseness in the Extreme.
+The one is generously holding out the Arm of Protection to a People
+most cruelly oppressd while the other is practicing the Arts of
+Treachery and Deceit to subjugate and enslave them. This is a Contrast
+which an ancient Britain would have blushd to have had predicted to
+him. It is a true Contrast, and we will blush for them.
+
+Commissioners we are again told are coming out to treat with us. This
+is what we had Reason to expect. Her only Design is to amuse us &
+thereby to retard our operations, till she can land her utmost Force in
+America. We see plainly what Part we are to take; to be before hand of
+her; and by an early Stroke to give her a mortal Wound. If we delay our
+vigorous Exertions till the Commissioners arrive, the People abroad
+may, many of them will be amusd with the flattering Prospect of Peace,
+and will think it strange if we do not consent to a Cessation of Arms
+till propositions can be made and digested. This carries with it an Air
+of Plausibility; but from the Moment we are brought into the Snare, we
+may tremble for the Consequence. As there [are] every where awful
+Tories enough, to distract the Minds of the People, would it not be
+wise for the Congress by a Publication of their own to set this
+important Intelligence in a clear Light before them, and fix in their
+Minds the first Impressions in favor of Truth? For I do assure you, it
+begins to be whisperd by the Tories & as soon as they dare to do it
+they will speak aloud, that this is but a french Finesse and that
+Britain is the only real Friend of America. Should not the People be
+informd with the Authority of Congress that Britain persists in
+claiming a Right to tax them and that the new or intended Act of
+Parliament, expressly declares her Intention to be only a Suspension of
+the Exercise of the Right till she shall please again to exercise it?
+that is till she shall have lulled them into a State of Security. That
+her Commissioners are not to be vested with full Powers to finish any
+Treatys, nor even to promise a Ratification of them. This will be left
+in great Uncertainty, till it shall be considerd in Parliament. They
+are allowed, as one of our Friends expresses it, to proclaim a
+Cessation of Hostilities, and revoke their Proclamation, as soon as in
+Confidence of it our Militia are allowd to go home. They may suspend
+the Operation of prohibitory Acts of Trade; and take off that
+Suspension where our Merchants in Consequence of it shall have been
+indued to send their Ships to Sea. In short they may do every thing
+that may tend to distract and divide us, but Nothing that can afford us
+Security. The British Court have Nothing in View but to divide by Means
+of their Commissioners. Of this they entertain sanguine Expectations;
+for I am well assured, that they say they have certain Advice, that
+they have a large Party in Congress, almost a Majority, who are for
+returning to their Dependency! This cannot be true--Dr Franklin in a
+Letter of the 2d of March informs me that America at present stands in
+the highest Light of Esteem thro' out Europe, and he adds, A Return to
+Dependence on England would sink her into Eternal Contempt.
+
+Be pleasd to present my due Regards to all Friends, and acquaint my
+worthy Colleagues that Mr Deans great Haste prevents my writing to
+them. I intend to set out on my Journy to York Town next Week where I
+hope for the Pleasure of seeing you. In the mean time be assured that I
+am
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+I thank you for your
+
+Favor of Mar 1st which
+
+I recd three days ago--
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PALMER 84 Miles from Boston
+
+May 5th 1778
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+I wrote to you by my kind Host Mr Greenleafe. Yesterday I left his
+House and slept the last Night at Colo Henshaws. He and his Lady
+treated me with great Hospitality & Friendship. This day I dined at
+Brookfield with Mr Ward a Minister in that Town. He married Miss
+Coleman Mr Pembertons Niece. I am much obligd to them for their kind
+Treatment of me. I made them promise to visit you when they go to
+Boston. This Afternoon I met my Son on the Road. I was sorry I could
+not have the Pleasure of conversing with him. I parted with him with
+great Regret. May Heaven bless him! Tell him I shall never think him
+too old to hearken to the Advice of his Father. Indeed I never had
+Reason to complain of him on that Account. He has hitherto made me a
+glad Father. This implys that I esteem him a wise Son. I have been the
+more sparing of Advice to him because I have thought he did not need
+it; but in these critical Times when Principles & Manners as well as
+the Liberties of his Country are in Danger he has need to be on his
+Guard. My Children cannot imagine how much Comfort I have in believing
+they are virtuous. I am not willing to admit of a Fear that they will
+ever deprive me of this Comfort. My warm Affections are due to my
+Family and Friends. Adieu my dear Betsy.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+
+
+"AN AMERICAN" TO THE EARL OF CARLISLE AND OTHERS.
+
+[W. V. Wells,1 Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 18-26; printed in
+the Massachusetts Spy, July 16, 1778.]
+
+To the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Viscount Howe, Sir William Howe (or, in
+his absence, Sir Henry Clinton), William Eden, and George Johnstone.
+
+Trusty and well-beloved servants of your sacred master, in whom he is
+well pleased.
+
+As you are sent to America for the express purpose of treating with
+anybody and anything, you will pardon an address from one who disdains
+to flatter those whom he loves. Should you therefore deign to read this
+address, your chaste ears will not be offended with the language of
+adulation,--a language you despise.
+
+I have seen your most elegant and most excellent letter "to his
+Excellency, Henry Laurens, the President, and other members of the
+Congress." As that body have thought your propositions unworthy their
+particular regard, it may be some satisfaction to your curiosity, and
+tend to appease the offended spirit of negotiation, if one out of the
+many individuals on this great continent should speak to you the
+sentiments of America,--sentiments which your own good sense hath
+doubtless suggested, and which are repeated only to convince you that,
+notwithstanding the narrow ground of private information on which we
+stand in this distant region, still a knowledge of our own rights, and
+attention to our own interests and a sacred respect for the dignity of
+human nature, have given us to understand the true principles which
+ought, and which therefore shall, sway our conduct.
+
+You begin with the amiable expressions of humanity, the earnest desire
+of tranquillity and peace. A better introduction to Americans could not
+be devised. For the sake of the latter, we once laid our liberties at
+the feet of your Prince, and even your armies have not eradicated the
+former from our bosoms.
+
+You tell us you have powers unprecedented in the annals of your
+history. And England, unhappy England, will remember with deep
+contrition that these powers have been rendered of no avail by a
+conduct unprecedented in the annals of mankind. Had your royal master
+condescended to listen to the prayer of millions, he had not thus have
+sent you. Had moderation swayed what we were proud to call "mother
+country" her full-blown dignity would not have broken down under her.
+
+You tell us that all "parties may draw some degree of consolation, and
+even auspicious hope, from recollection." We wish this most sincerely
+for the sake of all parties. America, in the moment of subjugation,
+would have been consoled by conscious virtue, and her hope was, and is,
+in the justice of her cause and the justice of the Almighty. These are
+sources of hope and of consolation which neither time nor chance can
+alter or take away.
+
+You mention "the mutual benefits and consideration of evils that may
+naturally contribute to determine our resolutions." As to the former,
+you know too well that we could derive no benefit from a union with
+you, nor will I, by deducing the reasons to evince this, put an insult
+upon your understandings. As to the latter, it were to be wished you
+had preserved a line of conduct equal to the delicacy of your feelings.
+You could not but know that men who sincerely love freedom disdain the
+consideration of all evils necessary to attain it. Had not your own
+hearts borne testimony to this truth, you might have learned it from
+the annals of your own history; for in those annals instances of this
+kind at least are not unprecedented. But should those instances be
+insufficient, we pray you to read the unconquered mind of America.
+
+That the acts of Parliament you transmitted were passed with singular
+unanimity, we pretend not to doubt. You will pardon me, gentlemen, for
+observing that the reasons of that unanimity are strongly marked in the
+report of a committee of Congress agreed to on the 22d of April last,
+and referred to in a late letter from Congress to Lord Viscount Howe
+and Sir Henry Clinton.
+
+You tell us you are willing "to consent to a cessation of hostilities
+both by sea and land." It is difficult for rude Americans to determine
+whether you are serious in this proposition or whether you mean to jest
+with their simplicity. Upon a supposition, however, that you have too
+much magnanimity to divert yourselves on an occasion of so much
+importance to America, and, perhaps, not very trivial in the eyes of
+those who sent you, permit me to assure you, on the sacred word of a
+gentleman, that if you shall transport your troops to England, where
+before long your Prince will certainly want their assistance, we shall
+never follow them thither. We are not so romantically fond of fighting,
+neither have we such regard for the city of London, as to commence a
+crusade for the possession of that holy land. Thus you may be certain
+hostilities will cease by land. It would be doing singular injustice to
+your national character to suppose you are desirous of a like cessation
+by sea. The course of the war, and the very flourishing state of your
+commerce, notwithstanding our weak efforts to interrupt it, daily show
+that you can exclude us from the sea,--the sea, your kingdom!
+
+You offer "to restore free intercourse, to revive mutual affection, and
+renew the common benefits of naturalization." Whenever your countrymen
+shall be taught wisdom by experience, and learn from past misfortunes
+to pursue their true interests in the future we shall readily admit
+every intercourse which is necessary for the purposes of commerce and
+usual between different nations. To revive mutual affection is utterly
+impossible. We freely forgive you, but it is not in nature that you
+should forgive us. You have injured us too much. We might, on this
+occasion, give you some instances of singular barbarity committed, as
+well by the forces of his Britannic Majesty as by those of his generous
+and faithful allies, the Senecas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras. But we
+will not offend a courtly ear by the recital of those disgusting
+scenes. Besides this, it might give pain to that humanity which hath,
+as you observe, prompted your overtures, to dwell upon the splendid
+victories obtained by a licentious soldiery over unarmed men in
+defenceless villages, their wanton devastations, their deliberate
+murders, or to inspect those scenes of carnage painted by the wild
+excesses of savage rage. These amiable traits of national conduct
+cannot but revive in our bosoms that partial affection we once felt for
+everything which bore the name of Englishman. As to the common benefits
+of naturalization, it is a matter we conceive to be of the most
+sovereign indifference. A few of our wealthy citizens may hereafter
+visit England and Rome to see the ruins of those august temples in
+which the goddess of Liberty was once adored. These will hardly claim
+naturalization in either of those places as a benefit. On the other
+hand, such of your subjects as shall be driven by the iron hand of
+Oppression to seek for refuge among those whom they now persecute will
+certainly be admitted to the benefits of naturalization. We labor to
+rear an asylum for mankind, and regret that circumstances will not
+permit you, gentlemen, to contribute to a design so very agreeable to
+your several tempers and dispositions.
+
+But further, your Excellencies say, "We will concur to extend every
+freedom to trade that our respective interests can require."
+Unfortunately, there is a little difference in these interests which
+you might not have found it very easy to reconcile, had the Congress
+been disposed to risk their heads by listening to terms which I have
+the honor to assure you are treated with ineffable contempt by every
+honest Whig in America. The difference I allude to is, that it is your
+interest to monopolize our commerce, and it is our interest to trade
+with all the world. There is, indeed, a method of cutting this Gordian
+knot which, perhaps, no statesman is acute enough to untie. By
+reserving to the Parliament of Great Britain the right of determining
+what our respective interests require, they might extend the freedom of
+trade, or circumscribe it at their pleasure, for what they might call
+our respective interests. But I trust it would not be for our mutual
+satisfaction. Your "earnest desire to stop the effusion of blood and
+the calamities of war" will therefore lead you, on maturer reflection,
+to reprobate a plan teeming with discord, and which, in the space of
+twenty years, would produce another wild expedition across the
+Atlantic, and in a few years more some such commission as that "with
+which his Majesty hath been pleased to honor you." We cannot but admire
+the generosity of soul which prompts you "to agree that no military
+force shall be kept up in the different States of North America without
+the consent of the General Congress or particular Assemblies." The only
+grateful return we can make for this exemplary condescension is, to
+assure your Excellencies, and, on behalf of my countrymen, I do most
+solemnly promise and assure you, that no military force shall be kept
+up in the different States of North America without the consent of the
+General Congress and that of the Legislatures of those States. You
+will, therefore, cause the forces of your royal master to be removed;
+for I can venture to assure you that the Congress have not consented,
+and probably will not consent, that they be kept up.
+
+You have also made the unsolicited offer of concurring "in measures
+calculated to discharge the debts of America, and to raise the credit
+and value of the paper circulation." If your Excellencies mean by this
+to apply for offices in the department of our finance, I am to assure
+you (which I do with "perfect respect") that it will be necessary to
+procure very ample recommendations. For, as the English have not yet
+pursued measures to discharge their own debt and raise the credit and
+value of their own paper circulation, but, on the contrary, are in a
+fair way to increase the one and absolutely destroy the other, you will
+instantly perceive that financiers from that nation would present
+themselves with the most awkward grace imaginable.
+
+You propose to us a device to "perpetuate our union." It might not be
+amiss previously to establish this union, which may be done by your
+acceptance of the treaty of peace and commerce tendered to you by
+Congress. And such treaty I can venture to say would continue as long
+as your ministers could prevail upon themselves not to violate the
+faith of nations.
+
+You offer, to use your language, the inaccuracy of which, considering
+the importance of the subject, is not to be wondered at, or at least
+may be excused, "in short, to establish the powers of the respective
+Legislatures in each particular State, to settle its revenue, its civil
+and military establishment, and to exercise a perfect freedom of
+legislation and internal government, so that the British States
+throughout North America, acting with us in peace and war, under one
+common sovereign, may have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privilege
+that is short of a total separation of interests, or consistent with
+that total union of force on which the safety of our common religion
+and liberty depends." Let me assure you, gentlemen, that the power of
+the respective Legislatures in each particular State is most fully
+established, and on the most solid foundations. It is established on
+the perfect freedom of legislation and a vigorous administration of
+internal government. As to the settlement of the revenue and the civil
+and military establishment, these are the work of the day, for which
+the several Legislatures are fully competent. I have also the pleasure
+to congratulate your Excellencies that the country for the settlement
+of whose government, revenue, administration, and the like, you have
+exposed yourselves to the fatigues and hazards of a disagreeable voyage
+and more disagreeable negotiation, hath abundant resources wherewith to
+defend her liberties now, and pour forth the rich stream of revenue
+hereafter. As the States of North America mean to possess the
+irrevocable enjoyment of their privileges, it is absolutely necessary
+for them to decline all connection with a Parliament who, even in the
+laws under which you act, reserve in express terms the power of
+revoking every proposition which you may agree to. We have a due sense
+of the kind offer you make to grant us a share in your sovereign; but
+really, gentlemen, we have not the least inclination to accept of it.
+He may suit you extremely well, but he is not to our taste. You are
+solicitous to prevent a total separation of interests; and this, after
+all, seems to be the gist of the business. To make you as easy as
+possible on this subject, I have to observe, that it may, and probably
+will, in some instances, be our interest to assist you, and then we
+certainly shall. Where this is not the case, your Excellencies have
+doubtless too much good sense as well as good nature to require it. We
+cannot perceive that our liberty does in the least depend upon any
+union of force with you; for we find that after you have exercised your
+force against us for upwards of three years, we are now upon the point
+of establishing our liberties in direct opposition to it. Neither can
+we conceive that, after the experiment you have made, any nation in
+Europe will embark in so unpromising a scheme as the subjugation of
+America. It is not necessary that everybody should play the Quixote.
+One is enough to entertain a generation at least. Your Excellencies
+will, I hope, excuse me when I differ from you as to our having a
+religion in common with you; the religion of America is the religion of
+all mankind. Any person may worship in the manner he thinks most
+agreeable to the Deity; and if he behaves as a good citizen, no one
+concerns himself as to his faith or adorations, neither have we the
+least solicitude to exalt any one sect or profession above another.
+
+I am extremely sorry to find in your letter some sentences which
+reflect upon the character of his most Christian Majesty. It certainly
+is not kind, or consistent with the principles of philanthropy you
+profess, to traduce a gentleman's character, without affording him an
+opportunity of defending himself; and that, too, a near neighbor, and
+not long since an intimate brother, who besides hath lately given you
+the most solid additional proofs of his pacific disposition, and with
+an unparalleled sincerity which would do honor to other princes,
+declared to your Court, unasked, the nature and effect of a treaty he
+had just entered into with these States. Neither is it quite according
+to the rules of politeness to use such terms in addressing yourselves
+to Congress, when you well knew that he was their good and faithful
+ally. It is indeed true, as you justly observe, that he hath at times
+been at enmity with his Britannic Majesty, by which we suffered some
+inconveniences; but these flowed rather from our connection with you
+than any ill-will towards us; at the same time it is a solemn truth,
+worthy of your serious attention, that you did not commence the present
+war,--a war in which we have suffered infinitely more than by any former
+contest, a fierce, a bloody, I am sorry to add, an unprovoked and cruel
+war,--that you did not commence this, I say, because of any connection
+between us and our present ally; but, on the contrary, as soon as you
+perceived that the treaty was in agitation, proposed terms of peace to
+us in consequence of what you have been pleased to denominate an
+insidious interposition. HOW, then, does the account stand between us?
+America, being at peace with the world, was formerly drawn into a war
+with France in consequence of her union with Great Britain. At present,
+America being engaged in a war with Great Britain, will probably obtain
+the most honorable terms of peace in consequence of her friendly
+connection with France. For the truth of these positions, I appeal,
+gentlemen, to your own knowledge. I know it is very hard for you to
+part with what you have accustomed yourselves from your earliest
+infancy to call your Colonies. I pity your situation, and therefore I
+excuse the little aberrations from truth which your letter contains. At
+the same time it is possible that you may have been misinformed. For I
+will not suppose that your letter was intended to delude the people of
+these States. Such unmanly, disingenuous artifices have of late been
+exerted with so little effect, that prudence, if not probity, would
+prevent a repetition. To undeceive you, therefore, I take the liberty
+of assuring your Excellencies, from the very best intelligence, that
+what you call "the present form of the French offers to America," in
+other words, the treaties of alliance and commerce between his most
+Christian Majesty and these States, were not made in consequence of any
+plans of accommodation concerted in Great Britain, nor with a view to
+prolong this destructive war. If you consider that these treaties were
+actually concluded before the draft of the bills under which you act
+was sent to America, and that much time must necessarily have been
+consumed in adjusting compacts of such intricacy and importance, and
+further, if you consider the early notification of this treaty by the
+Court of France, and the assurance given that America had reserved a
+right of admitting even you to a similar treaty, you must be convinced
+of the truth of my assertions. The fact is, that when the British
+minister perceived that we were treating with the greatest prince in
+Europe, he applied himself immediately to counteract the effect of
+these negotiations. And this leads me, with infinite regret, to make
+some observations which may possibly be by you considered in an
+offensive point of view.
+
+It seems to me, gentlemen, there is something (excuse the word)
+disingenuous in your procedure. I put the supposition that Congress had
+acceded to your propositions, and then I ask two questions:-- Had you full
+power from your commission to make these propositions? Possibly you did
+not think it worth your while to consider your commission, but we
+Americans are apt to compare things together and to reason. The second
+question I ask is, What security could you give that the British
+Parliament would ratify your compacts? You can give no such security;
+and therefore we should, after forfeiting our reputation as a people,
+after you had filched from us our good name, and persuaded us to give
+to the common enemy of man the precious jewel of our liberties,--after all
+this, I say, we should have been at the mercy of a Parliament which, to
+say no more of it, has not treated us with too great tenderness. It is
+quite needless to add that, even if that Parliament had ratified the
+conditions you proposed, still poor America was to lie at the mercy of
+any future Parliament, or to appeal to the sword, which certainly is
+not the most pleasant business men can be engaged in.
+
+For your use I subjoin the following creed of every good American:--I
+believe that in every kingdom, state, or empire there must be, from the
+necessity of the thing, one supreme legislative power, with authority
+to bind every part in all cases the proper object of human laws. I
+believe that to be bound by laws to which he does not consent by
+himself, or by his representative, is the direct definition of a slave.
+I do therefore believe that a dependence on Great Britain, however the
+same may be limited or qualified, is utterly inconsistent with every
+idea of liberty, for the defence of which I have solemnly pledged my
+life and fortune to my countrymen; and this engagement I will sacredly
+adhere to so long as I shall live. Amen.
+
+Now, if you will take the poor advice of one who is really a friend to
+England and Englishmen, and who hath even some Scotch blood in his
+veins,--away with your fleets and your armies, acknowledge the
+independence of America; and as ambassadors, and not commissioners,
+solicit a treaty of peace, amity, commerce, and alliance with the
+rising States of this Western world. Your nation totters on the brink
+of a stupendous precipice, and even delay will ruin her.
+
+You have told Congress, "if, after the time that may be necessary to
+consider this communication and transmit your answer, the horrors and
+devastations of war should continue, we call God and the world to
+witness that the evils which must follow are not to be imputed to Great
+Britain." I wish you had spared your protestation. Matters of this kind
+may appear to you in a trivial light, as mere ornamental flowers of
+rhetoric, but they are serious things, registered in the high chancery
+of Heaven. Remember the awful abuse of words like those by General
+Burgoyne, and remember his fate. There is One above us who will take
+exemplary vengeance for every insult upon His majesty. You know that
+the cause of America is just. You know that she contends for that
+freedom to which all men are entitled,--that she contends against
+oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity. The blood of the
+innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not
+wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to
+decide between you and us. And We pray that, in the doubtful scale of
+battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that
+the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our oppressors.
+
+I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, the friend of human nature, and one who
+glories in the title of
+
+An American.
+
+1 Also attributed to Adams in The Remembrancer, 1778, p. 306.
+
+
+
+TO BARON STEUBEN.
+
+[MS., Emmet Collection, Lenox Library.]
+
+YORK TOWN June 3d 1778
+
+SIR/
+
+I very gratefully acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor of the 28th of
+May by Mr Ternant, as well as another which was deliverd to me in
+Boston. It affords me great Satisfaction to find that Congress,
+sensible of your Merit, have put it in your Power to do eminent Service
+to our Country in the Army, and that your Services are so acceptable
+there. This is the Fulfillment of my earnest Wishes when I had the
+Pleasure of conversing with you in Boston. May Heaven prosper you. Mr
+Ternants Haste prevents my adding more than that I am with very cordial
+Esteem
+
+Your affectionate
+
+very humble servt
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+YORK TOWN June 21 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Although we are exceedingly pressd with publick Business at this
+Juncture I cannot omit the Opportunity that now offers of writing to
+you. The general Scituation of Affairs, and the particular Transactions
+between the British Commissioners and the Congress will be transmited
+to you by this Conveyance, by the Committee for foreign Affairs. Since
+I last came to this Place from Boston, several Gentlemen have arrivd
+here from France viz Mr Simeon Dean, Mr Carmichael, Mr Stephenson, & Mr
+Holker. Mr Carmichael comes strongly recommend[ed] by Dr Franklin & Mr
+Silas Dean; but Dr Lee in his Letter gives Reasons why he cannot place
+a Confidence in him. From a long Correspondence with Dr Lee, I conceive
+so great an Opinion of his Candor as well as inflexible Integrity &
+Attachment to our Country, that I cannot entertain a Doubt that he
+would suffer partial Considerations to operate in his Mind to the
+Prejudice of any Man. Such a Difference of Sentiments concerning a
+Gentleman who I imagine must be of some Consequence, could not take
+Place without at least apparently good Grounds; and it may produce such
+Effects on this Side of the Water as may prove uncomfortable to us if
+not injurious to our Cause. Would it not then be doing some Service, to
+exercise your Prudence in endeavoring to investigate the real Grounds
+of it, in doing which possibly some things may open to View of
+Importance and at present not thought of.
+
+Dr Lee is a Gentleman of a fair and generous Mind. I wish therefore
+that you would freely converse with him upon this Subject if you think
+you can do it with Propriety; and let him know that I have lately
+receivd many Letters from him, which I have duly attended to and would
+have acknowledgd to him by this Opportunity, if I had Leisure.
+
+By the last Accounts I have had from Braintree your Lady & Family were
+in Health, though anxiously wishing to hear of your safe Arrival.
+
+I shall write to you as often as I can & shall esteem my self happy in
+receiving your Favors.
+
+I remain very affectionately
+
+Your Friend,
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE July 9 1778
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Mr Mc Lean the Bearer of this Letter arrivd in this City yesterday, and
+tells me he saw you on the Day he left Boston, and that you were then
+in Health. He now returns in so great Haste as to afford me Time only
+to let you know that I still enjoy that inestimable Blessing. I now
+write at the Table in Congress, having just put my Hand to the
+Confederation with my Colleagues & the Delegates of seven other States.
+North Carolina and Georgia whose Members are absent have acceded to the
+Confederation. Mr H has just obtaind the Leave of Absence and is going
+home on Account of his ill State of Health & the Circumstances of his
+Family. He tells me his Wife is dangerously ill.
+
+Adieu my dear,
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE July -- 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Capt Manley1 has obligd me with your favor of the 5th. He and McNeil
+are both here with different Views. The one to obtain another Ship, and
+the other to get the Sentence of the Court Martial by which he is
+censurd & broke, reversd. Perhaps both may be disappointed. I have
+receivd a Number of Letters by both. One from you. To this I shall pay
+a very particular Regard, because I am well satisfied you never suffer
+Prejudices to divert your Attention from the great object--the publick
+Good. "Manly is a blunt, honest and I believe brave officer.' I observe
+your Caution; and I admire it because I think it is a proof of your
+Integrity. Manlys Bravery is an Article of your Beliefe. His Bluntness&
+Honesty, of Certainty. I have not yet lookd into the Papers; but I
+recollect, when they were read in Congress, to have heard the Want of
+Experience imputed to him, and some thing that had the Appearance of
+blameing him for not giving out any Signals for the Direction of the
+Ships under his Command. This it must be ownd, strongly implys the Want
+if not the total Absense of Discretion. Now I would ask my Friend,
+whether the Character of a blunt & honest officer entitles him to the
+Command of one of our Capital Ships if he is "deficient in point of
+Experience & Discretion." The Characteristick of a Sailor is the blunt
+honest Tar. They carry this Character to an inimitable Height. But
+surely every honest blunt or even brave Tar is not fit for Command in
+our Navy. I some times fear there was an Error in the beginning. Thus
+much for Manly. "His Address (viz Mc Neils) is insinuating. His
+Assurance great. He may tell you fine Storys" &c. How contemptible does
+he appear. I should think he had taken a Lesson from Hutchinsons
+political Book, if I had not Reason to believe that he used to despise
+him most heartily. But I advert to a Letter from another of my Friends
+to whose upright opinions I have always given Weight; there I find "He
+is open & sincere'' Synonimous Terms with blunt & honest. "His Temper
+is naturally warm which he has sometimes indulgd in speaking his Mind
+freely of Persons in office"--This you know has always been deemd an
+unpardonable Sin, and I am affraid it always will be. To be sure it
+always will be so deemd by that Kind of Men in office who meet with
+none to hinder them from persisting in the most expensive Blunders but
+the open sincere and warm Friends of our Country. I am warrented in
+supposing this Character belongs to Capt Mc Neil, because my worthy
+Correspondent in whose Veracity & Judgment I have before told you I
+place a Confidence, has affirmd to me, that he knows his Sufferings for
+our glorious Cause. Has not Mc Neil struck upon this Rock? It is
+possible he has. Says my friendly Correspondent "We all know his Zeal &
+Sufferings for our glorious Cause." Such a Character commands my
+Friendship; but it has no Consideration in the present Appeal. Has he
+had a fair Trial? I pay a proper Regard to the Decisions of a Court
+martial, & shall not give my Vote for altering them in any Instance but
+when Error Fraud or partiality shall appear plainly to my own
+Satisfaction.
+
+Our Navy officers must not expect to pick & chuse for themselves. They
+ought to be content with the Appointments given to them. It is true
+Appointments should be made with more Discretion than I think they can
+be by any Men at three or four hundred Miles Distance. For this Reason
+I moved that they should be made by the Navy Board, which obtaind in a
+certain Degree as you have seen or will see by a Letter from the Marine
+Committee. Had this been the Case before Olney would have remaind in
+the , Resistance & Bush must have waited for another. If the Queen of
+France is a better Vessel it will turn out not to the Disadvantage of
+Olney. While we have more officers in Commission than Ships, there must
+be Disappointments, Envy, & Suspicions (oftentimes unreasonable) of
+each other. This is the Make of Man, and we may as well think of
+stopping the Tide as altering it. The Appointment of Landais affords an
+ample Subject for the Observations of Speculatists and the Resentment
+of Navy officers. I think he is, as you observe an ingenuous & well
+behaved Man, and if he is an able & experiencd officer, as we are
+assured he is by those whose Duty it is to give us the best
+Intelligence, it is a pity that two very good Lieutenants shd have the
+Ship & the Service on that account. I hope others may be found to fill
+their places. "It is an opinion that I was Landais' chief Patron." On
+this occasion you discover your self, as you are disposd to do on every
+occasion, partial in my favor. If I was in any Degree instrumental in
+promoting Capt Landais, it was because I really thought he would be of
+eminent Use to our Navy. And I question whether it would not have been
+thought a well judgd Appointment, if there had not been a fanciful
+Predilection in favor of Another. Even the Name of the Ship may have
+given Disgust to some Men. I hope when Manly is provided with such a
+Ship as will please him the Difficulties or Obstructions in the Way of
+getting the Alliance manned will be removd. I am very sure your
+Exertions will not be wanting to promote the Service.
+
+Adieu,
+
+1 Recently of the Ship Hancock. The record of his court martial was
+laid before the Continental Congress on August 5, and ordered to be
+referred to the Marine Committee for filing among its papers.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA July 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+It is but seldom I can find Leisure to write a long Letter. You must
+excuse me if I give you my Thoughts as I am able to recollect and
+adjust them into any Order. I find -------- to be an excellent Member of Congress.
+He is a thorough and zealous Republican, and an able Supporter of the
+publick Liberty. I am satisfied it would be for the great Benefit of
+our Country, if you and he were to form an intimate Connection with
+each other. This I am very desirous of, because I have no Idea of your
+being long secluded from the publick Councils. He will go home shortly.
+
+I have not yet answerd your Letters of the 26th and 28th of June. I am
+in Pain about the Ship in your Harbour. Her Owners neglect to put her
+into Repair, and I fear a great Number of her Officers and Crew for
+Want of Skill or Experience will be at a LOSS what to do with her if
+she meets with a Storm. What a Pity is it, that an honest old Pilot has
+lately been dischargd, who used to steer successfully through Rocks &
+Quick sands! And that he should suffer this hard Usage, only because,
+unknown to him one who was a hearty Well wisher to the Voyage, and was
+anxious that Capacity & Merit might always govern Promotions, had
+venturd to declare him the fittest Man to take the Command. Ambition,
+or rather Vanity, and Avarice--an insatiable Thirst for Places and
+Preferment, without Ability or Intention to fulfil the Duties of them,
+tends to the Ruin of any Country, and if not eradicated, will soon
+effect it. It would be the Glory of this Age, to find Men having no
+ruling Passion but the Love of their Country, and ready to render her
+the most arduous and important Services with the Hope of no other
+Reward in this Life than the Esteem of their virtuous Fellow Citizens.
+But this, some tell us, is expecting more than it is in the Power of
+human Nature to give. Be it as it may. There are some Men to whom the
+publick Confidence most certainly ought to be refused. I mean those who
+in perilous Times have never dared to avow the publick Sentiments.
+
+Last Saturday1 Congress recd another Letter from the British
+Commissioners. You have it inclosd with a short Resolution2 in
+Consequence of it. This shuts the Door until they will be pleased to
+open it. Governor Johnstone has acted so base a part as to hint the
+offer of Bribes not only to the President but every other Member of
+Congress, as you will see by the Inclosd Letter to Mr R. Morris. By
+this he has in my opinion forfeited the Character of an honest Man &
+justly exposd himself to Contempt. I hope some Strictures will be made
+in the Newspapers on this as well as the disrespectful & even insolent
+Language in the Commissioners Letter, not so proper to be noticed by
+Congress. I am assured that a Bribe of 10,000 Guineas has been offerd
+to a Gentleman of Station & Character here. He refusd it as you might
+suppose with suitable Resentment, telling the Lady who negociated this
+dirty Business, that the British King was not rich enough to purchase
+him.
+
+Mr D3 of whom I may perhaps hereafter have much to say to you is arrivd
+with the Sieur Gerard. I have long ago formed my opinion of the
+American Commissioner & have not yet alterd it. That of the french
+Minister is, a sensible prudent Man, not wanting in political Finesse &
+therefore not to be listned to too implicitly. The french Squadron lies
+off Sandy Hook. I have inclosd the Names & Rates of the ships together
+with the Spanish Ships in N York as deliverd to us by a Prisoner lately
+escaped from thence. Their Force bears no proportion to each other. The
+Question in my Mind is whether the french Admiral will risque his large
+Ships to be workd, as they must be in an Engagement, in the Narrows --the
+Width of the Channel is and its Depth at low Water. I am told that this
+is a favorite Expedition of Count d'Estaing himself, proposd by him &
+not Mr D, to the french Court, and that his Reputation as a Politician
+as well as an Admiral is at Stake. From the Character I have recd of
+him, I make no Doubt he will answer the highest reasonable Expectations
+of the King his Master and of America. Mr Ds political Friends, some of
+whom I suppose are in Boston, are disposd to give him great Eclat on
+Account of the Aid afforded us in sending this Squadron. His interest
+with the french Ministry is represented as very forceable in procuring
+it and the Newspapers mention the favors conferd on him even by the
+King himself. The Truth as I conceive it is, the total overthrow of
+Burgoyns Army was an Event which it was thought would produce Overtures
+from Britain, and France was apprehensive of our listening to Terms &
+compromising Matters. Hence it was, more than from any other Cause or
+the Interest of any Individual that a Treaty was facilitated & agreed
+to and to secure us in their Alliance & support us in sending this
+Squadron, and the Purpose of M Gerards Mission. We are informd that
+Eleven Sail of Merchantmen & a Frigate have fallen into his Hands.
+
+I have declind answering your Letter of the 26 of June till I could
+assure you that the Sum you wishd for was granted for the Use of your
+Department. I now have the Pleasure of informing you that it will be
+orderd as soon as it arrives from York Town. It is every hour expected.
+The Marine Committee have agreed that the Navy Board shall appoint
+Commanders for Vessels of War under Twenty Guns.
+
+1 July 18; the letter was dated July 11.
+
+2 "That no answer be given to the letter of the nth instant from the
+British commissioners."
+
+3 Silas Deane; Congress on July 11 was notified by him of his arrival
+on the Languedoc.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Augt 11 -78
+
+MY DEAR FRIEND
+
+I yesterday had the pleasure of receiving your favor by the post,
+covering the News papers and a Letter, as you emphatically express it,
+"from one of my closest Friends"; for all which I thank you most
+heartily.
+
+You ask me what occasiond the very sudden return of Mr H.----1. I answer in
+his own Word to me, His own Want of Health & the dangerous Illness of
+his Lady. You say he arrivd quite unexpected--you must surely be mistaken;
+for he publickly said he had Leave of Absence from his Constituents.
+You add, various are the Conjectures for the true Cause. It is the Lot
+of a great Man to have every Movement he makes critically scanned, and
+the strangest Constructions are oftentimes put upon those parts of his
+Conduct which may be most easily explaind. You have so many Twistings
+in your Typography and my Eyes are grown so dim with Age that I cannot
+well discover whether you inform me that his Friends say the Air or
+Airs of Philadelphia doth not suit him; though I must conclude the
+former from your usual Correctness in Grammar, for there is an evident
+false Concord in admitting the latter. Pray let me know whether the
+News Papers have not done him Injustice in announcing that he made his
+Entrance into Boston on Sunday. I should think they had; for a well
+bred Man will carefully avoid counteracting the vulgar Prejudices or
+injuring the Feelings of the People where he may happen to be.
+
+I congratulate you on the present happy Appearance of our publick
+Affairs, & joyn with you in Praying that Heaven may still prosper them.
+
+I shall take it as a favor if you will deliver the inclosd Manuscript,
+without suffering a Copy to be taken, to Mrs A. I told her, I would
+send it to her as being not an unfit Subject for female Inspection &
+Criticism.
+
+I am very affectionately,
+
+Yours,
+
+1 Hancock; cf. page 41.
+
+
+
+TO PETER THACHER.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Augt 11 -78
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I am quite ashamd that I have not yet acknowledgd the two Letters which
+I have had the Pleasure of receiving from you since I left Boston; you
+will excuse me when I tell you, I have many Letters, which are daily
+accumulating, unanswerd, and very little Leisure. This by the Way, must
+convince you how unfit a Person I am even if I were otherwise
+qualified, to undertake the important Task you require of me in your
+last. While I am giving you the true Reason of my Silence, I hope it
+will not prevent your writing to me by every opportunity. Herein you
+will lay me under great obligations.
+
+By the late Publications, you have seen, and doubtless have made your
+own Comments on the epistolary Correspondence between the British
+Commissioners & Congress. The short Resolution on their last Letter,
+has put an End to it. Last Week the Minister from France had an
+Audience in Congress. The Manner of conducting this Ceremony, together
+with a Letter from his most Christian Majesty and the Speeches of the
+Minister and the President are publishd in the inclosd News Paper. I
+have had several opportunitys of seeing him at his own House, and a few
+days ago he made a Visit to the Delegates of the Massachusetts who live
+together. He is easy and polite in his Manners and converses freely
+without much Ceremony.
+
+Nothing can equal the barefaced Falshood of the Quakers & Tories in
+this City, unless perhaps their Folly, in giving out that M. Gerard
+does not come in the Character of a publick Minister, but only to
+obtain Pay for the Stores we have receivd from that Country. These
+Quakers are in general a sly artful People, not altogether destitute,
+as I conceive, of worldly Views in their religious Profession. They
+carefully educate their Children in their own contracted Opinions and
+Manners, and I dare say they have in their Hearts as perfect a System
+of Uniformity of Worship in their Way, and are busily employd about
+spiritual Domination as ever Laud himself was, but having upon
+professed Principles renouncd the Use of the carnal Weapon, they cannot
+consistently practice the too common Method made use of in former
+times, of dragooning Men into sound Beliefe. One might submit to their
+own inward Feelings, whether they do not now & then secretly wish for
+fire from Heaven in support of their Cause, in order to bring them upon
+a footing with. those whose Consciences dictate the kindling fires on
+Earth for the pious Purpose of convincing Gainsayers, and who keep the
+Sword in their Hands to enforce it. He who in the Spirit of the Apostle
+professes to wish Peace to all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in
+Sincerity, must discover an unmortified Pride & a Want of Christian
+Charity to destroy the peace of others who profess to have that sincere
+Affection to the Common Master, because they differ from him in Matters
+of mere opinion. But the Post is just going. I must therefore conclude
+with assuring you that I am affectionately,
+
+Yours,
+
+1 A clergyman, of Maiden, Mass.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Sept 1 -78
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+After having been disappointed several Weeks I am at length favord with
+your very acceptable Letter of the 18 of August. You have formerly
+hinted to me your Apprehension that I mt think your Letters came to me
+too frequently. I could not then suppose you to be in Earnest; but your
+Silence from the 17 July to the Date of your last, which you own to be
+many Days, is a very serious Comment, & obliges me in a formal Manner
+to assure you, that you cannot gratify me more than by writing to me
+often.
+
+My Enemies in Boston are exceedingly mistaken if they think I have
+condescended to become a Party Man in their unimportant Disputes about
+Manly & Mc Neil,1 Neither of whom, in my opinion have derived any Honor
+from the Decisions of the late Courts martial. I wonder how Manly can
+attribute his Disappointment to me. At my Request he called to see me.
+I found him to be one of those Men who stand in Need of Advice & gave
+him the best I could. I told him what Questions would probably be asked
+him that he might prepare to answer them. In short I said every thing
+to him as a Friend which was proper for me to say. Perhaps I was too
+candid to be thought a Friend. I intended to have been present at the
+Committee, but was unavoidably hinderd. He did not call on me a second
+time. Mc Neil is still here. He has called on me twice or thrice. I
+know not in what part of the City he lives. His Friends & his Enemies
+may be assured that I will give my Voice on the Subject Matter of his
+Petition according to my best Skill & Judgment. In this I expect to be
+justified by those to whose good opinion alone I pay the least Regard--the
+candid & impartial.
+
+I heartily despise those small Dealers in Politicks who are propagating
+idle Stories to injure me. Little Insects will be for ever playing
+about the glimmering Light of a farthing Candle. It is out of their
+Power to disturb the peace of my Mind. You took too much Pains, my dear
+Friend, to stop their Clamor, when you read a Paragraph in my Letter
+which was designd for your Perusal & not theirs. I am however obligd to
+you for your kind Intention.
+
+Your Letter informs me that Mr H is gone on the Expedition to Rhode
+Island.2 This is also announcd in the Boston News papers, which, to do
+them Justice I must observe, never fail to notice all the Movements of
+a Great Man. I am anxious to know the Event of this Expedition. But I
+am called off & must leave you abruptly. Adieu. I must write you again
+very soon.
+
+Be so good as to let Mrs know that I am well.
+
+1 Cf. pages, 41, 57, 59, 63.
+
+2 See page 60.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES BOWDOIN.
+
+[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 6th ser., vol. ix.,
+pp. 423-425.]
+
+[PHILADELPHIA, Septr 3, 1778.]
+
+DEAR SIR,--A few days ago I received a letter from your son in law Mr
+Temple dated New York, August 23d, requesting me by the first
+opportunity to inform you of his & Mrs Temple's arrival there, & that,
+for particular reasons he should be exceedingly happy if your affairs
+would permit you to meet them at Philadelphia, or as near it as might
+be convenient to you. He requested this of me, because excepting that
+letter & another to Mr President Laurens, he had not written a line
+since his arrival at N. Y., & he had still weighty reasons for
+declining it. He also desired me to cause it to be made as convenient
+as might be (at his expence) for Mrs Temple & her little boy, who had
+not been well since their arrival, to get to Philadelphia. His baggage
+which is both heavy & bulkey, he intended to get transported in a Flag,
+if any should be suffered to pass, to Boston, or some port as near it
+as might be, & hoped to see me soon in this city. His letter to the
+President was read in Congress. It was short and contained little more
+than to sollicit leave to come to Philada to pay his respects to
+Congress. This was refus'd upon the idea that he might be a secret
+emissary from the British Court. I think it is best for him that his
+request is not granted; for the jealousy of the people at large would,
+I believe, render his residence here very uncomfortable. A certain
+Doctor Burkenhout, who came from London in the same packett with Mr T----, is
+now in prison in this city, committed by the authority of this State,
+under the same suspicion. I took occasion to inform Congress from my
+own knowledge of Mr Temple, that although he had been formerly an
+officer of the Crown of Great Britain, and in the Customs,1 yet he had
+constantly given great offence to his brother Commissioners & other
+friends of that government, particularly Bernard & Hutchinson, by his
+attachment to those who espoused the liberties of America; that he went
+to England seven years ago, where, I understood, he had since lived the
+greater part of the time, entirely out of favor at Court & in private
+life. and that I had reason to think his connexions in Boston had long
+expected his return to spend his days there. Congress afterwards
+ordered the Secretary to inform Mr Temple, that if it was his intention
+to reside in any one of the United States, the same should be signified
+by him to the State in which he intends to reside, & the approbation of
+that State
+
+obtaind before a passport could be granted to him. Thus the matter
+stands in all its particulars, a view of which I thought it proper you
+should be acquainted with. I wish Mr Temple had turned his attention
+first to Boston. It is probable he will now do it, and that you will
+receive a letter from him.
+
+I am with the greatest sincerity,
+
+Your affectionate friend, and humble servant,
+
+1 Cf. Vol. i., page 316.
+
+
+
+TO HANNAH ADAMS.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 53.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Sept 8th 1778
+
+MY DEAR DAUGHTER
+
+Your very dutiful and obliging Letter of the 28th of August came to my
+Hand yesterday and brought me the afflicting News of your Mothers
+Illness. When you tell me "the Doctor thinks she is on the mending
+Hand," and "he hopes she will be cleverly in a Day or two," I am apt to
+conclude her Disorder had not much abated when you wrote. I know "she
+is exceedingly 10th to give me the least Pain," and therefore I suspect
+she has dictated to you to make the best of it to me. "She begs of me
+not to make myself very anxious for her." This is a Request which it is
+impossible for me to comply with. I shall be very uneasy till I hear
+again from you. I pray God she may recover her Health and long continue
+a rich Blessing to you and me. I am satisfied "you do all that lies in
+your Power for so excellent a Mother." You are under great Obligations
+to her, and I am sure you are of a grateful Disposition. I hope her
+Life will be spared and that you will have the Opportunity of
+presenting to her my warmest Respects. I rejoyce to hear that your late
+Disorder was so gentle and that you have got over it. I commend you my
+dear, to the Care and Protection of the Almighty. That He may reward
+your filial Piety is the ardent Prayer of
+
+Your very affectionate Father,
+
+1 Later the wife of Thomas Wells.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN BRADFORD.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Sept 8th 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have lately had the pleasure of receiving two Letters from you, one
+by Capt Manly and the other by yesterdays Post. The latter makes
+mention of some Notice you had receivd "from a warm Friend to you & me"
+that "Cap Mc Niel was making Misrepresentations at Philade to your
+Disadvantage." I have a particular Reason for my Curiosity in wishing
+to know who this Friend is. If I had that Knowledge I might perhaps see
+Grounds of Suspicion that the Design was far different from that of
+giving you a friendly Hint. I assure you I have heard Nothing here to
+your Disadvantage. If Capt McNiel is the Person I am to understand to
+be your Enemy, I will tell you that he has called on me not more than
+twice or thrice, since he arrivd here, and that he has not mentiond
+your Name to me nor any thing relating to your Department, nor indeed
+any thing that would tend to bring you to my Thoughts. I know not in
+what Part of the City he lives. I suppose he is preparing to meet the
+Marine Committee to whom his Petition is referrd. When it may be proper
+for me to give my Opinion, I intend to do it, with Freedom &
+Impartiality, not feeling my self interrested in the Party Disputes
+which I perceive there are in Boston between two Men, neither of whom
+in my opinion has derivd much Honor from the Decisions of the Courts
+Martial respecting them. If I shall hear any thing said to your
+Prejudice here you may depend on my letting you know it; being
+determind if possible to prevent your suffering an Injury which one of
+your Friends at least thinks he has in being stabbd in the dark. I
+intend to write you more fully of these Matters at another Time. At
+present I can only add a Request that you wd be so kind as to deliver
+the inclosd Letter to my Daughter and forward the other which is from
+my Servant to his Friends in Milton. My dear Mrs A, I am informd is
+very unwell.
+
+I am with the most friendly Regard to your Family,
+
+very affectionately,
+
+Yours,
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.}
+
+PHILAD Sept 12 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your obliging Letter of the 25 of Augt by the Post came duly to my
+hand. As you again mention Cap Manly, I will speak of him to you with
+Candor. I never saw him but once, viz last Spring in Boston, till he
+came to this City. I had preconceivd an opinion of his Bravery, in
+speaking of which you tell me "no Caution ought to be used," though I
+have never yet been pointed to a single Instance of it. I confess his
+Appearance in Boston did not strike me most agreably. He was in the
+Midst of a Crowd, who were shouting his Entrance into the Town; and
+like some of his Superiors, he seemd to be intoxicated with popular
+Applause. I had other Apprehensions, but I give you my most charitable
+Thoughts. I retaind however an opinion of him; for I concluded, that
+Huzza for the brave M, would be a sufficient Inducement to him to lay a
+Pop Gun Schooner alongside the Eagle, if good Fortune should throw her
+in his Way. You think "his Judgment and Abilities would not be equal to
+others in the Direction of more Ships than one." Here lies the
+Difficulty. Consider his Rank in our little Navy & judge how soon the
+Time may perhaps must come when he may have the Command of more Ships,
+if you give him the Command of one. Having said this to you & to no one
+else, though I have heard the same thing mentiond by others, you will
+not conclude that I am here deeply engagd in a Party against him. Some
+I know will, or will pretend to form this Conclusion, not from real
+Regard to the Merit of M., the Honor of our Navy or the great Cause we
+are engagd in, but from a different Motive and very inferior to either.
+
+I am glad that Landais "rises in your Esteem"-- that "other Captains are
+convincd he is Master of his Business which with his agreable Manners &
+Disposition forcd Conviction of the Judiciousness of his Appointment."
+I fancy now that I shall soon be dischargd the shameful Imputation of
+having been "his chiefe Patron here." I have a particular Reason now to
+urge that every possible Exertion may be made to get his and all the
+other Ships manned. Last Evening a Letter from Governor Trumbull was
+read in the Committee, strongly recommending a Captain for the Ships at
+Norwich, who, added to great Qualifications, can readily get Men for
+her. I mentioned Manly as having the Character of a brave and very
+popular officer, and read those Parts of your last Letter to me which
+related to him. I am convincd that he need not impute his being
+overlookd to any other Cause than the Decree of the Court Martial which
+acquitted him with Honor.
+
+The Rhode Island Expedition is at Length finishd. Our Cause is not
+dishonord though we did not succeed to our Wishes. Congress has approvd
+the Retreat--thankd Genl Sullivan & his brave Troops and applauded the
+patriotick Exertions of New England. Major Genl Hancock was unluckily
+at Boston & missed the Laurel! In my opinion it is in a great Degree
+impolitick at this Juncture to suffer an Odium to be cast on the Count
+D'Estaing. If there should be a Disposition to do it I am perswaded Men
+of Discretion & Influence will check it. The Tories will try their
+utmost to discredit our new Alliance. And he who not long ago expressd
+his Opinion that "a Connection with France will ruin America" will not
+fail to promote a Jealousy if he can thereby establish his Popularity.
+Such a Man should be critically watchd on this Occasion. Adieu my
+Friend.
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a portion of the text is
+printed in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 40.]
+
+PHILE Sept 14--78
+
+DR SR
+
+I recd your favor of the 3d with the News papers inclosd. I note well
+the Contents. Our Boston Papers never fail to mark all the Movements of
+Great Men & to give Honor where Honor is due. The spirited Exertions of
+our Major Generals to be sure ought properly to be noticed. Some of
+them have had the good Fortune never to be out of the Way of making a
+Figure, while others are wisely following the unpopular Steps of Fabius
+or Count Daun. The Marquis La Fayette every one acknowledges, made
+surprizing Dispatch in going to Boston and returning to R I; but he was
+sadly mortified in not being present in the Action on that Island. He
+did all that Man cd do Impossibilities are not to be expected. But he
+arrivd in Season to take a distinguishd Share in the well timed & well
+conducted Retreat. In Him we indeed see an Instance of a young Nobleman
+"of Rank & fortune foregoing the pleasures of Enjoyment of domestick
+Life and exposing himself to the Hardships and Dangers of a Camp," not
+in his own but a foreign Country, "in the glorious Cause of freedom."
+
+Congress requested the President to write to him & in their Name
+acknowledge his Zeal & spirited Services on this Occasion by which he
+has given a fresh proof of his Attachment to our Common Cause. I am
+sorry to hear there is a Disposition in some persons in Boston to cast
+an odium on the french Admiral for his leaving Rhode Island. In my
+Opinion it is at this Juncture impolitick in the Extreme. Even if his
+Conduct was thought to be blameworthy Prudence I think would dictate
+Silence to us. Men of Discretion and Influence will surely by all means
+check such a Disposition.
+
+The Tories will try their utmost to discredit our new Alliance. You
+know how much depends upon our cultivating mutual Confidence. It is not
+in the Power of undisguisd Tories to hurt our Cause. Injudicious tho
+honest Whigs may & too often do injure it. Those whose chief aim is to
+establish a Popularity in order to obtain the Emoluments of places or
+the Breath of Applause will think they may serve themselves by
+declaiming on this Subject, or prompting others to do it; and they will
+not fail doing it though they essentially wound their Country.
+
+If there be any of my virtuous & publick spirited fellow Citizens who
+pay the least Regard to my opinions I wish they would particularly
+regard what I say on this Occasion.
+
+I have written in haste and must break off abruptly.
+
+
+
+TO ----------.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Sept 21, 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+I beg you not to impute my omitting hitherto to acknowledge your Favor
+of the 4th of July to Negligence. I have frequently thought of its
+Contents; and although I was not able to obtain what you wishd for, I
+think you will not doubt my Sincerity when I assure you that whenever
+it shall be in my Power to render you substantial Service I shall do it
+with the utmost Cheerfulness. It is the Opinion of Gentlemen here that
+the Appointments of Auctioneers to make Sale of such Prize goods as
+fall to the Share of the Continent should be made by the Authority of
+the particular States where such Goods may be forfeited.
+
+Your Letter was deliverd to me by Capt Manly. I am informd by some of
+my Boston Friends that he speaks of me with a Degree of Bitterness,
+supposing that I prevented his having another Ship. This gives me not
+the least Disquietude. He may have been taught to believe it, by
+Persons who care but little for him and less for the Honor of our Navy
+or the great Cause we are contending for. Neither he nor his Friends
+could be at a loss for the true Cause of his Disappointment, if they
+would advert to the Judgment of the Court Martial which acquitted him
+with Honor. What a strange Inconsistency was there in that Court, in
+recommending Cap Manly for another Ship, and at the same Time holding
+up so great a Deficiency in his Conduct as the neglecting to prepare
+Signals for a Fleet under his Direction, and in general his Want of
+Experience. This was said by many; and it ought to be satisfactory to
+Cap Manly, that though I clearly saw the Justice of the Remark, I was
+silent. In this, it is possible, I was not altogether blameless. I have
+never felt my self disposd to take a Side in the Disputes which I
+understand have run high between Partizans of Manly & McNiel. I think
+Neither of them can derive much Honor from the Decisions of their
+respective Courts Martial. I wish for the Credit of our Country that
+both had behavd more to the Satisfaction of the Publick. One of them is
+still here. I suppose he is preparing to meet the Committee to whom his
+Petition is referrd. When it may be proper for me to speak my Mind his
+Friends & his Enemies may be assured I shall do it with Candor &
+Freedom. In doing this I expect to be justified, by sensible & honest
+Men. If I stand fair with them, you well know, how unsolicitous I am
+whether others are pleasd or not.
+
+There is another Matter of greater Consequence which I wish to mention
+to you. I am informd there are Persons in Boston disposd to make a
+popular Clamor against the french Admiral for leaving Rhode Island. I
+cannot help remonstrating to my Friends against it as in a great Degree
+impolitick. Even if it should be thought he had taken a wrong step, it
+is our Wisdom at this Juncture to forbear criminating him. The Tories
+will try their utmost to discredit our new Alliance. They cannot
+succeed but by making injudicious Whigs their Instruments. There are
+two things from which I am more apprehensive than I am from the joynt
+Efforts of all our Enemies, viz the intemperate and misplacd Zeal of
+our honest Friends, and an insatiable Desire in others who are called
+Friends to establish a Popularity in order to obtain the Splendor or
+Emoluments of Places, or that vanity of vanities the Breath of Applause.
+
+Adieu my Friend,
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Sept 28 1778
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Your Letter of the 16th which I just now receivd, is like cool Water to
+a thirsty Soul. It gives me inexpressible Pleasure to have it under
+your own Hand, that you are in the Way of Recovery from a dangerous
+Disorder. I earnestly pray God to restore you to perfect Health; and
+let me intreat you, my Dear, to be very careful of your self.
+
+I exceedingly regret the LOSS which the Town has sustaind by the Death
+of Dr Eliot & Dr Greenleafe. In Times so degenerate as these are, it is
+much to be lamented that Men of such Exemplary Piety and Virtue are
+taken away. I hope the Depravity of Manners is not so great as to
+exclude all Hopes of Childrens rising up and serving God and their
+Country in the Room of their Fathers. May Heaven grant us a Time of
+Reformation!
+
+I think you have done well in putting your Servant Boy Job an
+Apprentice to a Sail Maker. I hope you will injoyn it on him to let you
+see him often, that you may give him your Advice, and tell him it is my
+Desire that he would attend to it. I love the Boy, and am still of
+opinion, that if he is properly mannagd he will make a good Citizen.
+
+Remember me to my Daughter, Sister Polly and the rest of my Family &
+Friends, and accept of the best Wishes of
+
+your most affectionate,
+
+Write to me by every opportunity.
+
+
+
+TO WILLIAM COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Sept 30 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have the pleasure of committing this Letter to the Care of your
+youngest Son who having been unfortunately taken in the Brig
+Resistance, was sufferd to come to this City to be exchangd for the
+Purser of the British Ship Mermaid who is now in N York on his Parole.
+This Exchange I effected without Delay; and procured from the Navy
+Board here an Advance of fifty Dollars, for which he is to account with
+the Eastern Navy Board in the settlement of his Wages. I apprehended
+this Sum would not be sufficient to discharge the Expence of his Board
+in this very expensive place & carry him through his Journey &
+therefore I advancd him forty Dollars more, taking his Draft upon you
+which you will please to repay to Mrs Adams in Boston.
+
+I introducd your Son to your old Friend the President who receivd him
+with great Courtesy. Upon my hinting to the President that if he had
+publick Letters to send to Boston, this young Gentleman would take good
+Care of them, and it would be the Means of providing him with an Horse
+for his Journey, he very politely told me he should be glad [to] serve
+him in that Way, He as well as Monsr Girard having Letters which mt be
+as well sent by him as by any other Person. I assure you it is not
+Flattery to tell you that I am exceedingly pleasd with your Son. His
+modest Assurance is very engaging. If his Life is spared and his Morals
+well fixed, I think he will make an excellent Citizen. That the
+Children of N England may rise and serve God & their Country in the
+Room of their Fathers is the most ardent Prayer of
+
+your cordial Friend,
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Oct 6-78.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I receivd your favor of the 23d of Septr by yesterdays Post. You tell
+me that Boston is become a new City, and explain your self by
+mentioning the exceeding Gayety of Appearance there. I would fain hope
+this is confind to Strangers. Luxury & Extravagance are in my opinion
+totally destructive of those Virtues which are necessary for the
+Preservation of the Liberty and Happiness of the People. Is it true
+that the Review of the Boston Militia was closd with an expensive
+Entertainment? If it was, and the Example is followed by the Country, I
+hope I shall be excusd when I venture to pledge myself, that the
+Militia of that State will never be put on such a Footing as to become
+formidable to its Enemies. I am told that such a Practice is contrary
+to the Letter of the Militia Act. I trust then I was misinformd when I
+was told that it was countenanced by those who of all Men ought to pay
+the most sacred Regard to the Law. Are we arrivd to such a Pitch of
+Levity & Dissipation as that the Idea of feasting shall extinguish
+every Spark of publick Virtue, and frustrate the Design of the most
+noble and useful Institution. I hope not. Shall we not again see that
+Sobriety of Manners, that Temperance, Frugality, Fortitude and other
+manly Virtues wch were once the Glory and Strength of my much lov'd
+native Town. Heaven grant it speedily!
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD 11 Octobr 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+In the inclosd Newspaper you will see certain Queries calculated to
+impress on the Minds of the people the Idea of Dr Lee's having held a
+criminal Correspondence with a Person known to be at the same time in
+the Service & under the Direction of the British Ministry. I hope it
+will not be in the Power of this Querist to do essential Injury to so
+eminent a Patriot; who took the earliest & most decisive Part in
+opposition to the Measures of the British Court, and whose invariable
+Attachment to the Liberties of our Country never was, and I think
+cannot be justly suspected. Yet it may be necessary to guard against
+it; for I plainly though silently saw when I was last in Boston a
+Malevolent Disposition towards Dr Lee, in a certain Gentleman, who,
+till he is better known, will have a great Influence in the
+Massachusetts State. The Instance you may recollect, as you was knowing
+to it in the Time of it. I then supposd it to proceed from his having
+strongly attachd himself, and for a Length of Time to a Circle of Men,
+and imbibd their Prejudices, who are far remote from the Connections of
+Dr Lee, and who differ widely from them in the Adoption of publick
+Measures regarding either Politicks or Morals.
+
+You may remember that some time ago, in a Letter1 I informd you that I
+had much to say to you about Mr D; of whom I had long formd my Opinion
+& had not seen Reason to alter it. I have hitherto said Nothing to you
+about him; because I knew it would lead me to Subjects of great
+Delicacy, which, if exposd to the Enemy, as they would be if my Letter
+should fall into their Hands, might disgrace, or otherwise be
+prejudicial to our publick Affairs. This Caution prevents my
+communicating to you many things of which I wish to unburthen my Mind.
+
+Mr D was originally taken up by a secret Committee of Congress
+appointed to procure from France the necessary Supplys for carrying on
+the War. By them he was sent to that Country in the Character of a mere
+Merchant. About that Time another Committee was; appointed, whose
+Business it was to form a Correspondence abroad, and particularly to
+feel the political Pulse of France in Hopes of forming a Connection
+with that powerful Nation. This Committee also took up Mr D; and he
+carried Letters from Dr F to some Men of Eminence, which might enable
+him in some Measure to penetrate into the Disposition of the Court of
+France towards America. With these Views Mr D was sent to France. He
+was to be Agent to the secret Come of Commerce. To the secret Come of
+Correspondence he was to be the Inquisitive Man or Intelligencer. He
+had no political Powers whatever; and yet he sent us over, Majors,
+Colonels, Brigadiers & Majors General in Abundance & more than we knew
+what to do with, of his own creating, till at length Mr Du Coudray
+arrivd with the Commission (or an Agreement signd by Mr D in behalf of
+the United States, that he should have one) of a Major General, with
+the Command of our Artillery; together with his Suite of about 70
+Gentlemen of different Ranks. All this was done, as I said before
+without any Authority. Congress was exceedingly embarrassd; being 10th
+to discredit their Commissioner (for before the Arrival of M Du Coudray
+he was commissiond joyntly with Mess Franklin & Lee) I say being 10th
+to discredit him by disannulling the Convention, and at the same Time
+judging it dishonorable as well as unsafe for America to ratify it.
+This however was agreed to in a Come of the whole House. Not having the
+records before me, I do not recollect whether it was confirmd in the
+House; but Du Coudray soon after died, his Suite or most of them
+returnd with Gratifications & Mr D was recalled. After which he was
+directed to return speedily and give an Accot of the State of our
+Affairs in Europe.
+
+This has given an Occasion to his Friends to hide the true Reason of
+his being recalled, & to hold up in the News Papers an ostensible one,
+supposing it to be more for his Reputation.
+
+Our Affairs even in France wore a gloomy Aspect during the last year
+until the News of our Army at the Northward being completely
+victorious. This was the decisive Language which commanded our Success
+in the Cabinet of France. To this we are indebted for the Acknowledgmt
+of our Independence, the Treaty and the french Fleet. Mr D is
+complimented with having procurd this Fleet, and his "spirited
+Exertions" like those of other Great Men have been puffd off in the
+News Papers. Unthinking Men may be amusd with a Golden Snuff Box &c.
+After all they are mere Things of Course, especially in the Honey Moon
+of National Matrimony.
+
+Since Mr Ds Return as well as before, there have been Suggestions of
+his Misconduct in France; and among other things, of his Misapplication
+of publick Money. I cannot say whether these Suggestions are well
+grounded or not. Congress is devoting every Hour to an Enquiry into the
+Grounds of them which can be spared from an Attention to other great
+Affairs, particularly the Finances. The Conduct of an honest Man will
+bear the strictest Scrutiny. If the Friends of Mr D have any Suspicions
+of his being tardy, I am inclind to think they will be more
+apprehensive of a Detection from the Vigilance & Integrity of Dr Lee
+than any thing else. On such occasions it is not unusual for the most
+unblemished of Characters & sometimes the Lives of the best of them to
+be sacrificd in order to prevent "Transactions dark & mysterious" from
+being brot into open Light.
+
+I have written this Letter in Confidence & shall continue the Subject
+when I can find Leisure. Adieu.
+
+1 Cf. page 47.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Oct 14 -- 78
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+In my last I inclosd a News paper containing certain Queries
+calculated, as I conceive, to blast the Reputation of a truly virtuous
+Man.
+
+I must inform you that Dr Lee & Dr Berkenhout, mentiond by the Querist,
+were formerly fellow Students at Edinburgh; and as both were esteemed
+learned in their Profession, it is not improbable that on that Account
+they kept up their Acquaintance while both continued in Great Britain.
+Dr Lee you know was requested by Congress to go over to France, where
+he was made a joynt Commissioner with Messrs Franklin & Dean. It is
+possible that a Correspondence might afterwards have been carried on
+between them; but from the Knowledge I have of Dr Lee, I will venture
+to pledge my self it was not a criminal one, as the Querist would seem
+to insinuate, and if Dr Berkenhout was in the Service & under the
+Direction of the British Ministry, which by the Way is but base
+Suspicion here, it was utterly unknown to Dr Lee. It is doubtful
+whether any Correspondence was held between these two Gentlemen. I am
+rather inclind to think it is a Creature of the Querists own Fancy, or
+an artful Suggestion thrown out to the Publick to serve the Cause of
+our Enemies. America shod beware how she suffers the Character of one
+of the most able & vigilant Supporters of her Rights to be injurd by
+Questions designd to impute Slander, without any Reasons offerd why
+such Questions should be made. It is the old Game of mischievous Men to
+strike at the Characters of the good and the great, in order to lessen
+the Weight of their Example & Influence. Such Patriots as Lord Russell
+& Algernon Sydney of the last Age, have of late been falsly &
+audaciously chargd by a Scotch Tool of the most nefarious Court, with
+having receivd Bribes from the National Enemy; and it is not strange
+that a Gentleman whom the leading Whigs of America have always placd so
+high in their List of Patriots, who has renderd the most laborious &
+important Services to our Country in England France & other Parts of
+Europe, who so often & so seasonably developd the secret Intrigues &
+Practices of wicked Men & who at this time stands high in the Esteem &
+Confidence of the Congress, & in addition to this, when it is considerd
+that there are too many disaffected & insidious Men still lurking among
+us, it is by no Means a strange Thing that Dr Lee is also chargd with a
+criminal Correspondence with the Enemy, without even the Shadow of
+Reason.
+
+The Post who has been retarded by violent Rains is just arrivd & brings
+me your obliging favr of 30 Sept. It contains very interesting Matters
+which shall have my Attention at a more leisure Hour than the present.
+
+Adieu,
+
+
+
+TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Oct 16 -- 78
+
+SIR
+
+I had the Honor of receiving your Excys Letter of the 5th Instant,1 and
+sincerely condole with you on the heavy LOSS your Family and the
+publick sustain by the Death of your eldest Son. His Services in my
+opinion merited great Consideration, and it now behoves the Publick to
+render the Settlement of his Affairs as easy to his surviving Friends
+as possible. I have communicated the Contents of your Letter to my
+Colleagues & the other Members of Congress, & you may be assured Sir
+that we shall interrest ourselves in obtaining with all possible Speed
+the Attention & Decision of Congress on the Matters set forth in your
+Representation.
+
+Mr Sherman was so obliging as to give me the perusal of your Letter to
+him, and I am happy that Congress as a Body concurs with you in the
+Sentiment therein containd; having passd a Resolution by a great
+Majority expressing their Sense that true Religion & good Morals are
+the only solid Foundations of publick Liberty and Happiness.
+
+I am Sir with the most cordial Esteem & Respect Yr Excys most obedt hbl
+servt
+
+1 Printed in Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 7th ser.,
+vol. ii., p. 276.
+
+
+
+TO TIMOTHY MATLACK.
+
+[Pennsylvania Archives, 1st ser., vol. vii., p. 14.]
+
+PHILADA, Octobr 16, 1778.
+
+SIR,
+
+I am informd that General Clinton designs to send to the Governor or
+Assembly of each of the United States, Copies of an insulting Paper,
+called a Manifesto or Proclamation, calculated to promote a Rebellion,
+and that the one intended for this State is to be sent by Water up the
+Delaware. And as it appears to be the Design of the Enemy, as far as it
+may be in their power, further to pursue their barbarous practice of
+laying waste our Sea Ports, and that they would be particularly
+gratified by an opportunity of destroying this City; would it not be
+proper that one or two of your Gallies should be ordered to watch for
+them in the River, that they may seize their Vessel & bring the Men up,
+blindfold, to be confined & dealt with according to the Laws of Nature
+and Nations. You will excuse this Hint, and be assured that I am,
+
+Your very humble Servt,
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Oct 17 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+If I was to tell you that I wonder much at the Conduct of some of our
+Politicians it might discover my own Folly; for it is said a wise Man
+wonders at Nothing. Be it so. I am curious to know who made the Motion
+for the Admission of Gray, Gardiner & Jemmy Anderson? Which of the
+B[oston] Members supported the Motion? Are the Galleries of the House
+open? Do the People know that such a Motion was made? A Motion so
+alarming to an old Whig? Or are they so incessantly eager in the
+Pursuit of Pleasure or of Gain as to be totally thoughtless of their
+Country? I hope not. Gracious Heaven! Defend us from Vanity Folly & the
+inordinate Love of Money. Your News Papers are silent upon every
+Subject of Importance but the Description of a Feast, or the Eclat of
+some Great Man. Your able Patriot is wholly employd in spirited
+Exertions of the Military Kind, or surely he wd have pourd forth all
+his Eloquence against so detestable a Motion.--" The Motion did not
+obtain." I rejoyce in this; But Do you do Justice [to] the House by so
+faint an Expression? I hope they rejected it with every Mark of
+Contempt & Indignation. Do the Gentlemen who made & supported this
+Motion know, that even in this Quaker Country, they are trying &
+condemning & I suppose will hang some of their considerable Men for
+Crimes not inferior to those of Gray & Gardiner. Jemmy Anderson I have
+forgot. I suppose he is a little Man & a Scotchman. It is the opinion
+of the People in this Country, that a Galloway could not atone for his
+publick Crimes with the Sacrifice of an hundred Lives. A Galloway, a
+Gray, a Gardiner! Examine them & say which is the greatest Criminal.
+Confiscation you tell me labors--"it labors very hard"! I have heard
+objections made to it, not in this Country, but in my own. But I
+thought those objections were made by interested Men. Shall those
+Traiters who first conspired the Ruin of our Liberties; Those who
+basely forsook their Country in her Distress & sought Protection from
+the Enemy when they thought them in the Plenitude of Power--who have been
+ever since stimulating & doing all in their Power to aid and comfort
+them while they have been exerting their utmost to enslave & ruin us.
+Shall these Wretches have their Estates reservd for them & restored at
+the Conclusion of this glorious Struggle in which some of the richest
+Blood of America has been spilled, for the sake of a few who may have
+Money in England & for this Reason have maintaind a dastardly and
+criminal Neutrality? It cannot be. I venturd to speak my Mind in a
+Place where I could claim no Right to speak. I spoke with Leave which I
+should have disdaind to have done, had I not felt the Importance of the
+Subject to our Country. I will tell you my Opinion. If you do not act a
+decisive Part--If you suffer those Traiters to return & enjoy their
+Estates, the World will say, you have no Sense of publick Injury & have
+lost your understanding.
+
+Adieu my dear Friend,
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Octob 20th -78
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+A few days ago Mr Brown, a publick Messenger carried a Letter from me
+to you, which I hope you will receive before this reaches you. I feel a
+Pleasure when I sit down to write to you and omit no opportunity. My
+Boston Friends tell me with great Solicitude that I have Enemies there.
+I thank them for their Concern for me, and tell them I knew it before.
+The Man who acts an honest Part in publick Life, must often counteract
+the Passions Inclinations or Humours of weak and wicked Men and this
+must create him Enemies. I am therefore not disappointed or mortified.
+I flatter my self that no virtuous Man who knows me will or can be my
+Enemy; because I think he can have no Suspicion of my Integrity. But
+they say my Enemies "are plotting against me." Neither does this
+discompose me, for what else can I expect from such kind of Men. If
+they mean to make me uneasy they miss their Aim; for I am happy and it
+is not in their Power to disturb my Peace. They add, The Design is to
+get me recalled from this Service. I am in no Pain about such an Event;
+for I know there are many who can serve our Country here with greater
+Capacity (though none more honestly). The sooner therefore another is
+elected in my Room the better. I shall the sooner retire to the sweet
+Enjoyment of domestick Life. This, you can witness, I have often wishd
+for; and I trust that all gracious Providence has spared your precious
+Life through a dangerous Illness, to heighten the Pleasures of my
+Retirement. If my Enemies are governd by Malice or Envy, I could not
+wish them a severer Punishment than their own Feelings. But, my Dear, I
+thank God, I have many Friends. You know them. Remember me to them all
+as you have opportunity. I could say many more things to you, but I am
+called off. My Love to my Daughter & Sister Polly and the rest of our
+Family and Connections. Adieu. Your most affectionate,
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+PHILADA Octob 25, 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+Your Favor of the 24th of May did not reach my hand till yesterday. The
+Gentleman who brought it, Mr Archer, tells me he had a Passage of
+Eleven Weeks. I will show him the Respect due to the Character you give
+him, & properly regard such future Recommendations as may come from you.
+
+I suppose you have been fully & officially informd of the State of our
+military Affairs since the Enemy evacuated this City and met with a
+Drubbing at Monmouth. And as publick Letters will doubtless be
+forwarded by this Conveyance, it is needless for me to give you a
+particular Detail of what has happend since. By those Letters you will
+be informd that Dr Franklin is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary at
+Versailes. It is not yet determind how you will be disposd of; but as
+Congress entertain great Expectations from your Services, you may
+depend upon Employment being allotted for you somewhere. The critical
+Situation of the Powers of Europe in general, renders it somewhat
+difficult for us to determine, to which of them to make our Addresses
+at present. Every Cabinet I suppose is busily engagd in making the
+necessary Arrangements and preparing for the opening of a Campaign, if
+War should take Place. In this Case, I should think France must be our
+Pole Star, while it continues, and our Connections must be formd with
+hers. In the mean time however, Holland, whose Policy is always to be
+at Peace, may be open for a Negociation; and in my opinion, we ought to
+take the earliest opportunity to tempt her.
+
+The two main Armies at & near New York have been quiet since the Enemy
+retreated to that City. We have made another Expedition against Rhode
+Island. Our Arms were not disgracd, though we did not succeed to our
+Wishes. Genl S behavd as usual with Bravery; but some will have it that
+there is a Mixture of Imprudence in every thing he does. He promisd
+himself to share with Gates in the Glory of Victory, and as an officer
+of Spirit, no doubt he felt vexed with the Disappointment; but he was
+too sanguine in my Opinion when he expected that the Count D Estaing
+would remain there, in the Circumstances which he was thrown into by a
+violent Storm he met with when in Pursuit of Lord Howe. This unforeseen
+& unavoidable Accident left him too much inferior to the British
+Squadron to run the Risque with any Degree of Prudence. It was a
+Misfortune which we all regret, but must bear. Knowing the high Temper
+of the People of my native Town, I immediately upon hearing it, wrote
+to some of the principal Men to prevent Blame being cast on the Count
+for leaving Rhode Island; a Disposition which I apprehended the artful
+Tories (for such there are even there) would encourage with a View of
+discrediting our new and happy Alliance, in the Minds of injudicious
+Whigs. I am happy to be informd that the Count and his Officers, and
+indeed every french Gentleman is treated there with the highest Marks
+of Respect and Friendship.
+
+For some Weeks past there have been Reports here that the Enemies
+Troops at N York were about to embark, as they gave out on a grand
+Expedition, and we are now assured that Sixteen Sail of the Line and
+about one hundred and fifty Transports put to Sea on Tuesday the 20th
+Inst. Various are the Conjectures of their Destination. Whether to
+Boston, South Carolina or the West Indies, a few Days will decide. The
+Count D Estaing has sufficiently securd his Ships in Case of an Attack
+on them; and if they land their Troops with Intent to march them to
+Boston, it is my opinion they will repent of their Expedition. It
+appears to me most probable that the Troops are bound to the West
+Indies, and that the Ships of War, after having convoyd them to a
+certain Latitude will return for the Protection of the Garrisons which
+I suppose are to be left at Newport and New York. The Enemy will be
+10th to quit the small Portion of Land they possess within the United
+States, for though they must despair of subduing us by Arms, it will be
+necessary for them to oblige us to continue the Expence of large Armies
+in order to nonplus us in the Art of financiering. This may be a Method
+of carrying on the Contest, the most puzzling to us; but I trust we
+shall disappoint them.
+
+The Marquiss De la Fayette whose extraordinary Merit is fully known to
+you, does me the Honor of taking the Care of this Letter, and will
+deliver it to you.
+
+I am, my dear Sir, with the greatest Sincerity
+
+your affectionate,
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[MS., Lenox Library; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox
+Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Octob 26 -78
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your several Letters dated as in the Margin,1 with the Inclosures came
+to my Hand. And although I have not hitherto acknowledgd to you the
+Receipt of them, I assure you I have been and am still improving the
+Intelligence you have given me, to the best of my Power, for the
+Advantage of this Country. From our former Correspondence you have
+known my Sentiments. I have not alterd them in a single Point, either
+with Regard to the great Cause we are engagd in or to you who have been
+an early, vigilant & active Supporter of it. While you honor me with
+your confidential Letters, I feel and will freely express to you my
+Obligation. To have answerd them severally would have led me to
+Subjects of great Delicacy, and the Miscarriage of my Letters might
+have provd detrimental to our important Affairs. It was needless for me
+to run this Risque for the sake of writing; for I presume you have been
+made fully acquainted with the State of our publick Affairs by the
+Committee, and as I have constantly communicated to your Brother R. H.
+the Contents of your Letters to me, it was sufficient on that Score,
+for him only to write, for he thinks as I do.
+
+The Marquiss De la Fayette, who does me the Honor to take this Letter,
+is this Moment going, which leaves me Time only to add that I am and
+will be your Friend, because I know you love our Country and Mankind.
+
+I beg you to write to me by every Opportunity.
+
+Adieu my dear Sir,
+
+1 1777: July 31. October 4, November 11, December 18, December 19;
+1778: January 2, January 9, February 8, February 16, March 1, April 1,
+April 16.
+
+
+
+TO ----------.
+
+[MS., Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Oct 26 -78
+
+Mr Duncan yesterday brought me your very affectionate Letter of the
+Instant. I rejoyce that you have recoverd your usual State of Health
+and that my Family enjoy that invalueable Blessing.
+
+Is it possible that M could make & propagate so barefaced a Story as
+you mention? Are you not misinformd? I lose every Sentiment of Regard
+for him as a Man of Truth. I have heard that my Enmity to G. W. was
+objected agt me on a late Occasion. I did not wonder that those who
+believd it were displeasd with me. My very worthy Friend & colleague Mr
+D satisfied the Minds of those who meant well and explaind some things
+relating to Mr ---- which were new & surprising to them. I console myself
+that those who try to injure me (I must not call them Enemies) are
+obligd to fabricate malicious Falshoods for their purpose.
+
+Tell my Friend M S. that I will answer his Letter the next post. In the
+mean time ask him whether a Christian is bound to confide in the Man
+who has attempted seven times (though in vain) to ruin him.
+
+Adieu.
+
+MANIFESTO OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
+
+October 30, 1778.
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams,1 vol. iii., pp. 46, 47.]
+
+The United States having been driven to hostilities by the oppressive
+and tyrannous measures of Great Britain, having been compelled to
+commit the essential rights of men to the decision of arms, and having
+been at length forced to shake off a yoke which had grown too
+burdensome to bear, they declared themselves free and independent.
+
+Confiding in the justice of their cause; confiding in Him who disposes
+of human events; although weak and unprovided, they set the power of
+their enemies at defiance.
+
+In this confidence they have continued through the various fortunes of
+three bloody campaigns, unawed by the power, unsubdued by the barbarity
+of their foes. Their virtuous citizens have borne without repining the
+loss of many things which make life desirable. Their brave troops have
+patiently endured the hardships and dangers of a situation fruitful in
+both beyond former example.
+
+The Congress, considering themselves bound to love their enemies as
+children of that Being who is equally the Father of all, and desirous,
+since they could not prevent, at least to alleviate the calamities of
+war, have studied to spare those who were in arms against them, and to
+lighten the chains of captivity.
+
+The conduct of those serving under the King of Great Britain hath, with
+some few exceptions, been diametrically opposite. They have laid waste
+the open country, burned the defenceless villages, and butchered the
+citizens of America.
+
+Their prisons have been the slaughter-houses of her soldiers, their
+ships of her seamen, and the severest injuries have been aggravated by
+the grossest insults.
+
+Foiled in their vain attempts to subjugate the unconquerable spirit of
+freedom, they have meanly assailed the representatives of America with
+bribes, with deceit, and the servility of adulation. They have made a
+mock of religion by impious appeals to God, whilst in the violation of
+His sacred command. They have made a mock even of reason itself, by
+endeavoring to prove that the liberty and happiness of America could
+safely be intrusted to those who have sold their own, unawed by the
+sense of virtue or of shame.
+
+Treated with the contempt which such conduct deserved, they have
+applied to individuals. They have solicited them to break the bonds of
+allegiance and imbue their souls with the blackest crimes. But fearing
+that none could be found through these United States equal to the
+wickedness of their purpose, to influence weak minds they have
+threatened more wide devastation.
+
+While the shadow of hope remained that our enemies could be taught by
+our example to respect those laws which are held sacred among civilized
+nations, and to comply with the dictates of a religion which they
+pretend, in common with us, to believe and revere, they have been left
+to the influence of that religion and that example. But since their
+incorrigible dispositions cannot be touched by kindness and compassion,
+it becomes our duty by other means to vindicate the rights of humanity.
+
+We, therefore, the Congress of the United States of America, do
+solemnly declare and proclaim that if our enemies presume to execute
+their threats, or persist in their present career of barbarity, we will
+take such exemplary vengeance as shall deter others from a like
+conduct. We appeal to the God who searcheth the hearts of men for the
+rectitude of our intentions; and in his holy presence declare that, as
+we are not moved by any light or hasty suggestions of anger or revenge,
+so through every possible change of fortune we will adhere to this our
+determination.
+
+Done in Congress by unanimous consent, the thirtieth day of October,
+one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.
+
+1 Also attributed to Adams by Niles, Principles and Acts, pp. 476, 477.
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 56, 57; a draft is
+in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1, 1778.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--
+
+I duly received your favor of October--by the last post, and should have
+immediately answered it, had I not been that day exceedingly engaged. I
+do not keep copies of all my letters,--they are trifles. You were mistaken
+in supposing that I ascribed the independence of America to New England
+only. I never was so assuming as to think so. My words are, that
+America is obliged to New England, and this is an acknowledged truth.
+It is the opinion of others, as well as myself, that the principles and
+manners of New England, from time to time, led to that great event. I
+pray God she may ever maintain those principles which, in my opinion,
+are essentially necessary to support and perpetuate her liberty. You
+may see my sentiments of the patriotism of other States in a letter I
+lately wrote to Mrs. Adams (if it is in being), in which I relate a
+conversation which passed between Monsieur -------- and myself. But enough of this.
+I love my country. My fears concerning her are that she will ruin
+herself by idolatry.
+
+A part of your letter, you tell me, is confidential. I always keep the
+secrets of my friends when I can do it honestly, though I confess I do
+not like to be encumbered with them. In this instance I will be your
+confidant. But let me ask you, can a difference between Mr. -------- and me, either
+real or imaginary, be of any consequence to the world? I think not.
+Tories, you say, triumph. They may make sport of it; but indeed, my
+friend, it is too unimportant a matter for a sensible Whig to weep and
+break his heart about. I am desirous of making you easy; and I do
+assure you that, so far from brooding in my heart an unfriendly
+disposition towards that man, I seldom think of him, unless I happen to
+take up a Boston newspaper or hear his name mentioned in chit-chat
+conversation. You call upon me by all that is sacred to forgive him. Do
+you think he has injured me? If he has, should he not ask for
+forgiveness? No man ever found me inexorable. I do not wish him to ask
+me to forgive him; this would be too humiliating. If he is conscious of
+having done or designed me an injury, let him do so no more, and I will
+promise to forgive and forget him too; or, I would add, to do him all
+the service in my power. But this is needless; it is not in my power to
+serve him. He is above it.
+
+If you wish to know the foundation of this wonderful collision, ask my
+friend J. W., or another, whom you properly call my closest friend. To
+them I have related the trifling tale, and they can repeat it to you.
+
+The precepts and examples you refer me to I shall always reverence most
+highly.
+
+I am, with unfeigned sincerity,
+
+Your obliged and affectionate friend,
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA Novr 3 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+In your last you ask me what we are doing? Many Things indeed. And if
+you will suppose some things to be done well, I will frankly confess to
+you that in my opinion others might have been done better. I think we
+do as well as we can considering the Pile of Business every Morning
+laid on our table. In order that the Affairs of the Treasury may be
+better attended than they possibly can be by Members of Congress who
+are obliged to give their Attendance in the House we have establishd a
+new Board to consist of a Treasurer Comptroller Auditor & two Chambers
+of Accots of three each. These officers are all chosen from without
+Doors. We are taking Measures for the Appretiation of the Currency.
+Every Adept in financiering is busily employd and I hope we shall
+before long agree in an effectual Plan. We have appointed Dr F.
+Minister Plenipo. at Versailes & written a Letter of Credence to our
+good & great Ally. The Situation of the general Affairs of Europe
+render it somewhat difficult to determine to which of the other Powers
+at present to make our Court. Every Cabinet will, I suppose, this
+winter be deeply engagd in making Arrangements and preparing for the
+opening a Campaign in Case of a general War which it is more than
+probable will happen. Our Friend A L is in Spain. Our other Friend J A
+will be employd somewhere. France must be our Pole Star & our
+Connection must be formd with hers. Holland whose Policy is always to
+be at Peace may be open to Negociation & the sooner we tempt her the
+better. Spain must joyn with France. But she is dilatory. I wish she
+would recollect how much she was injured by it the last War, when she
+sufferd the common Enemy to beat France & her self in Detail. The
+Spirit of Chatham is indeed extinguishd in Britain. His decisive Mind
+might have dictated the Seizure of their Float at Sea. Perhaps it is
+well the Great Man is no more. The Millions are safely arrivd & the
+Tone of Neutrality at Madrid is become languid. A formidable Fleet lies
+equip'd in Cadiz which operating with that of France at this Juncture
+might give a fatal Blow to the boasted Sovereignty of Britain on the
+Ocean. The Count D' Estaings Squadron I suppose will go to the West
+Indies. If so, must not the British follow with a great Part of their
+Troops, if they mean to keep Possession of their own Islands. They may
+leave Garrisons at N York & Newport, with a View of obliging us still
+to maintain a great Army, in hopes we shall be undone by Expences while
+they despair of subduing us by the Power of their Army. We must have a
+respectable Army in the Spring to put a good face on our Negociations
+or to fight. I hope we shall secure to the United States, Canada Nova
+Scotia & the Fishery by our Arms or by Treaty. Florida too is a
+tempting object in the South. Perhaps if you should show this Letter to
+some Folks, it may be thought to confirm an opinion from whence an
+objection was drawn against me on a late occasion "that I was averse to
+Reconciliation." We shall never be on a solid Footing till G B cedes to
+us what Nature designs we sh[ould] have or we wrest it from her.
+
+The Marine Committee have obtaind a Warrant for 150,000 Dollars for
+your Department which will be forwarded speedily. Congress has increasd
+your Salaries to 3000 Dollars p Annum. I had this in View when I
+intreated you in my last, not to resign your Seat. Nothing would
+reconcile me to this but your having one here. I am determind to make
+Room for you by a Resignation next Spring. I flatter my self I can yet
+be in some Degree useful to my Country in a narrow Sphere. I wish for
+Retirement & covet Leisure as a Miser does money.
+
+Adieu,
+
+
+
+RESOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
+
+November 3, 1778.
+
+[MS., Papers of The Continental Congress.]
+
+It having pleased Almighty God through the Course of the present year,
+to bestow great & manifold Mercies on the People of these United
+States; And it being the indispensible Duty of all Men gratefully to
+acknowledge their obligations to Him for Benefits receivd.
+
+Resolvd, That it be and hereby is recommended to the legislative or
+executive Authority of each of the said States, to appoint Wednesday
+the 30th day of December next to be observd as a Day of publick
+Thanksgiving and Praise. That all the People may with united Hearts on
+that Day express a just Sense of His unmerited Favors:--Particularly in
+that it hath pleased Him, by His over ruling Providence to support us
+in a just and necessary War for the Defence of our Rights and
+Liberties;--By affording us seasonable Supplys for our Armies--by disposing
+the Heart of a powerful Monarch to enter into Alliance with us and aid
+our Cause--by defeating the Councils and evil Designs of our Enemies, and
+giving us Victory over their Troops--and by the Continuance of that Union
+among these States, which by his Blessing, will be their future
+Strength & Glory.
+
+And it is further recommended, that together with devout Thanksgivings
+may be joined a penitent Confession of our Sins, and humble
+Supplication for Pardon through the Merits of our Savior. So that under
+the Smiles of Heaven, our publick Councils may be directed--our Arms by
+Land and Sea prosperd--our Liberty and Independence secur'd--our Schools &
+Seminaries of Learning flourish--our Trade be revivd--our Husbandry and
+Manufactures increasd, and the Hearts of all impressd with undissembled
+Piety, with Benevolence, and Zeal for the publick Good.
+
+And it is also recommended that Recreations unsuitable to the Purpose
+of such a Solemnity may be on that Day--
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Novr 10th 1778
+
+MY GOOD OLD FRIEND
+
+I am at present in great Haste; but as a Supplement to my last I will
+ask you, Who among the Sons of America ought to enforce the Example of
+the illustrious young Foreigner? Who is substituting other Means of
+Dissipation in my native Town in Lieu of Theatrical Entertainments &c
+&c? Who has mixed the Grave and the Vain, the Whigs and the Tories in
+Scenes of Amusement totally incompatible with the present serious
+Times? Who among the Grave and Who among the Whigs, I mean such Whigs
+as have a feeling for their distressd Country and the Multitudes of
+distressd Individuals in it, are present at such Entertainmts? Is there
+a Man among them to whom our Country has entrusted her Independence,
+her Virtue, her Liberty? What can be the Views and Designs of such a
+Man, but to establish a Popularity by forming a Coalition of Parties
+and confounding the Distinction between Whigs and Tories, Virtue &
+Vice? When I was last in Boston, I seizd an Opportunity to advise my
+Fellow Citizens to beware of their popular Men--to penetrate their Views
+and Designs. There was comparatively no great Danger from a great Man
+set over them by the British Tyrant. When the People set up a Great Man
+of their own, their Jealousy is asleep, & they are in Danger of a
+Master. I have no personal Prejudices or Attachments. Many things I
+have to say to you if I had Leisure.
+
+My due Regards to your Lady, to Mr S and his Family.
+
+Adieu,
+
+P. S.--I am not inattentive to what you said in my last relating to my
+Friend Mrs M. I will endeavor to serve her in the Instance she
+mentions, but she must not depend upon Success.
+
+
+
+TO JEREMIAH POWELL.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text is in Historical
+Magasine, 1st ser., vol ii., pp. 196, 197.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Decr 1, 1778
+
+SIR/
+
+I did myself the Honor a few Days ago, of Joyning with my Colleagues in
+an Answer to your Letter to us of the fifth of November last, so far as
+it related to the Distribution of a Quantity of Flour purchasd on
+Account of the State of Massachusetts Bay. I beg Leave to refer you to
+our Letter, which will be forwarded by this opportunity. The five
+hundred Dollars therein mentiond as receivd by me, were carried to the
+Credit of the State in my Account settled the last Winter. Since my
+Arrival here in July, I have availd my self of the Practice of the
+Delegates of every State, by applying to Congress for a Warrant on
+their Treasury for a Sum of Money to pay the extravagant, though
+necessary Expence of living. I purpose to repeat this Application, as
+there may be occasion for it, until I shall be directed differently or
+to the Contrary; and shall credit the Sums so receivd in my next
+Account.
+
+I am informd that the General Assembly have been pleased to appoint me
+one of their Delegates in Congress for the year 1779. This repeated
+Mark of Confidence in me is indeed flattering. The Duties of the
+Department are arduous and pressing. I will never decline the Service
+of our Country; but my Health requires Relaxation, and at this Period
+of my Life my Inclination would lead me to wish to be employd in a more
+limitted Sphere. I will nevertheless continue to act in Congress to the
+utmost of my Ability in Pursuance of the Powers and Instructions with
+which I am honord, in hopes, that as the Month of April will complete
+another full Year of my Residence here, I shall then be relievd by one
+of my absent Colleagues or some other Gentleman, and permitted to
+return to my Family.
+
+I am with every Sentiment of Duty & Regard to the General Assembly,
+
+Sir
+
+Your Honors
+
+most obedient
+
+& very humble servant,
+
+1 President of the Council of Massachusetts.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a portion of the text is in
+W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 57, 58.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Decr 13 1778
+
+MY DEAR BETSY,
+
+Captn. Johnson will deliver you this Letter, which incloses a
+Publication in the last Tuesdays Paper. You will easily guess which of
+the Massachusetts Delegates it is intended for. The Design of it is to
+represent Mr Temple as a British Emissary and that Delegate as
+listening to his Proposals of Accommodation with Great Britain, and
+thus to beget a Suspicion of him in the Mind of the Minister of France,
+with whom he has the Honor of being on friendly Terms. That Delegate
+has been so used to the low Arts of Tories in his own Country, as to
+have learnd long ago to treat them, wherever he sees them, with
+ineffable Contempt. He does not think it worth his while to satisfy the
+Curiosity of the Writer, but he can assure his Friends, that he had
+never called on Mr T but once and that was to show him the way to Mr
+President Laurens' House, to whom he had Letters to deliver, one of
+which was from the Council of Massachusets Bay. As a Delegate from that
+State, he could do no less than show such a Piece of Civility to Mr T,
+and he is determind, notwithstanding the apparently friendly Hint, to
+treat him as he thinks proper. Indeed he has been told by a real
+Friend, that there are Persons in Pay to watch his Words and Actions.
+He thankd his Friend, and told him that such kind of Intimations were
+not new to him. It might be well or ill grounded, & he was perfectly
+indifferent about it. He had a private Conversation a few Days ago with
+Monsieur --------, in which the Subject of the Hint beforementiond was brought up.
+That Personage was pleasd to say, that he well knew the Character of
+the Delegate before his Arrival in America, and that there was no
+Reason to doubt of his Attachment to the joynt Interest of France &
+America-- that he had sufficient Proofs of it to prevent any ill
+Impressions being made on his own Mind; with other Expressions of
+Friendship & Confidence. ---- ---- Between our selves, I can not say I am not
+embarrassd with Mr Ts Arrival here; He is highly recommended, and I
+believe him to be an honest American. But the Time & Manner of his
+leaving England fix a Suspicion in the Minds of well disposd Men, which
+cannot easily be removd; and his Residence at the Court of America, if
+I might so express it, gives bad Men a Sort of Occasion, to say that
+Congress, notwithstanding all they have publickly given out, are
+secretly treating with the Ministers of Great Britain through their
+Emissaries in America, than which Nothing can be more contrary to
+Truth. I do not care therefore how soon Mr T thinks of returning to New
+England.
+
+It is diverting enough to hear the different Language held forth
+concerning me, by a kind of Men whom I despise beyond Expression. In
+New England they say I am averse to an Accommodation with Great
+Britain, and make that an Exception against me. In Philadelphia I am
+chargd, indirectly at least, with a frequent Exchange of Visits with
+the Companion of Berkenhout, Lord Lindsay, Governor Johnston & the Son
+of Lord Bute, with a View of secretly bringing about an Accommodation
+with that King and Nation which I have solemnly abjurd. What is there
+which Malice joynd with a small Share of Wit will not suggest! I am not
+apt to conceal my Sentiments. They are far from being problematical.
+They are well known here & at Boston; and I can trust my Consistency in
+the Judgment of every honest and sensible Man that is acquainted with
+me. The Censure of Fools or Knaves is Applause.
+
+Mr Silas Dean has lately publishd a Paper here filled with Insinuations
+and Assertions without any Evidence to support them, against Dr Lee. I
+have long ago formd my Opinion of both those Gentlemen, and have never
+yet seen Reason to alter it. I have sent the Paper to my Friend General
+Warren. I wish you would invite him to a Dish of Tea, and desire him to
+let you see it and my Letter which inclosd it. You may read this Letter
+to him and other Confidential Friends, but dont let it go out of your
+own Hands.
+
+I never was in better Spirits than at present.--My Love to my Daughter,
+Sister Polly & the Rest of our Family & Friends. Adieu my dear Betsy,
+
+Your very affectionate,
+
+I forgot to tell you that last Friday Mr President Laurens having
+dischargd the Duties of his Station for more than one year with
+Fidelity & to the Acceptance of the Members, resignd the Chair, and
+John Jay Esqr a Delegate from New York was chosen in his Room. To this
+Gentleman I chearfully gave my Vote.
+
+Mrs Clark and her Sister Miss Daily in whose house the Massachusetts
+Delegates are agreably scituated present their respectful Compliments
+to you.
+
+
+
+TO THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 59; a draft is in the
+Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+MARINE COMMITTEE, PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 1778.
+
+SIR,--
+
+Pursuant to the direction of Congress and the request of the Minister
+Plenipotentiary of France, I have the honor of transmitting to the
+Council of Massachusetts Bay a declaration under the hand and seal of
+that Minister, promising a reward to every vessel that shall take or
+destroy a vessel of the enemy loaded with masts or spars, and destined
+to the ports of Halifax, Newport, or New York. It is the particular
+desire of the Minister that this declaration may be addressed to that
+Honorable Board, to the end that the same may be made known in such a
+manner as their wisdom shall direct.
+
+I am, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,1
+
+1 Signed by Adams as chairman of the Marine Committee of the
+Continental Congress.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES BOWDOIN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Decr 19th 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Mr Temple1 was so obliging as to deliver me your Letter of the ---- of
+November. The Day after his Arrival in this City, I offerd him my
+Service and introduc'd him to Mr President Laurens, to whom he had
+Letters of high Recommendation, and among others from the Council of
+Massachusetts Bay. The President read these Letters publickly in
+Congress. I did not fail to communicate the Contents of those which I
+was honord with to individual Members. But the Time of his leaving
+England, his coming in a Packet, the Company which came with him, and
+the greater Indulgencies granted to him in New York than had been
+allowd to others fixed a suspicion of him in the Minds of well disposd
+Persons which could not be removd. Those of a different Character took
+Occasion to insinuate that whatever Congress might give out publickly
+to the Contrary, they were secretly listening to Terms of Accommodation
+offerd by the British Ministers through their Emissaries in America.
+The Minister Plenipotentiary of France could not but be attentive to
+these Suggestions. In a private Conversation with him at his House the
+other Day, when no one was present with us, Mr Temples Name was
+mentiond. He said he knew not his personal Character--he understood that
+he was well recommended, but as he was under the violent Suspicions of
+the People here, his Residence so near the Congress might make improper
+Impressions on the Minds of Persons abroad. It may reasonably be
+supposd that he is determind to merit the Character at his own Court,
+of a vigilant & faithful Minister. Mr Dean who appears to be inimical
+to my truly patriotick Friend A Lee Esqr has endeavord to raise the
+like Suspicions of him that he has a predilection for the Court of
+London because he showed Civilities to his Friend Ld Shelburne in
+France. Such is the force of prejudice in the Minds of some Men or
+their total Want of political Understanding. I was my self, pointedly,
+though not by Name, called upon in a publick Newspaper, to be cautious
+of making too frequent Exchanges of Visits with J T Esqr. You know much
+I have been used to despise Publications of this Kind & I despise them
+still. But in the present Instance I confess I was embarrassd, being
+under the Necessity of violating my own Inclination to pay all due
+Respect to a Gentleman, whose personal Merit I had formerly been
+acquainted with, and who was so honorably mentiond by some of my most
+virtuous & dignified fellow Citizens, or on the other hand of
+prejudicing the Character which as a publick Man I ought to maintain in
+the Minds of Congress, of the Minister of France and of the People. I
+have done Mr Temple the most substantial Acts of Friendship in my
+Power, though I could not have the Pleasure of so much Conversation
+with him as I wishd & intended to have. He leaves this City suddenly. I
+am inclind to believe that the President of this State as well as the
+Chief Justice, with both of whom I have this day had the pleasure of
+dining, are satisfied in the Uprightness of Mr Temples Intentions.
+Having given you a candid State of things, I conclude with assuring you
+that I am with every Sentiment of Regard,
+
+Your affectionate Friend
+
+& very humble Servant,
+
+1 Cf. page 54.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN WINTHROP.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Decr 21 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your obliging Letter of the [9th] of November was deliverd to me by Mr
+Temple immediately after his Arrival here. I must candidly confess that
+when the Gentleman informd me by his Letter dated in New York, of his
+Intention then to pay a Visit to this City, I was disagreably impressd
+with it, and interrested my self, as far as I could do it with Decency,
+to prevent it. A certain Dr Berkenhout was here at that Time. He had
+formerly been a fellow Student with Dr Lee in Edinburgh; and although
+he brought no Letters from him, he made an Advantage of the old
+Connection, and addressd himself to Richard Henry Lee Esqr, the Doctors
+Brother & a Member of Congress, who from the Beginning of our Contest
+has been exceedingly obnoxious to our Enemies from his firm &
+invariable Attachment to our Cause. Dr Berkenhout was put into Prison
+by the Authority of this State on Suspicion, and afterwards dischargd
+for Want of Evidence against him. Perhaps he sufferd the more, from a
+certain Set of Men for valueing himself on Colo Lee; and the Colo
+himself has since sufferd the Reproach of an angry Writer and
+disappointed Man, for shewing Civility to a Person who was once
+acquainted with his Brother. So true is the Observation I have
+somewhere met with, that a Man hardly ever speaks with another, but
+sooner or later he finds that he has receivd Good or Harm from it.
+
+Had Mr Temple arrivd at that Juncture, I do verily believe he would
+have shared the Fate of Berkenhout. And the Testimonials he has since
+brought with him, added to the warm Recommendations of some of my most
+virtuous and honorable Fellow Citizens have not been sufficient to
+obtain for him a welcome Reception. The Time & Manner of his leaving
+England, the Company he came with and the favorable Treatment he met
+with in New York, were judgd to be Grounds of Suspicion which more than
+balanced the Recommendations of his Friends & Countrymen, who, though
+acknowledgd to be very respectable, it was supposd, might possibly be
+partial in their Judgments of him. His Connections in Boston, & the
+Character he had sustaind there before he left that Place, it was said,
+made him the fittest Instrument to carry into Effect the Purposes of
+the British Ministers. The honest and zealous Whigs clamord against him
+because they imagind him to be a British Emissary; and the artful
+Tories, who would cordially receive such a Character into the Bosom of
+their Councils, if they could be sure of keeping him among themselves,
+joynd in the Clamor, either because they believd him to be a true
+American, or, if they judged him to be a Spy, as they pretended, they
+did not chuse to trust him in the Hands of those who might possibly
+draw from him the Secrets of his Employers and detect him. The Tories
+appeard to be the most acute Politicians, as in my Opinion, I am sorry
+to say it, they too often are. Thus Mr T has had the Misfortune to be
+spoken ill of both by the Friends and Enemies of the Publick. A very
+grievous Misfortune, when the People scrutinize and decide upon
+Characters with Candor & Moderation, which perhaps does not take Place
+at all Times in any Country.
+
+I have shown Mr Temple the most substantial Acts of Friendship in my
+Power; yet I must own to you I have been somewhat embarassd. A Delegate
+of the Massachusetts Bay who has been heard to say that "Jealousy is
+the best Security of publick Liberty," has been called upon in a
+publick News Paper "to be cautious of too frequently exchanging Visits
+with J T Esqr who is suspected to be a Spy" &c. I have no Reason to
+think it was a friendly Caution; but rather that it was designd to
+bring an odious Suspicion on the Delegate himself. But though he feels
+a Contempt of such Kind of Publications, he has learnd that it is
+Wisdom to receive Instruction even from an Enemy. I have said that
+Jealousy is the best Security of publick Liberty. I have expressd my
+Fears that America is too unsuspecting long to preserve Republican
+Liberty. I do not suspect Mr Temple; but I have been under the
+Necessity of violating my own Inclination to pay every kind of Respect
+due to that Gentleman, or risque the consistent Character which a
+Delegate of that State ought to support in the Opinion of Congress, of
+the Minister of France and the People of America. I have converst with
+that Minister on this Occasion; and I have Reason to think we concur in
+opinion, that however pure the Views & Intentions of any Gentleman may
+be, yet if a Suspicion generally prevails that he is secretly employd
+by the British Court his continuing to reside near the Congress may
+make improper Impressions on the Minds of our Friends abroad. Mr Temple
+left this City yesterday.
+
+I congratulate you my dear Sir on our Countrys having thus far sustaind
+the glorious Conflict. Our Independence, I think, is secured. Whether
+America shall long preserve her Freedom or not, will depend on her
+Virtue.
+
+I cannot conclude this tedious Epistle without expressing an ardent
+Wish for the full Recovery of your Health and bespeaking another &
+another of your Favors.
+
+I am with most respectful Compliments to your Lady & Family,
+
+Your very affectionate Friend
+
+& humble Servt,
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL. COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Decr 25 1778
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have receivd your Favors of the 7th & 20th of November, the former of
+which was deliverd to me by the Honble Mr Temple. That Gentleman is
+intitled to my Esteem from the opinion I entertain of his personal
+Merit, and from your Recommendations and those of some others of my
+virtuous Fellow Citizens. I have done him every Act of Friendship in my
+Power; but Circumstances, of which he is not unapprized, have prevented
+my having so much Conversation with him as I could have wishd for. The
+Time and Manner of his leaving England, the Company he came with, the
+favor granted him at New York of writing a Letter to Mr President
+Laurens requesting Permission to pay his Respects to Congress, and
+another to myself, neither of which, it was presumd, could have passd
+without the Inspection of General Clinton, nor sufferd by him to pass
+unless they had been adapted to his Views--These were made the Grounds of
+Suspicion of him then; and they were afterwards judgd sufficient to
+overbalance the Letters he brought from his Friends & Countrymen,
+respectable as they were acknowledgd to be by all, who might be supposd
+possibly to have judgd partially in his Favor. I am sorry our Friend
+has been thus unfortunate because I believe his Motives in coming here
+were pure; and yet we must allow those, who never were acquainted with
+him to give all that Weight to Circumstances which in other Instances
+we mt our selves be inclind to think reasonable. I am satisfied there
+is a Design among them to leave no Method untried to raise a popular
+Clamor against those who took an early active Part & have continued
+consistent in Support of the Liberties of America. They are at this
+time endeavoring to stimulate a Persecution against my patriotick
+Friend Dr Lee, who from the Knowledge I have of his publick Conduct
+since he has been employd by Congress and a constant political
+Correspondence with him for near ten years past, I am well assured,
+deserves the highest Esteem and Gratitude of these United States and
+Massachusetts Bay in particular. It concerns those who are determin'd
+to persevere in this glorious Contest till the Liberty and Independence
+of America shall be firmly establishd to be exceedingly circumspect
+lest their Conduct should be misrepresented by designing Men and
+misunderstood by others. An angry Writer has lately insinuated in a
+publick Newspaper among other injurious things, that Arthur Lee Esqr
+communicated the secret Negociations of France & America to the British
+Ministers, because he showd Civility to Lord Shelburne in Paris. Had Mr
+Temples Friends appeard to be very intimate with him here, the like
+Insinuation might have been thrown out, & with a similar View, to draw
+an odious Suspicion on them. Indeed such an Attempt was made as you
+will observe in the inclosd Paragraph taken from Dunlaps Paper.1 You
+who know much of my Heart will easily guess which of your Delegates the
+Hint was intended for. I leave it to your Conjecture. I have openly
+declared my Opinion that Jealousy is a good Security of Publick
+Liberty. I have expressd my Fears that America is too unsuspecting long
+to continue free. These I know are the sentiments of Dr Lee. When Men
+hold these Sentiments & honestly act up to the Spirit of them they must
+necessarily become exceedingly obnoxious to those who are watching
+every Opportunity to turn the good or ill Fortune of their Country, and
+they care not which to their own private Advantage. Such Men there are
+in this Country, in France & indeed in all Countries & at all times.
+Some of them you & I have known. Such Men there always have been &
+always will be, till human Nature itself shall be substantially
+meliorated. Whether such a Change will ever happen and when, is more
+within your Province than mine to predict or ascertain. A Politician
+must take men as he finds them and while he carefully endeavors to make
+their Humours & Prejudices, their Passions & Feelings, as well as their
+Reason & Understandings subservient to his Views of publick Liberty &
+Happiness, he must frequently observe among the many if he has any
+Sagacity, some who having gaind the Confidence of their Country, are
+sacrilegiously employing their Talents to the Ruin of its Affairs, for
+their own private Emolument. Upon such Men he stamps the Stigma Hic
+niger est, and if he thinks them capable of doing great Mischief to
+prevent it, he ventures to hold them up to the publick Eye. This he
+does at the Risque of his own Reputation; for it is a thousand to one
+but those whose Craft he puts at Hazard, will give him the odious
+Epithets of suspicious dissatisfiable peevish quarrelsome &c, and
+honest, undiscerning Men may be indued for a time to believe them
+pertinent; but he solaces himself in a conscious Rectitude of Heart,
+trusting that it will sooner or later be made manifest; perhaps in this
+World, but most assuredly in that Day when the secret Thoughts of all
+Men shall be unfolded. I have many things to say to you particularly of
+Arthur Lee & Silas Dean Esqrs. Of both these Gentlemen I long ago made
+up my opinion, and I have never seen Reason to alter it. But I will
+relieve you by putting an End to this tedious Epistle. I intend to get
+myself excusd from further publick Service here, and hope before long
+to think aloud with you & my other Confidential Friends in Boston. I do
+not mean however to quit the Service of our Country altogether while I
+am capable of rendering myself in the least Degree serviceable. I
+earnestly wish for more Retirement & Leisure. Esto perpetua! is my most
+ardent Prayer for this rising Republick. That will depend upon the
+Principles and Manners of the People. Publick Liberty will not long
+survive the LOSS of publick Virtue. Favor me, my dear Sir, with your
+Letters frequently while I remain here, and be assured of the warmest
+Sentiments of Friendship & Esteem in the Breast of
+
+your very affectionate,
+
+1 The Pennsylvania Packet.
+
+
+
+TO CHARLES CHAUNCY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Decr 25 1778
+
+REVEREND & MUCH ESTEEMED SIR
+
+I am greatly indebted to you for your very acceptable Letter of the 7th
+of Novr by Mr Temple. That Gentleman, in my Opinion took an unguarded
+Step on his late Arrival in New York. I mean his writing a Letter to
+the late President Mr Laurens requesting Permission to pay his Respects
+to Congress, and another Letter to myself. This excited a Suspicion in
+the Minds of the true Friends of our Cause, that what they had before
+seen in the English News papers, viz that he & Dr Berkenhout were sent
+to America by the British Ministry might not be without Grounds. This
+Desire of paying a respectful Visit to Congress was judgd to be a
+Reason merely ostensible; and the Time & Manner of his leaving England,
+the Company he came with and the Readiness with which the British
+General granted him the Liberty of sending his Letters, the Contents of
+which must most undoubtedly have been under his Inspection, it was
+said, afforded Reason to believe his real Design was to gain an
+honorable Admission into this City, & the Confidence of Members of
+Congress & others thereby the more easily to cooperate with the British
+Commissioners, and carry their Designs into Effect. The Jealousy of the
+People when it is properly directed or as some chuse to call it, a
+prudent Caution, is in my Opinion one of the best Securities of publick
+Liberty. And we must allow them to give all that Weight to a Train of
+Circumstances respecting our Friend, which in other Instances we shd
+ourselves judge to be reasonable. His Friends have given him high
+Recommendations. But say others, his Friends may be partial to him. His
+Connections are among the warmest Patriots. His Testimonials come from
+the most virtuous Citizens. They have a good Opinion of him. True, and
+this might be a strong Inducement to a politick Minister to make Choice
+of him, & may make him the fittest Instrument to answer his Purpose.
+For my own Part I know Mr Temples former Character Conduct & Sufferings
+& have also a good opinion of him. I have done him the most substantial
+Acts of Friendship in my Power. But so deep rooted were the Suspicions
+of him and so general, that I have been under a Necessity of forbearing
+to visit him so often as I otherwise should have done, lest I might
+lose that consistent Character and that Confidence which it is my Duty
+as far as I am able, to support, in the Minds of Congress, the Minister
+of our Ally & the People of America. I have Reason to believe that I am
+on Terms of Friendship with the Sieur Gerard. In private Conversation
+with him, I purposely mentiond Mr Temples Name, & I conclude we concur
+in Sentiment that however upright the Heart of any Gentleman may be yet
+if an Opinion prevails among the People that he is a secret Emissary
+from the Enemy, his Residence near the Congress, might, at this
+Juncture especially, make improper Impressions on the Minds of our
+Friends abroad. Mr Temple has lately taken his Leave of this City & I
+believe some Gentlemen of Character have since conceivd a more
+favorable Opinion of him than they did before.
+
+You have my hearty Thanks for your Sermon lately publishd which I have
+read with pleasure. The Evil you therein mention is indeed alarming.
+Amidst the great Variety of pressing Affairs, Congress is devoting
+certain Hours of every Day to investigate a radical Cure; and I am in
+strong Hopes that an effectual Plan will shortly be laid before the
+General Assemblies of the several States.
+
+When General Gates was orderd to Boston a considerable Embarkation of
+the Enemies Troops had been made at N York & it was apprehended they
+would attempt a Landing somewhere near that Place. His military
+Abilities and Experience, his political Principles & Attachments and
+the Confidence which the Troops and People of the Eastern States had in
+him, were the Considerations which indued his being sent thither. Had
+the Enemy turnd their whole Force that way of Course the Commander in
+Chief would have followd. General Heath has given entire Satisfaction
+to Congress during his Command there. The Change took Place on the Spur
+of the Occasion, and probably in the Spring a different Arrangemt may
+be made.
+
+I am my dear Sir with the most cordial Esteem & Affectionate,
+
+your Friend
+
+& very humble Servt,
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1779
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS , Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Jany 3 -79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I embrace the opportunity which now offers of writing a few Lines to
+you. In my last I told you I had many things to say particularly
+concerning A L & S D Esqrs 1. If I could have the Pleasure of sitting
+with you by a fire Side, I would more freely open my Mind to you than I
+chuse to do upon Paper, considering the Risque of its falling into
+wrong hands. One of these gentlemen, as I was informd in the year 74 by
+some who were well acquainted with him, was of a dubious political
+Character, and was appointed a Delegate in Congress by a Majority of
+only one of the Electors; it being thought that his own Vote turnd it
+in his favor. In 75 he was again elected; and he very early attachd him
+self to Men of different Sentiments from those which most if not all
+your Delegates brought with them from your Country & strenuously
+maintained. This Difference of Sentiment was said to arise from local
+Attachments, but in Reality they arose from different Principles &
+Views. What Mr Ds political Principles were if he had any I never could
+learn. His Views always appeard to me commercial & interrested. Whether
+I was mistaken or not Time perhaps will soon discover. He was very
+little known in America till the year 75, if at all in Europe.
+
+The other took an early, decided and active Part in Support of the
+great Cause. In London he had a great Share in the open Opposition made
+to the Tyranny of the British Court & their Measures respecting
+America. There he turnd his Attention from the Practice of Physick to
+which he had been regularly educated in Edinburgh, to the Study of the
+Law. This he did by the Advice of some of the most able Advocates for
+the Liberties of America, from an Opinion they had conceivd of his
+promising Usefulness to that Cause in that Way. He answerd their
+Prospects. He constantly aided your Agent the late Mr De Berdt2 to whom
+his Knowledge of Affairs renderd his Services essential. That his Pen
+was employd for America in General, his Junius Americanus abundantly
+testifies; and that, and his other Publications witness his Attachments
+to Massachusetts Bay & South Carolina in particular. His private
+Letters to his Friends are written with that Freedom as well as Zeal
+which would have exposd him to the Risque even of his Life from the
+Resentment of an unprincipled & nefarious Court, if any of them by
+Accident or Design had fallen into their Hands. This I know to be true.
+I must conclude at present with giving it to you as my fix'd Opinion,
+founded on particular observations, that there is a joynt Combination
+of political & commercial Men to exclude all vigilant Patriots from
+publick Councils & Employments knowing that Vigilance & unimpeachd,
+unsuspected Fidelity will be an effectual Bar to the carrying such
+politico commercial Plans into Execution. I will write to you again by
+the first good Opportunity. In the mean time I am with perfect Esteem,
+
+Yr affectionate Friend,
+
+1 Arthur Lee and Silas Deane.
+
+2 Cf. Vol. I., page 89 et seq.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library,]
+
+PHILADE Jan 6 -79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+In your last you desire to know how Matters have operated since the
+Recall. I will answer this Question at another Time when I have more
+Leisure; and at present only say, that Mr Dean arrivd here, I think in
+July, and in August he was admitted into the House, or to use his own
+Phrase had an Audience, in which, with as much Vanity as I ever saw in
+a Man of Sense, he assumd to himself almost the whole Merit of all the
+Services which had been renderd at least by Americans in France; as if
+he would have it to be believd that one of his Colleagues had done but
+little if any thing, the other worse than Nothing, himself every thing.
+And with as much Spleen & ill Nature he would even go out of the
+regular Path of Decency & Propriety to draw in Invective and diminish
+the Characters of the two Mr Lees & Mr Izard.1 In short the publication
+which you have seen is a Specimen of his Narrative. I have before given
+you my opinion of that Performance, and shall not trouble you further
+upon that, than just to remark that his insinuating that Mr W L2 still
+remains an Alderman of the City of London, because his Name is inserted
+in that List in the Court Kallendar of 78 discovers something more than
+Childishness and Folly. His design seems to be at once to prejudice the
+Reputation of that Gentleman in the Minds of his Countrymen and to hold
+up the Appearance of glaring Impropriety of Conduct in Congress, in
+appointing the Alderman of London an American Commissioner; and that
+this was done through the undue Influence of family Connections; for he
+takes particular Care to inform his Readers, that the two Brothers in
+Europe have two Brothers in Congress which cannot be denied. Neither
+can it be denied, that they are a Family, who have been as early, as
+uniform, as persevering and as able Patriots as perhaps any in the
+United States. Mr A L, you are fully sensible was most indefatigable in
+supporting our Cause in England. By penetrating into the Designs of a
+most unprincipled Court, he was able to give us the most timely and
+important Intelligence, which he did at the Risque of his Life; while
+Mr D was, in the Opinion of some of his own Countrymen as well as
+others, of a doubtful political Character. Mr Lee continued to transmit
+to our Friends in France as well as to Congress before he left England,
+the most accurate Accounts of things there. Such was the opinion
+entertaind by Congress of his Abilities his Integrity, his Zeal and
+Attachment to his Country which indeed had been long experiencd, that
+he was employd as a most useful & necessary Man. The vigilant Eye of so
+consistent a Patriot, may be formidable to a Combination of political &
+Commercial Men, who may be aiming to get the Trade, the Wealth, the
+Power and the Government of America into their own Hands. He must
+therefore be hunted down; and the young as well as the old Hounds are
+all ready for the Game.
+
+Adieu,
+
+1 Ralph Izard. Cf. Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence,
+Vol. I , p. 589.
+
+2 William Lee. Cf.., Ibid., p. 586.
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Jany 6 -79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I wrote to you on the 3d Inst by Express and then promisd to write
+again by the first good Opportunity. The Bearer of this Letter is a
+young Gentleman of your Country who is passing thro this place in his
+way home. He appears sensible, tells me he was educated at H. College,
+has since studied Physick, was taken at Sea & carried into England, was
+liberated or made his Escape & went over to France, from Paris he went
+to Dunkirk on the Encouragement of Mr Dean & enterd Surgeon on board
+the Revenge Sloop, built by order of a Come of Congress authorizd
+thereto & at the Continental Expense, and till lately supposd to have
+ever since remaind Continental Property, but now so invelopd in
+political Commercial Mystery as that it cannot be ascertaind whether
+she is ownd by the United States or private Persons, or whether she is
+the property partly publick & private. I will tell you more of this
+Matter when the Mystery shall be unraveld if it ever is; in the mean
+time remember my dear Sir what I said in my last of commercial
+Combinations.
+
+In the latter End of 75 one of the Characters in my last was left out
+of the Delegation of the Colony he had represented, and a Number of his
+Friends gave him a sort of Certificate or Letter of Recommendation as
+they had before done to one of your Delegates,1 which led me to think
+it was their Opinion he needed a Prop in his own Country. Soon after,
+the Congress appointed a secret Committee of Commerce, with a View of
+procuring from abroad the necessary Articles for carrying on the War.
+They also appointed a secret Committee of Correspondence. Their
+Business was to form political Connections abroad & to feel the
+pulsations of foreign Powers & particularly France. The first of these
+Committees engagd Mr ------ to go to that Kingdom for the purpose of their
+Commission & the Corresponding Come took the Advantage of his intended
+Residence there to facilitate the salutary Purpose of their
+Appointment. At the same Time they wrote a Letter to Mr ---- then in England
+from whom the Congress had before receivd the most accurate
+Intelligence, requesting a Correspondence with him & pledging Secrecy &
+Confidence. Mr ---- arrivd in France in June 76. Thus you see we had an
+Intelligencer to let us know what was doing or meditating against us in
+England; and a political Commercial Agent who was to inform us what was
+doing or could be done for us in France. The one had before settled a
+Correspondence & formd Connections in several parts of the Continent of
+Europe & particularly France; the other was a perfect Stranger in every
+Nation in Europe, but bearing Letters to considerable Men there. The
+one was altogether the political Man, the other had to do with Commerce
+as well as politicks. The one by his Address obtaind in England such
+Assurances as satisfied him that France would afford such Aid to
+America as she could consistently, the other was better skilld in the
+commercial Part of his Agency than the political. The one in London in
+the Months of March and April discoverd that he might successfully &
+actually did treat with a Merchant in France of no Capital but a
+favorite at Court for a Supply to the Value of L200,000 sterling--the other
+arrivd in the Month of June following, found him out & was somehow
+concernd in forwarding the Supplys thus contracted for. I dare say you
+are apt to draw this Conclusion that the one was the political
+Negotiator in this Instance & the other the Commercial Agent only--yet,
+will you believe it, it is positively affirmd that the one did every
+thing & the other Nothing. I will explain it to you in my next.
+
+1 Cf. Vol. III., p. 269.
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Jany 19-79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Inclosd is the Newspaper of this Day. Philalethes in attempting to show
+that the Supplys from France were not a Present from that Court, which
+nobody that I know of has asserted, has abundantly proved one thing
+which Common Sense has insisted on viz that A Lee had been negociating
+with Mr Beaumarchais for those Supplys, before Mr Dean arrivd there. No
+one I suppose would have thought of weighing Mr Deans Merit so
+critically, had he appeard content with his full Share of it. But when
+he takes so much Pains to represent his Colleagues as having done
+Nothing, it becomes a Piece of Justice to enquire whether they have in
+Reality been such unconcernd or impotent Spectators of their Countrys
+Misery and Want. Dr Franklin has the Honor of being Mr Deans venerable
+Friend; Mr Lee, an insignificant or troublesome Colleague. And yet Mary
+Johnsons assiduous Applications procurd the sending a Ship loaded with
+Merchandise & Stores to the Value of twenty five Thousand Pounds
+Sterling; and this Negociation was settled before Mr Deans Arrival in
+France. Mr Lee acted as the political Minister. He pressd on Mr
+Beaumarchais "the maintaining the War in America as the great Object."
+And indeed it was so. Mr Lee and every Man of Discernment knew, that it
+was the Policy of France to consider it in this View. On this
+Consideration he succeeded, and yet, says Mr Beaumarchais, "the
+Gratitude of Congress is due to the indefatigable Pains Mr Dean has
+taken thro' the whole of the Commercial Transaction." The Truth is, as
+I suppose, that Mr Dean did not care to return without some such Letter
+of Recommendation; and it was probably as easily obtaind as the other
+which I mentiond in my last. Mr Beaumarchais is a Man of Ingenuity &
+Wit. Horace was the Delight of the Court of Augustus. A Royal Letter &
+a Snuff Box, as I once told one of my Friends, are Things of Course,
+especially in the Honey Moon of National Matrimony. A Monarch politely
+compliments thro' the Minister the Ministers Sovereign. When the
+Merchant and the Courtier unite in one Man, the Courtier is safe in
+imitating his Master, and pays his Compliment in the Stile & Manner of
+the Merchant.
+
+Mr Deans Friends are in hopes he will be sent to Holland as a Reward
+for his good Services, from whence he may probably send or bring
+another mercantile Letter of Recommendation. Doubtless deep Commercial
+Connections may be formd there. They are willing Mr J A should go to
+Spain. The Design of this is to get Mr A L removd from thence. Others
+are for sending Mr A to Holland leaving Mr L in Spain, to whose
+Influence in that Country our Armies are indebted for Supplys of
+Blanketts Shoes and Stockins. I am sorry to be obligd to think, that a
+Monopoly of Trade, and not the Liberty of their Country, is the sole
+Object of some Mens Views. This is the Cake which they hope shortly to
+slice and share among themselves.
+
+Adieu,
+
+
+
+TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Feb 6 -79
+
+SIR
+
+The Marine Come have done themselves the Honor of writing to you by
+this Post. The great Dammage which has been done to the Trade at the
+Southward & particularly Chessapeak Bay by the Enemies Privateers has
+causd such pressing Demands for the Aid of our Ships of War as laid us
+under the Necessity of ordering the Queen of france immediately on a
+Cruize that Way. This I mention as a Reason why she could not be
+employd with the Confederacy & the other Ships but her Destination will
+remain a Secret.
+
+I hope the Expedition proposd by your Excy & agreed to by the Come will
+be performd in 2 or 3 Days, for I fear if it should be known to the
+Enemy, not only the desired Event wd be prevented but there would be
+danger of our losing our Ships.
+
+I have only time to beg the favor of your Excy to forward the inclosd
+by the first Oppty by the post or otherwise.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN WINTHROP.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Feb 6 1779
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have receivd your favor of the 21st of January. Every Body sees that
+the Depreciation of the Paper Currency is owing to the Floods of it
+which have been necessarily issued. In Addition to which a great
+Quantity more especially of the Emissions of 20 May 1777 & 11 April
+1778 has been counterfeited. This last Consideration was sufficient
+Inducement to the calling out of Circulation all the Bills of those
+Emissions as speedily as possible. The lessening the Quantity in
+Circulation is the only Means of restoring the Value & Credit of the
+Remainder. It would therefore be a happy Event if every possessor of
+them would receive Loan Office Certificates for them instead of new
+Bills in June next but this cannot be expected. In proportion as this
+may be done the only effectual Means, besides that of taxing which I
+hope will be chearfully submitted to by the People, of remedying the
+great Evil will have its effect. Congress have not cried down those
+Emissions, as the Expression is or resolvd that the Bills should sink
+in the Hands of those who would not exchange them for Loan Office
+Certificates, as has been done in the Eastern States. This might have
+been too harsh a Remedy. They have left it in the Option of the
+Possessors to receive either such Certificates or new Bills. This is
+the obvious Intention of their Resolutions on the Subject. The Wish of
+every discerning honest Man must be as obvious, viz that as many of the
+Bills may sink in the Loan Offices as the People can possibly spare,
+and as soon as possible. I think therefore you have judgd right of
+their Views. It would be an Act of Charity and a great Service to the
+publick if those who can afford to put their Money to Interest would
+ease their poorer fellow Citizens who are possessd of those Bills, by
+exchanging them for other Bills without a Discount.
+
+I am &c,
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL ALLYNE OTIS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library]
+
+PHILADE Feby 10 1779
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+The late Mr Andrews before his sudden & unexpected Death had written to
+a young Kinsman of mine in this place, Mr Richard Checkley, proposing
+to him to go to Boston with a View of employing him in his Warehouse. I
+know not whether Mr A intended to employ him in his own separate
+Affairs or in those in which he was joyntly concernd with you for the
+publick. Mr C had not heard of his Death till he was just about setting
+off on his Journey to Boston when I informd him of it. He is a young
+Man who, I am told, bears a good Character and is used to Business. If
+you can employ him it will be doing him a singular Benefit and I shall
+acknowledge it as a great favor. I ask it only on this Condition, that
+it may be perfectly consistent with your Views. I am with Cordial
+Esteem, Sir
+
+yr hble Servt
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Feb 12 -79
+
+MY DEAR SR
+
+Will you be so kind as to present my due Regards to Mrs Warren and let
+her know that immediately on my receiving her Letter for Miss Wray I
+deliverd it to the Care of my worthy Friend Colo Laurens who has since
+informd me that he has forwarded it in his own Packet to South Carolina.
+
+I have lately written several Letters to my Friend Dr C & have informd
+him that you & he & Mr S are my only confidential Correspondents in
+Boston. I have other trusty Friends there, but I have not Leisure to
+write to them all. I have expressd my wish that the honest & virtuous
+Friends of our Country would cultivate a cordial Esteem for each other.
+I am affraid there are little Jealousies among them which prevent their
+uniting their Councils and Efforts against that Inundation of Levity
+Vanity Luxury Dissipation & indeed Vice of every kind which I am
+informd threatens that Country which has heretofore stood with
+unexampled Firmness in the Cause of Liberty and Virtue. This Torrent
+must be stemmed, and in order to do it effectually, there must be
+Associations of Men of unshaken Fortitude. A general Dissolution of
+Principles & Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of
+America than the whole Force of the Common Enemy. While the People are
+virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue
+they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external
+or internal Invader. How necessary then is it for those who are
+determind to transmit the Blessings of Liberty as a fair Inheritance to
+Posterity, to associate on publick Principles in Support of publick
+Virtue. I do verily believe, and I may say it inter Nos, that the
+Principles & Manners of N Engd, producd that Spirit which finally has
+establishd the Independence of America; and Nothing but opposite
+Principles and Manners can overthrow it. If you are of my Mind, and I
+think you are, the Necessity of supporting the Education of our Country
+must be strongly impressd on your Mind. It gives me the greatest
+Concern to hear that some of our Gentlemen in the Country begin to
+think the Maintenance of Schools too great a Burden. I wish they could
+hear the Encomiums that are given to N Engd by some of the most
+sensible & publick spirited Gentlemen in the southern States, for the
+Care & Expence which have been freely borne by our Ancestors & continued
+ to this time for the Instruction of youth. Virginia is duly sensible
+of the great Importance of Education, and, as a friend in that Country
+informs me, has lately adopted an effectual Plan for that necessary
+Purpose. If Virtue & Knowledge are diffusd among the People, they will
+never be enslavd. This will be their great Security. Virtue & Knowledge
+will forever be an even Balance for Powers & Riches. I hope our
+Countrymen will never depart from the Principles & Maxims which have
+been handed down to us from our wise forefathers. This greatly depends
+upon the Example of Men of Character & Influence of the present Day.
+This is a Subject my Heart is much set upon. But I fear I have wearied
+your Patience. I will conclude with my most ardent Prayer that our last
+Days may be our best Days and our last Works our best Works.
+
+Adieu my dear Friend,
+
+Pay my due Regards to your Circle in Plymouth. Are you intimate with Mr
+D. I mentiond him to you in a former Letter as an excellent Republican.
+
+
+
+TO THE BOARD OF WAR AT BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Feb 16 1779
+
+GENTN
+
+I recd your Letr of 27 Jan and immediately communicated such of the
+Contents as relate to your Application to the Govr of N Y, to the
+Delegates of that State. They assured me that the Govrs refusing to
+grant a Permit to Mr Shepperd for the Transportation of Flour from
+thence must have been owing to the real & very great Scarcity of that
+Article there; and they desired me to satisfy you in that point,
+fearing that it mt be supposd to arise from other Motives. I will
+consult with my Colleagues and if any Means can be used by us to ensure
+Success to your Application from that Quarter you may depend upon our
+Exertion.
+
+I am inclined to think that Govr C, who in my Opinion is a truly good
+Man, is apprehensive of being imposd upon by Speculators, unless he
+uses great Caution; and he may perhaps not be fully apprisd of your
+asking under the express Authority & Commission of Massachusetts State.
+And yet I shd suppose your Letter to him would have been sufficient
+without authenticated Documents manifesting your Appointment. South
+Carolina is at so great a Distance that no Interposition of ours could
+avail, if it were necessary in the present Instance; but I am of
+Opinion there will be no Difficulty there in Case your Vessel arrives,
+the Embargo being over. I will write to Mess P in B & endeavor, shd
+there be any obstructions there to get them removd. A Come of Con have
+under Consideration a Letter from the Council of M B1 on the Subject of
+provisions, & I am informd they are ready to make Report.
+
+If any thing shd occur which will make it expedient for me to write you
+further I shall not omit the first Oppty. In the mean time I am &c,
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Feb 21-79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+By the last Post I sent to Mr W C2 some Extracts from an extraordinary
+Letter which I hope he has receivd. I think our Apprehensions are
+thereby strengthned, of an intended Monopoly of all the Trade and I may
+add of the richest Lands in America. The private & publick Letters of
+my Friend on the other side of the Atlantick having honestly stated
+Facts and led to important Discoveries, have renderd him an object of
+the hottest Resentment of interrested Men. I protest to you solemnly
+that the warm Affection I feel for a Man whom I never saw, is founded
+in a thorough Conviction of his long and unremitted Attachment to the
+Interests of America & of Mankind. But I will leave this Subject for
+the present.
+
+The Spring advances, and very probably some new Overtures may soon be
+made, if it is only to feel the Pulse of America. Perhaps there may be
+a real Design in the British Cabinet to propose Terms of Accommodation.
+We ought then to be previously thoughtful of so serious and momentous a
+Subject. I have Reason to think that Britain finds herself perplexd in
+the forming of Alliances and procuring Resources to her Satisfaction.
+She has repeatedly and in vain applied to Russia first for Ships of War
+& then for Troops. Her disappointment may be owing to the superior
+Policy of France, who by interesting Russia as well as her self in the
+Affairs of Prussia & the Empress of Germany may have made it improper
+for Russia to take any Measure which might tend to involve Europe in
+War. I am affraid if we should be seriously engagd in negociating a
+Peace, there would be an intemperate pressing from without Doors for a
+speedy Conclusion, which would precipitate the Affair to our
+Disadvantage. It is probable that Peace may be the desireable Object in
+all the Courts in Europe while they are making the necessary
+Arrangements and preparing for War if that shd be the Event. If Britain
+should refuse to acknowledge the Independence of America a War with
+France & Spain wd probably ensue and the flame would spread. In that
+Case, Britain might be obligd so far to withdraw her Troops from
+America as to leave it in our power with the Spirit of Enterprize to
+make such Acquisitions as wd ensure a safe & lasting Peace. But if
+Europe shall remain quiet & Britain with the Acknowledgmt of our
+Independence shd pro pose Terms of Accommodation, would it be safe for
+America to leave Canada, Nova Scotia & Florida in her hands. I do not
+feel my self at a LOSS to answer this Question; but I wish to be
+fortified with the Sentiments of my judicious Friends. You may easily
+discern that I write this Letter in the utmost Hurry.	Adieu.
+
+1 Massachusetts Bay.
+
+2 William Cooper.
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE March 7-1779--
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Yesterday your obliging Letter of the 3d of February was deliverd to me
+by Mr Hoskins. I thank you for the Concern you express for my Health,
+which through the Divine Favor I again enjoy as usual. The Advice you
+give me on this Head shall be duly regarded.
+
+Your Wish that I would resign the Office of Secretary perfectly
+coincides with my own Inclination. I never sought for that or any other
+Place. Indeed I never was pleasd with it, for Reasons which you are not
+unacquainted with. I am very sorry for Mr ---- that he should treat me with
+Unkindness. I never gave any just occasion for it; but if he was bid to
+do it, how could he disobey? I heartily forgive him, for I do verily
+believe it did not proceed from the Malevolence of his Heart. To do him
+Justice I must say he is a good naturd Man, and would do the Duties of
+that office better than I should. But if he depends upon the Interest
+of a certain popular Gentleman he may be disappointed; for he proposd
+last Summer to Mr L, who mentiond it to me with a generous Disdain. But
+a Change of Place oftentimes induces a Change of Opinion, and even a
+Promise made in York Town or Philadelphia, may be forgot in the Hurry
+of Affairs in Boston. I do not think Mr A. is my Enemy; or if he is, I
+am under no great Apprehensions from it. There are others who are of
+much more Consideration, at least in their own Estimation than he; and
+even these might upon certain Conditions be made my Friends. I mean as
+much my Friends as they are or can be to one another. A few flattering
+Speeches to this Man, and a Promise to that, of a Vote & Interest to
+keep him snug in the Possession of Places & Emoluments would
+effectually secure their gracious Smiles. But who would condescend to
+such Baseness for the Friendship of any Man? Let those who can do this,
+enjoy the Fruits of it. I do not covet them upon such Terms. I should
+become contemptible in my own Eyes; and you know that I had rather be
+despisd by all the World, hard as my Fate would be, than to be
+conscious to my self that I deservd Contempt.
+
+I receivd a Letter a few Days ago from France dated the 7th of
+December, in which my patriotick Friend Arthur Lee is mentiond in Terms
+of the highest Confidence and Respect. I will give you the following
+Extracts.--" Your old Friend is a Man of Honor and Integrity "--" He has been
+of Opinion that the publick Money has been too freely issued here, and
+has often opposd it."--"Insinuations, I have been told, have been made at
+Court against him, that he was too friendly to the English, too much
+attachd to Lord Shelburne, and even that he corresponded with his
+Lordship and communicated Intelligence to him. This, whoever suggested
+it, I am perfectly confident was a cruel Calumny, and could not have
+made Impression, if his Colleagues had contradicted it in the Manner
+you and I should have done. You and I have had Opportunity to know his
+invariable Attachment to our Cause long before Hostilities commencd;
+and I have not a Colour of Ground for Suspicion that from that time to
+this he has deviated an Iota from the Cause of his Country, in Thought
+Word or Deed. When he left England, or soon after, he wrote a Letter of
+mere Compliment to his Lordship, a mere Card to bid him farewell, and
+receivd such another in Return; which he assures me are all the Letters
+that ever passd between them, and I have not a Doubt of the Truth of
+it"--"Some of the Gentlemen of Character who are now in America from this
+Country, particularly the ---- and ----, it is to be feard, have had Prejudices
+insinuated into them against your old Correspondent. I am extremely
+sorry for this, because I think it is against a worthy Character, and
+because I think it will be likely to have unhappy Effects both with you
+and abroad."
+
+You may show the foregoing Extracts to such of my Confidential Friends
+as you think proper. They are the Sentiments of one in whom they have
+great Confidence, and may serve to convince them that the Insinuations
+of Mr Dean though artfully made and designed to prejudice the
+Reputation of an honest Man, are groundless, and that Dr Lee, who took
+an early decided and active Part in this glorious Contest, continues
+the consistent Patriot.
+
+Your Letters my dear, cannot come to me too frequently. Remember me to
+my Daughter, Sister Polly, Brother Tommy and other Friends, and be
+assured that I am
+
+most affectionately
+
+your
+
+March 9th
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Mar 9 [1779]
+
+Mr L will write you fully by this Oppty. I take up my pen chiefly to
+let you know that I am in the Land of the Living and bear you
+affectionately on my Mind. While I am in this World I am resolvd that
+no Vexation shall put me out of Temper if I can possibly command
+myself. Even old Age which is making Strides towards me shall not
+prevail to make me peevish. I find that an older Man than I am, can in
+the apparent Coolness of Mind, stabb a dreaded Rival to the Vitals. His
+Words are like Honey, but there is a large Mixture of Poison. You who
+are in the Midst of Life & Usefulness, do not expect to escape the
+envenomd Shaft, but you have always the Cure at hand, Moderation,
+Fortitude & Prudence. It matters little what becomes of an old worn out
+Servt in this World. He has his foot on the Grave & with Pleasure views
+it. But the virtuous Patriot, who is in the full Exercise of the Powers
+of Body & Mind, shall have my remaining feeble Voice in his Support agt
+the insidious Enemy of him & Mankind. I have said eno on this Head, &
+have not time to begin a new Subject. Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO BENJAMIN AUSTIN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Mar 9--79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Mr Hoskins who arrivd here a few days ago, was kind enough to deliver
+to me your favor of the 7th of Feb. It gave me a particular pleasure,
+because I was convincd that you had not totally forgot your old Friend.
+You see, I rank myself among your friends. HOW often have we chatted
+together by the fire side, and settled essential Points to mutual
+Satisfaction. Yet we have not always thought alike of Men who have
+conducted the noble Contest for the Rights of our Country, which we
+have been & are still engagd in. I congratulate my Countrymen on our
+having thus far got through the Conflict, but we are still engagd in
+it. And I repeat it, because while too many of our Countrymen are
+flattering themselves with the airy Prospect of Peace, Britain, if we
+may credit our latest & best Accounts from Europe, is preparing for a
+vigorous Campaign. It is prudent for us to enquire of the Watchman What
+of the Night? The Caution given us on another occasion may with
+propriety be adapted to this. Be ye ready; lest when the Time of Danger
+approaches, ye be found distracted with the eager Pursuit of Riches, or
+sleeping in the delusive Lap of pleasure & Dissipation. But this is a
+Digression from the intended Subject of my Letter. You ask my opinion
+of two Men who have lately appeard on the publick Stage; and with your
+usual Frankness, express your own opinion without a Doubt, that
+Congress will soon convince the one of his Folly & the other of his
+Weakness. But have you not misunderstood the Characters of these Men?
+Has not the first by his artful Address conceald his Weakness from the
+pub-lick Eye, while the other, by an improper Use of the Weapons in his
+hands, has given Advantage to his Adversary, and thereby discoverd his
+Folly. Mr Dean had in his first Publication said so much as to make it
+necessary that some other Person should say more. Common Sense
+undertook the Task and producd stubborn & undeniable facts, but not
+contenting himself with relating such facts only as were pertinent to
+his Argument he gave occasion to the Swarms of Writers against him to
+avail themselves, by diverting the Attention of his Readers from the
+proper Point. I will mention an Instance. After he had provd to the
+Satisfaction of every one, that the Cannon & Stores forwarded to
+America by Mr Deane, had been negociated by Mary Johnson & Beaumarchais
+before his Arrival in France, and consequently that the Merit of the
+Negociation did not belong to Mr Dean, what Necessity was there for
+Common Sense to mention them as a Present? It was nothing to his
+purpose; and it was too delicate a Subject for him to touch upon, or to
+attempt to prove if it had been true. His prudence therefore and even
+his Veracity was called in Question by his Adversaries, and his
+Authority & Influence as a Writer of facts lessend. The faithful
+Historian however, will hereafter unfold the secret Politicks of the
+present Day. The Newspaper Writings of these two Men, have drawn not
+only the Conduct but the Characters of others into Dispute. Had Mr Dean
+been only called upon explicitly to state his Charges, if he had any,
+against Dr Lee, I believe he would not have attempted it, and a
+Scrutiny of any Mans Character but his own would have been unnecessary.
+Although he has insinuated many things against the Doctor, & steppd
+aside from the Line of Propriety & Decency to bring in Invective, yet I
+do not recollect that he has explicitly criminated him in either, nor
+do I believe it is in his Power. If no one steps forward to accuse him,
+why should his Integrity be doubted? Why should you, my Friend, express
+yourself in so languid a Tone, "I cant yet but have a great opinion of
+Dr Lee," and "rather than the Cause of America should be betrayd I
+would give up the dearest Connections I have on Earth." Has Dr Lee
+forfeited the good opinion you "always had" of him? Do you doubt his
+Integrity & Attachment to the Cause of America? Has any one chargd him
+with Mal Conduct? Shall the mere Insinuations & angry Reflections of a
+disappointed Man lessen your good opinion of one whom you know to have
+been, early, decided, active, persevering and inflexible in the Cause
+of America? If this should be the prevailing Disposition, what honest
+Man will be safe? The consistent Patriot, after having endurd Fatigue &
+Danger for the Establishment of publick Liberty, would find himself
+still in the greatest Perils among his own Countrymen. I will say
+nothing decisively of Mr Dean at present; but I would assure you of one
+thing, that were I connected with Dr Lee as a publick Man, and
+conscious of my own Tardiness, I should think I had every thing to
+apprehend, not from a peevish, fretful Temper with which interrested
+Men have attempted to stigmatize him, but from his stern Virtue and
+Republican Jealousy. I may be partial to Dr Lee. I confess I feel the
+strongest Obligation to him, for the eminent Services he renderd to
+America when he was in England, and to the Massachusetts Bay in
+particular. I hope my Countrymen are not all ungrateful. Some of them,
+I have been taught to believe are so; otherwise the publick Character
+of an old Servant would not have been aspersd, nor wd it have been
+said, as I am informd it has, that he had been bribd to desert his
+Country. It is his honorable Lot to have Enemies. Honorable, because he
+flatters himself his Enemies are among the weak & the wicked. I leave
+my own Character, under God, in the Care of my virtuous fellow
+Citizens. I will contend for Dr Lees, because I am his Friend; and I am
+his friend, because I have long had abundant Reason to be convincd that
+he is a Friend to our Country. I have said I may be thought partial to
+him. Be pleasd then to take the Testimony of another, and show it to
+his Friends and his Enemies. "Your old friend, says one, is a Man of
+Honor and Integrity." "He has been of opinion that the publick Monies
+have been too freely issued here, & has often opposd it." Let me remark
+here that it is no Wonder he has exposd himself to the Resentment of a
+Man thro whose hands the Chief of the money passed. "Insinuations, I
+have been told, have been made at Court against your old friend that he
+was too friendly to the English, too much attachd to Ld Shelburne &
+even that he corresponded with his Lordship & communicated Intelligence
+to him. This, whoever suggested it, I am perfectly confident was a
+cruel Calumny. You and I have had opportunity to know his invariable
+Attachment to our Cause long before Hostilities commencd & I have not a
+Color of Ground for Suspicion that from that time to this he has
+deviated from the Cause of his Country in Thought Word or Deed."
+
+You may tell the Friends of Virtue and Liberty, that the Letter from
+which the foregoing Extracts are taken was written to me by one in whom
+they have always very justly placed great Confidence. I could
+transcribe more Passages which mention Dr Lee as "a worthy Character,"
+the unwarrantable Lengths to which the Animosities of interrested Men
+have been carried against him, & the Inveteracy of many Subaltern &
+collateral Characters but I think I have given enough to satisfy every
+reasonable Man.
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers. Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA Mar 23 1779
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+In Answer to a part of yours of the 20th of Feb. which I overlookd, I
+will transcribe an Extract of a Letter which I wrote last December to
+the Council of Massachusetts State. You may show it to my Friends &
+inform that I am still determind to return to Boston in April or
+May--there to resign the place I hold as Secretary and to get my self
+excusd from any further Service here. No "Bribe" shall prevail on me to
+desert my Country. I will still exert my poor Abilities in her Service.
+But as I am satisfied that there are others who are much more capable
+of serving her in this Department than I am, I may be allowd to say,
+that after near five years absense from my Family, and in a Climate
+unfriendly to my Health. I have Reason to expect I may be permitted to
+spend the Remainder of my Days in my native Place and enjoy the
+Pleasures of domestick Life. There, I shall on all occasions contribute
+my Mite in promoting the Peace and Prosperity of my fellow Citizens. In
+their Service, I began my political Race. I have ever kept their
+Interest in View. It will never be in my Power to render them much more
+Service; but my best Wishes for them will be coequal with my Life.
+
+I do not think my Countrymen are ungrateful; but I am affraid there is
+a Faction among them, consisting of a few Men, who are under the
+Dominion of those Passions which have been the Bane of Society in all
+Ages--Ambition and Avarice. I wish their Number may not increase. They are
+congenial Spirits with Hutchinson and those who aimd at grasping Wealth
+and Power. America, when she was wise, was jealous of such Designs. She
+opposd them though they were backd with the Wealth and Power of Great
+Britain. Such Kind of Men do me great Honor as they ever have done in
+being my Enemies. While such Men exist, and I believe they ever will in
+this World of Vanity, an honest Man would feel mortified indeed, to
+have it said that all Men spoke well of him. These Men hate, but I
+would not believe them if they were to say, they despisd the Man whose
+Integrity they cannot shake. They dread, but they cannot despise him of
+whom they entertain an opinion, that he is a virtuous Citizen.--I do not
+covet their Esteem. They are not among the Multitude of my Brethren, of
+whom I should count it an Honor to be accepted. The Eclat of the World
+is Vanity. There is a solid Satisfaction in ones having, and being
+conscious that he merits the good opinion of Men of true Discernment
+and real Worth. But to have a Name among the weak and the wicked is
+Shame and Reproach. Adieu my Dear. I hope to see you shortly, and then
+I will explain to you why I have written in this Strain.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE  March 23 1779
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor of the 12th & 28th of
+Feby. The Letter you mention in the former came to hand, but I am apt
+to think it will have no Effect at all. There was an omission in the
+Navy Boards not having Notice officially of the inclosd Resolution of
+Congress, but I hope the Delay has not been attended with any material
+Inconvenience.
+
+I do sincerely hope the General Assembly will appoint another Person to
+take my place here. I wrote a Letter to them last December, requesting
+that I might be relievd by one of my absent Colleagues or some other
+Gentleman, & permitted to return to my Family in the Spring. I find my
+Health declining, and the Air of this Country is unfriendly to it. I am
+therefore steadfastly determind to get my self excusd in April or May
+at farthest. In doing this, I shall immediately make Room for an abler
+Man. Such may easily be found, and, I hope, prevaild upon to come. I
+shall also gratify those whose Hearts are bent upon my Removal, and
+shall save them Abundance of Pains in making their Interest to effect
+it. These Men agree with me, if in Nothing else, in wishing most
+cordially for my Retirement from publick Business. Perhaps they would
+chuse to have me recalled with Disgrace. I hope this is not in their
+Power; though I think I could bear even that with becoming Fortitude,
+for I am conscious that I do not deserve to be disgracd by my Country,
+and can be happy in the Reflections of my own Mind. The Arts they make
+use of are contemptible. Last year, as you observe, I was an Enemy to
+General Washington. This was said, to render me odious to the People.
+The Man who fabricated the Charge did not believe it himself. When he
+endeavord to make others believe it, he attempted to injure me by
+imposing upon them. His own Heart must therefore reproach him with
+complicated Acts of Injustice, and if he has any Feeling he must
+despise himself. If I indulgd the Spirit of Revenge, could I wish for
+more? NOW, you tell me, their Art is, to prejudice the People against
+the Lees, and propagate that I am a Friend to them. HOW trifling is
+this? Am I accountable to the People for my opinions of Men? If I have
+found from long & intimate Acquaintance with those Gentlemen, that they
+are, and have been from the Beginning of this Contest, among the most
+able & zealous Defenders of the Rights of America and Mankind, shall I
+not be their Friend? I will avow my Friendship to them in the Face of
+the World. As an Inhabitant of Massachusetts Bay, I should think my
+self ungrateful, not to esteem Arthur Lee most highly, for his
+voluntary Services to that State, in Times of her greatest Necessity,
+to the Injury of his private Interest, and at the Risque of his Life.
+
+Adieu my Friend.
+
+March 24--79
+
+The Bearer of this Letter being prevented setting off by a Storm, I
+have had Time to transcribe the inclosd Extracts. They were written to
+me, as you will observe, in Confidence. I think I am warranted in
+communicating them to you, because I know the Writer has as much
+Confidence in your Prudence & Discretion as in mine, if not more. And I
+do not see how I can better use them for the purpose he intended in
+sending them to me, than by sending them to you. The Parts which are
+descriptive of the Weakness, or if you think more proper, the reserved
+Caution of Age, you will judge prudent to keep secret for the present.
+There are some of our Friends, who, having so long habituated
+themselves to admire the Wisdom of the Philosopher cannot easily be
+perswaded to believe, that in the different Character of a Politician,
+he may be liable to human Frailties at the Age of more than three score
+and ten. Those Parts which may serve to set Dr Lee in his true
+Character of an honest & diligent Servant of the publick, you will make
+Use of for that Purpose. For it is of equal Importance that the
+Fidelity of one or the Treachery of another, in the service of the
+publick, should be made known. A Man of inflexible Republican Virtue
+cannot but incur both the Dread & the Hatred of those who
+are--ambitious--desirous of making Fortunes--artful and enterprizing--especially if
+much of the publick Money has passd, unaccounted for, through their
+Hands. Mr Dean would have the World believe that Dr Lee is a dishonest
+Man & a Traitor. The Writer of these Extracts, who has had full
+Opportunity of enquiring, says, he is "a Man of Integrity and Honor,"--"a
+worthy Character"--"invariably attachd to the Cause of America." I am
+inclind to think, that no honest & sensible Man who is acquainted with
+both will hesitate to determine, which of their Opinions to rely upon,
+or which of them in the present Case ought to be supposd the impartial
+Judge.
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+March 26
+
+Mess Otis and Henley are under a Difficulty which I wish mt have your
+Attention, and that you wd consult our Brother Mr Gerry to whom they
+have written on the Subject. In Consequence of the most pressing
+Letters from the Board of War, they have lately purchasd a Quantity of
+Woolen Goods at 5 Months Credit, to be paid for in Currency at 75 for
+one provided Bills on Europe continue at 25, otherwise is that
+Proportion. They consulted the most judicious and publick spirited
+Merchants upon Change who thought it an advantageous Bargain. But the
+Board of War in a Letter to them say they hope & expect they have got
+rid of the Bargain. To insist upon this would seem hard and unjust, and
+to leave the Matter to be settled at a distant Time would be precarious
+and unsafe for them. I hope Gentlemen with you do not look upon them as
+that Kind of Men who seek publick Employment without any View of
+serving the Publick. They are Men of Honor and Reputation; and as such
+they expect to fullfil the Contracts they make, and they ought to be
+supported by their Employers.
+
+A Prize is arrivd in Salem taken by one of our Privateers, said to have
+on board 1500 bls of Flour, 1400 bls of Beef and Pork, besides dry
+Goods.
+
+Mrs A made a Visit to Mrs L a day or two ago & informd me that your
+Family were in Health. They are shortly to move into the House of S
+Waterhouse an Absentee.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Mar 27
+
+The Gentn of the Medical Departmt have diverse Times applied to
+Congress for Consideration on Accot of the depreciating Currency. It
+appears to me that they are as much intitled to it, as the officers of
+the Line; for altho they may not run Risques in the fighting Way, they
+very probably do, equally, in the Midst of putrid Fevers &c. Those of
+them who are the Subjects of this State, have applied to the General
+Assembly; and tho ample Provision is made for officers & Soldiers, no
+Provision is made for them, because they are not considerd as Part of
+the Quota of this State. I wish you would take this Matter under your
+Consideration. This is the first Time I have ever interposd in behalf
+of that Department. I have hitherto refraind on Account of my Sons
+being one, whom I early cautiond not to expect any Advantage, as a
+Servant of the Publick from his Connection with me.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+March 30
+
+Capt Paul Jones, it is supposd may be now in Philadelphia in Command of
+the Alliance. If Congress will recollect the Mannagemt of the Cutter
+Revenge commanded by Cunningham, which I imagine has not been cleard up
+to this Day & probably never will be, they will think it just to the
+Publick and necessary that Enquiry shd be made, while Jones is on the
+Spot, concerning the Squadron lately under his Command. Whether it was
+fitted out at the Expence of the Publick either french or american or
+joyntly by both. Or whether it was a Project of private Men so artfully
+contrivd & conducted as that they can declare the property to be either
+publick or private as may best suit their Interest. Landais is esteemd
+here a good Commander & an honest Man. But he is left in France &
+cannot inform you any thing about it. And whether the Character which
+Jones has given to all his officers (Landais only excepted) may operate
+as a Bribe, may be worth your particular Vigilance. The Reputation of
+our Navy, to say Nothing of the Honor of Congress which ought never to
+be suspected, will suffer, if our Seamen, after having venturd their
+Lives in cruizing upon the Enemy in Europe should return to America
+without receiving their Prize Money, & be told [here] that no one
+knows, whether the Vessels into which they inlisted were publick or
+private Property, tho they were taught to believe in Europe they were
+ownd & commissiond by the United States. If [our] Ministers or Agents
+abroad either with or without special Direction of Congress shall think
+it proper to employ our Ships of War (which has been the Case of the
+Alliance at least) in Expeditions or Services in Europe, ought they not
+to be directed, when the Service is performd, if it cannot be done
+conveniently before, to make known the Circumstances & Events to
+Congress? I am told that a Commodore Gillon has written a Letter to the
+late Mr President Jay concerning the attaching the American Ship of War
+Alliance to "an amphibious Squadron of french Cruizers, subjecting them
+to the Orders of Capt Paul Jones and giving Continental Commissions to
+a Number of french men, who were put upon Court Martials on American
+Citizens." And it is apprehended this Information will be withheld from
+Congress, because, tho intended to be laid before them, it was not
+expressly so desired. It is allowd that Jones has behavd with Bravery;
+but I think the Expedition with all its Circumstances should be the
+Subject of thorough & immediate Enquiry. Landais, I am informd is in
+Prison. He is an officer of Congress, and Congress should know, whether
+he is justly a....
+
+
+
+TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Apr 1 1779
+
+SIR
+
+We had the Honor of receiving by the Hands of N1 Gorham Esqr & others a
+Come of the General Court, your Letter of the 1st of March. Congress
+had before considerd the Subject of it and come in to Resolutions which
+we forwarded to you in Season. If any thing further can be done for the
+Reliefe of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay from the Distress they
+are under for Want of Bread, the Honble Assembly may rely upon our
+utmost Exertions. We have also recd another Letter by Express,
+inclosing a Resolution of the Assembly relating to the Necessity of
+ascertaining the Powers of foreign Consuls in the American Ports. This
+we immediately laid before Congress & the Matter is under the
+Consideration of a Committee.
+
+A Resolution yesterday passd, which directs that the proceedings of
+Congress from the first of Jany last, excepting such as require Secrecy
+for the present, be publishd with all Dispatch and transmitted weekly
+to the Assemblys of the respective States. This will enable us to
+comply with a former Instruction with Ease. The printing of the
+Journals preceding the Time just mentiond, will not be interrupted by
+the execution of this Resolution.
+
+We are with Sentiments of Duty & Regard to the Genl Assembly
+
+Sir
+
+your most hbl Servts 2
+
+1 Nathaniel Gorham, of Lunenburgh, Mass. On February 27 the House of
+Representatives appropriated L500 each to Gorham and Ebenezer Wells for
+their expenses while visiting the southern states as a committee of the
+House.
+
+2 Signed by Adams, Gerry, Lovell and Holten, delegates of Massachusetts
+in the Continental Congress.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN PITTS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD April 27-79
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have recd several of your favors which I have not yet answerd. You
+will not I am sure, impute it to Inattention or Neglect. I have been
+often sick. I have been fatigud with Business, whereby I am become
+greatly indebted to all my Friends in the Epistolary Way. Shortly I
+hope to see them when I shall make a satisfactory Apology. Upon what
+Foundation do they build their Hopes of Peace? Congress, they say, have
+receivd great News. No such thing. There is Nothing I know of worth
+your hearing which you have not already heard. Be not amusd by the
+Tales of interrested Politicians, Speculators & Tories. A false Hope of
+peace in the Time of War does a World of Mischiefe. The latest & best
+Advices I have seen mention Britain as breathing Nothing but Revenge.
+Besides, were we to expect serious Overtures, did a wise Nation ever
+remit; their Exertions at such a Juncture? I hope America will
+persevere in this glorious Struggle till she obtains what in Reason she
+ought to insist upon This you will tell me is saying just Nothing at
+all Very true; and why should one speak when it is the Time to be
+silent? At a proper time when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you,
+I will chat with you upon the Subject. Let me only ask you at present,
+Is not the Fishery as valueable to America & more so to old
+Massachusetts than the Tobacco Fields of the middle States or the Rice
+Swamps of the South?
+
+Ask my old Fd the Hon T C1 what he thinks of the pious Lord Dartmouth
+now. Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE April 29, 1779
+
+MY DEAR FRIEND
+
+I have not yet acknowledgd your Favors of the 14th & 15th of March. The
+Subject of the former is of the last Importance. I have always been of
+Opinion that America would be in more Danger in the Point of coming to
+an Accommodation with Great Britain than in any Stage of the War.
+Unpracticd as we are in the Business of Treaties and perhaps too
+unsuspecting of the Intrigues of Courts, we may be led into Conventions
+which may put us into a State of Insecurity while we are nominally
+independent. The Advice which some Persons would affect to give us not
+to insist upon too much, should be receivd with the greatest Caution.
+What do they mean by it, and how far wd they have us extend it? If we
+had hearkned to such Advice in the Infancy of this Contest, we should
+have submitted [to] Britain the Right of taxing us, & humbly
+supplicated her to suspend the Exercise of it. In doing this we might
+have prevented the Horrors of War, & have been her quiet Slaves. No
+Terms have yet been proposd by Britain. She possibly may offer them
+soon, and her proposals possibly may be insidious & inadmissible. I do
+believe she is at this Moment employing her secret Emissaries to find
+out the Disposition of America & what would be her Ultimatum. Should
+not the People then speak the Language which becomes them & assure her
+that after so virtuous & successful a Struggle they are determind to
+demand enough for the Purpose of securing their own internal & external
+Happiness. This is the Aim of the Revolution and the Extent of the
+Wishes of our good & great Ally, who I dare affirm, is invariably
+determind not to seperate his Interest from that of America, & to
+support the Cause of the United States as his own. Our Happiness
+depends upon Independence. To be prosperous we must have an extensive
+Trade. This will require a respectable Navy. Our Ships must be mannd,
+and the Source of Seamen is the Fishery. Among those who ought to see
+the Importance of the Fishery, I am affraid there are some who think
+that in insisting upon that we should insist upon too much. Nova Scotia
+& Canada would be a great & permanent Protection to the Fishery. But
+these, say some, are not Parts of the United States, and what Right
+should we have to claim them? The Cession of those Territories would
+prevent any Views of Britain to disturb our Peace in future & cut off a
+Source of corrupt British Influence which issuing from them, might
+diffuse Mischiefe and Poison thro the States. Will not then the
+Possession of Nova Scotia & Canada be necessary, if we mean to make
+Peace upon pacifick Principles? If we are to have no overtures this
+year, and Providence blesses us with the Spirit of Enterprize would it
+not be better for us, provided it be practicable, to wrest those Places
+from the Hands of the Enemy than trust to the Uncertainty of Treaty? I
+confess we have a Choice of Difficulties. I pray God we may surmount
+them all! None however reach the Pinnacle of Eminence & Glory but the
+virtuous & brave. Adieu my dear Sir. I hope to see & live with you
+shortly; but I shall expect another Letter from you before I leave this
+Place.
+
+1 Thomas Cushing.
+
+
+
+THE MARINE COMMITTEE OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
+
+[MS., Letter Book of the Marine Committee, Library of Congress; a draft
+is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+May 26th 1779
+
+SIR
+
+Your Excellencys Letter to this committee of the 25th instant together
+with an Extract from another of the 17th instant to the President of
+Congress has been duely considered by the Committee.
+
+Unfortunately the situation of our frigates is such as to afford no
+reason to expect that they can possibly be collected in season to
+execute the plan proposed. The Providence of 32 Guns and the Ranger of
+18 are already ordered on a Cruize and it is supposed must be at Sea
+before different orders can reach them at Boston.
+
+The Warren of 36 Guns and the Queen of France of 20 have lately
+returned from a Cruize and are unmanned. Although the Naval force of
+the enemy at New York is at present trifleing, yet as their situation
+in this respect is very fluctuateing they may probably be so reinforced
+as to render it too hazardous to risque only the Two frigates in this
+River viz: the Confederacy of 36 Guns & the Deane of 28 Guns the latter
+of which wants a great number of hands to make up her complement.
+
+Add to this that though the force of the enemy on the water would be
+inferior to ours, yet might they not retire under cover of the
+Batteries on shore and receive effectual protection from any annoyance
+that could be attempted from the Guns of our small Ships. I am desired
+by the Committee to assure you Sir that they shall always be ready with
+the greatest alacrity to employ our little fleet in the execution of
+such plans as may be suggested to them by your Excellency when our
+circumstances shall be such as to render it practicable.
+
+I am yr Excellencys
+
+Obet Servt 1
+
+1 Signed, "S. Adams, Chn."
+
+
+
+TO BENJAMIN HAWES.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASS. BAY.
+
+COUNCIL CHAMBER. July 10th 1779
+
+SIR
+
+The Council being informd that a Detachment of Troops destind for the
+Defence of the State of Rhode Island are waiting at or near the Town of
+Wrentham ready to march you are directed to forward them and all others
+in the like Circumstances within the Limits of your regt to the Place
+of their Destination with all possible Dispatch.
+
+
+
+TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF M B. COUNCIL CHAMBER
+
+July 12 1779
+
+To the Honble the Commissioners of the Continental Navy Board
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+The Council Board having given orders that the Ships in the Service of
+this State and employed in the present Expedition to Penobscott proceed
+to Sea upon the Signal given from the Continental Frigate Warren, you
+are requested to give order to the Commander of the Frigate & other
+Ships under your Direction to proceed to place of Rendevous already
+agreed on.
+
+In the Name & Behalf of the Council.1
+
+1 Wholly in the autograph of Adams; the original was signed by Jeremiah
+Powell, President of the Council, as in the case of letters printed on
+pages 153-155, 158, 160, 161, 162.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a portion of the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 70.]
+
+STATE OF MASS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 13 1779
+
+SIR
+
+Your Excellencies Letter of the 11th Current was duly receivd & read in
+Council; in Consequence of which, orders are issued to the Brigadiers
+of the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire to detach and forward on under
+proper officers with all possible Dispatch a Number consisting of one
+sixth part of their Militia to such place in Connecticutt as your Excy
+shall appoint & to continue in Service for the Defence of the State of
+Connecticutt during the space of one Month after their Arrival at the
+place appointed unless they shall be sooner dischargd. It is presumd
+that the Aid of one thousand Men at least will be afforded by means of
+this order. The Council very sensibly feel the Distress which the State
+of Connecticutt have already sufferd by the Incursions & Depredations
+of a desperate & malicious Enemy, and trust in God that the People of
+New England will be always spirited to exert themselves upon every
+pressing occasion for the Common Safety & that their Exertions will be
+attended with the divine Blessing.
+
+
+
+TO HORATIO GATES.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a portion of the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp, 70, 71.]
+
+STATE OF MASS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 14 1779
+
+SIR
+
+Your Letter of the 12th Instant with its Inclosure has been receivd by
+the Council. The Progress of the Enemy into the State of Connecticutt,
+and the Devastations they have already made in some of the Towns there,
+require our vigorous Exertions. Orders have been given to forward the
+Troops destind for the Defence of Rhode Island with all possible
+Dispatch. And the Commanding officers of the Counties of Hampshire and
+Berkshire are also directed to detach a Number from their Militia &
+march them forthwith for the Reliefe of Connecticut!, to such place as
+Govr Trumbull shall appoint, of which due Notice is forwarded to the
+Governor. Should the Enemy, direct their force to Connecticutt or any
+part of New Engd & attempt to make that the Seat of the War, this
+Summer, Nothing shall be wanting on the part of this Board, to defeat
+their Designs.
+
+In the Name & behalf of the Council I am----
+
+Sir your most obedient
+
+humble Servt
+
+
+
+TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 14, 1779
+
+To the Hon the Commissioners of the Continental Navy Board
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+This Board being duly informd by the Board of War that the Ships &
+Vessels in Service of this State on the Expedition to Penobscot are
+ready to proceed to Sea upon the proper Signals being given from the
+Frigate Warren, you are requested to give the necessary order to
+Captain Salstonstal as soon as may be.
+
+In the Name & Behalf of the Council
+
+I am &c
+
+TO MESHECH WEARE.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 28--1779
+
+SIR
+
+It having been suggested to this Board that a Vessel belonging to the
+subjects of his Catholick Majesty has been plunderd on the high Seas by
+the Captain of a Vessel from Liverpole, suspected to be Capt George
+Hewet of the Prize Brig Adventure lately brot into this Port--And the
+Board being informd that Cap Evans of Portsmouth & his Mate who arrivd
+here a few days ago & are since gone to that town can give Information
+touching the same-- It is the Request of this Board that the Honorable the
+Council of New Hampshire will be pleasd to cause a strict Examination
+to be made into a Report which is of great Importance to the United
+States, as the aforesaid Act of Pyracy is said to have been committed
+under American Colours.
+
+I am
+
+in the name &c
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 226-228, under date of
+August 1, 1777.]
+
+BOSTON, Aug. 1st, 1779.
+
+It was not till the last week that I received your favour from Nantes
+of the 6th of March. Our friend Mr. Lovett sent it to me from
+Philadelphia. I resent the treatment you have met with in America with
+all the feelings of friendship. Among your enemies you may depend upon
+it there are some of the worst kind of men. I cannot help entertaining
+a violent suspicion that they are the enemies of their country. I am
+sure that they cannot at present do a more vital injury to the great
+cause of America than by raising the popular jealousy and clamour
+against its earliest, most able, and persevering friends. This they are
+endeavouring to do not only with regard to you but others; and they are
+masters of so much sophistry as to deceive some who, as I think, are
+not so wary and suspicious of them as they ought to be. Mr. -------- in the opinion
+of some of his own party, was injudicious in his publication of the 5th
+Dec. last. They are at least constrained to say it, whether they think
+so or not. It is the opinion of the best men, I know, that he has done
+more mischief than it will ever be in his power to atone for. I never
+had but one opinion of this man since the year 1774, when I first knew
+him, and that is, that he is commercial and interested. I believe he
+has for a twelvemonth past, thought it his interest to throw us into
+divisions and parties, and that he has been as influential in effecting
+it as any man in America. Interested men, men who are united in
+politics and commercial combinations are and must be his advocates.
+Perhaps the persons whose names you mention in the last part of your
+letter, may be his secret but powerful supporters; I do not pretend to
+affirm it. These men most certainly, should preserve their minds free
+from prejudice in disputes of this kind. They should stand totally
+unconnected with any party, as they would avoid doing injury to the
+joint cause of France and America, and lessening that strong attachment
+and mutual confidence between the two nations, which every true friend
+and subject of both wishes may long subsist.
+
+Your letter to the editor of the Leyden Gazette, written upon your
+seeing Mr.....'s first publication, fell into my hands a fortnight ago.
+I published it with a few loose observations in one of our newspapers.
+I have since had the pleasure of being informed, that you have sent to
+congress a reply to Deane's accusations, which has given great
+satisfaction to impartial men. I foresaw soon after his arrival, that
+your lot would be to suffer persecution for a while. This is frequently
+the portion of good men, but they are never substantially injured by
+it. Our friend and your late colleague, in his letter to me, has
+mentioned you in the most honourable as well as the most friendly
+terms. I should have written to him by this opportunity, but I am led
+by yours to believe that my letter would not reach him. But if he
+should be in France when you receive this letter, pray mention my
+friendly regards to him, and let him know that his lady and family are
+in health.
+
+The young gentleman who carries this letter is Mr. William Knox,
+brother to the general, and has the character of an honest friend to
+the liberties of his country; your kind notice of him as such will
+oblige me.
+
+I have many things to say to you; but the short notice I have had of
+the sailing of this packet, leaves me no time to add more than to
+assure you that I am, with perfect sentiments of friendship, yours, &c.
+
+1 President of the Council of New Hampshire.
+
+
+
+TO SOLOMON LOVELL.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+August 6th 1779
+
+SIR/
+
+The Council not having receivd any Intelligence of the State of the
+Army under your Command since your Departure from Boston, are
+apprehensive that it must have been unluckily intercepted. They have
+therefore orderd the Dispatch of an Express to you for the Purpose of
+being informd from you with the utmost precision of your Scituation &
+Circumstances, the Information to be forwarded to this Board without
+Delay.
+
+There is no News of the Movements of the Enemy that may be depended
+upon. You are fully sensible of the Necessity of compleating the Design
+of this Expedition with all that Speed as well as prudence & Discretion
+which characterizes you as an officer vested with so important a
+Command.
+
+1 Brigadier General of the Suffolk County militia.
+
+
+
+TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text, with modifications, is in W. V.
+Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 73.]
+
+PROVIDENCE Augt 10th 1779
+
+SIR
+
+I have the Pleasure to acquaint the Honble the Council Board, that I
+arrivd here last Evening, and, upon communicating their Request to
+Major General Gates, I found him ready, as usual, to afford every
+Assistance in his Power, for the Service of the great Cause. He has
+orderd Colo Jackson with a Detachment from his Regiment consisting of
+four hundred Men, to joyn General Level at Penobscot. This Core, I have
+Reason to believe, both Officers and Privates, will do honor to
+themselves & their Country, when an Opportunity shall present. I had
+the Satisfaction of seeing them on their March this Morning at Sun
+rise, and the Council may expect them in the Neighborhood of Boston
+tomorrow Evening. In the mean time, I hope that Transports and every
+Accommodation will be prepared for them that their Passage to the Place
+of their Destination may not be delayd. I shall immediately forward to
+Brigadier General Godfrey the order of the Honble Board, for the
+detaching four hundred Militia to serve in Providence in the Room of
+these Troops, and remain with all Regard,
+
+Sir your most obedient
+
+hble Servant,
+
+
+
+TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text, with modifications, is in W. V.
+Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 73.]
+
+PROVIDENCE 11 Aug. 1779
+
+SIR
+
+General Gates writes to the Council by this Express. Colo Jackson's
+Regiment will have arrivd at Boston before this Letter reaches you. I
+presume they will sail under the strongest Convoy that can be made up.
+Should they meet with a superior force of the Enemy at Sea, I conceive
+it ought to be a point settled & indispensible that the Commanders of
+the Armed Vessells run the utmost Risque to give the Troops an
+Opportunity of making their Escape. I wrote yesterday to Genl Godfrey &
+this morng receivd his Answer with Assurance of punctual Obedience to
+the orders of Council.
+
+With Sentiments of Esteem & Respect I am
+
+your most hbl Servt
+
+
+
+
+
+TO SOLOMON LOVELL.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+Augt 14th 1779
+
+SIR
+
+The Council have now to acquaint you that Colo Jackson's Regiment will
+at all events embark this Day & the Transports will sail without Delay.
+This Regiment we trust, under God, will be a sufficient Reinforcement
+to you; and from the Ardor of your Troops, as well as from your own
+Bravery, Activity, Prudence & Zeal for the great Cause, we have Reason
+to expect speedily to hear that the Designs of the Enemy at Penobscot
+are defeated & their Army captivated.
+
+In the Name of the Council
+
+I am &c
+
+P.S. Upon the Reception of this Letter you will immediately send your
+orders to Townsend where the Transports are to stop unless Colo Jackson
+shall meet your Directions at Sea.
+
+1 Endorsed as "forwarded by Majr Braddish to Messrs Saml or Enoch
+Freeman at Falmo. Duplicate by Spy Boat."
+
+
+
+TO JOHN FROST.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER Augt 17 1779
+
+SIR
+
+The Council have receivd your Letter dated the 16th. It is the opinion
+of the Board that it would have been prudent in you to have acquainted
+Brigr General Lovel with the Circumstances of the remaining Part of the
+Men detachd from your Brigade for the Expedition to Penobscot; and it
+is the Direction of the Board that you immediately on the Receipt of
+this Letter dispatch an Express to the General informing him of the
+Number of Men now ready, agreable to the Representation you have made
+in your Letter, and requesting him, if he shall think it necessary and
+proper, to forward a Vessel from Penobscot with a suitable Convoy to
+transport them.
+
+1 Brigadier General of the York County militia.
+
+
+
+TO _______ _______.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Aug. 17, 1779
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I did not write by the last Post, because I was at Providence upon
+Business with General Gates. He, with his usual Readiness to serve the
+Common Cause, has spared Colo Jacksons Regt to joyn our Forces at
+Penobscot. They were marchd to this place with the greatest Dispatch &
+have sailed with a fair Wind, under Convoy of two Vessels of Force. It
+needs not to be mentiond to you, how necessary it is to remove the
+Enemy from their Lodgment there. I cannot but hope the Business is by
+this Time effected; but should any untoward Accident happen, a Regiment
+of regular Troops will support our Militia, and animate that Part of
+the Country. Our last Accounts from General Lovel were of the 6th
+Instant. There was then no unpromising Circumstance, but the Want of a
+few disciplind Soldiers. We had a Letter from Mr Freeman of Falmouth,
+dated I think the 12th, by which we were informd that one Pote, a
+fisherman... While I am writing, an Express arrives from Penobscot with
+Letters of the 13th--a Reinforcement to the Enemy consisting of 1 Ship of
+64 Guns 3 Frigates...
+
+
+
+TO HENRY JACKSON.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASS. BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER BOSTON Augt 21 1779
+
+SIR
+
+This Board have recd your Letter dated the 19th at Portsmouth and are
+happy in your safe Arrival there with the whole Fleet under your
+Command. They approve of your Resolution to march to Falmouth, and make
+no doubt but upon your Application to the People of Portsmouth, or as
+it appears to the Council most effectual, to the Selectmen of the Towns
+Eastward of Portsmouth, you will be amply provided with Waggons &c for
+the Transportation of your Baggage Provisions & military Stores. By the
+time of your Arrival at Falmouth, you will probably receive Directions
+for your further Conduct from Brigr Genl Lovel who is authorizd, if he
+shall judge it necessary, to call in the Militia of the Counties of
+York Cumberland & Lincoln. It is expected that so spirited, experiencd
+and well Disciplind a Regiment as yours is, will add Vigor to the
+Inhabitants of that Part of the State, upon whose Attachment to the
+Cause of their Country great Dependence is to be had. A single
+Disappointment though attended with LOSS should by no means be a
+Discouragement to us. It is hoped that a respectable Body of the
+Militia will be again collected, at such place as Genl Lovel if
+necessary shall think most convenient, and that by the Smiles of Heaven
+our Enemies in that Quarter will yet be subdued. We pray God to protect
+& prosper you.
+
+1 Colonel of militia. This letter was addressed to Jackson at
+Portsmouth.
+
+TO HORATIO GATES.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Augt 22d 1779
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Yesterday I recd your favor of Fryday last by Express. By the Councils
+Letter which you must have receivd, you will see that Events untoward
+have taken place at Penobscot. Our Troops were dispersd, and I fear our
+Ships are burnt. Better so, however, than to fall into the Enemies
+Hands. We could not command Success, but we have endeavord to deserve
+it. Disappointments are to be expected in so arduous a Conflict, and
+when they come fairly one can bear them with Patience & Fortitude; but
+when they happen through Misconduct, they are vexatious. I suspect
+there has been bad Mannagement, but I will not make up my Judgment till
+I am fully informd. The Moment an authentick & explicit Account
+arrives, you shall have it from me. I will not yet despair of Success.
+Witness Tyconderoga & Saratoga. An Instance which you and our Country
+will never forget. We have directed & authorizd Genl Lovel to call in
+the Militia & have sent him a Proclamation to disperse thro the Eastern
+Counties. Who knows but Laurels are yet ordaind for Level & Jackson. He
+arrivd on fryday last with the whole Fleet under his Command at
+Portsmouth, and is to march through a good Road to Falmouth where he
+will probably receive Lovels orders. The Selectmen & Committees of the
+Towns are directed to provide him with Waggons to transport his Baggage
+Provisions & military Stores. I flatter myself we shall yet subdue the
+Enemy at Penobscot. To alleviate our Misfortunes, some Ships taken from
+the Jamaica Fleet by the Providence Queen of France & Ranger are arrivd
+at this Harbor which added to one arrivd here a few Days ago & another
+at Cape Ann makes six out of ten which we know are taken. The Contents
+of all are fifteen or sixteen hundred hhds of Sugar, twelve hundred
+hhds of Rum, Piemento, Ginger, Fish &c. The richest of the Cargos are
+arrivd. We are told of a Vessel at Salem in thirty Days from Cadiz &
+Bilboa, which brings an Account of the Declaration of War in Spain
+against Britain. This corresponds with Accounts just recd from Havanna.
+I believe they are true.
+
+The Chevalier de la Luzerne has honord me with several private
+confidential Conversations, in which I have communicated to him my
+Sentiments with Freedom and Candor. I have conceivd an high opinion of
+him and of M. Marbois, who is a Member of the Parliament of Meitz. I
+want him to see you & Governor Trumbull. The Chevalier has not yet
+determind what Route to take. Should he go thro Springfield I wish to
+know whether you could furnish him with an Escort to General
+Washingtons Head Quarters. Your Answer to this speedily will oblige
+me.--God bless you my dear Friend. Believe me to be sincerely yours----
+
+
+
+TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; the text, dated November 12, 1779, is in
+W.V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 71, 72.]
+
+STATE OF MASS BAY IN COUNCIL Octr 12 1779
+
+SIR
+
+Your Excellencys Letter of the 4th of October to the Council of this
+State was duly receivd, and immediately laid before the General
+Assembly which fortunately happend to be then sitting. The Assembly
+have chearfully complid with your Requisition and accordingly orderd
+two thousand Men to be raisd with all possible Dispatch for the Purpose
+mentiond. The Council have appointed Brigr General Fellows to take the
+Command. Inclosd is Copy of the Resolution of the General Assembly.
+Wishing that Success may ever attend the Arms of the United States &
+their Ally, I am in the Name & Behalf of the Council
+
+yr Excellencys
+
+most obedient
+
+& humble Servant
+
+
+
+TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Oct 19, 1779
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+Such are my Apprehensions of great Numbers of the Inhabitants of this
+Town perishing in the ensuing Winter for Want of Fuel unless Measures
+are taken to guard the Wood Coasters from the Eastward, that I cannot
+satisfy myself without once more applying to you and most earnestly
+requesting that the Queen of France may be employd a short time in that
+Service. I have venturd to promise the People the Service of that Ship
+upon the Assurance given to me by your Honbl Board. I beg you would not
+think my Design is to be troublesome to you, but you will excuse me in
+pressing a Matter in which I think I am justified, by the Rules of
+Justice, & Mercy to a Community whose Constancy & Firmness as well as
+Sufferings in the great Cause entitle them to the Protection of the
+Continental Navy.
+
+I am with every Sentiment of Regard
+
+Gentn yr very hbl Servt
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY AND JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+Decr -- 1779
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+Mr Woodbury Langdon1 did me the Honor of a Visit this Morning and
+deliverd to me your Letter of the 19th of November directed to Mr
+Hancock and myself.
+
+I cannot but feel the Sentiments of Gratitude to the Gentleman who has
+originated a Subscription for the Support of the Children of our very
+worthy deceasd Friend. I had been informd of it before; having lately
+seen a Letter on the Subject, in which the Name of Congress is mentiond
+in Terms more than "inadvertent." I am much displeasd, when I find the
+tender Feelings of Humanity & Benevolence towards these helpless
+Orphans accompanied with the Passion of Anger, and Resentment (probably
+misplacd) towards that Body, which their "brave Father," if living,
+would not fail to honor & revere. I should be very sorry, that the
+"various Causes" in one Paper, should be explaind by the harsh
+Expressions of "Ingratitude that is unparralled [sic]," in another. I
+have never heard that Application has been made to the Assembly of
+Massachusetts Bay in Behalf of these Children; and if there had been, I
+am at a LOSS to conceive, from what good or generous Motives it was
+introducd into a Paper when the very Use of it must tend to expose &
+exclude them from the Character of "patriotick humane & generous." Nor
+can I readily think of a Reason, why the Monies to be collected, should
+not be paid into the Hands of one of the Massachusetts Delegates, since
+it would not then have conveyd the Idea in a strong Light, that those
+who had been formerly among the most intimate Acquaintance and
+affectionate Friends of their "illustrious Ancestors," were totally
+regardless of "what they owe to his deserted youth."
+
+I will communicate your Letter to Mr Hancock and consult him thereon.
+In the mean Time be assured that I am sincerely
+
+Your Friend,
+
+1 Member of Congress from New Hampshire.
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[J. T. Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 310, 311.]
+
+BOSTON, Dec. 20, 1779.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,
+
+Last Saturday the two houses of assembly of this state made choice of
+yourself and Mr. Osgood to represent them in the convention recommended
+by the joint committees of the five eastern states to be held at
+Philadelphia. As it was a doubt in the minds of some of the members,
+whether so many of the other states would send their agents as to make
+a convention, it was thought prudent to leave it to the gentlemen who
+represent this state in congress, to agree upon any two of their number
+for that service. But it was overruled for several reasons; one was,
+that it was necessary to send one gentleman at least, immediately from
+hence, because it was supposed such an one must be better acquainted
+with particular circumstances in this state, necessary to be made known
+to that assembly, and which are perpetually varying, than any gentleman
+could be who has been absent for any length of time. Some gentlemen
+were 10th you should be taken off a moment from your important services
+in congress, but all were desirous of your assistance in the
+convention, in case it shall meet. Mr. Osgood will set off with all
+possible speed.
+
+I am with truth and sincerity,
+
+Your affectionate friend,
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY AND JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Decr 20th 1779
+
+GENTLEMEN/
+
+Since my last Letter to you, I have had an Opportunity of conversing
+with Doctor John Warren,1 Brother of our deceasd Friend, concerning the
+Scituation of his Children. He tells me that the eldest Son was, as
+early as it could be done, put under the Care and Tuition of the Revd
+Mr Payson of Chelsea; a Gentleman whose Qualifications for the
+instructing of Youth, I need not mention to you. The Lad still remains
+with him. The eldest Daughter, a Miss of about thirteen, is with the
+Doctor; and he assures me, that no Gentlemans Dauter in this Town has
+more of the Advantage of Schools than she has at his Expence. She
+learns Musick, Dancing, writing & Arithmetick, and the best Needle Work
+that is taught here. The Doctor, I dare say, takes good Care of her
+Morals. The two younger Children, a Boy of about seven years, and a
+Girl somewhat older, are in the Family of John Scollay Esqr, under the
+particular Care of his Daughter at her most earnest Request; otherwise,
+I suppose, they would have been taken Care of by their Relations at
+Roxbury, and educated as reputable Farmers Children usually are. Miss
+Scollay deserves the greatest Praise for her Attention to them. She is
+exceedingly well qualified for her Charge; and her Affection for their
+deceas'd Father prompts her to exert her utmost to inculcate in the
+Minds of these Children, those Principles which may conduce, "to render
+them worthy of the Relation they stood in" to him. General Arnold has
+assisted, by generously ordering five hundred Dollars towards their
+Support. This I was informd of when I was last in Philadelphia. I
+called on him & thank'd him for his Kindness to them. Whether he has
+done more for them since, I cannot say. Probably he originated the
+Subscription2 you have mentiond to me. I have omitted to tell you, that
+two years ago I was in this Town and made a visit to the present
+General Warren at Plymouth. His Lady was very sollicitous that the
+eldest Daughter should spend that Winter with her, and desired me to
+propose it to Miss. I did so; but I could not prevail upon her. She
+said, that Mrs Miller (Mr Charles Millers Lady) at whose House she then
+was, did not incline to part with her, and that it would be a Breach of
+good Manners, and ungrateful for her to leave Mrs Miller against her
+Inclination. She very prettily expressd her Obligations to both those
+Ladies, and thus prevented my saying any more. I am very certain it was
+Mrs Warrens Intention to give her Board and Education. You know the
+distinguishd Accomplishments of that Lady. I think it does not appear
+that Betsy has been altogether friendless and "deserted"; or that the
+others are in danger of "suffering irreparably on Account of their
+Education." Yet as I am very desirous that they should have the
+greatest Advantage in their Growth into Life, I shall, among other
+Friends, think my self much obligd to any Gentleman who, from pure and
+unmixd Motives, shall add to those which they now enjoy.
+
+I have not yet had the Honor of an Interview with Mr Hancock, since I
+sent him the Letter which you wrote to us joyntly, and requested his
+Sentiments thereon. Adieu, my dear Friends, and believe me to be
+respectfully
+
+Yours,
+
+1 Numerous bills of John Warren against the United States, for the
+expenses of the education of Joseph Warren, are in the Massachusetts
+Archives.
+
+2 The text of this subscription, from an autograph copy by Adams in the
+Lenox Library, is printed below, pages 171-173.
+
+
+
+COPY OF A SUBSCRIPTION PROPOSD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN OF THE
+LATE MAJOR GENERAL WARREN--DATED AT PHILADELPHIA; & INCLOSD IN A LETTER
+FROM E. GERRY & JAMES LOVELL TO JOHN HANCOCK & SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+The Honble Major General Warren who after de voting his Time & Talents
+for many years to his Country, gloriously fell in defending her Rights
+& Liberties, in the well fought Battle of Bunkers Hill, left four
+Orphan Children--Minors, two Sons and two Daughters--who from his Attention
+to the great & common Cause of these States, were left unprovided for
+and who on his Death found themselves without Parents, or the Means of
+Support.
+
+The Honble Congress has resolvd to be at the Expence of the Education
+of the Elder Son; the other Son and two Daughters remain to this Time
+without other Assistance than what some generous & charitable Persons
+have afforded them. Application has been made to the Assembly of the
+Massachusetts Bay & in September last to Congress on the Subject; but
+the Multiplicity of Business or other Causes have hitherto prevented
+their obtaining any Grant in their Favor--in the mean time the Children of
+this patriotick Hero are suffering greatly on Account of their
+Education, and unless speedily relievd must suffer irreparably. Nothing
+more need be said on a Subject which every patriotick as well as humane
+and generous American must feel sensibly, on recollecting the Character
+and Death of their brave Father, to induce them to their Reliefe, &
+thereby to discharge some Part of what they owe the brave Father of
+these deserted youth.
+
+Whatever Sums may be subscribd, will be receivd by the Honble the
+President of the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay in Boston, &
+under their Direction will be applied to the Support and Education of
+these Children, in such a Manner as is becoming their Birth, and as
+will tend to render them great and good Citizens, & worthy of the
+Relation they stand in, to their illustrious Ancestor.
+
+PHILADELPHIA Novr 1st 1779
+
+We the Subscribers engage to pay the Sums affixd to our Names to the
+Honble William Paca Esqr l, to be transmitted to the President &
+Council aforesaid. Witness our Hands.
+
+1 Member of Congress from Maryland.
+
+
+
+TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY IN COUNCIL Decr 23d 1779
+
+[Ordered that Genl Ward
+
+Mr Thos Cushing
+
+Mr Adams
+
+Mr Fisher Esqr
+
+Mr Pitts be
+
+a Comtee to wait upon the Hone House of Representatives with the
+following message]1
+
+The Council Board have taken your Message of this Day in due
+Consideration. It is important; nor out of Season. It is most certainly
+incumbent on those who have accepted of Places of the highest Trust, to
+attend constantly to the Duties of their Stations. This is the just
+Expectation of the Publick & ought never to be dispensed with. The
+Board have been so sensible of the obligations they owe to their
+Country in this Regard, that they have frequently orderd a Call of
+their Members when it became necessary and previous to your Message
+they directed the Attendance of those who are now absent. If the
+Publick suffers Injury from a Want of Application to its pressing
+Affairs, in any others;--Members of the General Assembly, it is hoped the
+joynt authority of both Houses will be employd effectually to prevent
+it.
+
+1 The portion here bracketed is not in the autograph of Adams.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1780
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text is in Massachusetts
+Archives, and also in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp.
+98, 99]
+
+STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY Jany 5th 1780
+
+SIR
+
+The General Assembly of this State, conceiving that great Evil may
+arise to the United States, from permitting Persons inimical to our
+Common Cause, to reside within them; And having Reason to apprehend,
+that certain Persons who by an Act of Government have been excluded
+from this State, are meditating a Design to obtain a Residence in the
+State of Rhode Island, have thought it necessary to address you on the
+Subject, and to request that you would be pleasd to communicate their
+Sentiments to your General Assembly.
+
+It is, in the Opinion of this Assembly, highly criminal for a Citizen
+to be an indifferent Spectator of the Miseries of his Country -- much more
+so, to desert her while struggling for her Liberty -- and still more, to
+seek Refuge in the very Time of her Conflict in the Arms of her cruel &
+inveterate Enemies. It cannot then be thought strange, that those who
+love and reverence their Country, feel an Indignation against the Men,
+who have held her Safety, her Liberty & her Honor at so cheap a Rate.
+
+The Injury which this State unavoidably sustaind from the Arts of too
+many internal Enemies, hath been a sufficient Caution against receiving
+into her own Bosom, those who have withdrawn their Persons and their
+Aid in the Time of Danger & Distress; & there is less Reason for others
+to expect Favor and Forgiveness, who having basely betrayed such a
+Diffidence in the Wisdom and Fortitude of their Country and the
+righteous Cause she is contending for, have imagind themselves more
+secure, under the Power of its Invaders, and fled to them for
+Protection.
+
+It is indeed much to be regretted, that the greatest Vigilance is
+insufficient to detect the most virulent Enemies of the publick Liberty
+in every Instance, and bring them to condign Punishment. This
+Government, however, hath taken every Measure which Prudence dictated,
+to effect so necessary a Purpose. Notorious offenders have been
+proscribed by the Laws, and forbidden to return from their voluntary
+and shameful Exile. Mutual Interest as well as mutual Friendship most
+strongly remonstrate against such Persons being permitted to reside
+within any of the Sister States. While we are embarkd in the same
+Cause; While we are actuated by the same Principles and Views; While we
+partake of the same publick Feeling, and are confederated for the same
+great Purpose of mutual Safety and Defence; Honor and Justice forbid us
+to entertain a Suspicion, that the State of Rhode Island would afford
+Shelter & Protection to those, who have forfeited the Rights of
+Citizens in the United States.
+
+In the Name & Behalf of the General Assembly
+
+I am &c,
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Jany 13, 1780.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I gladly embrace the first opportunity I have had of writing to you
+since you left this Country. Mr Jonn Loring Austin is the Bearer of
+this Letter. He is appointed by the General Assembly to negociate an
+Affair in Europe which will be communicated to you by a Letter written
+to you by the President of the Council & signd in their Name. The
+Measure is the favorite offspring of the House of Representatives, &
+was adopted by many Members of the Council. I wish it may succeed to
+their Expectation.
+
+The Assembly has been sitting five or six Weeks, and it is probable
+will rise tomorrow. Among other things, they have passed an Act for
+securing to their own officers & Soldiers in the Army of the United
+States, a Compensation for the Depreciation of their pay. It is done in
+a Mode agreeable to a Committee of officers from the Army, so that
+there is no Doubt but the Rest of the officers & the Soldiers will be
+satisfied with it. Money has been sent to the Army to inlist those
+whose three years are expired, & who may be inclind to continue in the
+Service, & we are well assured that great Numbers have engagd, so that
+there is a good Prospect of our States Batallions being well filled.
+Indeed there is all imaginable Reason to expect that the General will
+be furnishd in the Spring with an Army better disciplined than even
+those which have provd their Superiority to the Enemy in several
+Campaigns. The more they are inured to actual Service, the more perfect
+they will be in Discipline; and the Courage of a Soldier in the Time of
+Action, in a great Measure... from a confidence in his military
+Knowledge. What Events may take place in the Spring we cannot certainly
+predict. An Army we know will be necessary, either to fight the Enemy,
+or to give Assurance & Stability to the skillful Negociator of Peace.
+The Plan you mentiond to me as having been proposd by you to Monsr -------- the
+last October was a twelvemonth, if it could be fully accomplishd, might
+in one of the ways above mentiond or the other, secure to us the
+Objects which I know your heart is much set upon as well as mine.
+Independence is a mere Charm, [and] unless by Arts or by Arms we secure
+to ourselves those Advantages we may not have the Fortitude to assert
+it as we ought, but by which alone we shall be enabled, under God, to
+maintain it. You have the... , and for my self I confide both in your
+Wisdom & Integrity.
+
+You will see by the inclosd Paper that our Convention is adjournd. The
+Roads thro the Country are so blockd up by incessant & heavy Snows,
+that it has been impracticable for the Members to attend. It is proposd
+to keep it alive by short Adjournments till a sufficient Number shall
+arrive to proceed to the Business. Those among us who can remember the
+year 1717 say there has not been so much Snow on the Ground since that
+Time.
+
+Mr L informs me that Colo Laurens the younger has declind going to
+Europe. "The little Gentleman" (he will pardon me the Joke) will, if he
+recollects, help us to guess who will probably obtain the next Choice.
+
+The Delegates in Congress for the last year are again chosen excepting
+General Ward in the Room of Mr Dana. I own it is not becoming an old
+Man to be mutable--and yet I am intimately acquainted with one who took
+his Leave of his good Friends in Philadelphia with almost as much
+Formality as if he was on his dying Bed soon after resolving to visit
+them once more. In [your] horrid Catalogue of evil Dispositions with
+which Age is infested we do not find Vanity. This perhaps may be common
+to the old & the young, tho I confess it is the more pardonable in the
+latter. It is difficult for a Man in years to perswade himself to
+believe a mortifying Truth that the Powers of his mind whether they
+have been greater or less, are diminishd.
+
+Pray assure Mr Dana of my affectionate Regards, and Colo Laurens if you
+meet with him. I am informd he is gone or going to Europe. My old
+patriotick Friend Mr A L, I am perswaded is before this time on his
+Passage to America. But if not, let him know that the Hopes of seeing
+him at Philadelphia is a strong Inducement to me, otherwise against my
+Inclination, to visit Philadelphia once more.
+
+A Letter from Genl Heath dated at Head Quarters Decr 21 says "the
+health & Spirits of the Troops are not to be parralled. The Enemy at N
+Y are undoubtedly embarking a large Body of Troops from 8 to 10,000--they
+would have saild before this Time but have been under Apprehension that
+the Coast was not clear. Their Destination is said to be to the
+Southward but some say to the W. I. most probably both."
+
+
+
+TO JOHN MORIN SCOTT.1
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text is in W. V. Wells' Life of Samuel
+Adams, vol. iii., pp. 146, 147.]
+
+BOSTON Feb 17 1780
+
+SIR
+
+Your Letter of the 19th of Jany did not reach my Hand till yesterday.--I
+am sorry to acquaint you that the Affairs of this Government
+immediately previous to the Enemies taking Possession of this Town in
+the year 1775, being under the Direction of Persons inimical to us, the
+Papers in the files of the Secretary of the Province were derangd &
+thrown into such disorder, as to render it impracticable for me
+immediately to comply with your Request to send you authenticated
+Copies of the papers you have mentiond. I can conceive of no Reason why
+you should not be servd with Copies as you desire. The Council have
+orderd the papers to be lookd up for the Use of a Committee appointed
+to state our Claim. This will be done with the greatest Despatch, and
+will enable me to convince you of the Readiness with which I am disposd
+to gratify you in all Cases consistent with the Duties of my office.
+
+In the mean time I am with great Esteem &c
+
+1 Secretary of State of New York.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Mar 5 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have receivd since I last wrote, your 21st, 25th & 28th of Jany and
+8th & 16th of Feby, with the inclosd which I have distributed according
+to your Request. My Time has been spent for two Months past, partly in
+my sick Chamber and partly in our Convention for forming a Constitution
+which we finishd yesterday for the Inspection of the People. You shall
+have a Copy of it when it can be got thro the Press. Considering the
+Winter we have had and the utmost Impossibility of travelling, I am not
+so much surprizd at your Presidents not having receivd the Letters
+which have been sent from the General Assembly relating to Vermont. Mr
+Avery assures me that Duplicates were sent, so that I hope they have
+before this time got to hand. A Committee was appointed by the General
+Assembly to state our Right to the Land in Question, with an Intention
+that our Agent mt be ready at Congress by the Time appointed, but on
+their representing that they should not be able to report at the last
+Session they were directed to do it at the next which will begin next
+Wednesday. I will then endeavor to get the Number of our Delegates
+necessary to be present in Congress reducd.
+
+I wish you would send your Account of Time & Expences to the Assembly.
+Twenty five Dollars pr Day and Expences were allowd to me for the year
+79. I inform you of this that you may judge whether the Allowance for
+Time & Service is raisd in Proportion to other things.
+
+In your Letter of the 16 of Feb you mention your having inclosd to me
+the Day before two Letters from Genl Lincoln, and your having had four
+sent to your Care. I have receivd only two, and them by Mr Torrey, one
+of them for the Generals Lady which I have forwarded by a safe hand,
+and the other for his Son.
+
+"Our Newspapers are remarkeable lately for more groundless Paragraphs
+than most others." It is true. And there are some Men who with all
+other political Qualities, cannot keep a political Secret. I thought it
+not prudent to mention it, and did not to any one; but to my great
+Surprize saw it in one of the Papers. It was however a great Wonder, as
+I was told a paragraph of one of your own Letters was either read or
+explaind in a large table Circle, and so it got into the Press. The
+Intelligence was far from being displeasing to any of your virtuous
+fellow Citizens, unless to those who think your Presence in Congress
+indispensible.
+
+In the Hint I gave you in one of my Letters I was far from intending
+you should think I meant Capt Mc Neil. I am sure he is a Man of too
+much Honor to write the anonimous Letter the Committee receivd.
+
+I hope the General Assembly when they come together will turn their
+Attention principally to the fitting up & supplying their Quota of the
+Army. The Council have given Colo Blaney their best Advice and he
+appears to be well pleasd with the Candor & Respect they have shown him.
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 136.]
+
+To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives, in General Court
+assembled.
+
+March 9, 1780.
+
+The petition of Samuel Adams of Boston humbly shows:--
+
+That when the British troops were in possession of the town of Boston,
+in 1775, he suffered the loss of the greatest and most valuable part of
+his household furniture, and has since been indulged with the use of
+sundry articles belonging to certain absentees until the General
+Assembly should be pleased to otherwise order them to be disposed of.
+
+Your petitioner prays the Honorable Court that he may be permitted to
+avail himself of the purchase of the said furniture at the prices that
+may be set upon them by good and discreet men.
+
+And as in duty bound, he shall pray, &c.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+BOSTON March 15 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+The immediate Departure of Mr Appleton who takes the Charge of this
+Letter, prevents my saying to you more than a very few Words. Colo
+Niles informd me yesterday that your Lady & Family were well when he
+saw them on Saturday last. Our General Assembly began a Session the
+last Week. They are intent on filling up their Quota of the Army. The
+Convention is adjournd till the first Wednesday in June next.1 The
+Fabrick is not materially injurd. It is proposd that the People should
+state their Objections if they have any, and that the Convention shd
+adapt it to the General Sentiments & give it the Sanction--a New
+Convention to be called, if two thirds of the people shall think it
+expedient in the year 95 to make Alterations as Experience may dictate.
+Mr Appleton is the Son of our Friend the Loan Officer. I think he will
+not dishonor his Country abroad.
+
+My Regards to Dr F-- Mr D-- Colo L if you see him & all Friends--Adieu my dear
+Friend.
+
+1 Its address to the public is printed in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel
+Adams, vol. iii., pp. 90--96
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES LOVELL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Mar 25 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your Favor of the 9th was deliverd to me by Mr Brailes.... one day this
+Week & the Day following that of the 28 of Feb by the Post.--" New York
+presses Congress hard upon the Resolution, in Regard to Vermont." &c.
+Our Assembly in their first Letter to Congress on the Subject, expressd
+a Doubt whether they should be ready by the Time appointed. They
+immediately appointed a Come to state their Claim, consisting of three
+Gentle-men, two of whom viz Mr Bowdoin & Mr Lowell are not Members. The
+great Business of the Convention of which all the Come were Members
+intervened. Their Report however is expected in a very few Days. I wish
+this Matter could be settled to the Satisfaction of all. If there was
+Reason to expect that all would be satisfied with a Decision of
+Congress, I should think the sooner it is done the better. But the
+Grant People, you say, now refuse. It may be a Question then whether it
+wd be best to attempt a Settlement in the Time of War, and especially
+at a Juncture of it, when the only Object of all should be to prosecute
+it with their utmost united Force and Vigor. Nothing however but the
+Multiplicity of most pressing Affairs, has prevented this State being
+ready hitherto. They are in Earnest to support their Claim. They were
+discontented with the Decision in 1739, and I think afterwards directed
+their Agent Mr Bollan to manifest it to the King in Council. I will
+examine the Letters of that Day & make this certain to you. Ethan Allen
+was in this Towne last Winter, and returnd disgusted on his being
+informd that we were determined to support our Claim.
+
+The Resolutions of Congress, a Sketch of which you sent to me, came to
+the Council by the same Conveyance. The Assembly being sitting, they
+were laid before them. Every practicable Measure is taking to promote
+the great Business of recruiting the Army & every other Essential to a
+vigorous Campaign. I have noticed the honest Intention of ---- without
+feeling any Jealousy on the Occasion. It is always my Endeavor to
+render the recommendations of Congress most respectable; tho I
+perceive, that the artful Writers in some of the Philadelphia Papers
+affect to hold up a Contrast between the present & the "illustrious
+Congress of '74"--I may be supposd
+
+[to] be impartial, having had the Honor of being a Member from the
+Beginning; and I do verily believe that in point of Understanding,
+Wisdom, Integrity, and Diligence in Affairs they are as respectable now
+as they were then. It is the Wish of Tories and Britons to make them
+appear little in the Eye of the World. Under God they have done
+Wonders. By an affectionate Union of the Members with each other, by
+their joynt & unwearied application to the publick Business, by
+Vigilance Zeal and an inflexible Independence of Spirit they will
+continue reverd by the Friends and dreaded by the Enemies of our
+Country.
+
+I thank you for the Intelligence you inclosd, and have made a prudent
+Use of it, by communicating it to some of the leading members of the
+Assembly who are my confidential Friends. To others I have given it in
+my own way as Articles of my political Creed, and I think to good
+Effect. What do you think of Penobscott? The late Expedition,1 tho it
+turnd out very unfortunate, was perhaps as great an Exertion as has
+been made by any State since the War began. Our State must demand a
+reimbursement. It is more than probable that if we had succeeded we shd
+have had the Charge paid with thanks. And we shd have richly deserved
+it. Britain I doubt not considers that an important Post and so
+will.... if she regards her Navy.
+
+You know that by our Charter the Crown reservd the Masts. Another
+Circumstance I will.... remind you of, that part of our Eastern Country
+was held by the Crown & the People of the Province as it were in joynt
+Tenancy. He could not originate the Sale of any Part of it, nor could
+they complete the sale without his Confirmation. Will it not be her
+Policy to keep Possession of that part of our Territory till Terms of
+Peace are proposd, that she may take occasion to say she is in
+Possession of her own. And will it not then be somewhat difficult for
+Mediator to find Arguments against her holding it? Should not Congress
+assist us in endeavoring to recover possession? We want Ships. If a
+french Squadron should again visit these Seas it is natural for a
+Massachusetts Man to wish, that they should make Hallifax their capital
+object. Probably America wd think it for her Interest if she.... that
+the Masts & the Fishing Ground must be the great Security of their
+Independence & Prosperity? We must have the reach of our arms or we
+shall never be able even to defend ourselves....
+
+I declare to you I shall not feel perfectly easy till those two
+provinces are annexed to the United States as Nature seems to have
+designd, and the unmolested Right to the Fishery is secured to us. I
+believe my letter is become tedious to you. I will conclude with
+mentioning that several Persons have hinted to me the Necessity of
+establishing an American Consul in France. If it should be thought
+expedient to propose it to Congress & they should judge it proper, Mr
+Perez Moulton2 (whom you know) desires me to inform the Mass Delegates
+that he intends residing in that Country a few years & would gladly
+accept of that appointment.
+
+1 Cf. Pages 154, 158 et seq.
+
+2 Cf. Vol. iii., p. 293.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+[May, 1780.]
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+The Son of our worthy Friend General Warren takes the Care of this
+Letter. I need to say Nothing to recommend him to your Patronage and
+Advice. The Marquis La Fayette who tarried here a few Days ago did me
+the Honor to deliver me your Favor of--------. The other to which you refer me is
+not come to Hand. I enclose you several Acts of the General Assembly
+passed the last Session, besides which another passed granting to the
+Subjects of France within this State equal Privileges with those
+granted to the Subjects of the United States in France agreable to the
+Treaty and another for instituting a Society for promoting Arts &
+Sciences. The Suddeness of Mr Warrens Departure prevents my sending the
+two last by him. I also inclose the Form of the Constitution as revisd
+& alterd by the Convention and recommended to the People. The Town of
+Boston have been in Meeting three Days, upon this important Affair. It
+is this moment finishd. The Town have unanimously agreed to the
+Constitution with a few Alterations (I think for the better) except the
+third Article. They have proposd that in the 16th Article of the
+Declaration of Rights provision be made for the Liberty of Speech as
+well as the Press, in both Cases to respect publick Men in their
+publick Conduct. In the Proviso under the 7 Article Chap. 2 they have
+added to the Exception, so far as may be necessary for the Defence of a
+neighboring State invaded or threatned with immediate Invasion. In the
+7 Art. Chap. 6. the Words "upon the most urgent & pressing Occasions"
+are proposd to be expungd and the Words "of War, Invasion or rebellion
+declard by the Legislature to exist" to be inserted in their Stead. And
+the Time is limitted to Six instead of 12 Months. The Religious Article
+was considerd by itself, and occasiond much but candid Debate. The Town
+have proposd a new Draft of the Article which I have not by me. If Mr
+Warren does not call on me too early tomorrow I will transcribe it. The
+Convention is adjournd to the 7th of June to receive & act upon the
+Returns of the People agreably to the Resolution of Convention inserted
+in the last pages of the inclosd, to which this Town has agreed. The
+short Notice I have had of this opportunity & my being obligd to attend
+the Town Meeting has prevented my writing so largely as I could have
+wishd. Please to present my affectionate Regards to Mr Dana & let him
+know that I receivd his Letter by the Marquis, & that Attention will be
+given to his request for certain papers of Importance. I shall set off
+for Philade in a few Days. Adieu my dear Sir.
+
+I wrote you by Mr J. L. Austin who I hope is arrivd.
+
+
+
+ARTICLE SIGNED "VINDEX."
+
+[Boston Gazette, June 12, 1780.]
+
+Messieurs Edes,
+
+An old Correspondent begs room for a few Words in your next.
+
+Formerly this great contest was carried on upon paper. The conspirators
+against the rights and liberties of our country left no art untried, to
+induce the people to submit to their unrighteous claims. But they were
+circumvented by our watchful patriots. They were, if I may use the
+expression, out-reasoned by some, and laughed off the stage by others;
+and we will never forget those steadfast and persevering friends, who
+forever prov'd themselves incapable of being brib'd by the soft
+whispers of flattery, or awed by foul-mouthed calumny and the threats
+of power. Afterwards the contest became more serious and important. The
+people of this country were not driven to take up arms, they did it
+voluntarily in defence of their liberty. They properly considered
+themselves as called by GOD, and warranted by HIM, to encounter every
+hazard in the common cause of Man. We have had for several years past a
+well-appointed Army.--An Army of which both Officers and Privates are
+daily increasing in discipline--An Army inferior perhaps to none at this
+time on the face of the earth and headed by a COMMANDER, who feels the
+Rights of the Citizens in his own breast, and experience has taught us,
+he knows full well how to defend them.--May Heaven inspire that Army yet
+more and more with Military Virtues, and teach their hands to war and
+their fingers to fight! May every citizen in the army and in the
+country, have a proper sense of the DEITY upon his mind, and an
+impression of that declaration recorded in the Bible, "Him that
+honoreth me I will honor, but he that despiseth me shall be lightly
+esteemed."--"God helpeth those who help themselves," says an eminent
+writer. Perhaps the sentiment is better expressed in holy writ, where,
+when we are bid to work out our own salvation, we are told that "It is
+GOD who worketh in us." It seems to be the Divine Constitution, that
+success shall generally crown virtuous exertions. We have seen this
+verified throughout this glorious Struggle. The Military skill and
+prowess of our Army have kept us from being overwhelmed by our powerful
+enemies; and the political exertions of the CONGRESS have, by the
+smiles of Heaven, obtained for us an Alliance with the most illustrious
+Nation in Europe; and the warmest wishes of other Powers. Our affairs
+appear to be approaching to a great crisis. As momentary visits did not
+entirely fulfill the purpose of our generous ALLY, we may daily expect
+from him a naval and land force, designed to co-operate with our own
+troops; and by a longer stay on the coasts of this continent, to give
+the United States the opportunity of employing all their resources to
+the greatest advantage. CONGRESS has called upon the several States to
+make ready for this great crisis, and the several States have seconded
+the call of Congress. The PEOPLE, the PEOPLE must, under GOD, give
+energy to this all important call, and enable the combined Forces at
+once to put an end to the War. If the PEOPLE NOW exert themselves, one
+struggle more, by the blessing of Heaven, will rid us of all our
+Enemies. The Expectations at VERSAILLES from this joint effort are even
+sanguine-- CONGRESS is impatient to answer their just expectation--The eyes
+of EUROPE are upon us anxiously waiting for the great event. Our
+GENERAL, with his officers and army, are filled with ardor and generous
+ambition to signalize their valour in the SALVATION of our
+country--SUPERIOR BEINGS would look down with the utmost astonishment, if
+we should let this GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY slip--It cannot be. Our young men,
+ambitious of laurels, will, at such a time, fly to their arms with the
+speed of the wind, and ALL will be engaged in furnishing them with
+necessary supplies, so shall this very campaign be DECISIVE and
+GLORIOUS. This State began the noble contest; we will honor ourselves
+by our utmost exertions to put a glorious end to it: we will contend
+with our sister States in nothing, but who shall have the greatest
+share of honor in this last and crowning effort-- Be assured, my dear
+countrymen, the liberty, the happiness of America, and its consequence
+in the eyes of the world, depend upon our PRESENT activity and spirit--We
+will not be wanting to ourselves, and the LORD do that which seemeth to
+him right.
+
+VINDEX.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES BOWDOIN.
+
+[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library, and the text is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams,
+vol. iii., p. 102.]
+
+HARTFORD June 20 1780
+
+SIR
+
+We have the Honor of transmitting to you the Copy of a Letter from
+General Washington to Governor Trumbull. The Contents are of so
+pressing Importance, that we thought it our indispensible Duty, without
+Delay, to forward an Express to Brigadier General Fellows, of the
+County of Berkshire, with a Letter the Copy of which we also inclose;
+and to inform Major General Howe who commanded West Point, of the
+Measures we have taken.
+
+Although we have acted on this urgent Occasion, without Authority, yet
+we flatter our selves, that in Consideration of the very critical
+Situation of the Army, our Proceeding thus far will meet with the
+Approbation of the General Assembly.
+
+We are with the greatest Respect & Esteem Sir your most obedt & very
+humble Servts 1
+
+1 Signed also by Elbridge Gerry, as were the succeeding four letters.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN FELLOWS.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+HARTFORD June 20 1780
+
+SIR
+
+The inclosd Copy of a Letter from his Excy Genl Washington to His Excy
+Governor Trumbull will show the Danger we are in of losing the Defence
+of the North River & of having the Communication cut off between the
+Eastern & Southern States, unless an immediate Supply of Men &
+Provisions is sent to Major General Howe who commands the
+Fortifications at the Highlands. Measures will be adopted without Delay
+by the State of Connecticutt for this Purpose; and as we have
+accidentally met at this place (one of us on his Journey to & the other
+from Congress) we think it our Duty, in behalf of the Executive
+Authority of the State of Massachusetts Bay, who cannot be notified of
+this Affair in Season, to urge you as you regard the Interest &
+Wellfare of your Country, immediately to put your Brigade under
+marching orders to repair to West Point, on the Application of Major
+General Howe, with Provisions sufficient to subsist them. As the
+Garrison is in great Want of Supplies, we think it advisable on this
+urgent occasion, and indeed indispensibly necessary that you should
+forthwith take all the Provisions in your County, that will not be
+wanting for the Consumption of its Inhabitants, & give Receipts for the
+same payable at an early Period & at the Current Prices, & that you
+should impress as many Waggons (if they cannot otherwise be procured)
+as will be requisite for the Transportation of the Provisions to the
+Highlands.
+
+We submit it to your Consideration, whether it will not be expedient to
+notify the State of Vermont, & the Commanding Officer in the County of
+Hampshire to hold their Militia in Readiness to march at the shortest
+Notice, & to collect a sufficient Quantity of Provisions for their
+Subsistence. Your own Experience, & knowledge of the Importance of that
+Post, render it needless for us to press you to procure the most
+expeditious & vigorous Exertions for its Support; nor need we describe
+the deplorable Situation in which his Excellency Genl Washington & the
+brave Army under his Command would be involvd, should a successfull
+Attack be made on the Post mentiond.
+
+We shall immediately transmit to the Government of the State of
+Massachusetts a Copy of this Intelligence & of our Application to you,
+& remain with Esteem
+
+Sir your most obedt & very hbl Servts,
+
+1 Brigadier General in the continental army.
+
+
+
+TO ROBERT HOWE.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+HARTFORD June 20 1780
+
+SIR
+
+Being accidentally present in this Town, when his Excy Genl Washingtons
+Letter of the 18th was receivd by Governor Trumbull, the Contents of
+which he was pleasd to communicate to us, we judgd it necessary to
+write a Letter to Brigr General Fellows of the County of Berkshire in
+the State of Massachusetts Bay, a Copy of which is inclosd. We indeed
+have no Authority, from the State we have the Honor to represent in
+Congress, to take this Measure, but we considerd the Circumstances of
+Affairs too pressing to admit of Delay. We shall dispatch an Express to
+the Government of Massachusetts with the Intelligence receivd, and wish
+you to acquaint the Commander in Chiefe of the Measure we have taken.
+
+We are &c
+
+1 Major general in the continental army.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN FELLOWS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+HARTFORD June 21 1780
+
+SIR
+
+We wrote to you yesterday, & inclosd Copy of a Letter of the 18th
+Instant from his Excy General Washington to his Excy Govr Trumbull,
+mentioning the Arrival of a Fleet at the Hook & the Probability of its
+containing Sir H. Clinton with his Army, and of his immediately
+attacking our Post at the Highlands; since which we have certain
+Intelligence that the Fleet was on the 19th at -------- Point, within twenty Miles
+of our Fortifications, and we have no Doubt that by this Time the Army
+have debarkd & commencd their Operations. We therefore think it
+necessary that you should forthwith march your Men to the Reliefe of
+the Garrison, & take with you a sufficient Quantity of Provisions to
+subsist your Brigade on the March to the Highlands & fourteen Days
+after they shall have arrivd, with as much more as can be obtaind for
+the Use of the Garrison. It will answer but little Purpose to march
+your Men without Supplys. We have great Reliance on that Zeal &
+Patriotism which has so often distinguishd the County of Berkshire in
+this great Contest; but should it so happen that Waggons cannot
+otherwise be procured, we hope you will not hesitate a Moment to take
+them wherever they may be found, on Certificates payable at an early
+Period, agreable to our former Recommendation. The Militia of the
+Western Counties, will upon this Plan be put into immediate Motion, &
+we think it advisable for you to send Expresses to the State of Vermont
+& the County of Hampshire, urging the Necessity of their marching their
+Militia with Provisions for the Reliefe of the Garrison in the Manner
+mentiond.
+
+We remain &c,
+
+
+
+TO ROBERT HOWE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+HARTFORD 21 June 1780
+
+SIR
+
+We wrote to you yesterday. Having this Morning receivd intelligence of
+the Movement of the Enemy up the River, we have sent another Express to
+Brigr Genl Fellows, urging him immediately to march to your Reliefe
+with his Brigade of Militia with Provisions to subsist them on their
+Way to & 14 Days after they shall arrive at West Point. We have also
+advisd him to throw into the Garrison all the Provisions that can be
+procured, & to send Expresses to Vermont & the County of Hampshire in
+the State of Mass. Bay, urging the Necessity of their marching their
+Militia with Provisions for the Reliefe of the Garrison in the Manner
+mentiond. But it may be nevertheless necessary, if you think it a
+proper Measure, to send an Express to General Fellows for expediting
+this Business. The most vigorous Measures are making by this State & we
+have no Doubt but they will be effectual.
+
+We are &c,
+
+
+
+TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON June 1780
+
+MY DEAR MARQUISE
+
+Yesterday your very obliging Letter of the 30 of May was brought to me
+by Mons Guinard. The Succour coming from France will be so seasonable
+and important, that if America is not wanting to her self, she will
+have it in her Power, by the Blessing of Heaven, to gratify the utmost
+of her Wishes. His most Christian Majestys Expectation from us must
+needs be great, and Gratitude to so generous an Ally, as well as a due
+Attention to our own Safety, Interest & Honor, lay us under the
+strongest Obligations to be in Readiness to cooperate with the greatest
+Advantage. I have long been fully sensible of your most cordial &
+zealous Attachment to our great Cause; and to your personal
+Representations to his Majesty, in Addition to the Benevolence of his
+Royal Heart, I will take the Liberty to attribute his Design to afford
+us such Aid and for so long a Time as may put it in our Power to employ
+all our Resources against the Enemy. It fortunately happend that the
+General Assembly of this State was sitting when the Letter & Inclosures
+from the Committee of Congress came to the President of the Council.
+They were immediately laid before the Assembly, & I have the Pleasure
+to assure you that the filling our Battalions by an immediate Draft
+furnishing the Army with Provisions and every other Measure for the
+fulfilling the just Expectations of your Sovereign & of Congress on
+this most important Occasion are the Objects of their closest
+Attention. I had for several Months past been flattering my self with
+the Prospect of this Aid. It strongly impressd my Mind from some
+Circumstances which took place when you was at Philadelphia the last
+year. But far from Certainty I could only express to some confidential
+Friends here, a distant Hope, tho, as I conceivd, not without some good
+Effect. At least it servd to enliven our Spirits and animate us for so
+great a Crisis. If it were possible for one to be forgetful of our all
+important Cause for a Moment, my particular Friendship for you would be
+a prevailing Inducement with me, to make my utmost feeble Exertions to
+prevent your Disappointment after the great Pains you have taken to
+serve us. I have Endeavord, & shall continue those Endeavors while I
+stay here, to brighten the dark Side of the Picture which your
+Imagination has painted in one part of your Letter before me. God
+forbid that we should be obligd to tell our friends when they arrive,
+that we have not a sufficient Army to cooperate with them nor
+provisions to feed the few Soldiers that are left. I think I may
+venture to predict that this State will comply with the Requisitions
+from her, to give the utmost Respectability to our Army on so promising
+an Occasion. I was in the Council Chamber when I receivd your Letter &
+took the Liberty of reading some parts of it to the Members present. I
+will communicate other parts of it to some leading Members of the House
+of Representatives as Prudence may dictate, particularly what you
+mention of the officers Want of Cloathing.
+
+I thank you my dear Sir for the friendly remembrance you had of the
+Hint I gave you when you was here. Be pleasd to pay my most respectful
+Compliments to the Commander in Chiefe, his Family &c. and be assured
+of the warm affection of your obliged friend & very hbl Servt
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA JULY 10 1780.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I wrote to you several Times when I was at Boston, and receivd your
+Favor by the Marquis de la Fayette. Another, to which you referrd me,
+has not yet come to hand. This Letter will be deliverd to you by Mr
+Searle, a Member of Congress for the State of Pennsylvania. He will be
+better able to inform you of the State of things here, than I can, who
+after twelve Months Absence from this City, returnd but a few days ago.
+The People of Massachusetts have at length agreed to the Form of a
+civil Constitution, in Nothing varying from a Copy which I sent to you
+by a Son of our Friend General Warren. This great Business was carried
+through with much good Humour among the People, and even in Berkshire,
+where some Persons led us to expect it would meet with many
+Obstructions. Never was a good Constitution more wanted than at this
+Juncture. Among other more lasting Advantages, I hope that in
+Consequence of it, the Part which that State must take in the War, will
+be conducted with greater Attention and better Effect. Who is to be the
+first Man, will be determind in September, when if our News papers
+rightly inform us, the new Government is to take Place. The Burden will
+fall on the Shoulders of one of two Gentlemen whom you know. May Heaven
+lead the People to the wisest Choice. The first chosen Governor may
+probably have it in his Power to do more good or more Hurt than any of
+his successors. The french Fleet is not yet arrivd. Perhaps their long
+Passage may turn out for the best. An earlier Arrival might have found
+us not altogether prepared to cooperate with them to the best
+Advantage. I now think we shall be ready to joyn them. One would think
+the Exertion which America might make with such Aid, would rid us of
+British Barbarians. I hope this will be a vigorous and an effective
+Campaign. I left Massachusetts exceedingly active in filling up their
+Battalions by Drafts, besides raising 4000 Militia for the Service.
+
+Mr Laurens arrivd here from the Southward a few Days past. He will
+speedily embark for Holland to prosecute a Business which you are not
+unacquainted with. Adieu my dear Sir.
+
+Yr affectionate Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+TO HANNAH ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 53, 54.]
+
+PHILADE Augt 17 1780
+
+MY DEAR HANNAH
+
+Nothing I assure you, but Want of Leisure has prevented my
+acknowledging the Receipt of your very obliging Letter of the 12th of
+July. You cannot imagine with how much Pleasure I receivd it. I have no
+Reason to doubt your Sincerity when you express the warmest Affection
+for your Mother and me, because I have had the most convincing Proof of
+it in the whole Course of your Life. Be equally attentive to every
+Relation into which all-wise Providence may lead you, and I will
+venture to predict for my dear Daughter, an unfailing Source of
+Happiness in the Reflections of her own Mind. If you carefully fulfill
+the various Duties of Life, from a Principle of Obedience to your
+heavenly Father, you shall enjoy that Peace which the World cannot give
+nor take away. In steadily pursuing the Path of Wisdom & Virtue I am
+sometimes inclind to think you have been influenced with a View of
+pleasing me. This is indeed endearing, and I owe you the Debt of
+Gratitude. But the pleasing an Earthly Parent, I am perswaded, has not
+been your principal Motive to be religious. If this has any Influence
+on your Mind, you know you cannot gratify me so much, as by seeking
+most earnestly, the Favor of Him who made & supports you--who will supply
+you with whatever his infinite Wisdom sees best for you in this World,
+and above all, who has given us his Son to purchase for us the Reward
+of Eternal Life--Adieu, and believe that I have...
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES BOWDOIN.
+
+[Proceedings of Massachusetts Historical Society, 1st ser., vol. xii.,
+pp. 229, 230.]
+
+PHIL. Aug. 22, 1780.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--I have received your favor of the 31st of July & forwarded
+the letter inclosed to Mrs. Reed who resides in the country.
+
+The Count de Rochambeau, in a letter to Congress, speaks very highly of
+the attention of the Government of Massachusetts, & of the appearance
+of the numerous Militia so seasonably forwarded when an attack was
+expected in Rhode Island. And the Minister of France, who on every
+occasion expresses his great regards for that state, mentioned the same
+thing to its Delegates in the most flattering terms. It is a pity that
+a Militia, always ready to turn out with a view of doing essential
+service, should be disappointed. They were so full of ardor that the
+Count was under a necessity of urging their return to their necessary
+affairs at home, with the promise of their being again called for, when
+Gen! Washington should judge that the circumstances of affairs should
+require it. We are impatient for the arrival of the 2d division of the
+French Squadron, which we are informed by letters from Boston was spoke
+with near a month ago by a vessel bound to Salem. The season is
+advancing fast, & our troops must daily consume provision the bare
+transportation of which is an immense cost. I perceive that the General
+Assembly stands further prorogued to the 31st of this month. I am sorry
+that a state of our claim of territory in the New Hampshire Grant has
+not yet been forwarded to Congress; for although it is my wish as an
+individual that this uncomfortable dispute may subside till a more
+convenient season, yet I would not willingly be under the necessity of
+saying, when called upon after so long notice, that our state is not
+ready. It might have the appearance of a consciousness in ourselves,
+that our claim is not well founded.
+
+Our new Constitution is much approved of by many gentlemen here. I
+understand it is soon to be in force. I do most earnestly pray that
+Heaven may direct the people to the choice of a wise man for their
+Governor, & incline him to accept of the trust.
+
+The post is just going, which obliges me to conclude.
+
+I am with very great respect,
+
+Your assured friend & Very hble Servt.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN LOWELL.
+
+[Historical Magazine, 1st ser., vol. i., p. 260; a portion of the text
+is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 106, 107; a
+draft, dated September 17, 1780, is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox
+Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 1780.
+
+On Tuesday last, Congress took up the disputes relating to the New
+Hampshire grants, agreeably to an order, which passed the 9th of June,
+and for want of nine states, exclusive of the three interested ones,
+the matter was put off till yesterday. The delegates of New Hampshire
+and New York, were prepared with instructions from their respective
+states. A letter from Mr. Chittenden and others styling themselves "The
+Executive Council of Vermont," was sent in by their agents now in this
+city, claiming the rights of sovereignty of an independent state, and
+refusing to submit the question of their independence to Congress, as
+being incompetent to judge and determine thereon. As there was no
+question proposed, a conversation, rather than a debate, ensued, which
+ended with a call for adjournment at the usual hour. This day, a letter
+was sent in to the president from agents in Vermont, praying that in
+case any question should be agitated concerning the rights and
+independence of their state, they might be admitted to be present and
+hear the debates. Another conversation was begun, which was very soon
+interrupted by a call of the attention of the house to the present
+state and circumstances of the army. I am of opinion that Congress will
+not easily agree in the question proper to be first put, however
+obvious it may seem to be. This is among a thousand other affairs with
+which it is the fate of Congress to be plagued to the exclusion of
+considerations of infinitely greater consequence, and which require
+immediate attention. As an individual, I wish most heartily that it
+could subside, as things of much greater moment generally do, till "a
+more convenient season." But New York presses hard for a decision, and
+I submit to your judgment whether it would not be prudent that the
+claims of Massachusetts to the lands in question should be here in
+readiness, lest a construction should be put on a further delay that a
+consciousness in the Assembly, of the state having no right in them is
+the real occasion of it. I mention this to you in particular, because I
+recollect how far you had gone in investigating the title. If you can
+be spared from the Assembly, I hope you will be appointed to vindicate
+the claim.
+
+I just now told you that the attention of Congress was called to the
+army. General Washington has written several letters acquainting
+Congress of the distressed circumstances of the army for want of
+provisions and particularly meat. They have several times lately, been
+without provisions for three or four days. They have even plundered the
+neighboring villages, and what will be the consequence of such a spirit
+in our army if it should prevail, may be easily conceived. You are
+sensible that the dependence is chiefly on the Eastern States for that
+kind of supply. Massachusetts has indeed been more punctural than the
+rest. The Commissary General has told me that the very existence of the
+army has been in a great measure owing to the industry and care of our
+Committee at Springfield. Yet even our supplies have not been equal to
+expectation. 597 head of cattle have been sent from Massachusetts to
+the army from the first of July to the seventh of September. About 200
+to the posts at the Northward and about 200 to the French army, which
+last are not included in the supply required as our quota. Congress
+have pressingly called upon New Hampshire, Massachusetts and
+Connecticut for 1000 head weekly, less than which will not be more than
+sufficient for the immediate demands of the army. Our quota is 285 as
+you will see by a resolution forwarded by this express. Besides which,
+magazines must be laid up this winter for the army the next year.
+Indeed, my friend, we must make the utmost exertion in the great cause.
+It is now 12 o'clock, and the express will set off very early in the
+morning. I suppose our countrymen have by this time made choice of
+their Senators and Magistrates. I hope heaven has directed them to a
+choice that will do them honor. I cannot help feeling anxious to know
+whether they have united in a man for the governor, endowed with those
+virtues which should be characteristic of the first magistrate. Be
+pleased to let my much esteemed friend, Dr. Cooper, know that if he has
+written, I have not received a line from him since I left Boston. We
+suffer for want of such favors. In hope of receiving one from you,
+
+I remain very affectionately yours,
+
+
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Sept 19 1780
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+In a Letter to Mr Appleton of the 17th, I desired him to inform you
+that I was well. I thank God I continue so, tho I am very sollicitous
+to know how it fares with you and my dear Connections in Boston. Our
+Friends at that Distance may be in their Graves before one may even
+hear of their previous Sickness. You cannot wonder then that I am in
+Anxiety every Moment. Upon this Consideration alone, the pub-lick
+Service so far from one's Family, must be conceivd to be a Sacrifice of
+no small Value. The Man who has devoted himself to the Service of God
+and his Country will chearfully make every Sacrifice. I will not fail
+daily to commend you to the Care and Protection of Heaven, in Hopes of
+seeing you the next Spring.
+
+By a Letter of good Authority from Hillsborough in North Carolina dated
+the 9th of Septr, we are informd that Col1 Marian of South Carolina who
+commanded a Body of Militia had surprisd a Party of the Enemy near
+Santee River escorting 150 Prisoners of the Maryland Division. He took
+the Party & relievd the Prisoners, & was on the March to Cross Creek,
+where General Gates had sent Lt Col1 Ford with proper Officers to
+conduct them to Hillsbro'. When they joyn, our LOSS in Continentals
+will be small in Comparison of what was expected. Pray send the Inclosd
+to Captain James Shepherd. Remember me to my Family & Friends. Adieu my
+dear.
+
+My worthy Friend Arthur Lee is not yet arrivd.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA. Octob [6] 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have not yet acknowledgd your Favor of the 17th of Septr.
+
+It is no Novelty to me to hear you expressing your well directed Zeal
+for the Safety & Welfare of our Country; and I cannot but applaud your
+Jealousy of Injury to the Publick from a Misapplication of the
+Resolutions of Congress respecting the Admission of British Effects. A
+Resolution is now on the Table to guard it from the Dangers which you
+apprehend.
+
+I have now before me your Letter of the 17th of Septr, & I am obligd to
+you for the favorable Allowance you make for my having omitted to write
+to you lately. Without Partiality I may say, you have done me but
+Justice. And yet I would have written a Letter by the last post, if I
+could have given you any tollerable Assurance respecting your Affair
+with Mr B. I will continue to press the Matter till it is finishd.
+
+Why will you upbraid me, my Friend, with the Votes of "my beloved
+Town," in favor of a Man, whom neither you nor I would set up for a
+Governor? It is true, I love the People of Boston most fervently. I
+have spent much of my Time in their Service, & have labord to promote
+their Reputation and true Interest. I confess that I feel chagrind and
+am disappointed at the Preference they have given. But is an honest &
+virtuous People incapable of Error? They acted, you will say, with
+their Eyes open. They knew the different Characters, Abilities & Merit
+of the Candidates. But, they were deceivd with false Appearances for
+the Moment. A due Attention to the Administration of Government will
+enable them to measure the Capacity of him whom they have made the
+object of their present Choice. That Watchfulness, & Jealousy, which I
+still hold to be the best Security of the publick Liberty, will guard
+them against future Mistakes.
+
+I have not Time at present to write you so long a Letter as I intended.
+But before I conclude I must inform you, that it is hinted to us by a
+Friend, that Colo Sears, who has lately been at Camp, has reported in
+Boston that Mr M declared there repeatedly, that Congress consisted of
+a Set of Ro------s, & that he should turn his Back upon them. I wish, if Mr S
+heard that Declaration, he wd certify it, that proper Notice may be
+taken of it. No Member of any Body of Men will answer for the Character
+of every Individual; but if Mr M expressd himself in that Manner, it
+was false and injurious. I have heard of such Language before, coming
+from Persons of contemptible Characters, influencd by Men who rightly
+judge, that to destroy the Confidence of the People in Congress, is to
+wound our Cause in the most tender Part. It is the Language of Tories,
+which in times passd would not have been sufferd to pass unpunishd.
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD Oct 10 1780
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+I had the Pleasure last Week of receiving your very affectionate Letter
+of the 14th of Septr by the Post. You did not expressly tell me that
+you was well. A material Circumstance, which you must never omit to
+mention. It is a great Satisfaction to me to be informd, that Mr Arthur
+Lee was respectfully treated by my Friends in Boston. My Friends are
+his, & I believe, on the same Principle. But Mr ---- has not seen him. Is not
+Mr ---- my Friend? He professes to be such; and I do verily believe he is as
+much so as he can be. Could I always adjust my Ideas of Politicks to
+his Views, I might perhaps insure the most flattering Expressions of
+his Friendship.
+
+I expect soon to see it announcd in the Papers, that Mr Hancock is
+elected Governor of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts. I confess I did
+not foresee that Boston would have been so united as I find they were,
+when two such Competitors as he & Mr Bowdoin were set up. Their
+respective Characters, Abilities & Merit were well known to the
+Electors, who have therefore acted with their Eyes open. It is to be
+presumd, that they have been influencd to this Choice by the pure
+Motives of publick Affection. A due Attention to the Administration of
+Government, I fancy, will soon determine whether they have acted with
+Wisdom or not.
+
+By the inclosd Paper you will observe, that the late Genl Arnold, after
+having committed the blackest Treason against his Country has thrown
+himself into the Arms of its Enemies. You know, that I have long had my
+Suspicions of this Traitor, & therefore you will not wonder that I am
+not so much astonishd as if any other officer had been detected. He has
+been gibbeted in the Streets by the Populace, anathematizd by the
+Clergy in the Pulpit, & his Name has with Indignation been struck out
+of the List of Officers by Order of Congress.1 Remember me to my Family
+& Friends.
+
+Adieu.
+
+1 A draft dated October 3, 1780, has at this point the words: "This
+City has for some time past been a complete Hospital, and many are
+still sick."
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHIL. Oct 17-1780
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 2 7 of
+Septr by the hand of my valueable Friend Mr Arthur Lee. As it was three
+weeks old I had a Right to expect another by the Post, but am
+disappointed. I have ever esteemd Mr Lee one of the most virtuous,
+active & able American Patriots. This opinion, you know, I have long
+entertaind of him, and therefore you justly conclude, that he meets
+with the most cordial Reception from me.
+
+You was mistaken when you supposd that I had heard who were chosen into
+the highest Places under our new Constitution. We are not so well
+informd. I had Reason to believe that Mr Hancock would be the Governor.
+I am disposd to think, that my Fellow Citizens had upright Views in
+giving him their Suffrages. Many Circumstances have combind to make his
+Election appear to be politically necessary; and if the People, who are
+now blessd with so great a Privilege, will exercise that Watchfulness
+over Men whom they exalt to Places of Power, which their Duty &
+Interest should lead them to do, I flatter myself that his will prove a
+happy Choice. You may wonder at my saying so; but I think I am not
+misguided in my Judgment in this Instance. If they have now chosen a
+wise & virtuous Governor, a few only will be disappointed; if
+otherwise, Many will see their Error, and will be indued to greater
+Vigilance for the future. I am far from being an Enemy to that
+Gentleman, tho' he has been prevaild upon to mark me as such. I have so
+much Friendship for him, as to wish with all my Heart, that in the most
+critical Circumstances, he may distinguish between his real Friends &
+his flattering Enemies. Or rather between the real Friends of the
+Country & those who will be ready to offer the Incense of Flattery to
+him who is the first Man in it. This will require an accurate Knowledge
+of Men. I therefore again wish that he may have the most able &
+faithful Councellors to assist him in the Administration of Affairs.
+Can I say more? If, with the best Advice he is able to hold the Reins
+of Government with Dignity, I wish him a Continuance of the Honor. If
+he renders our Country secure in a flourishing Condition, I will never
+be so partial & unjust as to withhold my Tribute of Applause.
+
+Adieu my dear
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Oct 24 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have not yet laid aside your Letter of the 17th of Septr which is the
+last I have been favord with from you. It ill becomes you, my Friend,
+to think of retiring into private Life, who can lay your hand on your
+heart, and say that in your publick Conduct your have in no Instance
+deviated from virtuous Principles. If ever the Time should come, when
+vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our
+Country will stand in Need of its experiencd Patriots to prevent its
+Ruin. There may be more Danger of this, than some, even of our well
+disposd Citizens may imagine. If the People should grant their
+Suffrages to Men, only because they conceive them to have been Friends
+to the Country, without Regard to the necessary Qualifications for the
+Places they are to fill, the Administration of Government will become a
+mere Farce, and our pub-lick Affairs will never be put on the Footing
+of solid Security. We should inquire into the Tempers of Men, in order
+to form a Judgment in what Manner the publick Trusts to be reposed in
+them will be executed. You remember the Character of Pisistratus. He
+was a Citizen of Athens, supposd to have many excellent Qualities, but
+he had an insatiable Lust of Pre-eminence. Solon could discover his
+Vanity, but the People were blinded by a false Glare of Virtues and he
+was their Idol. Under Pretence of his having escaped imminent Danger
+from a violent Faction, and the further Insecurity of his Person he
+artfully obtaind a Guard of Soldiers, by which Means he possessd
+himself of the Citadel & usurpd the Government. But though he made
+himself Sovereign, & thus far overthrew the popular Election, the
+Historian tells us, "that he made no Change in the Magistracy or the
+Laws.--He was content that others should hold their Places according to
+the establishd Rules of the Constitution, so that he might continue
+Archon, independent of the Suffrages of the People. This he effected;
+for though several Attempts were made, to deprive him of the
+Sovereignty which he had so violently obtaind, he held it till his
+Death & left it to his Children." Such was the Ambition of this Man,
+who indeed assumd the Government, and such were the Effects of it.
+Power is intoxicating; and Men legally vested with it, too often
+discover a Disposition to make an ill Use of it & an Unwillingness to
+part with it. HOW different was Pisistratus from that Roman Hero and
+Patriot Lucius Quinctius Cincinatus who, tho vested with the Authority
+of Dictator, was so moderate in his Desires of a Continuance of Power,
+that, having in six Weeks fulfilld the Purposes of his Appointment, he
+resignd the dangerous office, which he might have held till the
+Expiration of six Months.--When we formerly had weak and wicked Governors
+& Magistrates, it was our Misfortune; but for the future, while we
+enjoy and exercise the inestimable Right of chusing them ourselves, it
+will be our Disgrace. I hope our Countrymen will always keep a watchful
+Eye over the publick Conduct of those whom they exalt to Power, making
+at the same time every just Allowance for the Imperfections of human
+Nature; and I pray God we may never see Men filling the sacred Seats of
+Government, who are either wanting in adequate Abilities, or influencd
+by any Views Motives or Feelings seperate from the publick Welfare.
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Octob 31 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I cannot begin this Letter but by intreating you to impute my past
+Omission to any Cause you please excepting a Forgetfulness or willful
+Neglect. The making of Apologys is among Friends so formal a Business
+that I hardly know how to set myself about it. I am sure you will not
+be prevaild upon to suspect the Cordiality of my Affection for you.
+That I assure you would be punishing me more than I am conscious I
+deserve. I will frankly own to you that I am astonishd at the
+Reflection of four Months having elapsd since I last came to this City,
+without my having written to you one Letter, even to acknowledge the
+favor I have receivd from you. But will you my friend bury what may
+seem to you a Fault in oblivion upon my Promise to amend for the future.
+
+I have more to say to you than my Leisure will at present allow. And
+indeed the Situation of your Country, I fear is likely to be such as to
+render the Conveyance of Letters precarious and a free Communication of
+Sentiments unsafe. Should they fall into the Enemies hands we know not
+what Use they will make of them--to be sure an ill use & very probably
+injurious to our great Cause.
+
+I hope the People of Virginia are able to prevent the Troops that may
+have arrivd from taking a Post there. It will give our Enemies occasion
+to boast of their having subdued that populous State, in order to give
+an unfavorable Aspect to our Affairs, in Europe. This, with other
+important Considerations, should induce you to make every possible
+Exertion to defeat their Design. I have always thought that the
+Intelligence contained in a Letter of Colo Campbell intercepted last
+Spring was genuine. If so, the making a Lodgment at Portsmouth is a
+material Part of their Plan.
+
+Upon conversing with your Brother Mr Arthur Lee, I am confirmd in my
+own opinion that his Character is very different from that which his
+Enemies gave him two years ago. You know I have long corresponded with
+him, and a Mans confidential Letters are so sure a Criterion by which
+to judge of his real Disposition, that I before thought I could not be
+mistaken. He has shared the Fate of honest Patriots in all Times of
+Corruption in being persecuted. But I am satisfied the People in the
+Eastern States entertain an high opinion of his Integrity & Abilities.
+I hope he will meet with Justice in Congress. I think he merits
+Applause.
+
+Please to pay my Respects to Mrs Lee--your Brother Colo Frank & others to
+whom they are due. I will write as often as I can. Adieu & be assured
+that I am affectionately
+
+Your Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA Novr 7 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your favor of the 21st of Septr was deliverd to me by my very worthy
+Friend Mr Arthur Lee who came to this City about a Fortnight ago. The
+Respect which you say was paid to him by the principal Gentlemen in
+Boston is exceedingly pleasing to me, because, from an intimate &
+confidential Correspondence with him for ten years, I am convincd that
+he was among the most early and consistent American Patriots. His
+inflexible Virtue in the first Stages of our Contest renderd him
+obnoxious to the great & powerful in England, and equally of late to
+interrested Persons in France & their Connexions in America. My
+Friendship for him is not private; it is grounded altogether on publick
+Principles. You tell me, his short Residence in the State of
+Massachusetts, has been very far from diminishing that Estimation in
+which the People held him there. I should have been indeed sorry if it
+had been otherwise; for his great Services to them in particular, had
+justly merited their Esteem. I rejoyce that my own Countrymen are not
+ungrateful. I hope they will always be too knowing and too just, either
+to pay servile Hommage to the weak and wicked, or to withhold the Marks
+of their Approbation due to the wise and good.
+
+You have doubtless before this time been informd that Congress have
+called on the States to take immediate and effectual Measures to fill
+up the Army with their respective Quotas during the War. They have
+since orderd a Tax to the Value of Six Millions of Dollars in Specie;
+to be paid partly in specifick Articles for the Supply of the Army, and
+the Remainder in Gold & Silver or Bills of the new Emission. Their
+Design is to have a permanent Army, and to provide adequate Magazines
+for its subsistence without Delay. We have often a Choice of
+Difficulties presented to us. I think, upon the whole, we have in this
+Instance fixed upon the best Method. At least it appears to me to be
+the surest, considering all our Circumstances. And I am the more
+satisfied, because I understand that our Legislature have anticipated
+the Measure and already begun to assess the Towns for their respective
+Proportions of the specifick Articles. Had our Money been stable we
+might have contracted for the Supply of our Army; but the Paper, as all
+the World knows, is depreciated, for which we are in part obligd to our
+Enemies, who are dexterous in counterfeiting.
+
+Our Affairs in N Carolina wear a more agreable Aspect than they did a
+few Weeks ago. The Enemy, you have heard, are got into Chessapeak Bay.
+It is said they are landed at Portsmouth & Hampton & that they burn all
+before them. It is also said that the Militia turned out with great
+Spirit, but we have had no official Letters by the last post. Although
+we are pressd with Difficulties, we are in chearful Spirits and by the
+Blessing of Heaven Expect to overcome them. Adieu my dear Sir, and
+believe me to be affectionately,
+
+Your Friend,
+
+Be pleasd to acquaint Mrs A that I am in good Health.
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library]
+
+PHILADE Novr 11th 1780
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+I have receivd no Letter from you since the 9th of October. Some
+Accident prevented the Arrival of the Eastern Post last Monday and he
+is now not expected till the next. I hope I shall then receive a Line
+from you, to let me know at least that you are well. If you do not
+acknowledge the Receipt of my Letter of the 10th of October, I shall
+conclude that it fell into wrong hands: for the Post that took Charge
+of the Letters from hence of that Date, was robbd of his Mail in
+Connecticut and it was carried to New York. I am uncertain whether I
+sent that Letter to the Post Office, or deliverd it to Mr Torry who
+left this City about the same time. If the Enemy have filchd it, their
+publishing it would do no good to them nor Injury to me or any one
+else. Indeed it was an harmless thing, and worth no ones Notice but
+yours, and yours, only as it was intended to inform you that I was
+then, as I am at this Time, in good health. I flatter myself you are
+always gratified when I can give you this Intelligence.
+
+Novr 13th
+
+The Post is just arrivd & has not brought me a Letter from you--his latest
+Letters and Papers are dated the 26th of Octobr. By the next we expect
+to receive Accounts of the Organization of our Government under the new
+Constitution, in all its Splendor-- to see the Speech from the Chair--the
+Answers from the several Branches of the Legislature--congratulatory
+Addresses &c, &c. I have been anxious, lest our Countrymen should
+misjudge in the Choice of their first Governor. They are grateful; and
+I was affraid that from the Goodness of their Hearts they might be
+indued to give their Suffrages for a Man, who, they might conceive had
+done them eminent Services in other Stations, without a due
+Consideration whether he possesses those excellent Qualities which
+should characterize and dignify their chiefe Magistrate. Our present
+Governors may probably stamp the moral as well as political Character
+of the People. I shall most heartily rejoyce, if the "Abilities and
+disinterested Zeal" of the Gentleman called to fill the Chair prove
+adequate to the strong Expectations of my fellow Citizens in Boston,
+expressd in their late Vote of Thanks. But why do I trouble you with a
+Subject of this Nature? Let me ask you before I finish this Letter--Are
+you in Health? Have you a Sufficiency of Fire wood & other Necessaries
+for the approaching cold Season? Are your Family Cares alleviated with
+the Visits & chearful Conversation of your Friends and mine? You must
+answer me these Questions, for I am greatly interrested in them. My
+Love to my Family and Friends. Adieu my Dear. Believe me to be most
+sincerely and affectionately
+
+Your,
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE NOVR 20 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+In your Letter of the 17th of Septr which is still before me, you say
+"the Tongue of Malice has always been employd against me"; and in
+mentioning it you discover the Feelings of a Friend. It may perhaps in
+some Measure relieve those Feelings if I tell you, that it serves to
+make me more watchful over my self, lest by any Misconduct I might
+afford Occasion to the malicious Man to say things of me which would
+give me just Cause to be ashamd. It is said to be a Misfortune to a
+Man, when all speak well of him. Is it then an Advantage to a Man to
+have Enemies? It may be so if he has wisdom to make a good Use of them.
+We are apt to be partial in our own Judgment of our selves. Our Friends
+are either blind to our Faults or not faithful enough to tell us of
+them. The Malicious Man will speak all Manner of Evil against us, and
+contrive Means to send it Post haste to our Ears; and if among much
+Slander they say some Truths, what have we to do, but correct past
+Errors & guard against future ones. The Report which you mention as
+propagated of me is groundless. Would any Man in his Senses who wishes
+the War may be carried on with Vigor, prefer the temporary and
+expensive Drafts of Militia, to a permanent and well appointed Army!
+But Envy has no other Business than to calumniate.--
+
+Mr Penny has deliverd me your favor of the 2d Instant. He has also
+brought us a Paper which exhibits a Picture of the Times. You express
+too much Resentment at the Ingratitude which you imagine has been shown
+to your Friend--that his Name is not to be found in any of the Lists--and
+especially, that he could not be supported in Competition with Mr
+Avery--Your Friend has no Claims on his Country, nor does he set himself
+in Competition with Mr A, who in some Respects is thought to be a
+necessary Man. He is one, whom, I confess, I regard for his Honesty and
+easy good Humour. We have been entertaind with the Speeches both before
+and after the putting on the Regalia; and we expect to see
+congratulatory Addresses from various Orders civil & ecclesiastical. I
+should pity the Governor if I thought him apt to be discomposd with the
+high Complimentary Stile. It is usual in all Honey Moons. I could wish
+to see, if we must have abundant Addresses, the manly Simplicity of
+Barcklay the Quaker in his Dedication to Charles the 2d of England.
+Excepting that Instance, I do not recollect to have seen an Address to
+a great Man, that was not more or less, & very often deeply, tincturd
+with Flattery.--If the Town Clerk of Ephesus has treated me "with very
+great Disrespect," I am sorry for him. It gives me no Uneasiness on my
+own Account. If he "treats every one in that way who will not worship
+the Great Image," he leaves me in the best of Company--Company, which he
+may at another Time, find it his own Interest, if that governs him, to
+court & respect. We are even reduced to the Hutchinsonian Times, if a
+Citizen shall think himself constraind to malign his old Friend, merely
+because the Great Man has been prevaild upon to mark him as his
+Enemy.--But the History of all Ages & all Countrys shows, that there is no
+Absurdity into which Idolatry will not lead Men. Remember me to My
+Friend Mr Gerry, & let him know that I have not forgot his Letters, &
+that I will write to him soon. Adieu my dear Sir.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+Will you call on Mrs A & let her know that I am well.
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS WELLS.1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Novr 22 1780
+
+MY DEAR MR WELLS
+
+Although I have not yet acknowledgd the obliging Letter you wrote to me
+some time ago, I would not have you entertain a Doubt of my sincere
+Respect and the Confidence I place in you. I think I gave you the
+strongest Proof of this when I was last in Boston. From that Moment I
+have considerd myself particularly interested in your Wellfare. It
+cannot indeed be otherwise, since I then consented that you should form
+the most intimate Connection with the dear Girl whom I pride myself in
+calling my Daughter. I did this with Caution and Deliberation; and
+having done it, I am now led to contemplate the Relation in which I am
+myself to stand with you, and I can [hardly] forbear the same Stile in
+this Letter, which I should take the Liberty to use if I was writing to
+her. The Marriage State was designd to complete the Sum of human
+Happiness in this Life. It some times proves otherwise; but this is
+owing to the Parties themselves, who either rush into it without due
+Consideration, or fail in point of Discretion in their Conduct towards
+each other afterwards. It requires Judgment on both Sides, to conduct
+with exact Propriety; for though it is acknowledgd, that the
+Superiority is & ought to be in the Man, yet as the Mannagement of a
+Family in many Instances necessarily devolves on the Woman, it is
+difficult always to determine the Line between the Authority of the one
+& the Subordination of the other. Perhaps the Advice of the good Bishop
+of St Asaph on another Occasion, might be adopted on this, and that is,
+not to govern too much. When the married Couple strictly observe the
+great Rules of Honor & Justice towards each other, Differences, if any
+happen, between them, must proceed from small & trifling Circumstances.
+Of what Consequence is it, whether a Turkey is brought on the Table
+boild or roasted? And yet, how often are the Passions sufferd to
+interfere in such mighty Disputes, till the Tempers of both become so
+sowerd, that they can scarcely look upon each other with any tolerable
+Degree of good Humor. I am not led to this particular Mode of treating
+the Subject from an Apprehension of more than common Danger, that such
+Kind of Fricas will frequently take Place in that Connection, upon
+which, much of my future Comfort in Life will depend. I am too well
+acquainted with the Liberality of your Way of thinking, to harbour such
+a Jealousy; and I think I can trust to my Daughters Discretion if she
+will only promise to exercise it. I feel myself at this Moment so
+domestically disposd that I could say a thousand things to you, if I
+had Leisure. I could dwell on the Importance of Piety & Religion, of
+Industry & Frugality, of Prudence, AEconomy, Regularity & an even
+Government, all which are essential to the Well being of a Family. But
+I have not Time. I cannot however help repeating Piety, because I think
+it indispensible. Religion in a Family is at once its brightest
+Ornament & its best Security. The first Point of Justice, says a Writer
+I have met with, consists in Piety; Nothing certainly being so great a
+Debt upon us, as to render to the Creator & Preserver those
+Acknowledgments which are due to Him for our Being, and the hourly
+Protection he affords us.
+
+Remember me to all Friends, and be assured that I am
+
+Yours
+
+1 A younger brother of Elizabeth Wells; he married the daughter of
+Adams. Cf. Vol. Iii., p. 214.
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA Novr 24 1780
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Yesterday I wrote to Mr Wells, and in haste because I was informd that
+Dr Craigie was then instantly setting off for Boston. As he has waited
+another Day, I have the Opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of
+your Letters of the 25th of October & the 8th of Novr which were
+brought to me by the Post. You seem, my Dear, to express more Concern
+than I think you ought, at certain Events that have of late taken Place
+in the Common Wealth of Massachusetts. Do you not consider that in a
+free Republick, the People have an uncontroulable right of chusing whom
+they please, to take their Parts in the Administration of publick
+Affairs? No Man has a Claim on his Country, upon the Score of his
+having renderd pub-lick Service. It is the Duty of every one to use his
+utmost Exertions in promoting the Cause of Liberty & Virtue; and having
+so done, if his Country thinks proper to call others to the arduous
+Task, he ought chearfully to acquiesce, and to console himself with the
+Contemplations of an honest Man in private Life. You know, how ardently
+I have wishd for the Sweets of Retirement. I am like to have my Wish.--You
+are Witness that I have not raisd a Fortune in the Service of my
+Country. I glory in being what the World calls, a poor Man. If my Mind
+has ever been tinctured with Envy, the Rich and the Great have not been
+its objects. If I have been vain, Popularity, tho' I had as much of it
+as any Man ought to have, is not the Phantome I have pursued. He who
+gains the Approbation of the Virtuous Citizens. I will own, may feel
+himself happy; but he is in Reality much more so, who knows he deserves
+it, Such a Man, if he cannot retreat with Splendor, he may with
+dignity. I will trust in that all gracious Being, who, in his own good
+Way, has provided us with Food and Raiment; and having spent the
+greatest Part of my Life in Publick Cares, like the weary Traveller,
+fatigud with the Journey of the Day, I can rest with you in a Cottage.
+If I live till the Spring, I will take my final Leave of Congress and
+return to Boston. I have Reasons to be fixed in this Determination
+which I will then explain to you. I grow more domestick as I increase
+in years.
+
+My worthy Friend Mr Arthur Lee, who just now favord me with a Visit,
+sends Respects to you and the Family.
+
+I have forgot in my late Letters to tell you, that six Weeks ago,
+General Ward & my self changd our Lodgings, and are at the House of Mrs
+Miller. She is a well bred Woman, and my Situation is agreable. Colo
+Palfrey who is with us is appointed Consul, and will soon go to France,
+when Mr Lovel will take the vacant Chamber. ---- Adieu my dear.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; the text, with variations, is
+in J. T. Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 359-363.]
+
+PHILADE Novr 27 1780
+
+Let me intreat you, my dear Sir, not to think me unmindful of the
+several Favors I have receivd from you since I arrivd in this City. I
+hate Protestations among Friends, and the making Apologies is so formal
+a Business, that I know not in what Manner to begin it. Yet it seems
+necessary that I should say something in Excuse for my not having
+written to you. Shall I tell you of my trembling Hand, & how unfit an
+Instrument it is to guide a Pen? I do assure you that writing is on
+that Account become painful to me. I am perswaded you never doubted the
+Reality of my Friendship for you, and I solemnly affirm it has not
+abated a single Iota. Let this suffice on the Score of Apology, and
+permit me to hope that I shall receive your Letters frequently, while I
+remain here, which however will be only until next Spring. I shall then
+take my final Leave of Congress, & seek that Retirement from publick
+Cares, which my Country seems to point out for me, & to which my own
+Inclination leads me.
+
+I perceive it has been in your Option to take a Seat in either House of
+the General Assembly, or return to Congress. I cannot say in which of
+these Departments you will have it in your Power to render the most
+substantial Service to the Publick. We feel the Want of you here; and
+yet I think you have wisely chosen a Seat for the present in the House
+of Representatives. Many Virtuous Men there may want that Information
+which you are able to give them. Possibly you may have much of the old
+Ground to go over again. More in my Opinion, is necessary to be done,
+than conquering our British Enemies in order to establish the Liberties
+of our Country on a solid Basis. Human Nature, I am affraid, is too
+much debas'd to relish those Republican Principles, in which the new
+Government of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts appears to be founded.
+And may it not be added, that the former Government, I mean the last
+Charter, being calculated rather to make servile Men than free
+Citizens, the Minds of many of our Countrymen have been inurd to a
+cringing Obsequiousness, too deeply wrought into Habit to be easily
+eradicated? Mankind is prone enough to political Idolatry. Such a
+temper is widely different from that reverence which every virtuous
+Citizen will show to the upright Magistrate. If my Fears on this Head
+are ill grounded, I hope I shall be excusd. They proceed from a cordial
+Affection for that Country to the Service of which I have devoted the
+greatest Part of my Life--May Heaven inspire the present Rulers with
+Wisdom & sound Understanding. In all Probability they will stamp the
+Character of the People. It is natural for sensible Observers to form
+an Estimate of the People from the Opinion they have of those whom they
+set up for their Legislators & Magistrates. And besides, if we look
+into the History of Governors, we shall find that their Principles &
+Manners have always had a mighty Influence on the People. Should Levity
+& Foppery ever be the ruling Taste of the Great, the Body of the People
+would be in Danger of catching the Distemper, and the ridiculous Maxims
+of the one would become fashionable among the other. I pray God we may
+never be addicted to Vanity & the Folly of Parade! Pomp & Show serve
+very well to promote the Purposes of European & Asiatick grandeur, in
+Countries where the Mystery of Iniquity is carried to the highest
+Pitch, & Millions are tame enough to believe that they are born for no
+other Purpose than to be subservient to the capricious Will of a single
+Great Man or a few! It requires Council & sound Judgment to render our
+Country secure in a flourishing Condition.--If Men of Wisdom & Knowledge,
+of Moderation & Temperance, of Patience Fortitude & Perseverance, of
+Sobriety & true Republican Simplicity of Manners, of Zeal for the Honor
+of the Supreme Being & the Welfare of the Common Wealth--If Men possessd
+of these & other excellent Qualities are chosen to fill the Seats of
+Government we may expect that our Affairs will rest on a solid &
+permanent Foundation.
+
+I thank you my dear Sir, for mentioning my Family so affectionately in
+one of your Letters. Oblige them with your Visits as often as you can.
+Remember me to Colo Orne, who, I have Reason to think is among my
+Friends. Adieu and believe me to be most sincerely
+
+Yours,
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADA Decr 17. 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have written several Letters to you & Mr D1 since the 28th of June
+when I last arrivd in this City. I think I committed one to the Care of
+our Friend Mr Laurens, who is unfortunately carried to England. Mr
+Palfrey, who is the Bearer of this, is appointed Consul in France; and
+besides his Consular Functions, he has it in charge to forward such
+Cloathing Arms &c as are or may be procured there for the Use of our
+Troops. Great Exertions have been made the year past, in which old
+Massachusetts has borne her full Share, to be in Readiness to cooperate
+with our Ally, in an Attempt to give our Invaders a decisive Blow. But
+the second Division of the french Squadron being blockd up in Brest, &
+a Reinforcement to the Enemy arriving from the West Indies, they have
+had the Superiority at Sea. This was not our only Misfortune; for had
+the whole naval Force arrivd which we expected, I am inclind to believe
+we should have faild for Want of a Sufficiency of Powder. By an
+unpardonable Neglect in somebody, that essential Article was not sent,
+as it ought to have been, in Season. I have called it an unpardonable
+Neglect. It appears so to me. My Judgment, however, may be too severe.
+I confess, I feel much chagrind, while I think that any thing has been
+omitted which might have been done, to have finishd the War with a
+glorious Campaign. But Disappointments, tho vexatious, ought not to
+disconcert us. They do not. No Difficulties should discourage us in the
+Support of a Cause, so righteous in the Sight of Heaven as I believe
+ours to be, and so interresting to Mankind. Our Creator has given us
+Understanding, - Strength of Body and a Country full of Provisions. We
+must make a good Use of them, hoping that His blessing will crown our
+virtuous Struggle. He helps those who make proper Exertions to help
+themselves. Such Exertions are now making. The States are called upon
+for an Army of 35,000 Men; and from past Experience of the great
+Expence, as well as Inutility of temporary Drafts, they are resolvd to
+have a well appointed Army early in the Field & inlisted for the War.
+And effectual Measures are taken for the Purpose of providing Magazines
+in Season for its Subsistence. The People at large, as far as I can
+learn, are as determind as ever to support their Independence, & for
+that End to carry on the War with Vigor. If our Ally can furnish us
+with a decided naval Superiority, I think there will be the fairest
+Prospect of bringing this great Contest to a happy Conclusion the next
+year.--Altho' the Enemy have gaind the Possession of Charleston, they have
+not succeeded to their Wishes in that Quarter. They do not find the
+People so pliable as they flatterd themselves they should.
+Notwithstanding Cornwallis' boasting Letter to Lord George, of "a
+compleat Victory obtaind the 16th Instant by His Majesties Troops under
+my Command, over the rebel southern Army," that brave Army checkd the
+Progress of the Troops under his Command on the 16th of August; and the
+Militia have since, in several Instances, given him ample Proofs of a
+firm Attachment to the pub-lick Cause, as well as Bravery and Alertness
+which he did not expect, and which I believe have disconcerted their
+general Plan.--The Hands of those People, if not already, will very soon
+be taught to war & their Fingers to fight.
+
+Arnolds Conspiracy was to have wrought Wonders, but gracious Heaven
+defeated it. We have so often seen in the Course of this Conflict, the
+remarkeable Interposition of divine Providence in our favor, as to
+convince me, that the Attempts of our Enemies to subdue us, will be but
+gnawing a File.
+
+Your publick Letters have been well receivd. I have been favord with
+only two from you since you left Boston. One was deliverd to me by my
+worthy patriotick Friend Mr A Lee, & the other by the Count de
+Noailles, who lately spent a few Days in this City. He appears to be a
+most amiable young Nobleman, & I believe you have not said too much in
+the great Character you have given him. The very short time he stayed
+here & the Business I have been engagd in, prevented me the Honor,
+which I very much covetted, of conversing with him frequently.
+
+Congress have appointed Colo John Laurens Envoy extraordinary at the
+Court of Versailes, & Mr Dana will be regularly informd that he is to
+go to Russia.
+
+Before I conclude I must let you know, that the Ship which was set up
+in Massachusetts while you was there, and which, it was proposd, should
+be named, the Oceana,1 has since been compleatly finishd and is now
+afloat. Her Materials are acknowledgd to be of the best kind, & well
+put together. It is said she will make a prime Sailer if not too taunt
+masted. Others say, that the Construction of her Hull is such as to
+require a lofty Sail. There are many Speculations about her. As I am
+not a Judge in the Matter, I am prudently silent & hear the Opinions of
+those who are Connoisseurs. All agree that her Owners have much at
+Stake, & that it will be a very great Oversight in them if they should
+ever risque her with unskilfull or unprincipled Officers or Pilots.
+
+My due Regards to Mr Dana, & be assured that I am very cordially his &
+your Friend.
+
+1 The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Decr 20 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR--
+
+Mr Palfrey is just embarking, so I have only a few Moments to inform
+you, that I have this Morning been conversing with an old Man and an
+old Whig, who has all his Days been an Inhabitant of South Carolina &
+Georgia. He was taken Prisoner last Summer & carried to New York, from
+whence he lately came to this Place. And though his Fortune would
+enable him to live here at Ease, he thinks he can be useful to America
+by returning to that Part of it, and at the Age of 73 has undertaken
+the long Journey. He has always mixed with the People of those States,
+& is well acquainted with their Temper & Sentiments. He also has been
+much among the Indians & is greatly beloved by them. This Account I
+have had of him often from the Delegates of Georgia & others whom I can
+confide in. The old Gentleman tells me that the People of those States
+are in general firmly attachd to the American Cause, & most fervently
+deprecate their being finally seperated from the United States. His
+Soul was refreshd to hear me say that I did not apprehend any Danger of
+it--that the Idea would, in my Opinion, be abominated by the Eastern
+States, and, as far as I could judge, by all the rest. He says, that
+the Creeks & the Chictaws, which are the most numerous tribes of
+Indians, consisting of at least 8 perhaps 10 thousand Gun men, are our
+staunch Friends. The Heads of them have lately spoken to him in this
+Language, "We stand on the same Ground with you, we drink the same
+Water, breathe the same Air.. you are the Buds, & can there be Fruit if
+the Buds are nipped off?" These are forceable Words, which express
+their own Sense of the Necessity of their Union with us for their very
+Existence. They are a sagacious as well as a powerfull People, & an
+Alliance & Friendship with them is of Importance to all the United
+States. The People, of whatever Nation, who shall possess Georgia &
+South Carolina, will be, the Leaves of their Trees. It is my Opinion,
+that even a Thought of leaving the Inhabitants of those States to be
+subject to any foreign Power, who so gallantly defended themselves in
+the Beginning of this Contest, & have lately sufferd so much for the
+Sake of American Liberty, would not only be unjust to them, but in a
+high Degree impolitick.
+
+In every view we see the Necessity of a sufficient Naval Force. A few
+Ships of War at the Bar of Charlestown, & a Frigate or two in Stone
+River, might at this time effect the Recovery of that City. I need not
+inform you, what an Effect the Sight of a Sixty Gun Ship would probably
+have at Penobscott.-- Do not our Enemies conceive the Idea of Uti
+possidetis? And can there be Peace in America while Britain holds a
+Foot of Ground in any Part of it?
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN SCOLLAY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a portion of the text, with
+modifications, is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp.
+114, 115.]
+
+PHILADE Decr 30 1780
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I receivd your favor of the 6th Instant, but not till the 25th. The
+Post has been very irregular of late, & our Letters grow old before we
+receive them. It is a Shame that the Mail has been catchd a second time
+in the same trap. I inclosd to you a Warrant on Mr Appleton for the
+Amount of your Demand for boarding the Orphans of our late Friend Genl
+Warren. I think I did not send the Letter by that Post. But being
+uncertain I informd you in a subsequent Letter of my having sent the
+Warrant, and desired you to inform me whether it had come safely to
+hand. I expect to hear from you in Answer to my last at least, & shall
+then conduct the Matter if necessary, as you have proposd.
+
+Our Government, I perceive, is organizd on the Basis of the new
+Constitution. I am affraid there is more Pomp & Parade than is
+consistent with those sober Republican Principles, upon which the
+Framers of it thought they had founded it. Why should this new AEra be
+introducd with Entertainments expensive & tending to dissipate the
+Minds of the People? Does it become us to lead the People to such
+publick Diversions as promote Superfluity of Dress & Ornament, when it
+is as much as they can bear to support the Expense of cloathing a naked
+Army? Will Vanity & Levity ever be the Stability of Government, either
+in States, in Cities, or what, let me hint to you is of the last
+Importance, in Families? Of what Kind are those Manners, by which, as
+we are truly informd in a late Speech, "not only the freedom but the
+very Existence of Republicks is greatly affected?" HOW fruitless is it,
+to recommend "the adapting the Laws in the most perfect Manner
+possible, to the Suppression of Idleness Dissipation & Extravagancy,"
+if such Recommendations are counteracted by the Example of Men of
+Religion, Influence & publick Station? I meant to consider this Subject
+in the View of the mere Citizen. But I have mentiond the sacred Word
+Religion. I confess, I am surprizd to hear, that some particular
+Persons have been so unguarded as to give their Countenance to such
+kind of Amusements. I wish Mr ---- would recollect his former Ideas when his
+Friend Whitfield thunderd in the Pulpit against Assemblies & Balls. I
+think he has disclaimd Diversions, in some Instances, which to me have
+always appeard innocent. Has he changd his Opinions, or has the
+Tendency of things alterd? Do certain Manners tend to quench the Spirit
+of Religion at one time & are they harmless at another? Are Morals so
+vague as to be sanctified or dispens'd with by the Authority of
+different Men? He does not believe this. But I will not be severe, for
+I love my Friend. Religion out of the Question for the present. It was
+asked in the Reign of Charles the 2d of England, HOW shall we turn the
+Minds of the People from an Attention to their Liberties? The Answer
+was, by making them extravagant, luxurious, effeminate. Hutchinson
+advisd the Abridgment of what our People called English Liberties, by
+the same Means. We shall never subdue them, said Bernard, but by
+eradicating their Manners & the Principles of their Education. Will the
+judicious Citizens of Boston be now caught in the Snare, which their
+artful, insidious Enemies, a few years ago laid for them in vain? Shall
+we ruin ourselves by the very means, which they pointed out in their
+Confidential Letters, tho even they did not dare openly to avow them?
+Pownal, who was indeed a mere Fribble, venturd to have his Riots &
+Routs at his own house, to please a few Boys & Girls. Sober People were
+disgusted at it, & his privy Councellors never thought it prudent to
+venture so far as expensive Balls. Our Bradfords, Winslows & Winthrops
+would have revolted at the Idea of opening Scenes of Dissipation &
+Folly; knowing them to be inconsistent with their great Design, in
+transplanting themselves into what they called this "Outside of the
+World." But I fear I shall say too much. I love the People of Boston. I
+once thought, that City would be the Christian Sparta. But Alas! Will
+men never be free! They will be free no longer than while they remain
+virtuous. Sidney tells us, there are times when People are not worth
+saving. Meaning, when they have lost their Virtue. I pray God, this may
+never be truly said of my beloved Town. Adieu. My Respects to Mrs
+Scollay & Family & believe me to be sincerely
+
+Your Friend
+
+If Mr B A 1 thinks a Question from me worth his answering, ask him
+whether he has lost some value-able Books which I have seen in his
+Library, the Works of our illustrious Forefathers.
+
+1 Benjamin Austin.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1781
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society.]
+
+PHILADE Jany 15th 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your second Letter came to hand in due Season. My much Esteemed Friend
+Mr Arthur Lee will take the Charge of this. I will say to you as I have
+said to my Boston Friends, who are sollicitous to know what Treatment
+he meets with here. The more I have conversd with him, the more I have
+been confirmd in a good opinion of him, and lamented the Mistakes and
+Prejudices of some Men & the Wickedness of others. His Enemies, I
+think, dare not openly attack his Reputation or Conduct. But the
+Whispers of Envy & Malice, have sometimes Influence enough to prevent
+the Justice due to the virtuous Citizen. When this is the Case, it
+affords a Symptom of the Decay of publick Spirit, more threatning to
+the Liberties of a Common Wealth than Hosts of foreign Enemies.
+Monarchs have their Favorites who serve as Pimps on their honest
+Subjects. But Republicks should examine the Conduct of their Servants
+with an impartial Eye; and it discovers the Want of pub-lick Virtue, as
+much, to withhold their Smiles from the wise and good as to bestow them
+on the wicked & unfaithful. Mr Lee has as yet had neither Smiles nor
+Frowns. I am still in hopes, he will meet with the Rewards which I am
+sure he would have receivd if he had returnd a few years ago. He will
+have them, when the Trustees of the Publick shall have Fortitude
+enough, to be uninfluencd by great Names & Characters given to Men of
+base & depraved Minds. You will ask, when that will be. Perhaps not in
+this Age. But the Historian will in some future time draw forth the
+Proofs of his Patriotism, & unprejudicd Posterity will acknowledge that
+Arthur Lee has borne a great Share in defending & establishing the
+Liberties of America. I say Posterity; for I believe that a wiser
+Generation will enjoy the Fruits of the Toil of Patriots & Heroes in
+the present Day.
+
+My Friend, we must not suffer any thing to discourage us in this great
+Conflict. Let us recur to first Principles without Delay. It is our
+Duty, to make every proper Exertion in our respective States to revive
+the old patriotick Feelings among the People at large, and to get the
+publick Departments, especially the most important of them, filled with
+Men of Understanding & inflexible Virtue. It would be indeed alarming,
+if the United States should ever entrust the Ship in which our all is
+at Stake, with inexperiencd or unprincipled Pilots. Our Cause is surely
+too interesting to Mankind, to be put under the Direction of Men, vain,
+avaricious or conceald under the Hypocritical Guise of Patriotism,
+without a Spark of publick or private Virtue. We may possibly be more
+in Danger of this, than many of our honest Citizens may imagine. Is
+there not Reason to apprehend, that even those who are inimical to our
+Cause may steal into Places of the highest Trust? I need not remind you
+that Men of this Character have had Seats in Congress from the
+begining. Where is Galloway, LOW, Allen & Alexander?--If it was so in
+those Times of Vigilance & Zeal, how much more is it to be expected,
+when the Love of many is waxen cold, & their Minds are distracted with
+the Pursuit of Pleasure & exorbitant Riches. We cannot be perswaded to
+believe that bad Men have been sent by their States with a View of
+giving a fatal Stab to our Cause in its Infancy; but is it unreasonable
+to suppose that their Elections were secretly influencd by artful Men,
+with that Design. Our most dangerous Enemies may be in our Bosoms.
+
+Mr Lee will inform you how Matters go on here.
+
+I must let you know that when your Kinsman Mr William Lee was in Boston
+in Sept 1779 he borrowed five hundred Dollars of Moses Gill Esqr, and
+drew his Bill on his Brother Mr George Lee of Westmoreland County. I
+wish it may be paid on Sight, for it was advancd on my Application.
+
+My Regards to Mrs Lee &c. Adieu & believe me to be
+
+Your Friend
+
+
+
+TO JOHN PITTS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILAD. Jany 17 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your favor of the 17th of Novr was duly receivd. It bodes very ill to
+Government when Men are exalted to places of high trust through their
+own Sollicitations. He only fills a place with Dignity, who is invited
+to it by his Fellow Citizens, from the Experience they have had of his
+adequate Abilities, & who does the Duties of it with Zeal & Fidelity.
+Such a Man, being conscious that neither Smiles, Intreaties, Gifts,
+Intrigue nor any dishonorable Practices have procured him his high
+Station, may rely on the People who gave him their free Suffrages, to
+approve of his honest Endeavors to serve them. And having Nothing in
+View but that the Publick may be best servd, he will chearfully resign
+his Place whenever the People shall make Choice of another whom they
+judge more capable than he. The People are certainly the best Judges,
+who are most likely to render them substantial Service; & whoever
+interposes in their Elections, with his own Sollicitations for himself,
+it is to be feard, if he is of any Consequence, will in time become a
+dangerous Party Man. He ought therefore to be despisd as an obtruder. I
+hope there are not many such Men in our Government. I am sorry to be
+informd that there are any. They should be watchd; for if they have no
+evil Designs, their Vanity may prompt them to do Mischief. The Express
+waits. Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO JAMES WARREN.
+
+ [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Feb 1st 1781--
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have not had Leisure to write to you since the 20th of Novr. Indeed I
+am not willing to trust a Confidential Letter to the Post, which has
+shamefully been catchd in the same Trap more than once. I gladly
+embrace the opportunity by Mr Otis, with whom I have had frequent &
+candid Conversations concerning Men & Things. He will be able to tell
+you some Truths which I do not think it prudent to commit to Paper. You
+& I have been long struggling for the Liberty of our Country. I believe
+its Independence will be finally acknowledgd by the World. But are not
+many Nations England in particular called Independent? And do you think
+the People of England are free. No People, in my opinion can be long
+free who are not virtuous; and it is no Sign of Virtue, when the
+Councils of an enlightned Country are directed by a foreign Influence.
+If I were a Minister at a foreign Court, my Vanity might be flatterd,
+in imagining that by having Address enough to rule its Measures, I
+might fix myself in the Esteem and Confidence of my Country, but I
+should entertain a contemptible Opinion of the Wisdom & Virtue of that
+Court if it would suffer me to do it. The Councils of a Nation must be
+weak in the extreme, or it must be reducd to the greatest Degree of
+Dependence to submit to so servile a Condition. You will not think I
+have the remotest Reference in what I now say, jealous as I allow my
+self to be, to the Amphictyon of the United States of America. It is
+presumd they will always have too high a Sense of their Dignity to
+suffer themselves & their Nation to be degraded. But when Peace is
+happily settled & a Number of foreign Ministers are about our Court, it
+will require Men of great Knowledge of the World & Experience in
+Affairs to penetrate their various Intrigues. I have been assured that
+the Court of France would be highly disgusted with any of its Ministers
+if they should improperly interfere in our Councils; and indeed when I
+consider the Jealousy of a rising Republick, I think nothing would
+equal the Impolicy of their attempting it, but the Imprudence of
+Congress in submitting to it. ---- But I am unexpectedly called off and Mr
+Otis is just going. I intended to have written to you largely but must
+omit it till the next opportunity. Pray inform my worthy Friend Capt
+Bradford that I must also omit writing to him, as I intended, for the
+same Reason.
+
+your affectionate,
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Feb. 1st 1781
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+My last was by Major Clarkson. He is a young officer of military Merit.
+I wish you would entertain him with a Dish of Tea.
+
+Our new AEra of Government, I fancy, has occasiond a Revolution in
+political Circles & a Change of Connections. I cannot otherwise account
+for the long Silence of my Friend Doctor Cooper. I used to correspond
+with him very confidentially. We indeed thought aloud together. But I
+have receivd only one Letter from him since I left Boston, which was
+deliverd to me by Mr A Lee. I considerd it as a Compliment to that most
+deserving Patriot, rather than a Letter of Friendship to me. I have
+written several Times to him, & once desired particular Information,
+which he might have given me without offending any Man, but he has not
+done it. I hope the Doctor does not think his Letters troublesome to
+me. He has no Reason to think so. But, he chuses to close the
+Correspondence, & you know, that I am disposd on such Occasions, to
+retaliate. It sometimes affects my Feelings, but I shall never be in
+Debt on that Score. You may let the Dr read this Letter if he pleases,
+but no other Person; for when I think amiss of the private Conduct of a
+Friend, I let none know it, but him & you. Indeed I shall say nothing
+to you at present that I would not wish him to know. I employ no Pimps
+or Spies on my Fellow Citizens, & yet I hear of many things that are
+said & done in Boston. I may sometimes be misinformd, & I am always
+inclind to think I am, when I cannot reconcile what is said with the
+Honor & Integrity of Friendship. If Mr W C1 has "spoken very
+disrespectfully" of me, I am sorry for him. It gives me no Pain on my
+Account because I deserve not his reproach. I know he is apt to be
+sanguine in his Opinions of Men, & his Zeal in Elections has been
+commendable. But as I did not interest myself at all in the late
+Elections he might have spared me. I have candidly declared, when I was
+asked in Boston, who I thought to be most endowd with those great
+Qualities, which should characterize the first Magistrate of so
+respectable a Commonwealth. This is the Right, it is the Duty of every
+Citizen. And had I been present, I should most certainly have voted for
+that Candidate. I may have been mistaken in my Judgment; and, as it
+becomes a Citizen, I will, acquiesce in the Choice of a Majority of the
+People, who ought to know & prefer the fittest Person. If they do not,
+they are hardly worthy to be servd by any Man. I hope we shall never
+fall into those Dregs of Time, when it shall be the Custom for one
+Citizen to treat another ill, merely because a popular Man has markd
+him as his Enemy, or because others, for servile Purposes, have
+reported him as such. This may afford Sport for the Enemies of our
+Cause, who are laying the Snare with great Art & Industry. James
+Rivington has publishd in his Royal Gazette, that the Acrimony between
+Mr Hancock & me, was owing to his Attachment to General Washington, &
+my being on the Contrary, desirous of his Removal. This is an old Story
+which Men have believd and disbelievd as they pleasd, without much
+Concern of mine. It was a pityful Contrivance to render me obnoxious to
+the General & our common Friends. If there has been any Difference
+between Mr H and me, Rivington knows not the Origin of it. Mr Hancock
+never thought me an Enemy to Genl Washington. He never thought that I
+was desirous of his being removd, & therefore could never treat me with
+Acrimony on that Account. I never wishd for the Removal of General
+Washington, but if I had even attempted to effect it, it might have
+been an Evidence of my Deficiency in Judgment, or Rashness, but it
+could be no Evidence that I was his Enemy. Mr W C may think that I am
+an Enemy to Mr Hancock, because he may have heard that I preferd
+another as a Governor before him. At this Rate, I must be thought an
+Enemy to every Man to whom I cannot give the Preference for an exalted
+Station for which few of the Many can be supposd to be qualified.
+Ridiculous [&] mischievous as this is, I am told that some carry their
+opinions further and that it is not enough, that a Man who cannot
+consistently vote for a Governor is to be reckon'd his Enemy, but he is
+for this Reason to be excluded from every Department. Who could wish to
+hold a Seat in Government on so slavish a Tenure? The People of
+Massachusetts under the old Government have seen enough of the
+mischievous Effects of the Governors having a Power to negative
+Elections & I cannot see the Difference between this & his being able
+to influence or prevent an Election by causing it to be believd that a
+Candidate is his Enemy. He who gives his Suffrage according to the
+Dictates of a well informd Judgment, is certainly a virtuous Citizen.
+And is it to be supposd that such a Man would withhold his Influence in
+favor of a wise Measure, because a Gentleman is placed in the Chair by
+his Fellow Citizens, whom he did not vote for? Such a Supposition
+savours so much of a Narrow, illiberal party Spirit, that I should
+think no intelligent Man would countenance it. If it should prevail, it
+would produce evil Consequences; for some Men, if they are made to
+believe their political Existence depends on their being thought the
+Governors Friends, will not easily prevail on themselves to risque that
+Existence by giving him Advice, however salutary it might be, &
+necessary for the Honor & Safety of the Commonwealth, if they think it
+will disgust him.
+
+You may wonder, my Dear, that I send this Budget of Politicks to you. I
+see no Reason why a Man may not communicate his political opinions to
+his Wife, if he pleases. But to tell you the truth I consider this
+Epistle, after the License I have already given you, as indirectly
+addressd to the Friend I have mentiond. I would gladly know his
+opinion, Whether there is not more Parade among our Gentry than is
+consistent with sober republican Principles. Is it to imitate the
+Vanity of former times that every order of Men have been so fond of
+addressing the Governor? Are we to pay the same Ceremonies to the next
+& the next? Will not such high Strains of Panegyrick injure the
+Feelings of modest Men? And if there should happen to be a weak Man,
+will they not make him intollerably vain? Republicks should adopt the
+Rule of another Society. The Yea should be Yea, and the Nay, Nay, for
+whatsoever is more than these cometh of Evil. Adieu.
+
+1 William Cooper.
+
+
+
+TO MRS. ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADELPHIA Mar. 15 1781
+
+MY DEAR BETSY
+
+Mr Bagnal, the Bearer of this Letter, this Moment informs me, that he
+sets off in half an hour for Boston I am sorry he did not give me more
+timely Notice, because I chuse to write to my Confidential Friends by
+private Hands rather than the Post. I have in a Letter forwarded
+yesterday, given Notice to the General Assembly, of my Wish to return
+home as early as may be and requested to be relievd by one of my
+Colleagues or otherwise as may be thought proper. I expect to have
+General Wards Servant to attend me on my Journey. He is afterwards to
+return here. I am much concernd at the Dissentions in the New South
+Society, who have generally been remarkeable for Peace & Harmony. They
+should strive for a conciliatory Spirit as far as is consistent with
+good Conscience, condescend to each other in smaller Matters, and bear
+with each others Tempers. I have not been unmindful of my Sons
+Situation, as mentiond in his Letter to me some time ago. He will see
+by the Journals of Congress (Sept. 30, 1780) that the officers in the
+Medical Department, are intitled annually to draw Cloathing from the
+Stores of the Cloathier General in the same Manner & under the same
+Regulations as are establishd for officers of the Line by a Resolution
+Novr 25, 1779-- such Cloathing to be deliverd by the Cloathier General or
+any sub Cloathier in the State in which the officer to receive the
+Cloathing shall reside. I have sent the Journals of the Dates above
+mentiond, and wish Mr Davis or some other of my Friends would speak to
+Mr Ruggles, who I think is the Sub Cloathier in the State, in Behalf of
+my Son. I hope however that the Matter is already settled, & he gone to
+Newport. I am uneasy at his being absent from his Station any length of
+Time; for however necessary it may be, it may be turnd to the
+Disadvantage of his Character, which if I am not flatterd, he has
+hitherto kept unsullied. In this virtuous & important Struggle, he will
+remember that all of us must ruff it as well as we can.----The medical
+Committee inform me that it is the Duty of the State Cloathier to
+furnish him without the intervention of the Commander in Chiefe or
+Board of War.
+
+Pray let Mrs Fogs know that Mr Level & I have done all we could for the
+Release of her Son who was made a Sea Prisoner & carried to New York.
+Our officers have some of them been sent to England, but not any of the
+Seamen, so that it is hoped he is still there. Many of them have died.
+They have lately been better treated than they were some time ago. The
+British Sea Officers are retaind in close Confinement here till we hear
+what is become of ours. We are in hopes there will soon be an Exchange
+of the whole.
+
+Remember me to Friends----Adieu.
+
+
+
+ARTICLE, UNSIGNED.
+
+[Boston Gazette, April 2, 1781; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library.1]
+
+Extract of a Letter from the Southward.
+
+"As we have a Constitution which is admired for its genuine Principles,
+I have been sollicitous to know, whether our Countrymen at large
+partook of the Spirit of those who formed it. I have conceived strong
+Hopes, that in organizing their Government and electing Persons to fill
+the important Places of Trust, no Consideration would avail, to govern
+their Suffrages in Favour of any Candidate, unless he was possessed of
+those Qualities which are necessary, to enable him to perform the
+Duties of the Office to be filled, to the Advantage of the Publick. I
+have flattered my self, that both the Governors and the Governed would
+have lain aside the gawdy Trappings of Monarchy, and put on that
+Simplicity which is the Ornament and Strength of a free Republick. HOW
+far it has been done, I am not able to judge at this Distance. It is a
+great Satisfaction to me to be informed, that some of the best Men in
+the Commonwealth have been elected into the Principal Departments of
+Government. Men, who will dignify the Character of our Country--who will
+revive and disseminate those Principles, moral and political, to
+propagate which, our Ancestors transplanted themselves into this new
+World--Men who by the Wisdom of their Councils and their exemplary
+Manners, will establish the public Liberty on the Foundation of a
+Rock.--These Men will secure to themselves more of the Esteem of their
+virtuous, and even of their vicious Fellow-Citizens, than they could by
+a thousand courtly Addresses which are commonly the Breath of Vanity
+and Adulation.--There is a charm in Virtue to force Esteem.--If Men of a
+different Character have by any Means been advanced to those hallow'd
+Seats, who have even sollicited public Employments to give a Scope to
+Views of Ambition and Avarice, Passions which have in all Ages been the
+Bane of human Society; or, to gratify the raging Thirst for popular
+Applause, a Disease with which little minds are usually tormented, it
+is our Happiness that the Constitution requires annual Elections, and
+such Mistakes may be corrected at the next.
+
+"I was sorry to hear, that the Number of Votes returned, the last Time,
+did not amount to a Quarter of the Number of qualified Electors in the
+Commonwealth. The Choice of Legislators, Magistrates and Governors, is
+surely a Business of the greatest Moment, and claims the Attention of
+every Citizen. The Framers of our Constitution, while they gave due
+Attention to Political were not forgetful of Civil Liberty--that personal
+Freedom and those Rights of Property, which the meanest Citizen is
+intitled to, and the Security of which is the great End of political
+Society. It was not indeed their Province to make particular Laws for
+these Purposes. To do this, and to provide for the equal and impartial
+Execution of such Laws, agreeable to the Constitution, is the Duty of
+the Legislature. Hence every Citizen will see, and I hope will be
+deeply impressed with a Sense of it, how exceedingly important it is to
+himself, and how intimately the welfare of his Children is connected
+with it, that those who are to have a Share in making as well as in
+judging and executing the Laws should be Men of singular Wisdom and
+Integrity. Such as are conscious that they are deficient in either of
+these Qualities, should even TREMBLE at being named as Candidates! I
+hope the great Business of Elections will never be left by the Many, to
+be done by the Few; for before we are aware of it, that few may become
+the Engine of Corruption--the Tool of a Junto.--Heaven forbid! that our
+Countrymen should ever be byass'd in their Choice, by unreasonable
+Predilections for any man, or that an Attachment to the Constitution,
+as has been the Case in other Countries, should be lost in Devotion to
+Persons. The Effect of this would soon be, to change the Love of
+Liberty into the Spirit of Faction. Let each Citizen remember, at the
+Moment he is offering his Vote, that he is not making a Present or a
+Compliment to please an Individual, or at least that he ought not so to
+do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn Trusts in human
+Society, for which he is accountable to GOD and his Country.
+
+"When the great Body of the People are determined not to be imposed
+upon by a false Glare of Virtues held before their Eyes, but, making up
+their own Minds, shall impartially give in their Suffrages, after their
+best Enquiries into the Characters of Candidates, for those whom they
+judge to be the fittest Persons, there will be no Danger that the
+generous Enthusiasm of Freedom, so characteristic of the People of
+Massachusetts, will ever sink into the Violence and Rage of Party,
+which has often proved fatal to free Republicks."
+
+1 Endorsed by Adams: "The foregoing was sent to Mr Edes by the Post
+March 13, 1781."
+
+
+
+
+
+TO CALEB DAVIS1
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE April 3 1781
+
+DEAR SIR /
+
+I have just receivd your favor of the 17th Ulto by Mr Dugan. The
+Request he proposes to make to Congress for Liberty to bring his
+Effects from Ireland, cannot be complied with consistently with the
+inclosd ordinance, which strictly forbids all Intercourse between the
+Citizens of the United States & the Subjects of Great Britain. There
+have been so many undue Advantages taken from Indulgences of this Kind,
+as to render the Continuance of them unsafe to us and disgustful to our
+Ally. I shall always pay a due Regard to your Recommendations, and
+should have been particularly desirous of rendering Service to your
+Friend Mr Dugan whom I personally know & of whose Integrity I have no
+Reason to doubt.
+
+Your Letter of the 23d of Feby never came to hand; and I regret it the
+more, because you tell me, you then wrote fully of the State of Affairs
+in Boston which I should have been glad to have receivd. Let me observe
+to you as a private Friend, the Delegates of Massachusetts are by no
+means duly informd of what is done in their own State; & when they
+receive any kind of Information, it is not in a Manner adapted to give
+them Weight. I do not mention this on my own Account; for I intend very
+soon to take Leave of Congress & get myself excusd from any future
+Attendance. I will then explain the Hint I have now given you, more
+fully than I chuse to do in a Letter by the Post. You mention a certain
+Juncture when you wish me to return. I think I can discover your Motive
+and your old Partiality for me. I do assure you, I am not at all
+sollicitous about any thing of the Kind which your Letter seems to
+intimate. I have always endeavord to confine my Desires in this Life
+within moderate Bounds, and it is time for me to reduce them to a
+narrower Compass. You speak of "Neglect," "Ingratitude" &c. But let us
+entertain just Sentiments. A Citizen owes everything to the
+Commonwealth. And after he has made his utmost Exertions for its
+Prosperity, has he done more than his Duty? When Time enfeebles his
+Powers & renders him unfit for further Service, his Country, to
+preserve its own Vigour will wisely call upon others; and if he
+decently retreats to make Room for them he will show that he has not
+yet totally lost his Understanding. Besides, there is a Period in Life
+when a Man should covet the exalted Pleasure of Reflection in
+Retirement.
+
+I thank you, my dear Sir, for the information you gave Mrs A of Mr
+Dugans coming. Pray let her know that I receivd her Letter & am well.
+My Compts to the Circle about you.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+1 Speaker of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts.
+
+
+
+ARTICLE, UNSIGNED.
+
+[Boston Gazette, April 16, 1781; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library.1]
+
+Extract of a Letter from the Southward.
+
+"BEFORE this will reach you, your Countrymen will have finished the
+important business of electing their Legislators, Magistrates and
+Governors for the ensuing year. I hope they have made a wise choice. At
+least, from the opinion I entertain of their virtue, I am persuaded
+they have acted with all that deliberation and caution which the
+solemnity of the transaction required. They may then reflect, each one
+on his own integrity, and appeal to the Monitor within his breast, that
+he has not trifled with the sacred trust reposed in him by GOD and his
+country--that he has not prostituted his honor and conscience to please a
+friend or a patron --that he has not been influenced with the view of
+private emolument to himself and his family, but has faithfully given
+his vote for the candidate whom he thought most worthy the choice of
+free and virtuous citizens--I congratulate that Legislator, Magistrate &
+Governor, who knows that neither smiles, entreaties, gifts,
+dissimulation, intrigue, nor any base and dishonorable practices have
+procured him this exalted station. His fellow citizens, unsollicited by
+him, have called him into their service, from the opinion they have
+formed of his integrity and adequate abilities.--He feels himself happy in
+their opinion of him--happy is he indeed, if he is conscious he deserves
+it.
+
+But our countrymen will not imagine, that having filled the several
+departments of government, they have no further concern about it. It
+is, I humbly conceive, their duty and interest to attend to the manner
+in which it is administered by those whom they have entrusted. HOW
+often has the finishing stroke been given to public virtue, by those
+who possessed, or seemed to possess many amiable virtues? GUSTAVUS VASA
+was viewed by the Swedes as the deliverer of their country from the
+Danish yoke. The most implicit obedience, says the historian, was
+considered by them as a debt of gratitude, and a virtue. He had many
+excellent qualities. His manners were conciliating--His courage and
+abilities great--But the people by an entire confidence in him suffered
+him to lay a foundation for absolute monarchy. They were charmed with
+his moderation and wisdom, qualities which he really possessed; but
+they did not consider his ambition, nor had they a thought of his
+views. They found peace restored, order established, justice
+administered, commerce protected, and the arts and sciences encouraged,
+and they looked no further. They did not imagine, that he who had been
+the instrument of recovering the independence of their country, could
+be the very man who was to effect the ruin of their liberties. By the
+Constitution of Sweden their kings were elective, and the powers of the
+crown were exceedingly limited. The unsuspecting people even
+voluntarily gave up their right of election, and suffered Gustavus to
+enlarge the powers of the crown, and entail it in his own family! This
+is the account which the history of Sweden has given us; and it affords
+an instance among a thousand others, of the folly and danger of
+trusting even good men with power, without regarding the use they make
+of it. Power is in its nature incroaching; and such is the human make,
+that men who are vested with a share of it, are generally inclined to
+take more than it was intended they should have. The love of power,
+like the love of money, increases with the possession of it; and we
+know, in what ruin these baneful passions have involved human societies
+in all ages, when they have been let loose and suffered to rage
+uncontrouled-- There is no restraint like the pervading eye of the
+virtuous citizens.--I hope therefore our countrymen will constantly
+exercise that right which the meanest of them is intitled to, and which
+is particularly secured to them by our happy constitution, of inquiring
+freely, but decently, into the conduct of the public servants. The very
+being of the Commonwealth may depend upon it. I will venture to appeal
+to the experience of ancient Republicks, to evince the necessity of it;
+and it is never more necessary than in the infancy of a Commonwealth,
+and when the people have chosen honest men to conduct their affairs.
+For, whatever is done at a time nearly contemporary with the
+constitution, will be construed as the best exposition of it; and a
+mistaken principle of a virtuous ruler, whose public conduct is
+generally good, and always supposed to be honestly intended, carries
+with it an authority scarcely to be resisted, and precedents are thus
+formed which may prove dangerous--perhaps fatal."--
+
+1 Endorsed by Adams: "The foregoing was sent to Mr Edes by the Post Mar
+27, 81."
+
+
+
+TO SAMUEL COOPER.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+PHILADE Apr 23 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I did not receive your favor of the 3d Instt till yesterday; a week
+later than Letters of the same Date from some others of my Boston
+friends were brought to me by the Post. As the Subject is delicate, I
+do not chuse to continue it in this Letter, which is to go thro a
+Channel provd from repeated Experience to be uncertain & unsafe. It was
+for this Reason that I committed to the Care of a private friend, my
+Letter to Mrs A of the 1st of Feby which she communicated to you. I am
+glad she did it in a Manner so acceptable. Indeed I never found Reason
+to doubt her Discretion. What you have written is very obliging &
+satisfactory to me. I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you next
+Month. We will then, after our usual Manner, disclose each others
+Hearts.
+
+Your Letter of the 31st Decr was not long ago deliverd to me by the
+Count Chartres. He appears to me to be an amiable & fine-spirited young
+Nobleman. After a short stay here, he preceded with the Marqs de la
+Fayette to the Southward.
+
+You will recollect a Design which I mentiond to you respecting our
+Friend Mr L, & the Omission which, we were informd the Evening before I
+left Boston, had happend thro Mistake. I early wrote to you & requested
+your Influence to have it rectified. I have heard Nothing of it since.
+In my Opinion the most essential Interest of the Town of Boston will be
+servd by it, & therefore I cannot look upon it as a Matter of
+Indifference. Not being acquainted with that Gentleman in the early
+Times of our Contest, I had by some means conceivd an Opinion of him
+not so favorable; but having had an Opportunity of critically observing
+him in the late Convention at Cambridge, I am satisfied he is a
+Virtuous Citizen, and possessd of the genuine Principles of New
+England. That Mr Rivington, if this Letter should fall into his Hands,
+may not pretend to be at a LOSS to know what is here meant, I will
+inform him that the genuine Principles of New England are Republican
+Principles which have been admired by some of the greatest Characters,
+whom (if he is an Englishman) his Country can boast of. You & I, among
+others, have had the Honor of being abusd by Rivingtons Press. A labord
+Performance has lately crept out, called the Times. I have had a
+cursory reading of it. It appears to me so much like the Productions of
+certain Geniuses who figurd in Mr Popes Time, that had the Author been
+cotemporary with them, a Page might have been added to the Dunciad, to
+immortalize his Works. I will endeavor to get some Parts of it
+transcribd & carry them to Boston. I am sure the reading it would serve
+to divert rather than to give you the least Pain. My due Regards to
+Friends.
+
+Your affectionate
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS McKEAN.1
+
+[MS., Historical Society of Pennsylvania.]
+
+BOSTON Augt 29th 1781
+
+MY HONORD FRIEND
+
+I have not yet acknowledgd your obliging Letter of the 8th of July,
+deliverd to me by Mr Davidson. Bodily Indisposition prevented my
+writing, when he returnd. I fancy he settled his Affairs here to his
+own Satisfaction. He is much esteemd by those who were favord with his
+Company, & I hope he met with Nothing disagreable to him during his
+short Stay among us.
+
+Colo John Laurens with our Friend Mr Pain arrivd here a few Days ago
+from France. He left the Town the Day after his Arrival. His Visit to
+me was so short that I could not converse with him so fully as I wishd.
+I hope he will be able to inform you of his complete Success in his
+Negociation. Will you be so kind as to give me such Intelligence as you
+may receive from him or any other Person from Europe. I wish to know
+the true State of our Affairs. Are we soon to have Peace? However
+desireable this may be, we must not wish for it on any Terms but such
+as shall he honorable & safe to our Country. Let us not disgrace our
+selves by giving just Occasion for it to be said hereafter, that we
+finishd this great Contest with an inglorious Accommodation. Things are
+whisperd here which, if true, will cause much Discontent. The Citizens
+of this Part of America will say, and judge, my dear Sir, whether it
+would not be just, that the fishing Banks are at least as important as
+Tobacco yards, or Rice Swamps, or the flourishing Wheat Fields of
+Pennsylvania. The Name only of Independence is not worth the Blood of a
+single Citizen. We have not been so long contending for Trifles. A Navy
+must support our Independence; and Britain will tell you, that the
+Fishery is a grand Nursery of Seamen. --I understand that G M,2 is
+appointed Deputy Financier, R R L,3 Secretary of foreign Affairs, and
+if Gl S4 is appointed to the War Department and Gl M5 to the" Marine,
+there will be a compleat N Y Administration. It may be well to enquire,
+what Influence has brought this about, & whether so much Power vested
+in the Citizens of any one State will excite the reasonable Jealousy of
+the rest. Adieu my Friend. Find a Moments Leisure to write to me.
+
+1 President of Congress.
+
+2 Gouverneur Morris.
+
+3 Robert R. Livingston.
+
+4 Philip Schuyler.
+
+5 Alexander McDougall.
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS McKEAN.
+
+[MS., Historical Society of Pennsylvania; a draft is in the Samuel
+Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Sept 19 1781
+
+MY HONORD FRIEND
+
+The Bearer, Major Brown, is a Person who has deservd well of the United
+States, and has for that Reason the Esteem of Men of Distinction in
+this Commonwealth. He was formerly a Soldier in the British Service,
+and before the Commencement of Hostilities, he left that
+Service--Immediately after the Battle of Lexington he joynd the American
+Army in which his Zeal & Activity was signalizd--In July 1776 he servd as
+Major in the Militia of this State at Ticonderoga under Genl Gates--In
+1777 he was appointed Depy Muster Master by Col Ward, and when the
+Convention Troops arrivd at Cambridge he was employd by Genl Heath as
+Town Major-- He has Certificates of his Fidelity from that General as well
+as the Commissary of Musters Coll Ward-- Your Attention to a Request he
+will make to Congress for Allowance for Depreciation (if you can find
+Leisure) will much oblige me.
+
+Will you suffer me Sir, in great Haste, to offer a few indigested Hints
+for your Consideration. I take it for granted that a very great
+Majority of the People in Each of the United States are determind to
+support this righteous & necessary War, till they shall obtain their
+grand Object, an undisputed Sovereignty. This must hereafter be
+maintaind, under God, by the Wisdom and Vigour of their own Councils &
+their own Strength-- Their Policy will lead them, if they mean to form any
+Connections with Europe, to make themselves respectable in the Eyes of
+the Nations by holding up to them the Benefits of their Trade-- Trade must
+be so free to all as to make it the Interest of Each to protect it till
+they are able to protect it themselves--This, the United States must do by
+a Navy. Till they shall have erected a powerful Navy, they will be
+lyable to Insults wch may injure & depreciate their Character as a
+Sovereign & independent State; & while they may be incapable of
+resenting it themselves, no friendly power may venture or care to
+resent it on their Behalf. The U. S. must then build a Navy. They have
+or may have all the Materials in Plenty--But what will Ships of War avail
+them without Seamen? And Where will they find a Nursery for Seamen but
+in THE FISHERY? Adieu my dear Sir.
+
+Your affectionate
+
+
+
+TO HORATIO GATES.
+
+[MS., Historical Society of Pennsylvania.]
+
+BOSTON Oct 11TH 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Altho' I am at this Juncture much pressd with pub-lick Business, I will
+not omit writing a few Lines, to testify my sincere Regards for you--When
+I left you in Philadelphia last June, I regretted the disagreable
+Situation you was then in--deprivd of the Prospect of reaping fresh
+Laurels, when an active Campaign was expected. Whether a Court of
+Enquiry has yet been called, agreable to your Wishes, I know not. Till
+that is done, I say it without Flattery, our Country will lose the
+Assistance of one of its most able & faithful Servants.--We are at this
+Distance in great Uncertainty of every thing that happens Southward of
+New York. We hear of military Movements & naval Engagements, but not of
+their Events--Pray inform me of the Situation of publick Affairs, and of
+your own as far as you shall think proper. We hope, & are even sanguine
+in our Expectations of great & decisive Events in our favor--God grant we
+may not be disappointed! Doctor Gordon who kindly takes the Care of
+this Letter, is well acquainted with the Internal State of this Common
+Wealth--He knows my Mind, & will communicate to you, more than I can now
+do for Want of Leisure. Adieu, & believe me to be with the warmest
+Attachment----Your unalterd Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+TO WILLIAM HEATH.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Novr [21] 1781
+
+SIR
+
+The Bearer of this Letter Mr Edgar called on me the other Day with
+General Baylie of Vermont a Gentleman of undoubted Integrity &
+Attachment to the Cause of our Country & [who] has renderd himself very
+useful by the Intelligence he has obtaind from Canada since the
+Beginning of this War, & is well known to the Commander in Chief of our
+Armies. Genl Bay-lie earnestly wishes that Mr Edgar may be introducd to
+Head Quarters because he thinks from what he has to say it will appear
+that if two Gentlemen who are now Prisoners in Canada whose Names he
+will mention to you may be exchangd they will be able to make a full
+Discovery to you, of the Plan of union which he says is actually
+compleated between the Govr of Canada & the principal Leaders in
+Vermont. One of these Gentlemen General Baylie tells me he has long
+been acquainted with & confides in. It is possible you may be already
+sufficiently acquainted with this Matter; & there may be a Scheme of
+Policy on our Side which has not come to my Knowledge. In this
+Uncertainty I hope I shall be excusd troubling you with this Letter.
+
+Mr Edgar, according to his own Account was in the British Service on
+the Lakes in 1774, afterwards was at Detroit as a private Trader, when
+he renderd Services to Colo Clark as an Intelligencer, became suspected
+he was sent a Prisoner to Montreal where he lay in Irons nine Months, &
+after two years Imprisonment, he made an Escape.
+
+After congratulating you on the Divine Blessing afforded to the Allied
+forces under the Direction of his Excy Genl Washington, I am &c
+
+THE TOWN OF BOSTON TO THE SELECTMEN OF OTHER TOWNS.
+
+[MS., Chamberlain Collection, Boston Public Library.]
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston legally assembled, have taken
+into Consideration a Matter which they conceive all the other Maritime
+Towns in this & the Neighboring States are equally, and some of them
+more nearly interested than they. It is the Subject of the Fishery, and
+the great Importance of a Common Right therein being secured to the
+United States, whenever a Treaty of Peace shall be concluded. To
+flatter our selves with so happy a Prospect, so far as to neglect the
+necessary Preparations for another vigorous Campaign, would indeed be
+unbecoming the Wisdom of Americans; and yet, so important has been the
+Success of the allied Arms, the last year, that it would seem to be
+Madness in the Extreme for Britain any longer to persist in her
+unrighteous Claims. But Wisdom has forsaken her Councils.
+
+We ought to presume, that the supreme Representative of these States
+will have an equal Regard in so momentuous a Crisis to the Rights of
+each Individual. We would not suggest the Contrary. But, may it not be
+supposd, that Persons whose Situation is remote from the Fishery, and
+who derive Advantages from it in its more distant Effects & not
+directly perceivable, are probably not so attentive to its unspeakeable
+Importance, as others who are immediately concernd, & depend upon it as
+the only Source of their Commerce & even their Subsistence? If this
+should be the Fact, Would not States so immediately interested in the
+Fishery as ours, be justly criminated by the others, if we should
+neglect seasonably to lay before them our own Sense of the Necessity of
+an express Article in a Treaty of Peace for its Security? Should we not
+be wanting to our selves in a most essential Point, & be chargeable by
+all Posterity, with sacrificing our and their invalueable Rights by
+unpardonable Carelessness? Such is the Sentiment of this Town. And
+though we would be far from obtruding this or any Sentiment of ours
+upon others, we cannot but think our selves justifyable in candidly
+recommending it to their serious Deliberation.
+
+This Town have judgd it necessary to instruct their Representatives in
+the General Court on the Subject. The instructions are inclosd. Many
+other and cogent Reasons might have been urgd, & will undoubtedly be
+made Use of by you, if you shall think it proper to take the Matter
+into your Consideration. Should we be so fortunate as to have your full
+Concurrence in Opinion with us, we assure our selves that we shall be
+equally fortunate in the Aid we shall receive from your Concurrent
+Exertions.
+
+In the Name & by Order of the Town of Boston1 in Meeting legally
+assembled December 14 1781.
+
+1 Signed, in the original as published, by William Cooper, Town Clerk.
+This letter and the instructions of the town of December 11, 1781, were
+printed in a pamphlet of three pages. A copy is in the Boston Public
+Library.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.1
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON 18 Decr 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have already written to you this Day by the Marquis de Lafayette.
+This passes thro the Hands of Count de Noailles, whom you did me the
+Honor to introduce to me. I duly acknowledgd the Receipt of your Favor
+which he brought me; but the LOSS of my Letter was attended with an
+infinitely greater, that of Collo Palfrey. I wrote to you largely by
+him.
+
+The Son in Law of one of our good Friends has lately arrivd here from
+England, which gives great Disgust to more Persons than his near
+Relations conceive of. On his Arrival, the Governor & Council directed
+him to state his Reasons for going to England and returning hither
+without the Leave of Government. He stated his Reasons; which in
+general were to render Service to the United States, particularly by
+removing the Ideas which the British Minister had conceivd of the
+Attachment of nine tenths of the Americans to that Government, and
+their Wishes to return to it. However frivolous this may appear to
+others, his nearest Friends speak of it, can you believe me, in a high
+Tone, and Mr ---- told me that Mr ------ was happy in being conscious not only of
+Innocence, but of great Merit.2--Those who hope for a Change of Person in
+our first Magistrate next Spring will be much embarrassd by this
+Circumstance. Adieu my Friend.
+
+1 Addressed to Adams at Amsterdam.
+
+2 The draft at this point has the words. "the Affair is in the Hands of
+the Attourney General by the Direction of the Govr & Council."
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Decr 19 1781
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+The Marquis La Fayette is so obliging as to take the Care of this
+Letter, which, for the sake of him, the Count de Noailles and others
+our french Friends who take Passage with him in the Alliance, I hope
+will arrive safely. In the same Conveyance is a Packett intended for
+you from Congress, by which you will doubtless he informd of what has
+been doing there. It is six Months since I left Philadelphia; you
+cannot therefore expect I should give you any of the Intelligence of
+that City. I presume Mr L1 makes known to you every thing interesting.
+I wrote to you frequently while I was there, but suppose all my Letters
+miscarried, as well as yours if you have written to me; for I have not
+receivd one for many Months. I except your favor by the Sieur de la
+Etombe, to whom I pay great Attention, both on Account of your
+Recommendation & his Merit. I give you Credit for a Packett of
+Gazzettes lately receivd, because I knew the Direction on the Cover to
+be your hand writing.
+
+Matters go on here just as you would expect from your knowledge of the
+People. Zealous in the great Cause, they hesitate at no Labor or
+Expence for its Support. Anxious to have a Code of Laws for the
+internal Government, adapted to the Spirit of their new Constitution
+with which they continue to be highly pleasd, the General Court have
+appointed the supreme Judges with Mr Bowdoin who is at present at
+perfect Leisure, to revise the Laws and report necessary or proper
+Amendments. The two great Vacancies in the offices of President &
+Professor of Mathematicks &c in our University are filled with
+Gentlemen of Learning & excellent Characters, the Revd Mr Willard of
+Beverly & the Revd Mr Williams. The Academy of Arts & Sciences is in a
+flourishing Way. A new Society is incorporated by the Name of the
+Medical Society. And this Metropolis has lately appointed a Committee,
+to consider the present Arrangement of the Schools & what further
+Improvements may be made, in which the better Education of female
+Children is designd to be comprehended. All these things I know are
+pleasing to you. Our People treat Foreigners of Merit who come among
+them, with good Humour & Civility, being desirous of adopting the
+virtuous Manners of others, and ingrafting them into our Stock.
+Laudable Examples on their side & ours will be productive of mutual
+Benefits. Indeed the Men of Influence must form the Manners of the
+People. They can operate more towards cultivating the Principles &
+fixing the Habits of Virtue than all the Force of Laws. This I think is
+verified in the Experience of the World; & should induce those People
+who exercise the Right of electing their own Rulers, to be circumspect
+in making their Choice. You are well enough acquainted with the
+Character of our first Magistrate to judge what Effects his Influence
+will have upon Manners.
+
+Inclosd are some of the Proceedings of a late Town Meeting,2 which I
+send to you as a private Citizen for your mere information. The Meeting
+was called in Consequence of a Letter receivd by our Selectmen from
+Marblehead, in which it was proposd that the Subject should be
+considerd in a Convention of the Maritime Towns. But this Town judgd it
+more proper to lay the Matter before the General Court, and have
+accordingly instructed their Representatives & recommended it to the
+others to take the same Method. They could not think it becoming in
+them to write to you (tho a fellow Citizen) on a Subject which concerns
+the American Republick. They have an entire Confidence in your
+Attachment to the Interest of the United States & of this which makes
+an essential Part of it.
+
+The Count de Noailles tells me he has a Letter for you from your
+Family. Please to pay my due Regards to Mr Dana Mr Th----3 &c. I rejoyce to
+hear of the Welfare of one of your Sons, whom we had almost given up
+for lost. Mrs Adams sends Compliments Miss has changed her Name & left
+her Fathers House.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+1 Laurens.
+
+2 Boston Record Commissioners' Report, vol. xxvi., p. 214.
+
+3 John Thaxter, private secretary to John Adams.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1782
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ALEXANDER McDOUGALL.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON May 13 1782.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your Favors of 10th Decr & 7th Feb last were severally deliverd to me
+by Major Gibbs & Dr Town-send. I am sometimes obligd to apologize for
+omitting to answer Letters in Season. You, I am perswaded, will be
+ready to believe that necessary Avocations have prevented my writing to
+you, for there can be no Doubt in your Mind, of the Sincerity of my
+Professions of Esteem & Friendship. The Present you sent me by Major
+Gibbs gratified me exceedingly. I intend to transmit it to my
+Posterity, as a Specimen of Spartan Frugality in an American General
+Officer. The Citizen & the Soldier are called to the Exercise of Self
+Denial and Patience, and to make the utmost Exertions in Support of the
+great Cause we are engagd in. Providence has highly honord our Patriots
+& Heroes in calling them into Existence at a Time when there is an
+Object worthy their Views. The Romans fought for Empire. The Pride of
+that haughty People was to domineer over the rest of Mankind. But this
+is not our Object. We contend for the Liberty of our Country and the
+Rights of human Nature. We hope to succeed in so righteous a Contest;
+and it is our Duty to acquire such Habits, and to cultivate in those
+who are to come after us such Principles and Manners as will perpetuate
+to our Country the Blessings which are purchasd with our Toils and
+Dangers.
+
+I have been expecting your Confidential Letters under the Signature you
+proposd. Pray let me hear of the Event of the Court Martial, and as
+many particulars as are expedient--Complts to your Lady.
+
+Adieu.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN LOWELL.
+
+[Historical Magazine, 1st ser., vol. i., pp. 260, 261.]
+
+BOSTON, May 15th, 1782.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--
+
+The General Court was prorogu'd Friday, the tenth instant, previous to
+which on the same day the Govr sent the Impost Bill to the house of
+Representatives with his objections and reasons against it stated in
+form. The house conceiving that the five days to which he was limited
+by the Constitution, had expired the preceding day, sent it back to him
+without reading the objections, as being in their opinion to all intent
+and purposes a law. It seems the bill had been sent to the Governor on
+Saturday. He excludes Sunday from the 5 days, in which the House differ
+in opinion. This matter of difference which arises from an incidental
+circumstance, would have been avoided if his Excellency had thought it
+convenient to have sent the bill to the House a day sooner. It is a
+subject of speculation among the political casuists. But how will it
+affect the great public for whose benefit it was intended? If the bill
+has become a law, how will it operate? What will be the opinion of
+Congress concerning it under its present circumstances? I wish to hear
+from you by return of this post.
+
+Yesterday, this town made choice of the same gentlemen to represent
+them in the G. C. who had served them the last year, except that Mr.
+Lord1 is chosen in the room of Mr. Davis.2 No one doubts my personal
+regard for Mr. L., but I think it may be highly dangerous, and attended
+with very ill effects, to admit an undue influence of the
+Superintendent of Finance into the general assemblies of these states,
+and therefore could not help mentioning my objections, to such of the
+inhabitants as I had an opportunity of conversing with, against his
+agent's being chosen a member of ours. The post is just going.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+1 The town records appear to indicate that John Rowe should have been
+named in this connection.
+
+2 Caleb Davis; cf. page 253.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN LOWELL.
+
+[Historical Magazine, 1st ser., vol. i., p. 261.]
+
+BOSTON, June 4th, 1782.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--
+
+Last week the House of Representatives directed the attendance of the
+Secretary, and enquired of him whether he had forwarded the Impost Act
+to Congress. He answered he had not seen it since he left it on their
+table, in the last session. The House then sent a message to the
+Governor to the same purpose.
+
+He returned a message acquainting them that he conceived the bill in
+the same light he had before, and could not send it to Congress as a
+law, or to that effect; adding, that if the House would signify their
+desire of having it, the Secretary would be directed to lay it before
+them. The House stated the matter, and sent it to the Senate with the
+Governor's message and a vote to join a committee to consider them, and
+the Senate concurred; the result of which is that the two houses have
+resolved, that the Governor did not return the bill to the late House
+of Representatives, where it had originated, within five days after it
+was presented to him by the late General Court, and therefore that it
+had passed all the forms prescribed by the Constitution to constitute
+it a law of the Commonwealth. What the next step will be, may, I think,
+be easily foreseen, that those who are against the law upon principle,
+or those who would wish to gratify the Govr, will move for a repeal of
+it, and have a new bill brought in. But it is difficult for me to
+conceive how a bill can be framed which will remove his doubts, and
+answer the end of Congress. You remember that matter was once tried. I
+must break off abruptly.
+
+Your affectionate,
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 229, 230.1]
+
+BOSTON, Nov. 21st, 1782.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--In the late session of our general court, and in the hurry
+of important business, a petition was presented signed William Burgess,
+praying to be naturalized. This gentleman very lately arrived from
+England, by way of Holland. The senate declined sustaining his
+petition, and gave him leave to withdraw it. A few days after, an
+authenticated resolution of congress came to hand, recommending it to
+the states not to admit any British subject whatever. Yet this man has
+had interest enough to prevail on the assembly to permit him to go to
+congress, to have it decided there whether he comes within the meaning
+of their resolution, because his arrival here was prior to the
+reception of the resolution by this government. If it should be thought
+there was in this instance a want of attention, it must be imputed to
+the circumstance I first mentioned. The general court had before
+directed his departure from the state; requesting the governor however,
+to allow him convenient time to prepare for his voyage, which appeared
+to me a sufficient indulgence. Some of our good citizens are disgusted
+at the favour shown to Mr. B. They say that being a partner with
+Messrs. Champion and Dickinson, the latter of whom is reported to have
+been always inimical to America by his residence here, he will probably
+be instrumental in the importation of as many English goods as he will
+be able to vend; or in other words, that the new house in Boston will
+be nearly if not quite as convenient in the time of war, as the old
+house in London was in time of peace. Whether there will be any danger,
+congress will judge. Jealousy is a necessary political virtue,
+especially in times like these. Such a plan would gratify those among
+us who are still hankering after the onions of Egypt, and would
+sacrifice our great cause to the desire of gain. What need is there of
+our admitting (to use the language of congress) any British subject
+whatever? Congress surely had some good reason when they so earnestly
+cautioned us against it. Our citizens are in more danger of being
+seduced by art, than subjugated by arms. I give you this notice that
+you may have an opportunity of conversing on the subject in your
+patriotic circles (if you think it worth while) in season. Mr. B. will
+set off next week in company with one of our new delegates, who I am
+satisfied will favour his cause. My friendly regards to Dr. Shippen,
+and my old friends in congress, if any such are there. Adieu.
+
+Believe me to be very affectionately your friend,
+
+1 A short note to Lee, also dated November 21, is in Ibid., p. 231.
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 231, 232.]
+
+BOSTON, Dec 2d, 1782.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--A friend of mine to whom I give entire credit, who lived
+many years in Canada, and was well acquainted with the bearer of this
+letter, requests me to introduce him to you. After a long confinement
+in prison in Quebec, where he was used with great severity, he found
+means to make his escape, and came to this town. He is a Frenchman by
+birth, and was a very respectable merchant in Canada. When the attempt
+was made to gain that country in 1775, he privately aided our forces;
+the suspicion of which rendered him obnoxious to the British
+government, and was the real cause of his suffering. He will inform you
+of the state and circumstances of British affairs there, and will tell
+you it is an easy thing to unite that province with these states.
+Possibly he may be influenced in some degree by a just resentment of
+the ill-treatment he has received; but other intelligent persons
+acquainted with the people of Canada, have zealously affirmed the same
+to me. If it be so, it is hoped that a favourable opportunity to effect
+it will be embraced, if any such should offer. I need not hint to you
+the importance of that object. Adieu,
+
+Your friend,
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1783
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 232-234, a draft is in
+the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON, Feb. 10th, 1783.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,--It is a long time since I had the pleasure of a letter from
+you. I hope you have not struck my name from the list of your
+correspondents. Mr. Stephen Higginson, who will deliver you this
+letter, is appointed a delegate of this state. He is a sensible and
+very worthy man, and I think entertains sentiments like yours. I am
+persuaded you will find him a valuable member, if his great modesty and
+diffidence of himself will allow him to step forward as far as his good
+understanding would lead him.
+
+I feel myself constrained to mention to you the present situation of
+Capt. Landais, though not at his request, or the smallest intimation
+from him. He resides in this town, and sometimes calls to see me. As he
+appears to be an injured man, I wish that justice may be done to him;
+and I am the more solicitous about it, as I was, with your worthy
+brother Mr. R. H. instrumental in his first appointment in the American
+navy. Congress granted him 12,000 livres as a compensation for services
+he had performed, and ordered that he should be paid by Dr. F. in
+France; but for some reason which is or ought to be known, he has never
+received that sum. Much the greater part of his wages as commander of
+the Alliance remains unpaid. A large sum due to him for prize-money is
+stopped in the hands of some person or persons in France; which indeed
+is too common a complaint among those continental officers and seamen
+who have carried prizes into ports in Europe. He made a journey to
+Philadelphia to obtain a settlement of his accounts, and was offered by
+Mr M.1 three months' pay, and a certificate for the balance, which he
+would not accept, because he really wanted the whole of his wages to
+supply him with the necessaries of life. I am sure that your own
+feelings of justice and humanity will plead an excuse for my troubling
+you with this detail. Perhaps his court-martial, by whose decree he was
+broken, were too severe. If his conduct in his last passage from France
+was blameable was not his mind to the greatest degree irritated by the
+treatment he met with there? and should not reasonable allowances have
+been made? He thinks it was an unrighteous decree. He may judge
+partially; I know nothing of the matter. If it was, is not the wound
+given to his honour sufficiently severe? But even if it was just,
+should not a discarded officer be immediately paid? Should not congress
+demand the reason why the prize-money has not been paid to those to
+whom it has been long due? Complaints of this kind have to my knowledge
+spread from Philadelphia to Boston. I am concerned for the honour of
+congress. These complaints may appear of little consequence; but I am
+afraid if they continue unattended to, they will cast a dark shade over
+the public character. The state of Landais' affairs will appear in his
+own memorial to congress, which was rejected, and perhaps may be on the
+files. You will oblige me if you will interest yourself (if leisure
+will admit of it) as far as you may think just, in his favour.
+
+I have been applied to by some of the inhabitants of the island of
+Nantucket, and have promised them to write to my friend respecting the
+whale fishery. These people have been usually employed in that branch
+of business chiefly. They have greatly reduced the number of their
+vessels, since the commencement of the war, by which means they say
+they are reduced to great distress and wish for some indulgence from
+congress. Whether this can be consistently granted, and in what manner,
+you will judge. The delegates of this state, I believe, can inform you
+more particularly of this matter. You are sensible of the absolute
+dependence of this state upon the fishery for its trade, and how great
+an advantage will accrue from it to the United States, if they intend
+ever to have a navy. I hope our peacemakers are instructed by all means
+to secure a common right in it.
+
+My respects to the Hon. Mr. Izard, if at Philadelphia, and other
+friends. Adieu, and believe me very affectionately yours,
+
+1 Morns.
+
+
+
+TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON.
+
+[MS., Chamberlain Collection, Boston Public Library.]
+
+MARCH 10 1783
+
+GENTLEMEN
+
+Having been just now made acquainted by your Messenger that the
+Freeholders and Inhabitants of Boston assembled in Town Meeting,1 have
+chosen me their Moderator, I beg the Favor of you to inform them, that
+I esteem my self greatly honourd by their Choice; but my Engagements in
+the Senate, which it is not in my Power to dispense with, lay me under
+a Necessity of praying that I may be excusd by the Town.----
+
+With the warmest Wishes for their Prosperity, I am
+
+Gentlemen
+
+Your obedient hbl Servt
+
+1 Boston Record Commissioners' Report, vol. xxvi., p. 292.
+
+
+
+TO ARTHUR LEE.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Apr 21 1783
+
+DR SR
+
+I am indebted to you for several Letters which I have not acknowledged.
+The Anecdote you gave me in one of them relating to a Mr Mercer & Colo
+Griffin in Virginia was very diverting to me. The People in this part
+of the Continent would never have fixed upon the Names of La Le or A1
+to hold up to a publick Assembly as the Heads of a British Interest in
+America. It would not have been sooner believed here than another Story
+I have heard, that a certain french Politician of Consideration in
+America had expressd his high Displeasure with Mr S A for stiring up
+his Countrymen to attend to the Importance of our retaining a Common
+Right to the Newfd Ld fishery. Many wonderful Tales are & will be told,
+some of which a Sight of the secret Journals of Congress would unravel.
+I think the sooner those Journals are publishd the better. The People
+at large ought to know what that illustrious Body has been doing for
+them and the Part each Member has acted. We are now at Peace, God be
+thanked, with all the World--and I hope we shall never intermeddle with
+the Quarrels of other Nations. Let the U S continue in peace & Union, &
+in order to this Let them do Justice to each other. Let there be no
+longer secret Journals or secret Comtees. Let the Debates in Congress
+be open and the whole of their transactions publishd weekly--this will
+tend to the speedy rectifying Mistakes & preserving mutual Confidence
+between the People & their Representatives. And let Care be taken to
+prevent Factions in America, foreign or domestick.
+
+Will you suffer me to recommend to you my good friends & excellent
+fellow Citizens Mr Appleton the Bearer of this Letter & his fellow
+Traveller Mr Wendel. My Regards.
+
+Adieu.
+
+1 Laurens, Lee, Adams.
+
+
+
+TO BENJAMIN LINCOLN.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON May 1 1783
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Collo John Allan will deliver you this Letter. This Gentleman soon
+after the Commencement of the late Hostilities, left his Connections in
+Nova Scotia which were respectable there & took a decided part with us
+against Great Britain. In the Winter of 77 Congress appointed him
+Superintendent or Agent for the Indians in Nova Scotia & the Tribes to
+the Northward & Eastward thereof, with a Salary of 900 Dollars p Annum,
+& afterwards requested this State to furnish him from time to time with
+needful Supplies. The State raised an Artillery Company for the Defence
+of the Post of Machias & gave him the Command with a Cols Commission.
+Congress in Feb 81 if I mistake not, empowerd our supreme Executive to
+enlarge that Compy to the Number of 65, officers included, & to officer
+the same with the express Nomination of Colo Allan to the Command. This
+Compy was by the Resolve to be raisd cloathed subsisted & paid as other
+officers & Soldiers of the US. I believe Colo A has executed the trusts
+reposed in him with Fidelity & to the Advantage of the Publick. As this
+State has supplied him at the Expence of the U S, I suppose that his
+Accots which remain to be settled, will as his former Accts have been,
+be settled in the first Instance by our Assembly when it meets. He
+takes the Oppty in the Interval (the War being finishd) to wait on
+Congress for their further Direction. Your Notice of him & Care that he
+may receive such Emoluments as he may be intitled to as an officer will
+oblige me. I think he has too much Republican Pride to expect more than
+is reasonable from Congress, & he is too much the Gentleman to be
+troublesome to you. I write this without his knowledge.
+
+Another calls upon me. You will think me a Man of Importance! But this
+is one of my Days of Business. Is it not strange that an officer of the
+American Army should apply to the Friendship of one whom they have been
+led to look upon as their Enemy? But--I am informd that Colo Badlam was
+among the first who flew to Arms, that he has sustained the Character
+of a meritorious officer. If he has been unfortunate rather than faulty
+or if guilty of a Fault it was attended with Circumstances very
+alleviating why should an officer of Merit at the very close of the War
+be deprivd of the Benefits which are allotted to others? I think I know
+your feelings for that officer and perhaps your private Judgment of his
+Case from your Letter to him which I have seen. What Advantage can he
+expect from an Application to this State? Would not a Recommendation to
+Congress from Head Quarters in his favor answer a much better Purpose?
+This is only a Hint to you. Perhaps I am out of my Line. I will
+conclude this Epistle with congratulating you most heartily on the
+return of Peace with Liberty and Independence & assuring you that I am
+affectionately
+
+Yours
+
+
+
+TO HORATIO GATES.
+
+[MS., Emmet Collection, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON May 2 1783
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Our Friend Colo John Allan takes the Care of this Letter and will
+deliver it to you. The War being finishd, he is going to Philadelphia
+to receive such Directions as Congress shall think proper to give to
+him. You remember he was appointed in 77, Agent of the St Johns & Nova
+Scotia Indians, and he has since commanded an Artillery Company raised
+by this State for the Defence of the Post at Machias, adopted by
+Congress in Feb. 81 and cloathd subsisted & paid as other Officers &
+Soldiers of the United States. He has I doubt not, executed the Trusts
+reposed in him with Fidelity, and I think is entitled to the Emoluments
+given to Officers of his Rank. I have given him a Letter to the
+Secretary at War &c.
+
+Your Recommendation first gaind him the Confidence of Congress and your
+repeated Favor will still be a substantial Advantage to him.
+
+I most heartily congratulate you on the Return of Peace with Liberty &
+Independence.--Blessings for which Patriots have toiled & Heroes fought &
+bled. Our Country may now be happy if she is not wanting to her self.
+We have done our Duty. Future Generations can never curse the present
+for carelessly surrendering their Rights.
+
+I beg you, my Friend, not to impute my long Silence to a faulty Cause.
+If you believe me to be a Man of Truth, be assured that I have
+constantly participated with you in good & ill Fortune. I shall ever
+rejoice that you was honord by Providence, in captivating Burgoyne &
+his whole Army--An Event which wrought the most happy Change in the Face
+of our Affairs in Europe, and which alone, in Spite of Envy, will give
+you a brilliant Page in History.
+
+Mr Yancey is gone to South Carolina. I have written by him to my old
+Patriotick friend Gadsden and the stronger to enforce my Recommendation
+of Mr Yancey have mentiond him as one whom you regard.
+
+Oblige me with your Letters for I am sincerely and affectionately
+
+Your Friend
+
+& very humble Servant,
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.1
+
+[J. T. Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 408-410; a draft is
+in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON, Sept. 9, 1783.
+
+MY DEAR SIR,
+
+This is the first letter I have been able to write since I had the
+pleasure of seeing you, excepting a short one to our delegates,
+informing them that the general court had appointed a committee to
+correspond with them. Mr. Appleton and Mr. Rowe are my colleagues in
+this business. The correspondence is to be very extensive. "Any other
+important matter which relates to the being and welfare of the United
+States!" My bodily illness has prevented my engaging in it. I wish the
+delegates would begin. The welfare, and perhaps the being of the United
+States, in my opinion, depends much upon congress possessing the
+confidence of the people at large; that upon the administration of
+public affairs being manifestly grounded upon principles of equality
+and justice, or upon the people being assured that congress merit their
+confidence. The war is now over, and the people turn their eyes to the
+disposition of their money, a subject, which I hope congress will
+always have so clear a knowledge of, as to be able at any time to
+satisfy the rational enquiries of the people. To prevent groundless
+jealousies, it seems necessary not only that the principal in that
+department should himself be immaculate, but that care should be taken
+that no persons be admitted to his confidence but such as have the
+entire confidence of the people. Should a suspicion prevail that our
+high treasurer suffers men of bad principles or of no principles to be
+about him and employed by him, the fidelity of congress itself would be
+suspected, and a total loss of confidence would follow. I am much
+concerned for the reputation of congress, and have laboured to support
+it because that body is and must be the cement of the union of the
+states. I hope, therefore, they will always make it evident to
+reasonable men that their administration merits the public applause.
+Will they be able to do this, if they should cease to be very watchful
+over men whom they trust in great departments, especially those who
+have the disposition of the public moneys? Power will follow the
+possession of money, even when it is known that it is not the
+possessor's property. So fascinating are riches in the eyes of mankind!
+Were our financier, I was going to say, even an angel from heaven, I
+hope he will never have so much influence as to gain the ascendency
+over congress, which the first lord of the treasury has long had over
+the parliament of Britain; long enough to effect the ruin of that
+nation. These are the fears which I expressed in congress when the
+department was first instituted. I was told, that the breath of
+congress could annihilate the financier; but I replied, that the time
+might come, and if they were not careful it certainly would, when even
+congress would not dare to blow that breath. Whether these fears are
+the mere creatures of the imagination you will judge.
+
+My regards to Dr. Holten and Mr. Higgenson, if he is still in Congress.
+Pray write to me often.
+
+Adieu.
+
+1 For a facsimile note by Adams to Gerry, dated September 11, 1783, see
+Brotherhead, Signers of the Declaration of Independence (1872), p. 172.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; the text is also in John Adams, Works, vol.
+ix., pp. 519-521.]
+
+BOSTON Novr 4 1783.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Colo John Trumbull, the Son of the worthy Governor of Connecticutt is
+the Bearer of this Letter. I give the Governor this Epithet, because I
+think his faithful Services to our Country entitle him to it. Yet even
+he has undergone the Suspicions of some, unsupported by any solid
+Reasons that I have heard of. We live in an Age of Jealousy, and it is
+well enough. I was led to believe in early Life, that Jealousy is a
+political Virtue. It has long been an Aphorism with me, that it is one
+of the greatest Securities of publick Liberty. Let the People keep a
+watchful Eye over the Conduct of their Rulers; for we are told that
+Great Men are not at all times wise. It would be indeed a Wonder if in
+any Age or Country they were always honest. There are however some Men
+among us, who under the Guise of watchful Patriots, are finding Fault
+with every publick Measure, with a Design to destroy that just
+Confidence in Government, which is necessary for the Support of those
+Liberties which we have so dearly purchas'd. Many of your Countrymen
+besides myself, feel very grateful to you and those of our Negociators
+who joyned you, in preventing the Tory Refugees from being obtruded
+upon us. These would certainly have increasd the Number of such Kind of
+Patriots as I have mentiond, and besides, their Return would have been
+attended with other mischievous Effects. Mutual Hatred and Revenge
+would have occasiond perpetual Quarrels between them & the people &
+perhaps frequent Bloodshed. Some of them, by Art and Address might
+gradually recover a Character & in time an Influence, and so become the
+fittest Instruments in forming Factions either for one foreign Nation
+or another. We may be in Danger of such Factions, and should prudently
+expect them. One might venture to predict that they will sooner or
+later happen. We should therefore guard against the evil Effects of
+them. I deprecate the most favord Nation predominating in the Councils
+of America, for I do not believe there is a Nation on Earth that wishes
+we should be more free or more powerful than is consistent with their
+Ideas of their own Interest. Such a disinterested Spirit is not to be
+found in National Bodies; The World would be more happy if it prevaild
+more in individual Persons. I will say it for my Countrymen, they are,
+or seem to be, very grateful. All are ready freely to acknowledge our
+Obligations to France for the Part she took in our late Contest. There
+are a few who consider the Advantage derivd to her, by a total
+Seperation of Britain & the Colonies, which so sagacious a Court
+doubtless foresaw & probably never lost Sight of. This Advantage was so
+glaring in the first Stages of our Controversy, that those who then ran
+the Risque of exciting even an Appeal to Heaven rather than a
+Submission to British tyranny, were well perswaded that the Prospect of
+such a Seperation would induce France to interpose, and do more than
+she has done if necessary. America with the Assistance of her faithful
+Ally has secured and establishd her Liberty & Independence. God be
+praisd! And some would think it too bold to assert, that France has
+thereby saved the Being of her great Importance.--But if it be true why
+may we not assert it? A punctual Fulfillment of Engagements solemnly
+enterd into by Treaty is the Justice, the Honor & Policy of Nations. If
+we, who have contracted Debts, were influenced only by Motives of sound
+Policy, we should pay them as soon as possible & provide sure &
+adequate Funds for the Payment of Interest in the mean time. When we
+have done this we shall have the Sense of Independence impressd on our
+Minds, no longer feeling that State of Inferiority which a wise King
+tells us the Borrower stands in to the Lender.
+
+Your Negociation with Holland, as "my old Friend" observd, is all your
+own. The faithful Historian will do Justice to your Merits--Perhaps not
+till you are dead. I would have you reconcile yourself to this Thought.
+While you live you will probably be the Object of Envy. The leading
+Characters in this great Revolution will not be fairly marked in the
+present Age, It will be well if the leading Principles are rememberd
+long. You, I am sure, have not the Vanity, which Cicero betrayed, when
+he even urged his Friend Licinius to publish the History of the
+Detection of Cataline in his Life Time that he might enjoy it. I am far
+from thinking that Part of History redounds so much to the Honor of the
+Roman Consul, as the Treaty of Holland does to its American Negociator.
+
+Decr 4th I intended to have committed the Care of the foregoing Letter
+to Mr Trumbull, but when he called on me I was confind to my Chamber by
+severe bodily Indisposition unable to attend even to the lightest
+Business. I am still kept at home, but hope soon to be abroad. Mr Jonn
+Jackson will deliver this to you if he meets you in London, otherwise
+he will convey it by some safe hand. When I shall be certain of your
+being appointed for London, I will write to you as often as I can. May
+Heaven bless you My Friend as I am
+
+affectionately yours
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1784
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+BOSTON Feb 4 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR/
+
+I had laid up in my mind many things to say to you, but an hours notice
+only of this opportunity and the hurry of business in the General Court
+now sitting prevents my communicating them to you at present. The Son
+of Mr Nathl Appleton will deliver to you this short epistle; written
+for the sake of recommending him to your notice. He is a young
+gentleman lately enterd into Business in the Commercial line. My
+Affection for a young fellow Citizen, and Regard for his Father an
+intimate friend & a Member of the old committee of Correspondence of
+this town are strong Inducements to me to take this method of availing
+the Son of your Advice & Patronage. I wrote to you the 4 Decr by Mr
+Jonathan Jackson & will write again by the next opportunity. Your
+Family was well a few Days ago. You will doubtless have heard, before
+this will reach you, of the Death of our good Friend Dr Cooper.
+
+Adieu
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Feb 25 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+When a Committee was appointed by the G C1 to correspond with the
+Delegates in Congress for this C W2 I proposd that the Correspondence
+shd be carried on in a liberal Manner; but it was apprehended that the
+Sentiments of the G C might be mistaken by the Come & the Delegates
+thereby misled & so the Idea was drop'd & nothing material was left for
+the Court to do but to forward such Letters or papers as shd be from
+time to time orderd by the Court. Had the Come pursued the first
+proposal, I could have had no Share in the Correspondence having been
+exceedingly sick the greatest part of the Time from June to January.
+This I hope will apologize for my not having written to you & my other
+Friends in Congress; which I mention because, not receiving your
+favors, I have been affraid you imputed my Omission to Neglect. In the
+September Session the Court thought fit to direct the Delegates
+officially to write to the Govr once a fortnight which of Course
+dissolved the Corresponding Come, & since that time no Letters from the
+Delegates have been laid before the G C.
+
+Your Letter of Sept 11 directed to the Come was through mere
+forgetfulness omitted to be communicated in Season. This was attributed
+by some Persons of illiberal Minds & Party Spirit to an abominable
+Design to withhold from the Court the Sentiments of the Delegates
+respecting the Expediency of refusing to yield Supplys to the
+Continental Treasury till Justice should be done us with Regard to the
+Old money now in our publick Treasury & private hands. I could not help
+diverting my self with the Ebullitions of apparent Zeal for the publick
+Good on this Occasion, and upon its being said by a Gentn in Senate
+that it was the Subject of warm Conversation among the people without
+Doors I observed the Clamour wd undoubtedly subside on the Afternoon of
+the first Monday in April next. Your Letter has since been very
+prudently published by an unknown Person in Edes' Paper.
+
+Inclosd is a Letter to your Self from Colo Scar Gridley. It seems he
+applied to this G C some time ago for Depretion of his pay while in the
+Service, upon which the Govr was requested to write to G W to make
+known to him the Rank held by Mr Gridley & . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
+. . . . . . . . . . .but the Letter has never been written. I advisd
+him to write you on the Subject, & hope you will excuse my giving you
+the Trouble. As you are now near the Place of Residence of General
+Washington, perhaps it may not be inconvenient to you to write to him,
+in doing which you will gratify & oblige Mr Gridley.
+
+I shall esteem a Letter from you one of the greatest favors being your
+very affectionate Friend,
+
+1 General Court.
+
+2 Commonwealth.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft is in the Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON April 16 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I have not receivd a Letter from you of a later Date than the 10th of
+Septr last. Extracts of yours to D G of the same Date have been handed
+about, with a View, as I conceivd, of giving the Sanction of your
+Opinion to that of others respecting the Tories. It is often
+inconvenient, perhaps unsafe, to trust ones Confidential Letters to
+indiscrete, however honest, Friends. Detachd Parts of them being given
+out, they may be made to bear a different Construction from what was
+intended, and answer the Purpose of interrested & designing Men. When
+the Recommendations of Congress in Pursuance of the 5th Article of the
+Treaty were receivd here, they were treated with great Decency & very
+seriously considerd. They were construed differently by Men of Sense,
+who were above the Influence of old Prejudices or of Party or Family
+Connections. This Difference, I supposed, was owing to certain
+Ambiguities in the Treaty, which I afterwards found had been
+acknowledgd in a joynt Letter to Congress of the 18th July, in which it
+appeard that our Negociators had studiously avoided any Expressions in
+the Articles of the Treaty which shd amount to absolute Stipulations in
+Favor of the Tories. From the first Sight I had of the Articles, I have
+been of opinion that no such Construction could fairly be put upon
+them, but that it would finally lie with the several Legislatures of
+the States, how far it would be proper to show Lenity to them, and I
+was happy in being confirmd in this Opinion by an Expression in your
+joynt Letter to Congress Septr 10th--"it is much to be wishd that the
+Legislators may not involve all the Tories in Banishment and Ruin, but
+that such Discrimination may be made as to intitle the Decisions to the
+Approbation of disinterested Men and dispassionate Posterity." In this
+View I early inculcated Moderation and Liberality towards them, as far
+as could be consistent with that leading Principle of Nature which
+ought to govern Nations as it does Individuals, Self Preservation. I
+cannot think that all can be admitted consistently with the Safety of
+the Commonwealth. I gave you my Reasons in my Letter of Nov. 4th. Nor
+can I believe you intended to be understood universally in your private
+Letter above referrd to. Some of them would be useful & good Citizens;
+others, I believe highly dangerous. Our Act passed in the late Session
+of the General Court declares them all Aliens, and excludes those of
+them who in a former Act were called Conspirators from residing among
+us. It restores the Estates of others which have not been confiscated
+and refers their coming to reside within the Commonwealth in the first
+Instance to the Governor with Advice of Council. The Licenses he may
+give are to be valid if approvd of by the General Court at the Session
+next after such License shall be given. It is thought that this will be
+a difficult Task for the Governor & Council, but a constant Attention
+to the publick Safety without Respect to Persons will prevent
+Difficulties. "Much, says your joynt Letter, will depend upon our
+Negociations with England." The sooner a Commercial Treaty is settled
+with that Nation the better, as it appears to me. Our General Court, in
+the late Session, thought of making Retaliation on England for her
+prohibiting Importations from America into her West India Islands but
+in British Bottoms. They were sensible of the Difficulty in the Way of
+the United States coming into general Regulations of this Kind, & have
+written to their Delegates on the Subject. Should the States agree to
+give Congress a more extensive Power, it may yet be a great while
+before it is compleated; and Britain in the mean time seeing our Trade
+daily reverting to its old Channel, may think it needless and
+impolitick to enter into express Stipulations in favor of any Part of
+it while she promises her self the whole without them.
+
+I am fully in the Sentiment expressd in your joynt Letter Sept 10th,
+that now we have regular & constitutional Governments, popular
+Committees and County Conventions are not only useless but dangerous.
+They served an excellent Purpose & were highly necessary when they were
+set up. I shall not repent the small Share I then took in them. But
+what think you of the District & State Conventions of the Cincinnati, &
+of the Cincinnati in Congress assembled? Do not these Assemblies
+convene expressly to deliberate & adopt Measures on great and National
+Concerns proper only for the Cognizance of the United States in
+Congress assembled, and the different Legislators & Officers of
+Government? And will they not, being an Order of Military Men, too soon
+proceed to enforce their Resolutions, not only to the lessening the
+Dignity of the States in the Eye of Europe, but the putting an End to
+their free Existence! The Order is very unpopular here. By the inclosd
+you will see the Sentiments of our Genl Court. The Governor of Sdeg.
+Carolina in a late Speech to his Assembly inveighs against them with
+the Vehemence of Luther.
+
+Adieu
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft is in the Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON April 17 1784
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+Several of my Fellow Citizens have desired me to mention to you certain
+Difficulties they labour under & to request that you would inform me
+whether it is probable they can obtain Reliefe, among whom are Dr Nath1
+Noyes & Capt Saml Dashwood. Both of them I believe you knew. I inclose
+Mr Noyess Questions as he has stated them himself.--Capt Dashwoods Goods
+were taken from him by order of the Commanding officer of the British
+Troops when they left this Town in 1776. I need not trouble you to
+explain as I doubt not you well remember the Circumstances of these
+Matters. It will be hard for such Persons to pay the British Creditors
+for the same Goods which the British Nation took from them for its own
+necessary Use & if I mistake not with a Promise to compensate them,
+unless the Promise is complied with.
+
+A few Lines on this Subject when you are at Leisure will very much
+oblige them as well as
+
+Your Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text is in J. T. Austin,
+Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 422-424.]
+
+BOSTON April 19th 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR,
+
+Mr Higginson was so obliging as to show me your Letter to him dated the
+4th of March. I was happy in having adopted an opinion of the
+Cincinnati so similar to what I found yours to be. I think I am as
+sensible as any Man ought to be of the important Services of our late
+Army, and am very desirous that their full Share of Merit may be
+gratefully acknowledgd & rewarded by the Country. This would have been
+done, (for the Prejudice of the People against the Gratuity of five
+years pay began to subside) had they not adopted a Plan so disgustfull
+to the Common Feeling. It appears wonderful that they could imagine a
+People who had freely spent their Blood & Treasure in Support of their
+equal rights & Liberties, could so soon be reconciled to the odious
+hereditary Distinction of Families. This Country must be humiliated &
+debased to a great Degree, before they will patiently bear to see
+Individuals stalking with their assumed honorary Badges, & proudly
+boasting "These are the Distinctions of our Blood." I cannot think that
+many of our Officers entertained such an Idea of haughty Pre-eminence;
+but the human Mind is so captivated with the Thought of being elevated
+above the ignoble Vulgar, that their Sons, if they should not
+themselves, when they perceive the Multitude grown giddy with gazing,
+may assume more than the mere Pageantry of Nobility. When Men begin to
+applaud themselves, they are not easily perswaded to believe they can
+take a greater Share of Honor than justly belongs to them. They will be
+pleasd with the Adulatory Addresses of other Men & flatter themselves
+that they are intitled to Power and Authority as well as the
+ostentatious Show of Superiority above their Equals. I confess I do not
+barely dislike the order. With you I think it dangerous & look upon it
+with the Eye of Jealousy. When the Pride of Family possesses the Minds
+of Men it is threatning to the Community in Proportion to the Good they
+have done. The unsuspecting People, when they are in a Mood to be
+grateful, will cry up the Virtues of their Benefactors & be ready to
+say, Surely those Men who have done such great things for us, will
+never think of setting up a Tyranny over us. Even Patriots & Heroes may
+become different Men when new & different Prospects shall have alterd
+their Feelings & Views; and the undiscerning People may too late repent
+that they have sufferd them to exalt themselves & their Family upon the
+Ruins of the Common Liberty. The Cincinnati are very unpopular here;
+you will wonder then that one of the Order has had a Majority of the
+Votes of this Town for a Senator for the County. I am affraid the
+Citizens are not so vigilant as they used and ought still to be. It was
+given out at the Moment of Election that he intended to withdraw
+himself from the Society. If he does, it may weaken their Influence--if
+not, he will probably destroy his own. You have doubtless seen the
+Sentiments of the General Court of the Order. The Reprobating Speech of
+the Governor of So Carolina has been publishd in our papers.
+
+I had the Pleasure of receiving by the same Post your several Letters
+of the 15th, 20th and 24th Ulto. If I have a Seat in the General Court
+the ensuing year, (which is uncertain) I shall (tho very reluctantly)
+communicate your Intention to leave Congress, unless you will gratify
+the earnest Wishes of your Friends by altering your Determination. I
+assure you there is no Friend to our Country within my Circle who is
+not anxiously solicitous for your continuing there longer. I was in
+hopes when you was prevailed upon again to take a Seat you would have
+held it at least two years. Let me entreat you to release me from the
+obligation of complying with your Request.
+
+I have written so much in Spite of my trembling hand, concerning the
+Cini, that I can at present only fulfill a Promise I gave our Navy
+officers, to inclose their Petition to Congress and to beg your
+Patronage of it. They appear to me to be injurd or at least neglected
+Men. It is certainly high time they should receive their Prize Money
+and Assurances of their Pay. I will write you by Mr Lowell (who sets
+off for Phila in a few Days & intends making you a Visit) or by the
+Post speedily. Mrs A desires her Complts
+
+Adieu my Friend,
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text with modifications is
+in J. T. Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 424-427.]
+
+BOSTON April 23 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR,
+
+Mr Lowel thinks he shall not be able to make you a Visit at Annapolis
+as he intended, so I have not written by him. Is the Court of Appeals1
+of which he is a Member to continue now the War is over? I should think
+it a needless Expence. If ever there should be Occasion for it, a new
+Court might at any time be constituted. I observe by the inclosd, that
+the Cincinnati in Congress assembled are to meet at Philadelphia on the
+5th of May & that General Washington is to preside. That Gentleman has
+an idea of the Nature & Tendency of the Order very different from mine,
+otherwise I am certain he would never have given it his Sanction. I
+look upon it to be as rapid a Stride towards an hereditary Military
+Nobility as was ever made in so short a Time. My Fears may be ill
+grounded, but if they are not, it is impossible for me not to think it
+a very great Misfortune to these States that he is a Member; for the
+Reputation he has justly acquired by his Conduct while Commander in
+Chiefe of our Armies, and the Gratitude & warm Affection which his
+Countrymen do & ought to feel towards him will give Weight to any thing
+he patronizes, & Lustre to all who may be connected with him. It is a
+Tribute due to the Man who has servd his Country well, to esteem him
+highly & confide in him. We ought not however to think any Man
+incapable of Error. But so it is with the Bulk of Mankind & even in a
+free Country. They will reprobate the Idea of implicit Faith; and at
+the same time, while the Impression of Gratitude is deep in their
+Minds, they will not admit of a Benefactor, which must be said of every
+Man, "aliquando dormitat." I would never inculcate a mean & envious
+Suspicion of any Man especially of those who have renderd signal
+Services to their Country. But there is a Degree of Watchfulness over
+all Men possessd of Power or Influence upon which the Liberties of
+Mankind much depend. It is necessary to guard against the Infirmities
+of the best as well as the Wickedness of the worst of Men. Such is the
+Weakness of human Nature that Tyranny has oftener sprang from that than
+any other Source. It is this that unravels the Mystery of Millions
+being enslavd by a few. What was it that indued the Cincinnati
+Gentlemen who have undertaken to deliberate and act upon Matters which
+may essentially concern "the Happiness & future Dignity of the American
+Empire," to admit foreign Military Subjects into their Society? Was
+there not Danger before that a foreign Influence might prevail in
+America? Do not Foreigners wish to have Weight in our Councils? Can
+such a Junction of Subjects of different Nations (& those Nations
+widely different in their principles of Government) to Deliberate upon
+things which relate to the Union & national Honor, the Happiness &
+future Dignity of one consist with sound Policy? Are we sure that those
+foreign Nations will never have separate Views & very national &
+interrested ones too, because they once united in the same object & it
+was accidentally their mutual Interest to fight Side by Side? If the
+Cincinnati had a Right to erect themselves into an order for the
+national Purposes of their Institution, had they a Right to call in
+foreign Aid for those Purposes? It appears to me as impolitic,
+preposterous & dangerous as it would be for the United States to invite
+& admit a Delegation from that foreign Power into their Congress.
+
+I take Notice that the Committee of Congress propose that the Govts of
+the ten new States to be formd shall be in Republican form & shall
+admit no Person to be a Citizen who holds any hereditary Title. I hope
+Congress will not fail to make this an indispensible Condition.
+
+Your Letter of the 2d relating to Colo Gridleys Affair came to hand. I
+am obligd to you for the Care you have taken.
+
+Believe me to be yr sincere & affectionate Friend,
+
+1 Cf. J. F. Jameson, Essays in Constitutional History, pp. 32 et seq.
+
+
+
+TO NOAH WEBSTER.
+
+[MS., Ford Collection, Lenox Library; a draft is in the Samuel Adams
+Papers, Lenox Library,]
+
+BOSTON April 30th 1784
+
+SIR
+
+I was favord with your Letter of 24th March, but by a Multiplicity of
+Affairs, which, as it happened I was at that Time engaged in, I was
+prevented returning an Answer so speedily as you desired. For this
+Reason I afterwards thought an Answer would be of no Importance.
+Decency alone should, however, have induced me to have acknowledgd the
+Favor. I hope you will excuse the Omission.
+
+Some time in the Month of September last, a Gentleman in Connecticutt
+requested me to give him my Opinion of a Subject, perhaps too much
+altercated in that State as well as this, The Commutation of half Pay
+granted by Congress to the Officers of the late Army for Life for full
+Pay during the Term of five years. I did not hesitate to say in Return,
+that in my Opinion Congress was, in the Nature of their Appointment,
+the sole Judge of the necessary Means of supporting the late Army
+raised for the Defence of our Common Rights against the Invasions of
+Great Britain; and if, upon their own deliberate Councils & the
+repeated Representations of the Commander in Chiefe of the Army, they
+judgd that the Grant of half Pay for Life was a Measure absolutely
+necessary for the Support of a disciplined Army for the Purpose before
+mentiond, they had an undoubted Right to make it; and as it was made in
+behalf of the United States by their Representative authorizd to do it,
+each State was bound in Justice & Honor to comply with it, even tho it
+should seem to any to have been an ill judgd Measure; because States &
+Individual Persons are equally bound to fulfill their Obligations, and
+it is given as Characteristick of an honest Man, that "though he
+sweareth (or promiseth) to his own hurt he changeth not." I moreover
+acquainted him, that although I was never pleasd with the Idea of half
+Pay for Life, for Reasons which appeard satisfactory to myself, some of
+which I freely explaind to him, yet I had always thought, that as the
+Opportunities of the Officers of the Army of acquiring moderate
+Fortunes or making such Provision for their Families as Men generally
+wish to make, were not equal to those of their Fellow Citizens at home,
+it would be but just & reasonable, that an adequate Compensation should
+be made to them at, or as soon as conveniently might be after, the End
+of the War; and that he might therefore conclude, that the Commutation,
+if it be an adequate Compensation had fully coincided with my Ideas of
+Justice & Policy.
+
+Nothing was mentiond in his Letter to me, of the Nature or the
+Proceedings of County Conventions, & therefore I made no Observation
+upon them. I hope it will not be in the Power of any designing Men, by
+imposing upon credulous tho' well meaning Persons long to keep this
+Country, who may be happy if they will, long in a State of Discord &
+Animosity. We may see, from the present State of Great Britain, how
+rapidly such a Spirit will drive a Nation to destruction. It is prudent
+for the People to keep a watchful Eye over the Conduct of all those who
+are entrusted with Publick Affairs. Such Attention is the Peoples great
+Security.1 But there is Decency & Respect due to Constitutional
+Authority, and those Men, who under any Pretence or by any Means
+whatever, would lessen the Weight of Government lawfully exercised,
+must be Enemies to our happy Revolution & the Common Liberty. County
+Conventions & popular Committees servd an excellent Purpose when they
+were first in Practice. No one therefore needs to regret the Share he
+may then have had in them. But I candidly own it is my Opinion, with
+Deferrence to the Opinions of other Men, that as we now have
+constitutional & regular Governments and all our Men in Authority
+depend upon the annual & free Elections of the People, we are safe
+without them. To say the least, they are become useless. Bodies of Men,
+under any Denomination whatever, who convene themselves for the Purpose
+of deliberating upon & adopting Measures which are cognizable by
+Legislatures only will, if continued, bring Legislatures to Contempt &
+Dissolution. If the publick Affairs are illy conducted, if dishonest or
+incapable Men have crept unawares into Government, it is happy for us,
+that under our American Constitutions the Remedy is at hand, & in the
+Power of the great Body of the People. Due Circumspection & Wisdom at
+the next Elections will set all right, without the Aid of any self
+Created Conventions or Societies of Men whatever.2 While we retain
+those simple Democracies in all our Towns which are the Basis of our
+State Constitutions, and make a good Use of them, it appears to me we
+cannot be enslaved or materially injured. It must however be confessd,
+that Imperfection attends all human affairs.
+
+I am
+
+Sir
+
+your very humble Servant
+
+1 At this point the draft included the words: "for the wisest & best of
+Men are liable to Error & Misconduct."
+
+2 At this point the draft included the words "The whole People will not
+probably mistake their own true Interests, nor err in their Judgment of
+the Men to whom they may safely commit the Care of them."
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS, Adams Papers, Quincy]
+
+BOSTON June 20 1784
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+The Hurry of the General Court which is now sitting prevents my writing
+a Letter at this Time.
+
+Your amiable Lady who with her Daughter embarks this day will, I hope,
+deliver you this Note, which is only to express a fervent Wish that
+they may be favord in their Passage & shortly have a joyful Meeting
+with you.
+
+It is a long time since I receivd a Letter from you.
+
+Adieu--Believe me
+
+Your affectionate friend
+
+& humble servt
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers,1 Quincy.]
+
+BOSTON 2d Decr 1784.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I received several of your Letters with Pleasure, particularly that of
+May, which I will answer at a Time of more Leisure. Captn Dashwood of
+this Town is going to London, to sollicit Payment of the British Crown,
+for Goods taken from him when the Troops left the Town, not as
+forfeited, but under the Apprehension that they would be of Use to our
+Army, & with an Express Promise that they should be paid for. It
+appears to me to be among the bona Fide Debts mention'd in the Treaty,
+and if there may be on the Part of the Crown itself a Failure of a
+Compliance with a positive stipulated Article, it will be difficult for
+the Governments in America to prevail with their Citizens to think it
+reasonable that they should pay the just Debts owing from them to
+British Subjects. Dashwood has my Promise to write to you again on the
+Subject & I must fulfill it. It is with reluctance that I give you this
+repeated Trouble, especially as I know you must be press'd with Affairs
+of greater National Importance. You are best able to say whether you
+can afford him Aid or not. I have ventured to assure him, that if it be
+in your Power consistantly to interpose your Influence, you will
+undoubtedly be disposd to do it. What aggravates the Misfortune of this
+Citizen if he should not obtain Justice in England is that his British
+Crediter now demands the Payment of his Debt with Interest, & tho' this
+Sum is very small in Comparison with the Value of the Goods taken from
+him, the Payment, as he says & I suppose truly, will compleatly ruin
+him.
+
+your affectionate
+
+1 Although the copy actually transmitted, no part of this letter is in
+the autograph of Adams except the subscription and signature.
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society; a draft is in the
+Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text is in W. V. Wells, Life of
+Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 214-217.]
+
+BOSTON Decr 23 1784
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I congratulate our Country on the Choice Congress has lately made of a
+President. He who fills that Chair is the most respected Citizen, and
+while he performs his Duty well, he adorns the most dignified Station
+in our Confederated Republick.
+
+You observe in your Letter to me, that "at this Moment, Moderation,
+Wisdom, Firmness & Attention are the Principles proper for our
+Adoption." I agree with you, and devoutly wish that every Man who has a
+Share in the Administration of publick Affairs may possess a large
+Portion of those & other great Qualities. They are in a particular
+Manner necessary to him who presides in the important Councils of the
+American Amphyction.
+
+Congress has need to watch, lest the Commonwealth suffer Harm. I doubt
+not they will be assiduous in their Labours for the publick Wellfare;
+and I pray God they may be His honord Instruments in exalting to the
+highest Pitch of human Happiness that People, who have testified to the
+oppressed World, that by Patience, Fortitude & Perseverance the iron
+Rod can be wrested from the Arm of a Tyrant, and that all Nations may
+be free, if they will magnanimously contend for their Liberty.
+
+By Gods Blessing on the Councils & the Arms of our Country, we are now
+rank'd with Nations. May He keep us from exulting beyond Measure! Great
+Pains are yet to be taken & much Wisdom is requisite that we may stand
+as a Nation in a respectable Character. Better it would have been for
+us to have fallen in our highly famed Struggle for our Rights, or even
+to have remaind in our ignoble State of Bondage hoping for better
+Times, than now to become a contemptible Nation. The World have given
+us an exalted Character, & thus have laid on us a heavy Tax! They have
+raised Expectations from us! HOW shall we meet those Expectations? They
+have attributed to us Wisdom! HOW shall we confirm them in their
+Opinion of us? Inexperiencd as we are in the Refinements of Nations,
+Can we expect to shine in the World as able Politicians? Shall we then
+be hacknied in the Path of Deception because some others famed for
+their Dexterity in Politicks have long trod that Path & thought they
+have gaind Advantage by it? Or, because it is said All Nations are
+selfinterested & that No Friendship in Treaties and National
+Transactions is almost as proverbial as No Friendship in Trade, shall
+we depart from that excellent Rule of Equity, the Observance of which
+should be characteristick of all Nations especially Republicks, as it
+is of all good Men, to do to others as we would have them do to us?
+Could we be indued thus to prostitute ourselves, HOW should we appear
+in the Eyes of the Virtuous & Wise? Should there be found a Citizen of
+the United States so unprincipled as to ask, What will become of us if
+we do not follow the corrupt Maxims of the World? I should tell him,
+that the Strength of a Republick is consolidated by its Virtues, & that
+Righteousness will exalt a Nation.
+
+Was it true as some affirm, that the old World is absorbd in all kinds
+of Vice, unhumanizd & enslavd, it would indeed be a melancholly Subject
+to contemplate, and I should think that common Prudence would dictate
+to a Nation situated as we are, to have as little to do with them as
+possible. Such indiscriminate Censure, however, may spring from
+Ignorance of the World or unreasonable Prejudice. Nations as well as
+Individuals have different Characters. We should not forget the
+Friendship & Kindness of One because we have experiencd the Injustice &
+Cruelty of Another. But the Inconstancy of Friendship & even Infidelity
+has been seen often enough among Individuals to lead wise men to
+suppose it may happen in any Case & to exercise a kind of
+Circumspection, different from base Suspicion, consistent with the
+generous Sentiments of Friendship and, considering the Weakness of the
+human Mind, a necessary Guard.
+
+Does not the true Policy, the Honor & Safety of our Country greatly
+depend upon a National Character consisting, among other Particulars,
+in Simplicity & Candor in all her Publick Transactions; shewing herself
+in reality friendly to those to whom she professes to be a Friend--A
+constant Regard to mutual Benefit in Commercial Treaties; suspecting
+the Honesty of those who will not deal with her on equitable
+Principles, & guarding her Trade against their selfish Designs by wise
+Commercial Laws--An exact & punctilious Fullfillment of Obligations on her
+Part to be performd by Virtue of all Treaties-- and, An unalterable
+Determination to discharge her National Debts with all possible
+Speed.--If, my honord Friend, the leading Men in the United States would
+by Precept & Example disseminate thro' the lower Classes of People the
+Principles of Piety to God, Love to our Country & universal
+Benevolence, should we not secure the Favor of Heaven & the Honor &
+Esteem of the wise and virtuous Part of the World.
+
+Great Britain, tho' she has concluded a Treaty of Peace with us,
+appears to be not a cordial Friend. She cannot forget her unparralled
+Injustice towards us & naturally supposes there can be no Forgiveness
+on our Part. She seems to have meant Nothing more than a Truce. A
+sensible Gentleman very lately from Canada informs me, that General
+Haldiman who is going to England, has orderd those Posts to be
+reinforcd, which by Treaty were to be deliverd to us. Encroachments are
+made, as I apprehend, on our Eastern Territories. Our Fishery may,
+under some frivolous Pretence be next interrupted. Should we not guard
+ourselves against British Intrigues & Factions. Her Emissaries, under
+the Guise of Merchants, Repenting Refugees, Schoolmasters, and other
+Characters, unless Care is taken, may effect another & fatal
+Revolution. The Commonwealth of England lasted twelve years, and then
+the exiled King was restored with all the Rage & Madness of Royalty!--A
+Caution to the Citizens of the United States zealously to counteract
+the Hopes our Enemies entertain of "Discord, Disunion, & Apathy on our
+Part," to watch over the publick Liberty & Safety with a jealous Eye,
+and to practice the moral and political Virtues upon which the very
+Existence of a Commonwealth depends.
+
+Mrs. Adams desires me to present her respectful Compliments to you &
+your Connections. I am with great Esteem	Your affectionate Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1785
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON March 24 17851
+
+MY HONORD FRIEND
+
+Could I be perswaded to believe that by your long Silence you would
+intimate to me a Desire on your Part to put an End to our Epistolary
+Correspondence, you should never again be troubled with my Letters. But
+as I am not disposd to entertain unfavorable Thoughts of one whom I
+have valued as an unchanging Friend, I will now sollicit you in Behalf
+of two Persons both of whom I believe you will recollect, and whose
+Services to the United States, in their different Way, have in my
+Opinion been meritorious.
+
+Mr Kirkland has for many years been a Missionary to the Indians of the
+six Nations under the Society in Scotland for promoting Christian
+Knowledge. He was recognizd by Congress & in 1779 was appointed by that
+Body to be Chaplain at Fort Stanwix; for this Cause that Charitable
+Society forbore to continue his usual Stipend. He had Influence
+sufficient to keep the Indians steadily attachd to the United States
+during the War, and you will judge Sir, of the Policy of engaging so
+useful a Man in the same Mission under Congress, lest another should be
+employed by that Society under the Pretext of promoting Christian
+knowledge among the Indians, [who] may be secretly instructed to
+instill into their Minds Prejudices in favor of Great Britain and
+dangerous to our Interest. Mr Kirkland is or soon will be in New York
+to state his Case to Congress.
+
+Colo John Allan left a valueable Estate and powerful family Connections
+in Hallifax in the Beginning of the late War & took a decided Part with
+the United States. He had the Happiness of your Friendship when
+Congress sat in Baltimore; and was there appointed Superintendant of
+the Indians in the Eastern Department. I do not fear I shall dishonor
+myself by assuring you, that in my Opinion he has been a faithful &
+successful Servant of the Publick. He is gone to Congress to settle his
+Affairs. If it shall appear to you that I have not mistaken his true
+Character, your Sense of Justice will prevent the Necessity of any
+Sollicitation in his Behalf from, My dear Sir,
+
+your unfeigned
+
+& affectionate friend,
+
+1 A letter by Adams to Elbridge Gerry, dated February 24, 1785, is in
+Magazine of American History, vol. xii., pp. 177, 178.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lenox Library]
+
+BOSTON April 14 1785
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Give me Leave to introduce to you Mr Graham1 the Bearer of this Letter
+& his Lady, Mrs Macauley Graham, who have honord this Town & highly
+gratified the virtuous Citizens by a residence of some Months past. We
+sometimes meet with genuine republican Sentiments in Persons born under
+Monarchy. It is truly mortifying when one meets with the reverse
+Character. I firmly believe that the benevolent Creator designd the
+republican Form of Government for Man. Will you venture so far as to
+say that all other Institutions that we know of are unnatural & tend
+more or less to distress human Societies? Will the Lion ever associate
+with the Lamb or the Leopard with the Kid till our favorite principles
+shall be universally establishd? I am with Truth & sincerity,
+
+your affectiont friend,
+
+1 On the same date Adams wrote to Washington, introducing Graham; a
+manuscript is in the Lenox Library and also in the Library of Congress.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+BOSTON July 2 1785
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+I cannot omit the Opportunity of writing by Monsr de la Etombe who is
+going to France & will take the Care of this Letter. You must not
+expect it to be a long one. There are many Things which I wish to say
+to you, but the Tremor of my Hand is so increasd that I am put to
+Difficulty to guide my Pen.
+
+Our Merchants are complaining bitterly that Great Britain is ruining
+their Trade, and there is great Reason to complain; but I think much
+greater, to complain of too many of the Citizens thro' the Common
+wealth who are imitating the Britons in every idle Amusement &
+expensive Foppery which it is in their Power to invent for the
+Destruction of a young Country. Can our People expect to indulge
+themselves in the unbounded Use of every unmeaning & fantastick
+Extravagance because they would follow the Lead of Europeans, & not
+spend all their Money? You would be surprizd to see the Equipage, the
+Furniture & expensive Living of too many, the Pride & Vanity of Dress
+which pervades thro every Class, confounding every Distinction between
+the Poor & the Rich and evincing the Want both of Example & AEconomy.
+
+Before this reaches you, you will have heard of the Change in our
+chiefe Magistrate. I confess it is what I have long wishd for. Our new
+Governor1 has issued his Proclamation for the Encouragement of Piety
+Virtue Education & Manners and for the Suppressing of Vice. This with
+the good Example of a first Magistrate & others may perhaps restore our
+Virtue.
+
+Monsieur le Etomb's true Decency of Manners has done honor to your
+Letter of Recommendation.
+
+Mrs A joins in sincere Respects to your Lady & Family.
+
+Adieu my dear sir
+
+1 James Bowdoin, who had succeeded John Hancock.
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft, dated 1784, is in the Samuel Adams
+Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON 16th Augt 1785
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+The Governour of this Commonwealth will transmit to you Copies of
+Letters which lately passed between him and Capt Stanhope Commander of
+the British Ship of War Mercury. This is the same Person, as I am told,
+who, when a Prisoner here in the early time of the War, was not too
+delicate in Point of Honor to break his Parole. The Governor however
+had treated him from the Time of his Arrival with the Civilities and
+Respect due to a Foreigner in his Station, without personal or national
+Distinction. The occasion of this Epistolary Correspondence which the
+Governor was necessarily carried into by the Petulance of Stanhope, was
+a Fricas which happened on the Evening of the 31st Ulto, between the
+[latter] and a young Sailor who alledges that he and a Number of
+American Prisoners on board the Mercury had been flogged by Stanhopes
+order for refusing to do the Duty of Seamen. The Altercation caused the
+People near to collect, and the Captain, either really or pretending to
+be, apprehensive of Danger, hast'ned away, a Number following excited
+by common Curiosity, till his Fears were quieted in the House of one of
+his Friends and the Scene ended. This gave rise to Stanhopes Letter the
+following Day. Whatever his Opinion might be of his own Importance, the
+Governor considerd him entitled only to the Common Protection of the
+Law, nor could he see any Obstacle in the Captains Way to obtain legal
+Satisfaction if he had receivd Injury, which required the extraordinary
+Interposition of Government; for Stanhope was the same Day abroad in
+the Town without the least Molestation or appearing to be apprehensive
+of any Affront. Perhaps this Gentleman's Ideas of Propriety of Conduct
+in the Governor might have led him to expect he would take the Part of
+a Grand Juryman or a Justice of the Peace, to enquire into
+Misdemeanours, or decide on little Controversies which frequently
+happen among Persons who know not how to keep upon Terms with each
+other.
+
+I should not have troubled you with this Detail, had it not seemed to
+me somewhat necessary. You know it was formerly usual for such kind of
+Men as Stanhope appears to be, to fly to their Ships from pretended
+Danger, and by false representations impose on their too credulous
+Government. Adieu my friend, & believe me
+
+Yours
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[Historical Magazine, 2d ser., vol. i., pp. 167, 168.]
+
+BOSTON Decr. 17, 1785.
+
+MY DEAR SIR.
+
+It gave much Pleasure to find that your Countrymen had again honour'd
+you with their Confidence in Congress. My most earnest wish is, that
+the Seats in that Sacred Hall may ever be filled with Men of true
+Wisdom. This Wish, I know, cannot be gratified when the United States
+shall become debased in Principles and Manners. HOW much then depends
+upon the Exertions of the present members to perpetuate the Honour and
+Happiness of our Country by guarding its Virtue!
+
+I beg leave once more to trespass upon your Time by calling your
+attention to my Friend Captn Landais. You and I patronized him when he
+first came into this Country: and I have never for a Moment repented of
+the small share I had in his Promotion in the American Navy, although
+he has met with the Fate which sometimes has been the Lot of honest
+Men, through the errors, to say the least, of Courts. He had long
+suffered as other virtuous Men had, by a Faction on the other side of
+the Atlantick, which found means to extend itself to this Country, and
+as you well remember, to the very Doors of Congress!--But enough of
+this--Your kind Assistance was greatly beneficial to him in his late
+Application to Congress, and he and I gratefully acknowledged it. But
+he remains still embarrassed, and as I conceive, not without Reason--His
+Pay as Commander of the Alliance is offered to him in a Certificate.
+But what is such a Piece of Paper worth. If it be said, all our brave
+Sea Officers & Men are thus to be paid, should it not be remembered,
+that those who continued in the service to the end of the War are
+allowed a Gratuity. This Allowance was Established several years after
+he left the Service, and cannot include him, nor does he desire it--But he
+was broke by a Court Martial--True. And if a private Gentleman discharges
+his domestick servant even for a Fault, does he not in Justice pay him
+his due wages? And are not States bound by the Rules of Justice?
+Captain Landais has been obliged to pay an interest on money he has
+borrowed for his support and other necessary expenses, more than the
+Value of his Pay, and the want of his just Dues has kept him out of
+Business--He also suffers by a short Allowance of Interest on the Gratuity
+granted to him for an important service. Congress ordered 12,000 Livres
+to be paid him for that service, in France. The Payment there would
+have been and it was intended to be an advantage to him. It was paid to
+him in America, and not till the last year--Should not the interest on
+that sum have commenced in 1777 when the service was performed instead
+of 79 as it is now settled? But his greatest Grievance, in which indeed
+he is a sufferer in common with others is the Detention of Prize Money
+--You recollect this mysterious Business and how often we were written to,
+and very pressingly by my worthy Friend your Brother. We have been
+lately told that Capt. Paul Jones has received a large sum on that
+account. This Jones Captn. Landais looks upon as his inveterate Enemy &
+he has not the least Confidence in him--If you think as I do that he has a
+Right to authentick copies of Letters written by Jones to Congress or
+any of the Boards on an affair so interesting to him, on his proper
+application, your Advice to him on this as well as his other concerns
+will add to the obligations I am already under to you.
+
+Will you be so kind as to transmit me the names of the present Members
+of Congress and the States they severally represent,--
+
+I am
+
+Your affectionate Friend1
+
+1 A letter by Adams to Rufus King, dated January 30, 1786, is in Life
+and Correspondence of Rufus King, vol. i., pp. 153, 154.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1786
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a text is in John Adams, Works, vol. ix.,
+p. 547.]
+
+BOSTON April 13 1786
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+Doctor Gordon is to deliver you this Letter. He is going to the Land of
+his Nativity, wishing for the best Happiness of his own Country & ours
+and hoping that mutual Affection will be at length restored, as the
+only Means of the prosperity of both. As he determines to spend the
+Remainder of his Days in the Country where he was born, what rational
+Man who considers the Ties of human Nature will wonder, if "Esto
+perpetua" is his most ardent Prayer for her! But the Attachments he has
+made here, his private Friendships and the Part he has taken in our
+publick Cause afford Reason to believe that his second Wish is for us.
+I am affraid however, that the Doctor builds too much upon the Hopes of
+the Return of mutual Affection; for Can this exist without Forgivness
+of Injury, and Can his Country ever cordially forgive ours whom she
+intended to injure so greatly? Her very Disappointment will perpetually
+irritate her own Feelings and in Spite of Reason or Religion prevent
+her conceiving a Sentiment of Friendship for us. And besides, she will
+never believe that there is a Possibility that we can forgive her. We
+must therefore be content, at least for a great While to come, to live
+with her as a prudent Man will with one who indeed has professd a
+Friendship for him, but whose Sincerity he has Reason vehemently to
+suspect; guarding against Injury from him by making it his Interest to
+do as little as possible. This is an arduous Task our Country has
+committed to you. Trade is a Matter I have had so little to do with,
+that it is not in my Power to aid you in this more than in any one
+thing else. May He who has endued you with a Strength of Understanding
+which your Country confides in afford you all that Light which is
+necessary for so great an Undertaking!
+
+The Child whom I led by the Hand with a particular Design, I find is
+now become a promising youth. He brought me one of your Letters--God bless
+the Lad! If I was instrumental at that Time of enkindling the Sparks of
+Patriotism in his tender Heart, it will add to my Consolation in the
+latest Hour.-- Adieu my Friend. Mrs Adams desires your Lady & Family may
+be assured of her cordial Esteem & Love.
+
+Believe that I am very affectionately
+
+Your Friend
+
+& humble Servant
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy , a draft, dated July 20, is in the Samuel
+Adams Papers, Lenox Library]
+
+BOSTON July 21 1786
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+There are two great Objects which I think should engage the Attention
+of Patriots here, & which appear to me to involve every thing else--to
+preserve entire our political Liberties, & to support our National
+Faith. To effect either of these Capital Ends, we must counterwork the
+Designs of Great Britain, who to say the least does not appear to be
+our most cordial Friend, by her Emissaries amongst us, to ruin both.
+The internal Enemies of this Country ridiculed our early Ideas of
+Opposition, embarrassd our Measures through the whole Conflict and
+prolonged the War. They had nearly broke up our Army in 1782, and they
+are now practicing the same Arts, by influencing many weak Men to
+withhold the necessary Aid of Taxes, to destroy the publick Faith. I
+should therefore think it very impolitick to increase their Number by
+admitting the Tory Refugees without Discrimination. Jonathan
+Philanthrop whom you well knew, with many others took a very active
+Part, & they were very successful in promoting the Designs of the
+British Government before the War , There are some among them who would
+be the fittest Instruments to be employed by that Court in tearing up,
+or rather undermining the Foundations of our newly erected Fabrick.--If
+you ask, What has thrown me into this Fit of Zeal against the Refugees?
+I answer, they already have or soon will in my opinion form a dangerous
+Faction. But I will be more explicit in my next.
+
+This Letter I commit to the care of Mr Benj Austin junr whose Father
+and Connexions you are not unacquainted with. Adieu & believe me
+
+your affectionate Friend
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1787
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE
+
+[MS , Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society, a draft is in the
+Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library , a text is in W. V Wells, Life of
+Samuel Adams, vol. in , pp. 251-253]
+
+BOSTON Decr 3d 1787
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I am to acknowledge your several Favours of the 5th and 27 of October,
+the one by the Post and the other by our worthy Friend Mr Gerry. The
+Session of our General Court which lasted six Weeks, and my Station
+there requiring my punctual & constant Attendance, prevented my
+considering the new Constitution as it is already called, so closely as
+was necessary for me before I should venture an Opinion. I confess, as
+I enter the Building I stumble at the Threshold. I meet with a National
+Government, instead of a Federal Union of Sovereign States. I am not
+able to conceive why the Wisdom of the Convention led them to give the
+Preference to the former before the latter. If the several States in
+the Union are to become one entire Nation, under one Legislature, the
+Powers of which shall extend to every Subject of Legislation, and its
+Laws be supreme & controul the whole, the Idea of Sovereignty in these
+States must be lost. Indeed I think, upon such a Supposition, those
+Sovereignties ought to be eradicated from the Mind; for they would be
+Imperia in Imperio justly deemd a Solecism in Politicks, & they would
+be highly dangerous, and destructive of the Peace Union and Safety of
+the Nation. And can this National Legislature be competent to make Laws
+for the free internal Government of one People, living in Climates so
+remote and whose "Habits & particular Interests" are and probably
+always will be so different. Is it to be expected that General Laws can
+be adapted to the Feelings of the more Eastern and the more Southern
+Parts of so extensive a Nation? It appears to me difficult if
+practicable. Hence then may we not look for Discontent, Mistrust,
+Disaffection to Government and frequent Insurrections, which will
+require standing Armies to suppress them in one Place & another where
+they may happen to arise. Or if Laws could be made, adapted to the
+local Habits, Feelings, Views & Interests of those distant Parts, would
+they not cause Jealousies of Partiality in Government which would
+excite Envy and other malignant Passions productive of Wars and
+fighting. But should we continue distinct sovereign States,
+confederated for the Purposes of mutual Safety and Happiness, each
+contributing to the federal Head such a Part of its Sovereignty as
+would render the Government fully adequate to those Purposes and no
+more, the People would govern themselves more easily, the Laws of each
+State being well adapted to its own Genius & Circumstances, and the
+Liberties of the United States would be more secure than they can be,
+as I humbly conceive, under the proposed new Constitution. You are
+sensible, Sir, that the Seeds of Aristocracy began to spring even
+before the Conclusion of our Struggle for the natural Rights of Men,
+Seeds which like a Canker Worm lie at the Root of free Governments. So
+great is the Wickedness of some Men, & the stupid Servility of others,
+that one would be almost inclined to conclude that Communities cannot
+be free. The few haughty Families, think They must govern. The Body of
+the People tamely consent & submit to be their Slaves. This unravels
+the Mystery of Millions being enslaved by the few! But I must desist--My
+weak hand prevents my proceeding further at present. I will send you my
+poor Opinion of the political Structure at another Time. In the Interim
+oblige me with your Letters; & present mine and Mrs A's best Regards to
+your Lady & Family, Colo Francis, Mr A. L. if with you, & other
+Friends, & be assured that I am
+
+very affectionately yours
+
+As I thought it a Piece of Justice I have venturd to say that I had
+often heard from the best Patriots from Virginia that Mr G Mason was an
+early active & able Advocate for the Liberties of America.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1789
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society; a draft is in the
+Samuel ,Adams Papers, Lenox Library]
+
+BOSTON April 22d, 1789.
+
+MY DEAR FRIEND
+
+You must not expect lengthy Letters from me for a Reason which I have
+heretofore given you. Possibly, however, I may trouble you with more
+frequent Letters. I hope the federal Congress is vested with Powers
+adequate to all the great purposes of the federal Union; and if they
+have such adequate Powers, no true and understanding Federalist would
+consent that they should be trusted with more--for more would discover the
+Folly of the People in their wanton Grant of Power, because it might,
+and considering the Disposition of the human Mind, without Doubt would
+be wantonly [exercised to] their Injury and Ruin. The Powers vested in
+Government by the People, the only just Source of such Powers, ought to
+be critically defined and well understood; lest by a Misconstruction of
+ambiguous Expressions, and by interested Judges too, more Power might
+be assumed by the Government than the People ever intended they should
+possess. Few men are contented with less Power than they have a Right
+to exercise, the Ambition of the human Heart grasps at more. This is
+evinced by the Experience of all Ages.
+
+Will you give me Leave to mention to you the Name of Leonard Jarvis,
+Esqr; a Gentleman to whose agreable Acquaintance, tho he is a native of
+this Town, I introduced myself by the Request of our worthy Friend
+General Whipple now deceased. Mr. Jarvis is a very sensible Republican,
+and an honest Man. He holds the Place of Comptroller General in this
+Commonwealth. I believe Mr. Dalton can shew you a Specimen of his
+Industry and Accuracy in Business. It is not by his Solicitation, or
+even knowledge that I write this. I am induced to it, because I think
+that good Men living at a Distance from the Seat of the federal
+Government, and capable of serving the United States should be made
+known.
+
+Adieu my dear Sir.
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 284, 285; the text
+is also in the pamphlet Resolutions of the General Court (Boston,
+1789), p. 7.]
+
+May 27, 1789.1
+
+MR. PRESIDENT,--
+
+I have been politely notified by a joint committee of the two branches
+of the General Court that, having examined the returns of the votes for
+a Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth, it appears that a majority
+of the electors have seen fit to give me their suffrages.
+
+I am impressed with a warm sense of the honor done me, and it is a
+pleasing reflection, in my own mind, that I have this testimonial of
+the confidence of my countrymen, without my solicitation or
+interference in any manner to obtain it.
+
+I rejoice in the freedom of our elections; and it affords me particular
+satisfaction to be invited to take a share in government by citizens
+possessed of the most lively feelings of natural and civil liberty, and
+enlightened with the knowledge and true ends of civil government, who,
+in conjunction with their sister States, have gloriously contended for
+the rights of mankind, and given the world another lesson, drawn from
+experience, that all countries may be free, since it has pleased the
+righteous Governor of the universe to smile upon their virtuous
+exertions, and crown them with independence and liberty.
+
+If it be not improper on this occasion, may I beg leave to express a
+devout and fervent wish that gracious Heaven may guide the public
+councils of the great confederated commonwealth, and the several free
+and independent republics which compose it, so that the people may be
+highly respected and prosperous in their affairs abroad, and enjoy at
+home that tranquillity which results from a well-grounded confidence
+that their personal and domestic rights are secure.
+
+I feel, sir, a diffidence of my own abilities, and am anxious but in
+certain events they may be found inadequate to the importance of the
+duties I may be called to perform; but relying on the aid of Divine
+grace, and hoping for the justice, candor, and liberal sentiments of
+the General Court and of my fellow-citizens at large, I venture to
+accept the trust, and am now ready to be qualified in the mode
+prescribed by the Constitution.
+
+1 Upon taking the oath as Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts.
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society.]
+
+BOSTON July 14th, 1789
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+I have not lately received a Line from you, and am ready to impute it
+to the Multiplicity of Affairs in which your Mind is employed. You must
+not expect that I shall be even with you upon the epistolary Score, for
+the Reason which I have heretofore given you. I wish to know from you
+the State of federal Affairs as often as your Leisure may admit.1 We
+organize our State Governments, and I heartily wish that their
+Authority and Dignity may be preserved within their several
+Jurisdictions, as far as may be consistent with the Purposes for which
+the federal Government is designed. They are in my opinion petit
+Politicians who would wish to lessen the due Weight of the State
+Governments; for I think the federal must depend upon the Influence of
+these to carry their Laws into Effect; and while those Laws have for
+their sole Object the promoting the purposes of the federal Union,
+there is Reason to expect they will have the due Support of the State
+Authorities. Places are now become the Object of Multitudes; I
+mentioned to you in a former Letter the name of Leonard Jarvis, Esqr
+whom I hope you will not forget. Israel Keith, Esqr wishes to have the
+Place of Marshall within this District. He is a Gentleman of the Law,
+and was during the War Aid de Camp to General Heath, who I understand
+has recommended him to the President. You will gratify the wishes of Mr
+Keith as far as shall consist with your own Ideas of Propriety; and be
+assured, that I am sincerely
+
+Your Friend,
+
+P. S. I have been informed that Mr Edward Church a Native of this Town,
+but now an Inhabitant of Georgia is in the City of New York. I take him
+to have been a steady Friend to the Liberties of our Country, and a man
+of Sense and Integrity. If it will not weary you with Applications I
+will beg your Notice of him, and after your own Inquiries afford him
+your Influence, if you shall think it proper, in promoting him to a
+suitable Employment under Congress in the State of Georgia. This I
+mention without his Sollicitation, or even Knowledge.
+
+1 Lee was at this time in the United States Senate.
+
+
+
+TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
+
+[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library]
+
+BOSTON Augt 22 1789
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I wrote to you hastily two days ago, & as hastily venturd an Opinion
+concerning the Right of Congress to controul a Light-house erected on
+Land belonging to this sovereign & independent State for its own Use &
+at its own Expence. I say sovereign & independent, because I think the
+State retains all the Rights of Sovereignty which it has not expressly
+parted with to the Congress of the United States--a federal Power
+instituted solely for the Support of the federal Union.
+
+The Sovereignty of the State extends over every part of its Territory.
+The federal Constitution expresses the same Idea in Sec. 8, Art. 1. A
+Power is therein given to Congress "to exercise like Authority," that
+is to exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, "over all
+places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature in which the same
+shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, and other needful
+Buildings," among which Light-houses may be included. Is it not the
+plain Conclusion from this Clause in the Compact, that Congress have
+not the Right to exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases
+whatsoever, nor even to purchase or controul any part of the Territory
+within a State for the Erection of needful Buildings unless it has the
+Consent of its Legislature. If there are any such Buildings already
+erected, which operate to the General Welfare of the U S, and Congress
+by Virtue of the Power vested in them have taken from a State for the
+general Use, the necessary Means of supporting such Buildings it
+appears to be reasonable & just that the U S should maintain them; but
+I think that it follows not from hence, that Congress have a right to
+exercise any Authority over those buildings even to make Appointments
+of officers for the immediate Care of them or furnishing them with
+necessary Supplies. I wish to have your Opinion if you can find Leisure.
+
+I hope Congress, before they adjourn, will take into very serious
+Consideration the necessary Amendments of the Constitution. Those whom
+I call the best--the most judicious & disinterested Federalists, who wish
+for the perpetual Union, Liberty & Happiness of the States & their
+respective Citizens, many of them if not all are anxiously expecting
+them. They wish to see a Line drawn as clearly as may be, between the
+federal Powers vested in Congress and the distinct Sovereignty of the
+several States upon which the private & personal Rights of the Citizens
+depend. Without such Distinction there will be Danger of the
+Constitution issuing imperceptibly and gradually into a consolidated
+Government over all the States; which, altho it may be wished for by
+some was reprobated in the Idea by the highest Advocates for the
+Constitution as it stood without Amendmts. I am fully persuaded that
+the population of the U S livg in different Climates, of different
+Education and Manners, and possest of different Habits & feelings under
+one consolidated Governt can not long remain free, or indeed remain
+under any kind of Governt but despotism.
+
+You will not forget our old Friend Devens, and if you please mention
+him to Mr R H Lee.
+
+Adieu my dear Friend and believe me to be sincerely your,
+
+P. S. The joint regards of Mrs A & myself to Mrs Gerry.
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society; a draft is in the
+Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON August 24th 1789.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+Your very acceptable Letter of the 8th Current came to me by the Post.
+You flatter me very much when you tell me that any sentiment of mine
+can please you. I have always been apprehensive that through the
+weakness of the human Mind often discovered even in the wisest and best
+of Men, or the perverseness of the interested, and designing, in as
+well as out of Government; Misconstructions would be given to the
+federal constitution, which would disappoint the Views, and
+expectations of the honest among those who acceded to it, and hazard
+the Liberty, Independence and Happiness of the People. I was
+particularly affraid that unless great care should be taken to prevent
+it, the Constitution in the Administration of it would gradually, but
+swiftly and imperceptably run into a consolidated Government pervading
+and legislating through all the States, not for federal purposes only
+as it professes, but in all cases whatsoever: such a Government would
+soon totally annihilate the Sovereignty of the several States so
+necessary to the Support of the confederated Commonwealth, and sink
+both in despotism. I know these have been called vulgar opinions, and
+prejudices: be it so--I think it is Lord Shaftsbury who tells us, that it
+is folly to despise the opinions of the Vulgar; this Aphorism, if
+indeed it is his, I eagerly catched from a Nobleman many years ago,
+whose writings on some accounts, I never much admired. Should a strong
+Federalist as some call themselves see what has now dropt from my Pen,
+he would say that I am an Antifed, an Amendment Monger &c; those are
+truly vulgar terms, invented and used by some whose feelings would be
+sorely wounded to be ranked among such kind of Men, and invented and
+used for the mean purpose of deceiving, and entrapping others whom they
+call the Vulgar; but in this "enlightned" Age one should think there
+was no such Vulgar to be thus amused, and ensnared. I mean, my friend,
+to let you know how deeply, I am impressed with a sense of the
+Importance of Amendments; that the good People may clearly see the
+distinction, for there is a distinction, between the federal Powers
+vested in Congress, and the sovereign Authority belonging to the
+several States, which is the Palladium of the private, and personal
+rights of the Citizens. I freely protest to you that I earnestly wish
+some Amendments may be judiciously, and deliberately made without
+partial or local considerations--that there may be no uncomfortable
+Jarrings among the several Powers; that the whole People may in every
+State contemplate their own safety on solid grounds, and the Union of
+the States be perpetual. I hope that you have recovered your health, so
+valuable to our Country. Your Letter requires a further Consideration.
+I will at present only express my astonishment at the strange and
+absurd Opinion of our former republican Connecticut friend. Tempora
+mutantur, et hic mutatur in illis.
+
+Your friend,
+
+
+
+TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
+
+[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society, a draft is in the
+Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Augt 29th. 1789.
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+The Power of removing federal Officers at the Pleasure of the President
+is to be found the Constitution or it is not. If it is, What Need was
+there of an Act or Decision of Congress to authorize it? But if it is
+not, could Congress give so important a Power? What have the United
+States been contending for? Liberty. This is the great Object of their
+State Governments, and has not the federal Constitution the same Object
+in View? If therefore a Doubt arises respecting the Exercise of any
+Power, no Construction, I conceive, should militate with the main
+Design, or Object of the Charter. If there is a total Silence in the
+Constitution, is it not natural to conclude that an Officer holding
+during Pleasure is removable by the same Power which appointed him,
+whether vested in a single Person, or a joint Number? I am sensible, it
+is said, that a single Person, being amenable for his Exercise of Power
+will use the utmost Circumspection. This may be true, but may not this
+Idea be carried too far in Practice? May not some Powers vested in a
+single Man give him such Weight and Influence as to render any
+Restraint from his feeling himself amenable of little, or no Effect. If
+this Power lodged in the Discretion of a single Person will afford a
+greater Security against Corruption because of his Amenability, why
+should not the Power of appointing as well as removing Officers be
+given to him? In the one Case the gracious Hand may be held forth, in
+the other, the threatning Rod; and both may be used for improper
+Purposes. In England, "the King can do no wrong" is a Maxim. His
+Ministers are made accountable for him; and how often have corrupt
+Ministers and Councellors been brought to the Block for Follies and
+Crimes committed by their Royal Masters who can do no Wrong? And it may
+also be asked, how often such Ministers and Councellors have found
+Means to get themselves screened from Punishment through the Influence
+of their Masters, by procuring Parliamentary Sanctions to such Crimes
+and Follies? But in the Removal of Officers the President has not a
+Constitutional Council. He must therefore be solely accountable. I need
+not tell you who have known so thoroughly the Sentiments of my Heart,
+that I have always had a very high Esteem for the late Commander in
+Chief of our Armies; and I now most sincerely believe that while
+President Washington continues in the Chair he will be able to give to
+all good Men a satisfactory Reason for every Instance of his public
+Conduct. I feel myself constrained contrary to my usual Manner to make
+Professions of Sincerity on this Occasion because Dr Gordon in his
+History of the Revolution, among many other Anecdotes innocent and
+triffling enough, has gravely said, that I was concerned in an Attempt
+to remove General Washington from Command; and mentions an anonymous
+Letter written to your late Governor Henry which I affirm I never saw
+nor heard of till I lately met with it in reading the History1--This is a
+Digression to which a Man of my years is liable. Who will succeed the
+present President for it is the Lot of Man to die? Perhaps the next and
+the next may inherit his Virtues. But my Friend, I fear the Time will
+come, when a Bribe shall remove the most excellent Man from Office for
+the Purpose of making Room for the worst. It will be called an Error in
+Judgment. The Bribe will be concealed. It may however be vehemently
+suspected & who, in Times of great Degeneracy will venture to search
+out and detect the corrupt Practices of great Men? Unless a sufficient
+Check is provided and clearly ascertained for every Power given, will
+not the Constitution and the Liberties of the Citizens for want of such
+Checks be finally subverted.
+
+A Gentleman of this Place who has suffered much for his Attachment to
+our Cause I conceive has Documents in his Hands which would be of
+Importance in the Settlement of the Eastern Boundary of the United
+States which appears to have been encroached upon by the British. I
+wrote so long ago as last April to Mr Dalton respecting this Gentleman;
+but have never received an Answer. He I suppose is able to give you an
+Account of Mr Boyd the Name of the Gentleman referred to. I wish you
+would converse with Mr Dalton upon the Subject. The Vice President
+however is probably able, and undoubtedly disposed to give you the
+fullest Account. I am sincerely yours
+
+P. S. Pray write to me and let me know the State of your Health, & pay
+my affectionate Regards to your Brother the Doctor.
+
+1 William Gordon, History of the American Revolution, (3rd Amer. edit.)
+vol. ii., p. 306.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1790
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+MAY 28, 1790.1
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. in., pp. 288, 289; a text is
+in the Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+MR. PRESIDENT,--
+
+Having been regularly informed that a majority of the late electors in
+the several towns and districts within this Commonwealth have honored
+me with their suffrages for the office of Lieutenant-Governor, I now
+present myself before the two branches of the General Court to be
+qualified as the Constitution directs. I do the more readily obey this
+repeated call, because I cannot help flattering myself that it has
+proceeded from a persuasion in the minds of my fellow-citizens of the
+attachment of my heart to their rights and liberties, and my earnest
+desires that they may be perpetuated. My fellow-citizens may be assured
+that I feel that attachment and the strength of those desires. The
+first of my wishes, as they respect this life, is for our country; and
+the best of my feeble abilities shall be ever employed for her
+prosperity.
+
+I shall presently be called upon by you, sir, as it is enjoined by the
+Constitution, to make a declaration upon oath (and shall do it with
+cheerfulness, because the injunction accords with my own judgment and
+conscience) that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is, and of right
+ought to be, a free, sovereign, and independent State. I shall also be
+called upon to make another declaration, with the same solemnity, to
+support the Constitution of the United States. I see the consistency of
+this, for it cannot have been intended but that these Constitutions
+should mutually aid and support each other. It is my humble opinion
+that, while the Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains her own just
+authority, weight, and dignity, she will be among the firmest pillars
+of the Federal Union.
+
+May the administration of the Federal government, and those of the
+several States in the Union, be guided by the unerring finger of
+Heaven! Each of them and all of them united will then, if the people
+are wise, be as prosperous as the wisdom of human institutions and the
+circumstances of human society will admit.
+
+1 Upon taking office as Lieutenant-Governor, to which office he was
+also elected in 1791 and 1792.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.1]
+
+BOSTON Septemr 2d 1790
+
+SR
+
+I have not written a single line to any friend in, or out of Congress
+during the late session, having been prevented by my old nervous
+disorder, and am now dictating this to a confidential friend, whom you
+well know.
+
+Capn Nathaniel Byfield Lyde who commanded the Ship in which your Lady
+sailed to England has informed me that a number of Vessells are to be
+built, and employed to guard the coast for a preventing of breaches of
+the act of trade; and he requests me to ask the favour of you to
+mention his Name to the President of the United States for a command. I
+now gratify his request, which is my apology.
+
+I hope you, and your connections are in good health, and spirits. Mrs
+Adams joins me in due Regards to yourself, and Lady.
+
+I am, dear sir, with much Esteem, and respect, Your affectionate friend,
+
+1 The body of this letter, like several in the later years, was not in
+the autograph of Adams.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library; the text is in John Adams, Works, vol. vi., pp. 412-414,
+W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 300-302; cf.
+Department of State, Bureau of Rolls and Library, Bulletin No. 8, p.
+15.]
+
+BOSTON Octr 4th 1790
+
+DEAR SIR
+
+With pleasure I received your Letter of Septr 12th; and as our good
+friend, to whom I dictated our last is yet in Town, I have requested of
+him a second favour.
+
+You ask what the World is about to become? and, Is the Millenium
+commencing? I have not studied the Prophesies, and cannot even
+conjecture. The Golden Age so finely pictured by Poets, I believe has
+never yet existed; but in their own imaginations. In the earliest
+periods, when for the honor of human nature, one should have thought,
+that man had not learnt to be cruel; what Scenes of horror have been
+exhibited in families of some of the best instructors in Piety and
+morals! Even the heart of our first father was grievously wounded at
+the sight of the murder of one of his Sons, perpetrated by the hand of
+the other. Has Mankind since seen the happy Age? No, my friend. The
+same Tragedys have been acted on the Theatre of the World, the same
+Arts of tormenting have been studied, and practiced to this day; and
+true religion, and reason united have never succeeded to establish the
+permanent foundations of political freedom, and happiness in the most
+enlightened Countries on the Earth. After a compliment to Boston Town
+meetings, and our Harvard College as having "set the universe in
+Motion"; you tell me Every Thing will be pulled down; I think with you,
+"So much seems certain," but what say you, will be built up? Hay, wood
+and stubble, may probably be the materials, till Men shall be yet more
+enlightened, and more friendly to each other. "Are there any Principles
+of Political Architecture?" Undoubtedly. "What are they?" Philosophers
+ancient, and modern, have laid down different plans, and all have
+thought themselves, masters of the true Principles. Their Disciples
+have followed them, probably with a blind prejudice, which is always an
+Enemy to truth, and have thereby added fresh fuel to the fire of
+Contention, and increased the political disorder. Kings have been
+deposed by aspiring Nobles, whose pride could not brook restraint.
+These have waged everlasting War, against the common rights of Men. The
+Love of Liberty is interwoven in the soul of Man, and can never be
+totally extinguished; and there are certain periods when human patience
+can no longer endure indignity, and oppression. The spark of liberty
+then kindles into a flame; when the injured people attentive to the
+feelings of their just rights magnanimously contend for their compleat
+restoration. But such contests have too often ended in nothing more
+than "a change of Impostures, and impositions". The Patriots of Rome
+put an End to the Life of Caesar; and Rome submitted to a Race of
+Tyrants in his stead. Were the People of England free, after they had
+obliged King John to concede to them their ancient rights, and
+Libertys, and promise to govern them according to the Old Law of the
+Land? Were they free, after they had wantonly deposed their Henrys,
+Edwards, and Richards to gratify family pride? Or, after they had
+brought their first Charles to the block, and banished his family? They
+were not. The Nation was then governed by Kings, Lords, and Commons,
+and its Libertys were lost by a strife among three Powers, soberly
+intended to check each other, and keep the scales even. But while we
+daily see the violence of the human passions controuling the Laws of
+Reason and religion, and stifling the very feelings of humanity; can we
+wonder, that in such tumults little or no regard is had to Political
+Checks and Ballances? And such tumults have always happened within as
+well as without doors. The best formed constitutions that have yet been
+contrived by the wit of Man have, and will come to an End--because "the
+Kingdoms of the Earth have not been governed by Reason." The Pride of
+Kings, of Nobles, and leaders of the People who have all governed in
+their turns, have disadjusted the delicate frame, and thrown all into
+confusion. What then is to be done?--Let Divines, and Philosophers,
+Statesmen and Patriots unite their endeavours to renovate the Age, by
+impressing the Minds of Men with the importance of educating their
+little boys, and girls--of inculcating in the Minds of youth the fear, and
+Love of the Deity, and universal Phylanthropy; and in subordination to
+these great principles, the Love of their Country--of instructing them in
+the Art of self government, without which they never can act a wise
+part in the Government of Societys great, or small--in short of leading
+them in the Study, and Practice of the exalted Virtues of the Christian
+system, which will happily tend to subdue the turbulent passions of
+Men, and introduce that Golden Age beautifully described in figurative
+language; when the Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard lie
+down with the Kid--the Cow, and the bear shall feed; their young ones
+shall lie down together, and the Lyon shall eat straw like the Ox--none
+shall then hurt, or destroy; for the Earth shall be full of the
+Knowledge of the Lord. When this Millenium shall commence, if there
+shall be any need of Civil Government, indulge me in the fancy that it
+will be in the republican form, or something better.
+
+I thank you for your Countenance to our friend Lyde. Mrs Adams tells me
+to remember her to yourself, Lady, and connections; And be assured that
+I am sincerely
+
+your friend,
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library; the text with variations is in John Adams, Works, vol.
+vi., pp. 420-426, W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp.
+308-314; cf. Department of State, Bureau of Rolls and Library, Bulletin
+No. 8, p. 16. Certain texts give the date as November 20.]
+
+BOSTON Novemr 25th 1790
+
+MY DEAR SIR
+
+I lately received your Letter of the 18th of October.--The Sentiment, and
+observations contained in it demand my attention.
+
+A Republic, you tell me, is a Government in which "the People have an
+essential share in the sovereignty;" Is not the whole sovereignty, my
+friend, essentially in the People? Is not Government designed for the
+Welfare and happiness of all the People? and is it not the
+uncontroulable essential right of the People to amend, and alter, or
+annul their Constitution, and frame a new one, whenever they shall
+think it will better promote their own welfare, and happiness to do it?
+That the Sovereignty resides in the People is a political doctrine
+which I have never heard an American Politician seriously deny. The
+Constitutions of the American States reserve to the People the exercise
+of the rights of Sovereignty; by the annual, or biennial elections of
+their Governours, Senators, & Representatives; and by empowering their
+own Representatives to impeach the greatest officers of the State,
+before the Senators who are also chosen by themselves.
+
+We the people is the stile of the federal Constitution. They adopted
+it; and conformably to it, they delegate the exercise of the Powers of
+Government to particular persons, who, after short intervals resign
+their Powers to the People, and they will re-elect them, or appoint
+others, as1 they think fit.
+
+The American Legislatures are nicely balanced: They consist of two
+branches, each having a check upon the determinations of the other:
+they sit in different chambers, and probably often reason differently
+in their respective chambers, on the same question-- if they disagree in
+their decisions, by a conference their reasons, and Arguments are
+mutually communicated to each other: Candid explanations tend to bring
+them to agreement; and then according to the Massachusetts
+constitution, the matter is laid before the first Magistrate for his
+revision. He states objections, if he has any, with his Reasons, and
+returns them to the Legislators, who by larger Majorities ultimately
+decide. Here is a mixture of three Powers founded in the Nature of Man;
+calculated to call forth the rational Faculties in the great points of
+Legislation, into exertion; to cultivate mutual Friendship, and good
+humour; and finally to enable them to decide, not by the impulse of
+passion, or party prejudice, but the calm Voice of Reason, which is the
+Voice of God:--In this mixture you may see your "natural, and actual
+Aristocracy among mankind," operating among the several Powers in
+Legislation, and producing the most happy Effects. But the Son of an
+excellent Man may never inherit the great qualities of his father; this
+is common observation, and there are many instances of its truth:
+Should we not therefore conclude that hereditary Nobility is a solecism
+in Government? Their Lordships Sons, or Grandsons may be destitute of
+the faintest feelings of honor, or honesty; and yet retain an essential
+share in the Government by right of inheritance from Ancestors, who may
+have been the Minions of ministers--the favourites of Mistresses, or Men
+of real, and distinguished Merit. The same may be said of hereditary
+Kings; Their Successors may also become so degenerated, and corrupt, as
+to have neither inclination, nor capacity to know the extent, and
+Limits of their own Powers, nor consequently those of others. Such kind
+of Political Beings, Nobles, or Kings, possessing hereditary right to
+essential shares in an equipoized Government are very unfit persons to
+hold the scales; Having no just conception of the Principles of the
+Government, nor of the part which they, and their copartners bear in
+the administration; they run a wild career, destroy the checks, and
+ballances, by interfering in each others departments, till the Nation
+is involved in confusion, and reduced to the danger, at least, of
+Bloodshed to remove a Tyranny, which may ensue. Much safer is it, and
+much more does it tend to promote the Welfare and happiness of Society
+to fill up the offices of Government after the mode prescribed in the
+American Constitution, by frequent Elections of the People. They may
+indeed be deceived in their choice; they sometimes are; but the Evil is
+not incurable; the Remedy is always near; they will feel their
+mistakes, and correct them.
+
+I am very willing to agree with you in thinking, that improvement in
+Knowledge, and Benevolence receive much assistance from the principles,
+and Systems of good Government: But is it not as true that without
+knowledge, and benevolence Men would neither have been capable or
+disposed to search for the principles, or form the System--Should we not,
+my friend, bear a gratefull remembrance of our pious and benevolent
+Ancestors, who early laid plans of Education; by which means Wisdom,
+Knowledge, and Virtue have been generally diffused among the body of
+the people, and they have been enabled to form and establish a civil
+constitution calculated for the preservation of their rights, and
+liberties. This Constitution was evidently founded in the expectation
+of the further progress, and "extraordinary degrees" of virtue. It
+injoyns the encouragement of all Seminaries of Literature, which are
+the nurseries of Virtue depending upon these for the support of
+Government, rather than Titles, Splendor, or Force. Mr Hume may call
+this a "Chimerical Project." I am far from thinking the People can be
+deceived by urging upon them a dependance on the more general
+prevalence of Knowledge, and Virtue: It is one of the most essential
+means of further, and still further improvements in Society, and of
+correcting, and amending moral sentiments, and habits, and political
+institutions; till "by human means" directed by divine influence, Men
+shall be prepared for that "happy, and holy State" when the Messiah is
+to reign.
+
+"It is a fixed Principle that all good Government is, and must be
+Republican." You have my hearty concurrence; and I believe we are well
+enough acquainted with each others Ideas to understand what we
+respectively mean when we "use the Word with approbation." The Body of
+the People in this Country are not so ignorant as those of England were
+in the Time of the Interregnum Parliament. They are better educated:
+they will not easily be prevailed upon to believe that a Republican is
+"as unamiable as a Witch, a Blasphemer, a Rebel, or a Tyrant." They are
+charmed with their forms of Government, in which is admitted a mixture
+of Powers to check the human passions, and controul them from rushing
+into exorbitances. So well assured are they, that their liberties are
+best secured, by their own frequent, and free Election of fit persons
+to be the essential sharers in the administration of their Government,
+and that this form of Government is truly Republic, that the body of
+the People will not be perswaded nor compelled to "renounce, detest,
+and execrate the very Word Republican as the English do." Their
+Education has "confirmed them in the opinion of the necessity of
+preserving, and strengthening the Dykes against the Ocean, its Tydes,
+and Storms," and I think they have made more safe, and more durable
+Dykes, than the English have done.
+
+We agree in the Utility of universal Education, but "will nations agree
+in it as fully, and extensively as we do"? Why should they not? It
+would not be fair to conclude, that because they have not yet been
+disposed to agree in it, they never will. It is allowed, that the
+present age is more enlightened than former ones. Freedom of enquiry is
+certainly more encouraged: The feelings of humanity have softned the
+heart: The true principles of civil, and religious Liberty are better
+understood: Tyranny in all its shapes, is more detested, and bigotry,
+if not still blind, must be mortified to see that she is despised. Such
+an age may afford at least a flattering Expectation that Nations, as
+well as individuals, will view the utility of universal Education in so
+strong a light as to induce sufficient national Patronage, and Support.
+Future Ages will probably be more enlightned than this.
+
+The Love of Liberty is interwoven in the Soul of Man. "So it is in that
+of a Wolf;" However irrational, ungenerous, and unsocial the love of
+liberty may be in a rude Savage, he is capable of being enlightned by
+Experience, Reflection, Education, and civil, and Political
+Institutions. But the Nature of the Wolf is, and ever will be confined
+to running in the forest to satisfy his hunger, and his brutal
+appetites; the Dog is inclined in a more easy way to seek his living,
+and fattens his sides with what comes from his masters kitchen. The
+Comparison of La Fontaine is in my opinion ungenerous, unnatural, and
+unjust.
+
+Among the Numbers of Men, my friend, are to be found not only those who
+have "preferred ease, slumber, and good chear to liberty"; but others,
+who have eagerly sought after Thrones, and Sceptres, hereditary shares
+in Sovereignty Riches, and Splendor, Titles, Stars, Garters, Crosses,
+Eagles, and many other childish play things, at the expence of real
+Nobility, without one thought, or care for the liberty, and happiness
+of the rest of Mankind. "The People, who have no property feel the
+Power of governing by a majority; and even attack those who have
+property." "The injured Men of Property recur to finess, trick, and
+Stratagem," to outwit them: True; These may proceed from a Lust of
+domination in some of both parties. Be this as it may; It has been
+known, that such deceitful tricks have been practiced by some of the
+rich upon their unsuspecting fellow Citizens; to turn the determination
+of Questions, so as to answer their own selfish purposes. To plunder or
+filch the rights of Men are crimes equally immoral, and nefarious;
+though committed in a different manner: Neither of them is confined to
+the Rich, or the Poor; they are too common among both. The Lords as
+well as the commons of Great Brittain by continued large majorities
+endeavoured by Finess, Tricks, and Stratagems, as well as threats to
+prevail on the American Colonies to surrender their Liberty and
+Property to their disposal. These failing, they attempted to plunder
+our rights by force of Arms. We feared their Arts more than their Arms.
+Did the Members of that hereditary House of Lords, who constituted
+those repeated majorities, then possess the spirit of Nobility? Not so,
+I think: That Spirit resided in the illustrious Minorities in both
+Houses. But "by Nobles" who have prevented "one hideous Despotism as
+horrid as that of Turkey from falling to the lot of every Nation of
+Europe"; you mean not peculiarly an hereditary Nobility, or any
+particular Modification, but "the natural, and actual Aristocracy among
+Mankind;" The existence of which, I am not disposed to deny. Where is
+this Aristocracy to be found? Among Men of all Ranks and Conditions.
+The Cottager may beget a wise Son; the Noble, a Fool: The one is
+capable of great Improvement--the other not. Education is within the Power
+of Men, and Societys of Men. Wise, and judicious Modes of Education,
+patronized, and supported by communities, will draw together the Sons
+of the rich, and the poor, among whom it makes no distinction; it will
+cultivate the natural Genius, elevate the Soul, excite laudable
+Emulation to excel in Knowledge, Piety, and Benevolence, and finally it
+will reward its Patrons, and Benefactors by sheding its benign
+Influence on the Public Mind. Education inures Men to thinking and
+reflection, to reasoning and demonstration. It discovers to them the
+moral and religious duties they owe to God, their Country and to all
+Mankind. Even Savages might, by the means of Education, be instructed
+to frame the best civil, and political Institutions with as much skill
+and ingenuity, as they now shape their Arrows. Education leads youth to
+"the Study of human nature, society, and universal History" from whence
+they may "draw all the Principles" of Political Architecture, which
+ought to be regarded. All Men are "interested in the truth." Education
+by showing them "the End of all its consequences" would induce, at
+least, the greatest numbers to inlist on its side. The Man of good
+understanding who has been well educated, and improves these advantages
+as far as his circumstances will allow, in promoting the happiness of
+Mankind, in my opinion, and I am inclined to think in yours is indeed
+"well born." It may be "puerile, and unworthy of Statesmen" to declame
+against Family Pride; but there is and always has been such a
+ridiculous kind of Vanity among Men. "Statesmen know the evil, and
+danger is too serious to be sported with." I am content they should be
+put into one hole; as you propose, but I have some fears that your
+Watchmen on each side will not well agree. When a Man can recollect the
+Virtues of his Ancestors; he certainly has abundantly more solid
+satisfaction than another who boasts that he sprang from those, who
+were rich, or noble; but never discovers the least degree of Virtue, or
+true worth of any kind. "Family Popularity," if I mistake not, has its
+source in family pride; It is by all means sought after that hommage
+may be paid to the name of the Title or Estate, to supply the want, in
+the possessor, of any great, or good quality whatsoever. There are
+individuals among Men, who study the art of making themselves popular,
+for the purpose of getting into Places of Honour, and Emoluments, and
+by these means of gratifying hereafter the noble Passion--Family Pride.
+Others are so inchanted with the Musick of the sound, that they
+conceive it to be supreme felicity. This is indeed Vanity of Vanities,
+and if such deluded Men ever come to their Senses, they will find it to
+be vexation of Spirit. When they reflect on their own folly, and
+injustice in having received the breath of Applause with avidity, and
+great delight, for Merrit which they are conscious they never had; and
+that many who have been the loudest in sounding their praises, had
+nothing in view, but their own private, and selfish interests, it will
+excite in them the feelings of shame, remorse, and self contempt.
+
+The truly virtuous Man, and real Patriot, is satisfied with the
+approbation of the wise, and discerning; he rejoices in the
+contemplation of the Purity of his Intentions, and waits in humble hope
+for the Plaudit of his final Judge.
+
+I shall hardly venture again to trespass on the Benevolence of our
+Confidential Friend--you will not be sorry; it will afford you Reliefe,
+for in common Civility you must be at the Trouble of reading ones
+Epistles. I hope there will be a Time when we shall have "sweet
+Communion" together. In the mean Time let me not lose the Benefit of
+your valueable Letters. Adieu. Believe me
+
+Your sincere Friend
+
+1 The draft at this point reads: "as in their own enlightened Judgments
+shall best serve the great End of Government the good of the whole
+People."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1794
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JANUARY 17, 1794.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, January 20, 1794; the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 324-328, and in the Massachusetts
+Archives.]
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE
+
+TWO BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE,
+
+IT having pleased the Supreme Being, since your last meeting, in His
+holy providence to remove from this transitory life, our late excellent
+Governour Hancock, the multitude of his surviving fellow-citizens, who
+have often given strong testimonials of their approbation of his
+important services, while they drop a tear, may certainly profit by the
+recollection of his virtuous and patriotic example.
+
+You are sensible, that on this melancholly event, our Constitution
+directs that the Lieutenant Governour,1 for the time being, shall
+perform all the duties which were incumbent on him, and exercise all
+the powers and authorities, during the vacancy of the chair, which by
+the Constitution, he was vested with when personally present. Diffident
+as I am of my abilities, I have yet felt myself constrained, to
+undertake the performance of those duties, and the exercise of those
+powers and authorities, in consequence of a sovereign act of God. To
+Him I look for that wisdom which is profitable to direct. The
+Constitution must be my rule, and the true interest of my Constituents,
+whose agent I am, my invariable object.
+
+The people of this Commonwealth, have heretofore been possessed of the
+intire sovereignty within and over their own territories. They were
+"not controul-able by any other laws than those to which their
+constituted representative body gave their consent." This, I presume,
+was the case in every other State of the Union.--But, after the memorable
+declaration of their Independence was by solemn treaty, agreed to and
+ratified by the British King, the only power that could have any
+pretence to dispute it, they considered themselves decidedly free and
+independent of all other people. Having taken rank among nations, it
+was judged that their great affairs could not well be conducted under
+the direction of a number of distinct sovereignties. They therefore
+formed and adopted a Federal Constitution; by which certain powers of
+sovereignty are delegated and entrusted to such persons as they shall
+judge proper from time to time to elect; to be exercised conformably
+to, and within the restrictions of the said Constitution, for the
+purposes of strengthening and confirming the Union, and promoting the
+safety and happiness of the confederate Commonwealth. All powers not
+vested in Congress, remain in the separate States to be exercised
+according to their respective Constitutions.--Should not unremitting
+caution be used, least any degree of interference or infringement might
+take place, either on the rights of the Federal Government on the one
+side, or those of the several States on the other. Instances of this
+kind may happen; for infallibility is not the lot of any man or body of
+men, even the best of them on earth. The human mind in its present
+state, being very imperfect, is liable to a multitude of errors.
+Prejudice, that great source of error, often creeps in and takes
+possession of the hearts of honest men, without even their perceiving
+it themselves. Honest men will not feel themselves disgusted, when
+mistakes are pointed out to them with decency, candor and friendship,
+nor will they, when convinced of truth, think their own dignity
+degraded by correcting their own errors. Among the objects of the
+Constitution of this Commonwealth, Liberty and Equality stand in a
+conspicuous light. It is the first article in our Declaration of
+rights, "all men are born free and equal, and have certain natural,
+essential and unalienable rights." In the supposed state of nature, all
+men are equally bound by the laws of nature, or to speak more properly,
+the laws of the Creator:--They are imprinted by the finger of God on the
+heart of man. Thou shall do no injury to thy neighbour, is the voice of
+nature and reason, and it is confirmed by written revelation. In the
+state of nature, every man hath an equal right by honest means to
+acquire property, and to enjoy it; in general, to pursue his own
+happiness, and none can consistently controul or interrupt him in the
+pursuit. But, so turbulent are the passions of some, and so selfish the
+feelings of others, that in such a state, there being no social
+compact, the weak cannot always be protected from the violence of the
+strong, nor the honest and unsuspecting from the arts and intrigues of
+the selfish and cunning. Hence it is easy to conceive, that men,
+naturally formed for society, were inclined to enter into mutual
+compact for the better security of their natural rights. In this state
+of society, the unalienable rights of nature are held sacred:--And each
+member is intitled to an equal share of all the social rights. No man
+can of right become possessed of a greater share: If any one usurps it,
+he so far becomes a tyrant; and when he can obtain sufficient strength,
+the people will feel the rod of a tyrant. Or, if this exclusive
+privilege can be supposed to be held in virtue of compact, it argues a
+very capital defect; and the people, when more enlightened, will alter
+their compact, and extinguish the very idea.
+
+These opinions, I conceive to be conformable to the sentiments held up
+in our State Constitution. It is therein declared, that Government is
+instituted for the common good; not for the profit, honor or private
+interest of any one man, family, or class of men. And further, all the
+inhabitants of this Commonwealth, having such qualifications, as shall
+be established by their Constitution, have an equal right to elect or
+be elected for the public employments.
+
+Before the formation of this Constitution, it had been affirmed as a
+self evident truth, in the declaration of Independence, very
+deliberately made by the Representatives of the United States of
+America in Congress assembled that, "all men are created equal, and are
+endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." This
+declaration of Independence was received and ratified by all the States
+in the Union, and has never been disannulled. May we not from hence
+conclude, that the doctrine of Liberty and Equality is an article in
+the political creed of the United States.
+
+Our Federal Constitution ordains that, no title of nobility shall be
+granted by the United States. The framers of that Constitution probably
+foresaw that such titles, vain and insignificant in themselves, might
+be in time, as they generally, and I believe always have been, the
+introductory to the absurd and unnatural claims of hereditary and
+exclusive privileges.
+
+The Republic of France have also adopted the same principle, and laid
+it as the foundation of their Constitution. That nation having for many
+ages groaned under the exercise of the pretended right claimed by their
+Kings and Nobles, until their very feelings as men were become torpid,
+at length suddenly awoke, from their long slumber, abolished the
+usurpation, and placed every man upon the footing of equal rights. "All
+men are born free and equal in rights," if I mistake not, is their
+language.
+
+>From the quotations I have made, I think it appears, that the
+Constitutions referred to, different as they may be in forms, agree
+altogether in the most essential principles upon which legitimate
+governments are founded. I have said essential principles, because I
+conceive that without Liberty and Equality, there cannot exist that
+tranquillity of mind, which results from the assurance of every
+citizen, that his own personal safety and rights are secure:--This, I
+think is a sentiment of the celebrated Montesquieu; and it is the end
+and design of all free and lawful Governments. Such assurance,
+impressed upon the heart of each, would lead to the peace, order and
+happiness of all. For I should think, no man, in the exercise of his
+reason would be inclined in any instance to trespass upon the equal
+rights of citizens, knowing that if he should do it, he would weaken
+and risque the security of his own. Even different nations, having
+grounded their respective Constitutions upon the afore-mentioned
+principles, will shortly feel the happy effects of mutual friendship,
+mutual confidence and united strength. Indeed I cannot but be of
+opinion, that when those principles shall be rightly understood and
+universally established, the whole family and brotherhood of man will
+then nearly approach to, if not fully enjoy that state of peace and
+prosperity, which ancient Prophets and Sages have foretold.
+
+I fear I have dwelt too long upon this subject. Another presents itself
+to my mind, which I think is indeed great and important; I mean the
+education of our children and youth. Perhaps the minds even of infants
+may receive impressions, good or bad, at an earlier period than many
+imagine. It has been observed, that "education has a greater influence
+on manners, than human laws can have." Human laws excite fears and
+apprehensions, least crimes committed may be detected and punished: But
+a virtuous education is calculated to reach and influence the heart,
+and to prevent crimes. A very judicious writer, has quoted Plato, who
+in shewing what care for the security of States ought to be taken of
+the education of youth, speaks of it as almost sufficient to supply the
+place both of Legislation and Administration. Such an education, which
+leads the youth beyond mere outside shew, will impress their minds with
+a profound reverence of the Deity, universal benevolence, and a warm
+attachment and affection towards their country. It will excite in them
+a just regard to Divine Revelation, which informs them of the original
+character and dignity of Man; and it will inspire them with a sense of
+true honor, which consists in conforming as much as possible, their
+principles, habits, and manners to that original character. It will
+enlarge their powers of mind, and prompt them impartially to search for
+truth in the consideration of every subject that may employ their
+thoughts; and among other branches of knowledge, it will instruct them
+in the skill of political architecture and jurisprudence; and qualify
+them to discover any error, if there should be such, in the forms and
+administration of Governments, and point out the method of correcting
+them. But I need not press this subject, being persuaded, that this
+Legislature from the inclination of their minds, as well as in regard
+to the duty enjoined by the Constitution, will cherish "the interest of
+Literature, the Sciences and all their Seminaries."
+
+Fellow-Citizens,
+
+Legislation is within your department; yet the Constitution assigns a
+part to be taken by the Governor when Bills, and Resolves intended to
+operate as Laws, shall be presented to him, which is, merely to state
+objections if he has any, of which the Legislature will judge and
+finally determine. Let me in treat you to dispatch the weightier
+business, so early in the session, as to afford me opportunity to
+perform my duty, with due consideration and care.
+
+I have communications to make, such as the state of the Treasury--of the
+military stores belonging to the Commonwealth, and others, which I will
+transmit to you by the Secretary.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+1 Hancock died October 8, 1793, and Adams became Governor; he was
+thereafter elected to that office in the years 1794, 1795, and 1796.
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION.
+
+FEBRUARY 19, 1794
+
+[Independent Chronicle, March 6, 1794 , No. 3764 of the Leffingwell
+sale appears to have been a manuscript of this text.]
+
+Commonwealth of Massachusetts [Seal]
+
+BY HIS HONOR SAMUEL ADAMS, ESQ , LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN
+CHIEF OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
+
+A PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER.
+
+IT having been the invariable practice from time to time when our pious
+and renowned ancestors took possession of this land, at the approaching
+season of the year, to set apart a day publickly to acknowledge an
+entire dependence on the Father of all Mercies for every needful
+blessing, and to express sorrow and repenntace for the manifold
+transgressions of His Holy Laws: And the Practice being highly becoming
+all people, especially those who profess the Christian Religion:
+
+I HAVE thought fit, by, and with the advice of the Council to appoint
+THURSDAY, the Seventeenth day of APRIL next, to be observed throughout
+this Commonwealth, as a day of PUBLIC FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER;
+earnestly exhorting the Ministers of Religion to assemble with their
+respective Congregations on the same day--that deeply lamenting our
+ingratitude to our Heavenly Father, to whom we are under all possible
+obligations, and our many deviations from those right and safe Paths,
+into which, as our Supreme Governor, HE hath plainly directed us, we
+may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free
+pardon, thro' JESUS CHRIST, supplicating His Divine aid that we may
+become a reformed and happy people. At the same time humbly beseeching
+HIM, mercifully to regard our lives and health, so that no infectious
+and mortal distemper may prevail amongst us: To favour our land with
+the alternate benefits of rain and warmth of the Sun; and that our
+hopes of a plentiful harvest may not be disappointed by devouring
+insects, or any other calamity:--To prosper our trade and fishery, and the
+labor of our hands:--To protect our navigation from the rapacious hands of
+invaders and robbers on the seas, and graciously to open a door of
+deliverance to our fellow-citizens in cruel captivity in a land of
+Barbarians:--To continue and confirm our civil and religious liberties;
+and for that great purpose to bless and direct our great University,
+and all Seminaries and Schools of education:-- To guide and succeed the
+Councils of our Federal Government, as well as those of the several
+States in the Union, that under their respective Constitutions they may
+be led to such decisions as will establish the liberty, peace, safety,
+and honor of our country:-- To inspire our friends and allies, the
+Republic of France, with a spirit of wisdom and true religion, that
+relying on the strength of HIS Almighty Arm, they may still go on
+prosperously till their arduous conflict for a government of their own,
+founded on the just and equal rights of men, shall be finally crowned
+with success:--And above all, to cause the Religion of JESUS CHRIST, in
+its true spirit, to spread far and wide, till the whole earth shall be
+filled with HIS glory.
+
+And I do earnestly commend that all unnecessary labor and recreation be
+suspended on said day.
+
+GIVEN at the Council-Chamber, in Boston, the Nineteenth day of February
+in the year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four,
+and in the Eighteenth Year of the Independence of the United States of
+America.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+By His Honor's command, with the advice and consent of the Council,
+JOHN AVERY, jun. Secry.
+
+GOD save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+MAY 31, 1794.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, June 2, 1794; a draft is in the Samuel Adams
+Papers, Lenox Library, and two manuscript texts (those sent to the
+Senate and House respectively) are in the Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+FELLOW-CITIZENS!
+
+While I attempt a short, but very respectful address to the two
+Branches of this new General Court, I cannot help expressing a great
+satisfaction in the continuance of the right which the citizens of the
+Commonwealth at large enjoy, of exercising their own sovereignty. In
+pursuance of the direction of our Constitution, which is expressive of
+their will, they have again in their anniversary meetings, made their
+free elections of such persons as they have judged meet to administer
+their public affairs. In this great transaction, they must surely have
+felt their own dignity; and however different their sentiments may have
+been with regard to the men of their choice, each elector having given
+his suffrage according to the dictates of his own conscience, must
+enjoy the consoling reflection of having honestly done his duty. Those
+in whom the people have placed their confidence, it is presumed will
+faithfully watch over, and guard their general interests, and take care
+that the liberties and the sovereignty of right belonging to this
+Commonwealth, shall suffer no diminution.
+
+Fellow-Citizens!
+
+We are met at a very critical period--The baneful influence of war in
+Europe, has already too far extended itself into this remote region. A
+war of Kings and Nobles, against the equal Rights of Men. Their first
+object was to controul the common right of all civil societies, by
+frustrating the attempt of a magnanimous nation, to establish a
+Constitution of government for themselves, according to their own mind:
+More lately the nefarious design has been to crush the new formed
+Republic in its infancy:--But the GOD of Armies, who favors the brave in a
+righteous cause, has hitherto appeared for its protection, and crowned
+the astonishing efforts of its defenders with astonishing victories.
+
+Great Britain takes an active part with the mighty combination of
+Kings. Indeed it does not appear that she has yet made a demand on our
+confederate Republic to join the league. A demand which we are well
+informed she has made upon some of the neutral Republics of Europe.
+But, whilst we have preserved the most strict neutrality towards the
+belligerent powers of Europe, in observance of treaties made under the
+authority of the United States, which are the supreme law of the land,
+she, for the sake of aiding the cause in which she is so deeply
+engaged, has employed her naval force in committing depredations on our
+lawful and unprotected commerce. Thus in fact, she has commenced
+hostilities. The Federal Government, although very solicitous if
+possible, to prevent the calamities of war, have meditated measures
+preparatory for the event. The papers and communications which I have
+received on this subject, shall be laid before you.
+
+It was a declared intention of the people of the United States, when
+they adopted our present constitution, "to form a more perfect union"--an
+important object indeed. The deliberate voice of the people is commonly
+the voice of reason--the voice of the people ought therefore to be
+attended to. Union, formed upon the genuine republican principles and
+views of our political institutions, by combining our strength, will
+have a powerful tendency in a time of war to reduce an unreasonable
+enemy to terms of Justice, and the re-establishment of tranquility; and
+in peace to secure the blessings of equal liberty to the present and
+future generations.
+
+Fellow-Citizens!
+
+It is my sincere and ardent wish, and I have a strong persuasion in my
+own mind, that wisdom and public spirit will guide you in all your
+deliberations and decisions. I will endeavor seasonably to dispatch
+such business as you shall lay before me during this session, and at
+all times, to support the true dignity of this Commonwealth in the
+station in which I have the honor of being placed, by a vigilant
+attention to its essential duties.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JUNE 4, 1794.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, June 5, 1794; a text is in the Massachusetts
+Archives.]
+
+GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND
+
+HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
+
+By an Act of the Legislature passed on the fourteenth of March, 1785,
+intitled "An Act1 providing a place of confinement for thieves, and
+other convicts to hard labor;" it is provided "that the Island within
+the harbor of Boston, commonly called Castle-Island, shall be a place
+for the reception, and secure confinement of all such persons as shall
+be sentenced for confinement and hard labor, for the term of their
+natural lives, or for any shorter space pursuant to the laws of the
+Commonwealth."
+
+According to this, and subsequent laws, a great number of persons have
+been sentenced to confinement and hard labor; there are a number of
+them at this time under sentences, some for the term of their lives,
+and others for a shorter space of time.--There are particular regulations
+provided by the Legislature of the Commonwealth, and particular modes
+of discipline instituted for the government of such convicts.
+
+This mode of punishment has been found by experience to be of great
+utility in the preservation of good order, and the producing of safety
+in the Commonwealth, and has a manifest tendency to render unnecessary
+those sanguinary punishments which are too frequently inflicted in
+other Governments.
+
+The situation of our country now calls for fortifications on our
+seacoasts; and the President of the United States has communicated the
+Act of Congress for erecting forts in the harbor of Boston, which now
+lies before you. The fortification on Castle Island is very ancient,
+and has always been supported by this Government. It is a prison for
+certain purposes, by an act of the legislature of the Commonwealth,
+which puts it out of my power, if I was disposed to do it, to deliver
+the controul over to any other hands. Should that place, by act of the
+General Court, be given over to the controul of the military department
+of the general Government, the convicts under sentence, must be
+discharged, or another place of confinement be provided for them. No
+government can assign the execution of sentences passed by it to the
+officers of another government, because such officers would be under no
+obligation to execute the laws of a government of which they are
+totally independent, nor can they be held amenable to it for any
+excesses, or oppressions in their conduct. That fortification being
+thus appropriated by the Legislature, and yet being convenient as a
+place of defence, I submit it to you, gentlemen, to determine, whether
+it will not be for the interest of the Commonwealth in particular, and
+the United States in general, to have it repaired at the ex-pence of
+this government. The expence will not be great, and the utility, if not
+the indispensible necessity of holding it under the controul of this
+state, in the same manner, and for the same purposes for which it has
+been held for several years last past, is very obvious.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+1 Chapter 32.
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION.
+
+NOVEMBER 3, 1794.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, November 6, 1794.]
+
+By Authority [Seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
+
+BY THE GOVERNOR.
+
+A PROCLAMATION.
+
+IT being provided by the Seventeenth Article of the Treaty of Amity and
+Commerce, now subsisting between the United States of America and the
+French Republic, "That no shelter or refuge shall be given in the ports
+of either of said nations to such as shall have made prize of the
+subjects, people or property of either of the parties; but if such
+shall come in, being forced by stress of weather, or the dangers of the
+sea, all proper measures shall be vigorously used, that they go out and
+retire from thence as soon as possible."1 And the Secretary of State
+for the Government of the said United States, having by his letter of
+the 10th of October last, informed me that "M. Fauchet, the Minister of
+the French Republic, near the United States, apprehends from
+circumstances which have been experienced that unless prompt and
+decisive measures are adopted in the several ports in regard to vessels
+hostile to the French Nation, and bringing in French prizes, the branch
+before recited, of the Treaty, will become null:" And the said
+Secretary having requested that measures may be taken to preserve that
+branch of the Treaty inviolate, by Vessels hostile to the French Nation
+receiving comfort in the out-ports of the Commonwealth:
+
+I HAVE THEREFORE, in compliance, with the request of the Government of
+the United States, thought fit to issue this Proclamation, requiring
+all Officers, Civil and Military, within this Commonwealth, to take all
+legal and proper measures, and to use and practice all diligence, for
+the effectual support of the above recited Article in the said Treaty.
+
+AND I do hereby enjoin it upon them to prevent any breach thereof, if
+such should be attempted in any, and especially those ports distant
+from the Capital, and immediately to give information of the same, with
+their proceedings thereon, to the Governor and Commander in Chief of
+the Commonwealth, that such further measures may be taken, if any shall
+be necessary, as may be suited to the faith of Nations, and the
+solemnity of National Treaties--And I have reason to expect that the good
+people of the Commonwealth will cheerfully afford their aid in support
+of the Laws of the land.
+
+Given at Boston, in the said Commonwealth, the third day of November,
+in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-four,
+and in the Nineteenth Year of the Independence of the United States of
+America.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+Attest,
+
+JOHN AVERY, jun. Sec'y.
+
+1 The quotation is not exact, although substantially correct.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1795
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JANUARY 16, 1795.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, January 19, 1795; the copies sent to the two
+houses are in the Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+I am happy, fellow citizens, to meet you in General Court assembled, on
+the day to which, according to your request, you have stood adjourned.
+By the Constitution, the Governor, with the advice of Council, during
+the session of the General Court, hath full authority to adjourn them
+to such times as the two branches may judge most convenient.
+
+The people of this Commonwealth, in their declaration of rights, have
+recorded their own opinion, that the Legislature ought frequently to
+assemble for the redress of grievances, correcting, strengthening and
+confirming the Laws, and making new Laws, as the common good may
+require.--The Laws of the Commonwealth are intended to secure to each and
+all the Citizens, their own rights and liberties, and the property
+which they honestly possess. If there are any instances wherein the
+Laws in being, are inadequate to these great and capital ends, your eye
+will discern the evil, and your wisdom will provide a suitable remedy.
+It shall be my endeavour, as indeed it is my duty, carefully to revise
+and readily approve your Bills and Resolves, which may be calculated
+for the public good.
+
+By the late returns of the votes for Representatives to serve the
+Commonwealth in Congress, there were several districts in which no
+choice had been effected. I immediately issued precepts according to
+law, requiring the several towns within those Districts to meet on a
+day now past, in order to complete their elections. I cannot but
+recommend to your consideration, whether it may not be necessary more
+effectually to guard the elections of public agents and officers
+against illegal practices. All elections ought to be free, and every
+qualified elector who feels his own independence as he ought, will act
+his part according to his best, and most enlightened judgment.
+Elections are the immediate acts of the people's sovereignty, in which
+no foreigners should be allowed to intermeddle. Upon free and unbiassed
+elections, the purity of the government, and consequently the safety
+and welfare of the citizens, may I not say altogether depend.
+
+If we continue to be a happy people, that happiness must be assured by
+the enacting and executing of reasonable and wise laws, expressed in
+the plainest language, and by establishing such modes of education as
+tend to inculcate in the minds of youth, the feelings and habits of
+"piety, religion and morality," and to lead them to the knowledge and
+love of those truly Republican principles upon which our civil
+institutions are founded. We have solemnly engaged ourselves, fellow
+citizens, to support the Constitution of the United States, and the
+Constitution of this Commonwealth. This must be reconcileable in the
+mind of any man, who judiciously considers the sovereign rights of the
+one as limited to federal purposes, and the sovereign rights of the
+other, as acting upon and directing the internal concerns of our own
+Republic.
+
+We have been under apprehensions of being made a party in the
+dissolating contest in Europe. Permit me just to observe, that the
+first and main principle which urged the Combined Powers to enter into
+the contest, is in my own opinion unsupportable by reason and nature,
+and in violation of the most essential right of nations and of men. The
+repeated acts of violence which have been committed on the property of
+American citizens, might in the opinion of some, have justified
+reprisals; but the policy of the Federal Government has directed to
+other measures. The wisdom of our own Councils, with the unexampled
+successes of our magnanimous Ally, the Republic of France, afford the
+strongest ground of hope, that under the continued smiles of Divine
+Providence, peace and tranquility, so interesting to a rising Republic,
+will in the end be firmly established.
+
+The business of fortifying certain harbors within this Commonwealth,
+according to an act of Congress, was left unfinished in your last
+session. It is indeed probable, that the danger which produced that
+measure, has nearly subsided; but the law still exists, and in my
+opinion it cannot be carried into constitutional effect in this
+Commonwealth, without the aid of the Legislature of the same. I am led
+to this opinion by contemplating the first article of the Constitution
+of the United States, which establishes the powers of Congress and
+which particularly authorises them to exercise exclusive legislation in
+all cases whatever, over all places purchased by the consent of the
+Legislature of the States, in which the same shall be for the erection
+of Forts Magazines, and other public buildings.
+
+Those who wish to persuade the world to believe, that a free
+representative Republic cannot be supported, will no doubt make use of
+every art to injure, and by degrees to alter, and finally to eradicate
+the principles of our free Constitutions: But the virtuous and
+enlightened citizens of this Commonwealth, and of all united America,
+have understanding and firmness, sufficient to support those
+Constitutions of Civil Government which they have themselves formed,
+and which have done them so much honor in the estimation of the world.
+
+It is with pain that I mention the insurrection which has lately taken
+place in a sister state.1 It was pointed more immediately at an act of
+the Federal Government. An act of that government, as well as of the
+governments in the Union, is constitutionally an act of the people, and
+our Constitutions provide a safe and easy method to redress any real
+grievances. No people can be more free under a Constitution established
+by their own voluntary compact, and exercised by men appointed by their
+own frequent suffrages. What excuse then can there be for forcible
+opposition to the laws? If any law shall prove oppressive in its
+operation, the future deliberations of a freely elective
+Representative, will afford a constitutional remedy. But the measures
+adopted by The President of the United States, supported by the virtue
+of citizens of every description, in that, and the adjacent states,
+have prevailed, and there is an end of the insurrection. Let the glory
+be given to Him, who alone governs all events, while we express the
+just feelings of respect and gratitude due to all those, whom He
+honours as instruments to carry into effect his gracious designs.
+
+I congratulate you on the success which the forces of the United
+States, have lately had against the hostile Indians. It is my hearty
+wish that by the blessing of Heaven, an end may be put to this
+expensive war, by an agreement between the parties, upon the permanent
+principles of justice, honor, good neighborhood, & true friendship.
+
+The Constitution of this Commonwealth, having provided that the General
+Court which shall be in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven
+hundred and ninety five, shall issue precepts for collecting the
+sentiments of the people in regard to its revision.-- And as this Court is
+within the year mentioned, you will be pleased to decide, whether it
+was intended by the people that this business should be done by the
+General Court which shall be elected within that year, or whether it is
+your duty to attend to it.
+
+I will lay before you several papers transmitted to me by the Treasurer
+and other matters which may occur during the Session by subsequent
+messages.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+1 The "whisky insurrection," in Pennsylvania.
+
+
+
+TO JEREMY BELKNAP.
+
+[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 1st ser., vol. iv.,
+p. 83; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON, March 30, 1795.
+
+SIR,
+
+I received your note, stating what Dr. Kippis had asserted, respecting
+a recommendation of Dr. Franklin, minister from America in France, in
+the year 1779, to the American cruisers, to treat Capt. Cook, on his
+expected return from a voyage of discoveries, as a friend, and not an
+enemy; assuring them, that in so doing, they would obtain the
+approbation of Congress. But that the Doctor was mistaken, for that
+assembly, at least the greater part of them, instantly reversed the
+order of Dr. Franklin, and directed, that a special order should be
+taken, to seize Capt. Cook, if an opportunity for doing it occurred.
+
+You request me to give you a certificate respecting the matter, and to
+express the years when I was in Congress.--I was a member from the first
+sitting of Congress, in the year 1774, until the Spring of the year
+1781. It was my constant practice, once in twelve or fifteen months, to
+make a short visit to my constituents. In the year 1779, I was detained
+in Boston a much longer time than usual, by a fit of sickness; in which
+time, I constantly received from Mr. Lowell, and my other colleagues,
+information of the most material transactions of Congress. I do now
+declare to you, that I do not recollect, either while I was present in
+Congress, or from any of my colleagues, while I was absent, that the
+orders he (Dr. Franklin) had given to the American cruisers were
+instantly or ever reversed, or that it was directed by Congress, that a
+special order should be taken to seize Capt. Cook, if an opportunity
+for so doing it occurred.
+
+It appears to me that Dr. Kippis must have been misinformed. I am, with
+respect, your friend and humble servant,
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JUNE 3, 1795.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, June4, 1795; a text is in the Massachusetts
+Archives.]
+
+FELLOW CITIZENS,
+
+The honor which the people have again conferred on me, by a majority of
+their votes for a Governor of this respectable Commonwealth, while it
+excites the warm feelings of gratitude in my heart, it reminds me of
+the arduous task I am called to undertake, and the many attentions
+which are requisite for a performance of the great duties of the
+station. Having already been qualified agreeable to the Constitution
+and Laws, next to a dependence upon Him who is the Fountain of all
+Wisdom, I must rely upon your candor, and that of my Fellow Citizens at
+large.
+
+The sovereignty of a nation, always of right, resides in the body of
+the People; and while they have delegated to their freely elected
+Legislative, the power of exercising that sovereignty in their behalf,
+the Executive department, as well as the Magistrates who are appointed
+to render the Constitution efficient by carrying the laws into effect,
+are no less important to the people. For what avails the making of good
+and wholesome laws, unless they are duly executed. As the happiness of
+civil society may in a great measure depend upon a wise and a
+consistent harmony between the various branches of the Government; a
+free communication may have a tendency to cultivate and extend the
+blessings of friendship and good humor. Indeed our constituents, under
+whose authority and for whose benefit we are to exercise the functions
+of our different departments, have a right to expect from us, as their
+public agents, to avow our principles and intentions, and make them
+acquainted with the true situation of their public affairs.
+
+In the addresses from the Chair, while it was filled by Royal
+appointment, uniform attempts were made to strengthen the prerogatives
+of the Crown, and to bring the people obsequiously at the foot of the
+Throne, for privileges holden by sufferance: Surely it becomes us, in
+our happy state of Independence, to turn our attentive minds to the
+great objects of securing the equal rights of the citizens, and
+rendering those constitutions which they have voluntarily established,
+respectable and efficacious.
+
+Our ancestors, when under the greatest hardships and perils, they
+opened to us the wilderness, they took possession of, and left for us
+an inheritance, one of the best countries under the sun. Amidst their
+toil, and fatigue they extended their views, and early laid the
+foundation of Civil Liberty. Although they had in prospect, the
+instruction of future youth in all literary science, they considered
+morality and real goodness of heart, as the great basis upon which the
+best interests of a nation could be safely laid. Under this idea, they
+also provided for the institutions of Public Worship, and the support
+of teachers in Piety, Religion and Morality. The great increase of our
+numbers & happiness, is a standing witness to the world, of the wisdom
+of their measures. Oppressed as they were by the supercilious
+haughtiness of royal prerogative, and considered as a contemptible
+people at a distance from the favors of the Crown, and the flattering
+smiles of courtiers, their perseverance has in effect raised us, by the
+blessing of Providence, to an exalted degree of prosperity and glory.
+
+Fellow Citizens, we have a regular exercise of our Federal and State
+Governments; and we owe our unceasing gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of
+the Universe, who safely carried us through our arduous struggle for
+freedom, for which other nations are now contending, at the expence of
+their blood and treasure. We cannot but rejoice that the principles for
+which we contended, and which are constitutionally established in
+United America, are irresistibly spreading themselves through two
+mighty nations in Europe. We are now able to embrace those powerful
+sister Republics; and what adds much to our joy on this occasion is,
+that those nations became allied to us in an hour, when we were engaged
+in our hard conflict with an oppressive tyranny.
+
+We ardently wish that the nations of the earth may sheath the sword of
+war, and we as ardently pray, that the equal rights of men may go hand
+in hand with peace. If our Federal Government shall with magnanimity
+and firmness, support the principles of a free elective Representative
+Government, and our honour and faith with our allies, and yet maintain
+peace with all nations upon the principles of sound policy, and terms
+honourable and safe to our country, it will be an acknowledged
+approximation to that perfection in practical politics, which all
+people should most earnestly covet.
+
+It is with satisfaction that I have observed the patriotic exertions of
+worthy citizens, to establish Academies in various parts of this
+Commonwealth. It discovers a zeal highly to be commended. But while it
+is acknowledged, that great advantages have been derived from these
+institutions, perhaps it may be justly apprehended, that multiplying
+them, may have a tendency to injure the ancient and beneficial mode of
+Education in Town Grammar Schools. The peculiar advantage of such
+schools is, that the poor and the rich may derive equal benefit from
+them; but none excepting the more wealthy, generally speaking, can
+avail themselves of the benefits of the Academies. Should these
+institutions detach the attention and influence of the wealthy, from
+the generous support of town Schools, is it not to be feared that
+useful learning, instruction and social feelings in the early parts of
+life, may cease to be so equally and universally disseminated, as it
+has heretofore been. I have thrown out these hints with a degree of
+diffidence in my own mind. You will take them into your candid
+consideration, if you shall think them worthy of it. In support of the
+public Schools, from whence have flowed so many great benefits, our
+University has from its infancy furnished them with well educated and
+fit persons to fill the places of Instructors; and they, in return,
+have yearly brought forward fit pupils for the further instruction of
+the University.--The University therefore claims a place among the first
+attentions of the public.
+
+The citizens of the Commonwealth have lately had before them a question
+of the expediency of revising, at this period, the form of our present
+Constitution. The conduct of the citizens on this occasion, has given
+full proof, that an enlightened, free and virtuous people, can as a
+body, be the keepers of their own Liberties, and the guardians of their
+own rights. On which side soever the question may have been decided, I
+have the pleasure of being informed that it has been discussed with
+propriety, calmness and deliberation. If the event should be in favour
+of a Convention, a future revision may be made at such period as may be
+most fit and convenient, and there may be opportunity, in the mean
+time, for the citizens at their leisure, to make their own remarks upon
+the Constitution, in its operation, and thus prepare themselves for
+cool deliberation, at another revision. Should the determination be
+otherwise, I think it will clearly follow, that the citizens are happy
+under the present Constitution, and that they feel themselves well
+assured, that if there should be a future necessity for it, they can,
+in a peaceable and orderly manner, revise, alter and amend it at their
+pleasure.
+
+A compleat, perfect and permanent system of jurisprudence, is one of
+the greatest blessings which our country can possess. To have justice
+administered promptly and without delay, is to gather the best fruits
+of a free and regular Government. Uncorrupted Juries are an effectual
+guard against the violations of our rights and property. Having an
+Executive annually elected, and the Legislative elected as often, the
+one branch of which is the grand inquest of the Commonwealth, and the
+other branch to be constituted a Court, as there may be occasion, to
+try and determine upon impeachments, we may be secured against
+impartiality in the fountain, and corruption in the streams of justice.
+The Legislative will examine all the machinery by which the Government
+acts: TOO frequent speculative experiments may tend to render the
+motions unsteady, and to annex insecurity to property. Where there are
+no radical defects, a long exercise of Judicial Authority, in any
+particular mode, brings the feelings of the people in unison with it,
+and fixes habits to which they have been accustomed.
+
+While we expect from our Judges and Magistrates and other civil
+officers that justice be administered with alacrity and impartiality,
+should we not be careful that ample justice be done to them. The
+administration of justice should indeed be without oppressive or
+unnecessary expences on the people; but the Ministers of justice should
+have an equitable reward for their services. If therefore from accident
+or peculiar or temporary circumstances, the established rewards are
+inadequate, I doubt not but you will determine, that what is fit and
+proper, will be done. The Executive should be enabled to find men of
+superior knowledge and integrity, who may be inclined to fill the
+important places in the Civil Departments, as they shall become vacant.
+On such appointments, the dignity and just authority of the Government
+very materially depends.
+
+The Legislative will no doubt continue to guard the public credit, by
+adequate provisions for discharging the interest and finally sinking
+the principal of our public debt. The sale of our vacant Lands, and the
+debts due to the Treasury, will contribute to ease the people from too
+great a burthen of direct taxes. The Treasurer's statements will
+ascertain the demands necessary for the ensuing year.
+
+I must intreat you to give me opportunity to revise such Bills and
+Resolves as you may think proper to lay before me, to which I shall
+cheerfully attend, and do all within my power to dispatch the public
+business, and render the session agreeable to you, and beneficial to
+the Commonwealth.
+
+Let us, Fellow Citizens, cultivate a due observance of the Laws which
+are constitutionally made by the authority of this Government, as well
+as those of the Federal Government, agreeable to the Constitution of
+the United States. Let us transmit our Liberties, our Equal Rights, our
+Laws and our free Republican Constitutions, with their various
+concomitant blessings, to those who are coming upon the stage of
+action, and hope in God, that they will be handed down, in purity and
+energy, to the latest posterity.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+ADDRESS
+
+JULY 4, 1795.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, July 6, 1795.]
+
+FELLOW CITIZENS,
+
+The Representatives of the people in the General Court assembled did
+solemnly Resolve, that an Edifice be erected upon this spot of ground
+for the purpose of holding the Public Council of the Commonwealth of
+Massachusetts. By the request of their Agents and Commissioners, I do
+now lay the Corner Stone.
+
+May the Superstructure be raised even to the top Stone without any
+untoward accident, and remain permanent as the everlasting mountains.--May
+the principles of our excellent Constitution, founded in nature and in
+the Rights of Man be ably defended here: And may the same principles be
+deeply engraven on the hearts of all citizens, and thereby fixed
+unimpaired and in full vigor till time shall be no more.
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION.
+
+OCTOBER 14, 1795.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, October 19, 1795.]
+
+Published by Authority [Seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
+
+BY THE GOVERNOR.
+
+A PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE.
+
+FORASMUCH as the occasional meeting of a People for the exercise of
+Piety and Devotion towards God, more especially of those who enjoy the
+Light of Divine Revelation, has a strong tendency to impress their
+minds with a sense of Dependence upon HIM and their Obligations to HIM.
+
+I have thought fit, according to the ancient and laudable Practice of
+our renowned ancestors, to appoint a day of Public Thanksgiving to God,
+for the great benefits which HE has been pleased to bestow upon us, in
+the Year past. And I do by advice and consent of the Council, appoint
+THURSDAY the Nineteenth day of November next, to be observed as a DAY
+of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAISE throughout this Commonwealth: Calling
+upon the Ministers of the Gospel of all Denominations, with their
+respective Congregations to assemble on that Day to offer to God, their
+unfained Gratitude, for his great Goodness to the People of the United
+States in general, and of this Commonwealth in particular.
+
+More especially in that he hath in his Good Providence united the
+several States under a National Compact formed by themselves, whereby
+they may defend themselves against external Enemies, and maintain Peace
+and Harmony with each other.
+
+That internal tranquillity has been continued within this Commonwealth;
+and that the voice of Health is so generally heard in the habitations
+of the People.
+
+That the Earth has yielded her increase, so that the labours of our
+industrious Husbandmen have been abundantly crowned with Plenty.
+
+That our Fisheries have been so far prospered.--Our Trade notwithstanding
+obstructions it has met with, has yet been profitable to us, and the
+works of our Hands have been established.
+
+That while other nations have been involved in War, attended with an
+uncommon profusion of Human Blood, we in the course of Divine
+Providence, have been preserved from so grievous a Calamity, and have
+enjoyed so great a measure of the Blessing of Peace.
+
+And I do recommend that together with our Thanksgiving, humble Prayer
+may be offered to God, that we may be enabled, by the subsequent
+obedience of our Hearts and Manners, to testify the sincerity of our
+professions of Gratitude, in the sight of God and Man; and thus be
+prepared for the Reception of future Divine Blessings.
+
+That GOD would be pleased to Guide and Direct the Administration of the
+Federal Government, and those of the several States, in Union, so that
+the whole People may continue to be safe and happy in the
+Constitutional enjoyment of their Rights, Liberties and Privileges, and
+our Governments be greatly respected at Home and Abroad.
+
+And while we rejoice in the Blessing of Health bestowed upon us, we
+would sympathize with those of our Sister States, who are visited with
+a Contagious and Mortal Disease; and fervently supplicate the FATHER of
+Mercies that they may speedily be restored to a state of Health and
+Prosperity.
+
+That HE would in HIS abundant Mercy regard our fellow Citizens and
+others, who are groaning under abject Slavery, in Algiers, and direct
+the most effectual measures for their speedy Relief.
+
+That HE would graciously be pleased to put an end to all Tyranny and
+Usurpation, that the People who are under the Yoke of Oppression, may
+be made free; and that the Nations who are contending for freedom may
+still be secured by HIS Almighty Aid, and enabled under His influence
+to complete wise systems of Civil Government, founded in the equal
+Rights of Men and calculated to establish their permanent Security and
+Welfare.
+
+And Finally, that the Peaceful and Glorious Reign of our Divine
+Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole Family of
+Mankind.
+
+And I do recommend to the People of this Commonwealth, to abstain from
+all such Labour and Recreation, as may not be consistent with the
+Solemnity of the said Day.
+
+Given at the Council-Chamber, in Boston, the fourteenth Day of October
+in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand seven Hundred and Ninety-five,
+and in the Twentieth Year of the Independence of the United States of
+America.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+True Copy--Attest,
+
+JOHN AVERY, jun. Sec'ry.
+
+God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1796
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JANUARY 19, 1796.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, January 21, 1796, two texts are in the
+Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+FELLOW CITIZENS,
+
+I CANNOT but congratulate you upon the many blessings which the
+bountiful hand of Providence has bestowed upon us since your
+adjournment.
+
+We with our Fellow Citizens at large have observed a day solemnly to
+recognize these blessings; and if sincere obedience to our gracious
+Benefactor, shall accompany the gratitude which we then professed, we
+may humbly rely upon him that he will continue his divine favors to the
+citizens at large, and direct the public councils of our Nation and
+Commonwealth to such measures as shall be productive of the safety and
+welfare of all.
+
+In my former address to this General Court I mentioned the duty
+required by the Constitution, frequently to revise the laws, and amend
+such of them as may still be necessary to secure the lives, liberty and
+property of the citizens--The importance of civil commutative justice and
+the good policy of making adequate compensations to those who
+administer well --and the great advantages of cherishing the interests of
+literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them among the body
+of the people. Upon these I shall not now enlarge.
+
+Agriculture and Commerce mutually depend upon each other. As foreign
+markets are supplied from our fields, it is an object of importance,
+that the transportation of heavy articles, and means of communication
+from one part of the State to another, may be rendered as easy and
+cheap as the nature of the country will admit. By the spirit of
+enterprize, which so remarkably animates the citizens, countenanced by
+the Legislature, much has been done and is still doing in various parts
+of the Commonwealth.
+
+The improvement of Arts and Manufactures is of interesting moment. The
+encouragement of such manufactures in particular, as will diminish the
+consumption of Foreign Articles and exhibit a real balance in our
+favor, is the common concern of the whole Union--Such encouragement as
+will spread the spirit of Industry individually through the body of the
+people, will tend to increase their happy feelings of Independence, and
+give them an exalted idea of the truly noble character of Free
+Citizens. Industry naturally leads to sobriety of sentiment, rectitude
+of manners, a due observance of wise and constitutional laws, and of
+course to public and private virtue.
+
+Fellow Citizens,
+
+IT is wisdom often to recur to first principles. The people of this
+Commonwealth, as well as those of the United States, have voluntarily
+formed such constitutions of government, as they have judged well
+adapted to secure their own political safety.--These Constitutions are
+founded upon the same principles; and they avow the great and
+fundamental political truth that all power is derived from the people.
+As these and all new forms of Government which recognize principles,
+never reduced to practice until the period of our illustrious
+Revolution must be in their nature experiments, the provision of a
+peaceable and constitutional remedy for such defects as experience may
+point out, is with great propriety established in our State and
+National Governments.--The citizens of this Commonwealth, have lately
+discovered their acquiescence under their Constitution as it now
+stands. But it still remains recorded in our declaration of rights,
+that the people alone have an incontestible, unalienable and
+indefeasible right to institute government; & to reform, alter, or
+totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity and
+happiness require it. And the Federal Constitution, according to the
+mode prescribed therein has already undergone such amendments in
+several parts of it, as from experience has been judged necessary.
+
+The Government of the United States is entrusted solely with such
+powers as regard our safety as a nation; and all powers not given to
+Congress by the Constitution remain in the individual States and the
+people. In all good Governments the Legislative, Executive and
+Judiciary powers are confined within the limits of their respective
+Departments. If therefore it should be found that the Constitutional
+rights of our federal and local Governments should on either side be
+infringed, or that either of the Departments aforesaid should interfere
+with another, it will, if continued, essentially alter the
+Constitution, and may in time, I hope far distant, be productive of
+such convulsions as may shake the political ground upon which we now
+happily stand.
+
+Under these impressions, I cannot forbear to mention to you a subject
+which has lately arrested the public attention and employed the pens of
+ingenious men of different sentiments concerning it. In discussing a
+subject so exceedingly momentous as a national Treaty, no personal
+attachment or prejudice, no private or selfish feelings, no arts of
+deception should be suffered to intermingle: Truth should be the
+object, and reason the guide.
+
+By the Constitution of the United States, it is provided, that all
+Legislative powers therein granted, shall be vested in a Congress, to
+consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. These several
+branches have, and exercise a positive negative upon each other: No
+Legislative act, therefore, can pass without their joint concurrence.
+But in another part of the Constitution, under the head of Executive,
+the President has the power with the advice and consent of the Senate,
+provided two thirds of the Senate present, concur, to make Treaties;
+and all Treaties which are made or shall be made under the authority of
+the United States, shall be among the Supreme Laws of the Land: The
+Senate therefore partakes with the Executive, so far as to advise and
+consent; but the most popular branch of Congress has no concern
+therein. I do earnestly recommend to you to turn your attention to
+those parts of the Constitution, at least, which relate to the
+Legislative and Executive powers, and judge for yourself, whether they
+may not be construed to militate with each other and lead to an absurd
+conclusion--that there actually exists in the Government of the United
+States, two distinct and decisive Legislatives.
+
+I am far from being desirous that unnecessary alterations of our
+Constitution, should be proposed: but it is of great consequence to the
+liberties of a nation, to review its civil Constitution and compare the
+practice of its administrators with the essential principles upon which
+it is founded. We, fellow-citizens, are under the strongest
+obligations, from the solemnity of our mutual compacts, and even our
+sacred oaths, with a watchful eye at every point to defend and support
+our Constitutions; and to strengthen the essential principles upon
+which they are founded, when it shall be needful, falls in my opinion
+within those solemn obligations.
+
+I hope, fellow-citizens, that what I am now about to say will not be
+deemed improper.
+
+I have been accustomed to speak my mind upon matters of great moment to
+our common country with freedom; and every citizen of the United States
+has the same right that I have. I may never hereafter have an
+opportunity of publicly expressing my opinion on the Treaty made with
+the Court of London: I am therefore constrained with all due respect to
+our Constituted Authority to declare, that the Treaty appears to me to
+be pregnant with evil. It controuls some of the powers specially vested
+in Congress for the security of the people; and I fear that it may
+restore to Great Britain such an influence over the Government and
+people of this country as may not be consistent with the general
+welfare. This subject however it is expected will come before the
+Congress whose immediate province it is to discuss it, and to
+determine, so far as it may be in their power, as they shall think, for
+the safety and welfare of the people.
+
+I shall use my best endeavor to dispatch the business which you shall
+lay before me. And it is my cordial wish that all your decisions may
+tend to the prosperity of the Commonwealth, and afford to you the most
+agreeable reflections.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+MAY 31, 1796.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, June 2, 1796; two texts are in the
+Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+FELLOW CITIZENS,
+
+It is not my intention to interrupt your business by a lengthy Address.
+I have requested a meeting with you at this time, principally with a
+view of familiarizing the several branches of government with each
+other, of cultivating harmony in sentiment upon constitutional
+principles, and cherishing that mutual friendship which always invites
+a free discussion in matters of important concern.
+
+The Union of the States is not less important than that of the several
+departments of each of them. We have all of us recently laid ourselves
+under a sacred obligation to defend and support our Federal and State
+Constitutions: A principal object in the establishment of the former,
+as it is expressed in the preamble, was "to form a more perfect Union:"
+To preserve this Union entire, and transmit it unbroken to posterity,
+is the duty of the People of United America, and it is for their
+lasting interest, their public safety and welfare. Let us then be
+watchful for the preservation of the Union, attentive to the
+fundamental principles of our free Constitutions, and careful in the
+application of those principles in the formation of our laws, lest that
+great object which the people had in view in establishing the
+independence of our country, may be imperceptibly lost.
+
+The Members of the General Court, coming from all parts of the
+Commonwealth, must be well acquainted with the local circumstances and
+wants of the citizens; to alleviate and provide for which, it is
+presumed you will diligently enquire into the state of the
+Commonwealth, and render such Legislative aid as may be found
+necessary, for the promoting of useful improvements, and the
+advancement of those kinds of industry among the people, which
+contribute to their individual happiness, as well as that of the
+public.--Honest industry, tends to the increase of sobriety, temperance
+and all the moral and political virtues--I trust also that you will attend
+to the general police of the Commonwealth, by revising and making such
+laws and ordinances, conformably to our Constitution, as in your wisdom
+you may think further necessary to secure as far as possible, the
+safety and prosperity of the people at large.
+
+It is yours, Fellow Citizens, to legislate, and mine only to revise
+your bills, under limited and qualified powers; and I rejoice, that
+they are thus limited:-- These are features which belong to a free
+government alone.
+
+I do not, I ought not to forget that there are other important duties
+constitutionally attached to the Supreme Executive--I hope I shall be
+enabled within my department, with the continued advice of a wise and
+faithful Council, so to act my part, as that a future retrospect of my
+conduct may afford me consoling reflections; and that my administration
+may be satisfactory to reasonable and candid men, and finally meet with
+the approbation of God, the Judge of all.--May his wisdom preside in all
+our Councils and deliberations, and lead to such decisions as may be
+happily adapted to confirm and perpetuate the public liberty, and
+secure the private and personal rights of the citizens from suffering
+any injury.
+
+I shall further communicate to you by subsequent message as occasion
+may offer.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION.
+
+OCTOBER 6, 1796
+
+[Independent Chronicle, October 17, 1796.]
+
+Published by Authority [Seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
+
+BY THE GOVERNOR.
+
+A PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING.
+
+WHEREAS it has pleased God, the Father of all Mercies, to bestow upon
+us innumerable unmerited favours in the course of the year past; it
+highly becomes us duly to recollect his goodness, and in a public and
+solemn manner to express the greatful feelings of our hearts:
+
+I have therefore thought fit, with the advice and consent of the
+Council, to appoint THURSDAY the 15th day of December next, to be
+observed as a Day of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAISE to our Divine
+BENEFACTOR throughout this Commonwealth--Calling upon the Ministers of the
+Gospel, with their respective Congregations, and the whole body of the
+People, religiously to observe the said Day by celebrating the Praises
+of that all-gracious Being, of whose Bounty we have experienced so
+large a share.
+
+He hath prevented Epidemical Diseases from spreading, and afforded us a
+general state of Health. He hath regarded our Pastures and Fields with
+an Eye of the most indulgent Parent, and rewarded the Industry of our
+Husbandmen with a plentiful Harvest.
+
+Notwithstanding the unreasonable obstructions to our trade on the seas,
+it has generally been prosperous and our fisheries successful.
+
+Our civil Constitutions of Government, formed by ourselves, and
+administered by Men of our own free Election, are by His Grace
+continued to us. And we still enjoy the inestimable Blessings of the
+Gospel and right of worshipping God according to His own Institutions
+and the honest dictates of our Consciences.
+
+And, together with our thanksgiving, earnest Supplication to God is
+hereby recommended for the forgiveness of our Sins which have rendered
+us unworthy of the least of his Mercies; and that by the sanctifying
+influence of his Spirit, our hearts and manners may be corrected, and
+we become a reformed and happy People--That he would direct and prosper
+the Administration of the Government of the United States, and of this
+and the other States in the Union. That he would still afford his
+Blessings on our Trade, Agriculture, Fisheries and all the labours of
+our hands. That he would smile upon our University, and all Seminaries
+of Learning--That Tyranny and Usurpation may everywhere come to an end--That
+the Nations who are contending for true liberty may still be succeeded
+by his Almighty aid--That every Nation and Society of Men may be inspired
+with the knowledge and feeling of their natural and just rights, and
+enabled to form such systems of Civil Government as shall be fully
+adopted to promote and establish their Social Security and Happiness--And,
+finally, that in the course of God's Holy Providence, the great Family
+of Mankind may bow to the sceptre of the Prince of Peace so that mutual
+Friendship and Harmony may universally prevail.
+
+And I do recommend to the People of this Commonwealth to abstain from
+all such Labours and Recreations as may not be consistent with the
+Solemnity of the said Day.
+
+Given at the Council Chamber in Boston, this sixth day of October, in
+the year of our Lord, one Thousand seven Hundred and Ninety-six, and in
+the twenty-first Year of the Independence of the United States of
+America.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+Attest
+
+JOHN AVERY, Sec'ry
+
+GOD save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+NOVEMBER 17,1796.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, November 21, 1796; two texts are in the
+Massachusetts Archives.]
+
+You are sensible, Fellow Citizens, that the principal motive which
+induced your adjournment to the 16th current, was to transact the
+business prescribed by law, respecting the Electors of a President and
+Vice-President of the United States of America.
+
+Not being able to determine in my own mind, whether you would probably
+be inclined to begin the business of a winter session at this season,
+or not, I did, by the advice of the Council, appoint a later day for a
+Public Thanksgiving, than has been usual; intending thereby, to afford
+you an opportunity to finish the business above mentioned, and, if you
+should then think it proper, keep the festival in your respective
+families. This matter, however, it becomes me to leave to your own
+discretion. Which ever, you may determine upon, while you continue this
+session, I will endeavour to finish the business which you may lay
+before me, with all convenient dispatch, always considering, that
+harmony and union among the several branches and governmental powers,
+consistent with their respective Constitutional rights and duties, to
+be essential to the security and welfare of our constituents at large.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+TO THE SENATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+NOVEMBER 23, 1796.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, November 28, 1796.]
+
+GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE,
+
+HAVING had before me a Resolve of the 22d inst. providing for filling
+up any vacancies in the Electors of President and Vice President of the
+United States, which may be occasioned by death or resignation before
+the time of their meeting for the purpose of giving their suffrages,
+have prematurely approved the same; since which, having more fully
+considered the subject, I find a strong objection operating upon my
+mind, and I have erased my name: That the Electors chosen by the People
+and their Representatives for the great and important purpose of
+electing a President and Vice-President of the United States, should
+have the power of filling up vacancies in their own body, under any
+circumstances whatever, appears to be dangerous to the Liberties of the
+People, and ought not to form a precedent in a free government. If upon
+further deliberation you should be of my opinion, I shall be happy to
+concur with you, in a mode more consonant to the spirit of our
+government.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+NOVEMBER 24, 1796.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, November 28, 1796 , a text is in the
+Massachusetts Archives, and a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library.]
+
+Gentlemen of the Senate,
+
+and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
+
+BY a Message, which I yesterday laid before the Senate, I gave a full,
+free and candid account of my proceedings respecting a Resolve of the
+two Houses, for filling up vacancies which may possibly happen in the
+Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States.
+
+My mode of conduct on this occasion, I know is, and I flatter myself,
+will be considered, to be as well the result of an ardent wish to
+preserve free, important and secure the Elections of those very
+important Officers, as a desire to dispatch the business at this
+juncture before the Legislature.--I wish to promote the true interest of
+my country--I have no other object in view; and therefore, it can be of no
+consequence to me, in what mode this question is discussed nor in what
+form your opinions shall be expressed. I am not, at present, for
+supporting the idea that after the Resolve had been signed by me, and
+delivered to the Secretary, that it was not a formal act of government.
+Be that as it may--the question is now properly before the General Court,
+and if the Resolve, to which I have made an objection, was, under all
+considerations an Act of the Government upon my signing the same, the
+only question now is whether it ought to be repealed, and another
+provision made for the same object?
+
+My objection to the Resolve, or my reason why it should be repealed,
+(if it is one) is, that a delegation by the Legislature to the Electors
+appointed by the Citizens in their individual capacity for the Election
+of President and Vice President, to fill up vacancies in their own
+number, by death or resignation, is a dangerous power, and tends to the
+establishing a dangerous Precedent; but should my fellow citizens of
+the Senate and House, think differently from me, while I shall feel
+quite contented with your decision, I shall be happy, that I have
+candidly acknowledged an error in signing that Resolve, and yet done,
+with firmness, what has appeared to me as the true interest of the
+State of which I am a Member, and of a Nation of which I am a Citizen.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1797
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+JANUARY 27, 1797.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, January 30, 1797; a text is in the
+Massachusetts Archives].
+
+FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS,
+
+SINCE your last adjournment, the President of the United States has
+officially announced to the Legislature of the Union his determination
+to retire from the cares of public life.--When a citizen so distinguished
+by his country withdraws himself from the Councils of the Nation, and
+retires to peaceful repose, it must afford very pleasurable feelings in
+his own mind, to be conscious of the good will of the people towards
+him--how much more consoling must his feelings be, in reflecting that he
+has served them many years with purity of intention and disinterested
+zeal. We sincerely wish him tranquility in his retirement and strong
+consolation in the latter stage of life.
+
+In pursuance of the provision in the Constitution, the people have
+recently exercised their own sovereign power in the election of another
+President. Elections to offices, even in the smallest Corporations, are
+and ought to be deemed highly important; of how much more importance is
+it, that elections to the highest offices in our extensive Republic,
+should be conducted in a manner and with a spirit becoming a free,
+virtuous and enlightened people, who justly estimate the value of their
+sacred rights. In the late elections, the people have turned their
+attention to several citizens, who have rendered eminent services to
+our federal Commonwealth in exalted stations. Upon which ever of the
+Candidates the lot may have fallen, the people have reason to expect,
+that his administration will be strictly conformable to the letter and
+true intent of the Constitution, that it may long continue to be the
+guarantee of our freely elective Republican Government.--On fair and
+uncontrouled elections, depend, under God, the whole superstructure of
+our government--should corruption ever insert itself in our elections,
+there would be great danger of corruption in our governments.--Although it
+is not long since the subject of elections was under the consideration
+of the Legislature, and a law passed for the purpose of further
+security to the people in the free exercise of this invaluable right;
+yet give me leave to suggest for your consideration, whether still
+further securities may not be provided, so that the rightful electors
+may not be frustrated in their honest intentions. That elections may
+not be contaminated by strangers, or unqualified persons, may it not be
+necessary that every man may be known, as far as possible, when he
+presents himself to give his vote; this may be more especially
+important in our seaports and other populous towns, in which many
+foreigners of all sorts frequently reside. I would be far from
+dictating to you, but I would submit to your judgment whether,
+considering the liberality of this country to foreigners, and the
+frequency of their naturalizations, it may not be eligible that such
+foreigners should be required when they offer their votes to the
+Selectmen of the towns, to produce authentic certificates from the
+Courts, by which they were endowed with so high a privilege, as a test
+of their citizenship. As Piety, Religion and Morality have a happy
+influence on the minds of men, in their public as well as private
+transactions, you will not think it unseasonable, although I have
+frequently done it, to bring to your remembrance the great importance
+of encouraging our University, town schools, and other seminaries of
+education, that our children and youth while they are engaged in the
+pursuit of useful science, may have their minds impressed with a strong
+sense of the duties they owe to their God, their instructors and each
+other, so that when they arrive to a state of manhood, and take a part
+in any public transactions, their hearts having been deeply impressed
+in the course of their education with the moral feelings--such feelings
+may continue and have their due weight through the whole of their
+future lives.
+
+Permit me to call your attention to the subject of the Militia of the
+Commonwealth.--A well regulated militia "held in an exact subordination to
+the civil authority and governed by it," is the most safe defence of a
+Republic.--In our Declaration of Rights, which expresses the sentiments of
+the people, the people have a right to keep and bear arms for the
+common defence. The more generally therefore they are called out to be
+disciplined, the stronger is our security. No man I should think, who
+possesses a true republican spirit, would decline to rank with his
+fellow-citizens, on the fancied idea of a superiority in circumstances:
+This might tend to introduce fatal distinctions in our country. We can
+all remember the time when our militia, far from being disciplined, as
+they are at present, kept a well appointed hostile army for a
+considerable time confined to the capital; and when they ventured out,
+indeed they took possession of the ground they aimed at, yet they
+ventured to their cost, and never forgot the battle of Bunker Hill. The
+same undisciplined militia under the command and good conduct of
+General Washington, continued that army confined in or near the
+capital, until they thought proper to change their position and
+retreated with haste to Halifax.--If the Militia of the Commonwealth can
+be made still more effective, I am confident that you will not delay a
+measure of so great magnitude. I beg leave to refer you to the
+seventeenth article in our Declaration of Rights, which respects the
+danger of standing armies in time of peace. I hope we shall ever have
+virtue enough to guard against their introduction.--But may we not hazard
+the safety of our Republic should we ever constitute, under the name of
+a select militia, a small body to be disciplined in a camp with all the
+pomp & splendor of a regular army? Would such an institution be likely
+to be much less dangerous to our free government and to the morals of
+our youth, than if they were actually enlisted for permanent service?
+And would they not as usual in standing armies feel a distinct interest
+from that of our fellow-citizens at large? The great principles of our
+present militia system are undoubtedly good, constituting one simple
+body, and embracing so great a proportion of the citizens as will
+prevent a separate interest among them, inconsistent with the welfare
+of the whole.--Those principles, however, I conceive should equally apply
+to all the active citizens, within the age prescribed by law.--All are
+deeply interested in the general security; and where there are no
+invidious exemptions, partial distinctions or privileged bands, every
+Man, it is presumed, would pride himself in the right of bearing arms,
+and affording his personal appearance in common with his
+fellow-citizens. If upon examination you shall find, that the duties
+incident to our present system bear harder on one class of citizens,
+than on another, you will undoubtedly endeavour, as far as possible, to
+equalize its burthens.
+
+FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS,
+
+I THINK it a duty incumbent upon me to acquaint you, and our
+fellow-citizens at large, that having arrived to a stage of life,
+marked in holy writ, and verified by constant experience, as a time of
+labour and sorrow; it is highly proper both upon my own account, as
+well as that of the public, to decline the future suffrages of my
+fellow-citizens for the office I have now the honor to sustain.1 I have
+had this in contemplation near a twelve month past. The infirmities of
+age render me an unfit person in my own opinion, and very probably in
+the opinion of others, to continue in this station; and I mention it
+now, that those of the electors who may probably be too warmly attached
+to me, may not nullify their own votes by giving them for me. I have
+always been convinced that many others might have been found to fill my
+place with greater advantage to the Commonwealth than is now or ever
+has been in my power.--In the Civil Department during the times of War and
+of Peace, I have served her in various stations to the best of my
+ability, and I hope with general approbation; and I can say with truth,
+that I have not enriched myself in her service.--My warmest thanks are
+justly due to my constituents for the confidence they have repeatedly
+placed in me.--When I shall be released from the burthens of my public
+station, I shall not forget my country.-- Her welfare and happiness, her
+peace and prosperity, her liberty and independence will always have a
+great share in the best wishes of my heart.
+
+I will endeavour to consider the business you may lay before me with
+fidelity and dispatch. SAMUEL ADAMS.2
+
+1 In May, 1797, Adams was succeeded as governor by Increase Sumner.
+
+2 There are in the Massachusetts Archives additional papers by Adams
+which have here been omitted, but certain of which may well be noted,
+as follows: 1782, October 15, statement as to funds for South Carolina
+and Georgia; 1790, May 28, letter accepting office of Lieutenant
+Governor; 1794, February 3, veto message; 1795, February 18, veto
+message; 1795, June 12, message on the resignation of Major General
+Lithgow; 1795, June 17, message upon the election of an additional
+major general; 1795, June 22, message as to suspicious vessel in Boston
+Harbor; 1796, February 2, message on petition of Willard Griffith;
+1796, February 24, message as to suit on bond of S. Ely; 1796, February
+27, message as to vacancies in excise offices; 1796, June I, message as
+to the Massachusetts-Connecticut boundary; 1796, June I, message as to
+troubles in Hancock County; 1796, November 22, message as to vacancies
+in Council; 1797, February 1, message on the militia system; 1797,
+February 13, message on the Nantucket Bank.
+
+The Independent Chronicle contains the following papers which have not
+been used: 1794, June 27, proclamation upon rioting in Boston; 1795,
+June 21, proclamation as to the burning of the "Betsey"; 1795, June 26,
+proclamation offering a reward in connection with the "Betsey."
+
+The Life of Samuel Adams, by W. V. Wells, vol. iii., pp. 379-381,
+contains the will of Samuel Adams, dated December 29, 1790, and also a
+number of letters printed only in part, which have not been used.
+
+There have also been omitted a number of relatively unimportant papers,
+such as a brief committee report of November 30, 1785 (Manuscript
+Documents, 1785, Boston City Clerk's office); a brief letter to
+Elbridge Gerry, recommending Thomas Melville, February 20, 1789 (Emmet
+Papers, Lenox Library); a note of introduction to John Adams, June 18,
+1782 (Washburn Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society); two letters
+to Thomas McKean, November 7, 1781, and June 7, 1782, and one to
+Woodbury Langdon, September 1, 1784 (Library of the Historical Society
+of Pennsylvania); a note of introduction to Richard Henry Lee, December
+9, 1784 (Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society); and a brief note
+to Rochambeau, May, 17, 1794 (Library of Congress). A few original
+manuscripts, such as a letter of November 8, 1784, to John Avery and a
+letter of January 22, 1794, to George Clinton, have passed into private
+hands at auction sales. Certain manuscripts have been withheld by their
+owners; but in most instances the entire text of the same has been
+available, so that it is believed that all the important existing
+materials of Adams have been comprised in these volumes.
+
+
+
+PROCLAMATION.
+
+MARCH 20, 1797.
+
+[Independent Chronicle, March 30, 1797; the text is in W. V. Wells,
+Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 365, 366.]
+
+By Authority. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
+
+BY THE GOVERNOR,
+
+A PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF SOLEMN FASTING AND PRAYER.
+
+IT having been the invariable practice derived from the days of our
+renowned ancestors, at this season of the year to set apart a Day of
+Public Fasting and Prayer: And the practice appearing to be in itself
+productive, if well improved, of happy effects on the public mind--
+
+I have therefore thought fit, by & with the advice and consent of the
+Council, to appoint Thursday, the FOURTH day of May next ensuing, to be
+observed and improved throughout this Commonwealth for the purpose of
+PUBLIC FASTING AND PRAYER: Earnestly recommending to the Ministers of
+the Gospel with their respective Congregations then to assemble
+together and seriously to consider, and with one united voice confess
+our past sins and transgressions, with holy resolutions, by the Grace
+of God, to turn our feet into the path of His Law-- Humbly beseeching him
+to endue us with all the Christian Spirit of Piety, Benevolence and the
+Love of our Country; and that in all our public deliberations we may be
+possessed of a sacred regard to the fundamental principles of our free
+elective civil Constitutions--That we may be preserved from consuming
+Fires and all other desolating Judgments.
+
+And as at this season the general business of the year commences, it
+seems highly proper humbly to implore the divine blessing on our
+Husbandry, Trade, and Fishery, and all the labour of our hands--On our
+University and Schools of Education--On the Administration of the
+Government of the United States and of this and the other States of the
+Union --On the foreign relations of the United States; and in a particular
+manner that all misunderstanding between them and a Sister Republic may
+be happily, so adjusted as to prevent an open Rupture, and establish
+Peace.
+
+And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the
+great Family of Man, I concede we cannot better express ourselves than
+by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the World--That the rod of
+tyrants may be broken into pieces, and the oppressed made Free--That wars
+may cease in all the Earth, and that the confusions that are and have
+been among the Nations may be overruled for the promoting and speedily
+bringing on that holy and happy period, when the Kingdom of our Lord
+and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all the
+people willingly bow to the Sceptre of Him who is the Prince of Peace.
+
+And I do hereby recommend that all unnecessary labour and recreation
+may be suspended on the said day.
+
+Given at the Council Chamber in Boston, this 20th day of March, in the
+Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety seven, and in
+the twenty first Year of the Independence of the United States of
+America.
+
+SAMUEL ADAMS.
+
+Attest, JOHN AVERY, Secretary.
+
+GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS!
+
+
+
+TO JOHN ADAMS.
+
+[MS., Adams Papers, Quincy.]
+
+BOSTON April 17th 1797
+
+SIR
+
+I am loth to trespass one moment upon your time, which at present must
+be very precious. But I am induced even to offer Mr Wyllys this
+recommendatory Letter to you. He is a native of our Commonwealth, and
+lately a traveller in Europe. Tho his travels have been merely on
+Mercantile Business, he appears to be very intelligent, observing, and
+impartial. He has seen Italy; and conversed among others with Genl
+Buonoparte and the Pope. He has visited a number of the Italian States,
+also Algiers and France.--I flatter myself you will be pleased with his
+conversation and hope you will find it usefull to you. This is the only
+motive for my addressing a Letter to you at this Time. I congratulate
+you as the first Citizen of the United States--I may add of the World. I
+am my dear Sir, notwithstanding I have been otherwise represented in
+party papers.
+
+Your Old and unvaried Friend,
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1801
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
+
+[MS., Library of Congress; a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox
+Library.]
+
+BOSTON, April 24th, 1801
+
+MY VERY DEAR FRIEND
+
+Your Letter of the 29th of March came duly to my hand. I sincerely
+congratulate our Country on the arrival of the day of Glory which has
+called you to the first office in the administration of our federal
+Government. Your warm feeling of friendship must certainly have carried
+you to a higher tone of expression than my utmost merits will bear. If
+I have at any time been avoided or frowned upon, your kind ejaculation
+in the language of the most perfect friend of Man, surpasses every
+injury. The Storm is now over, and we are in port, and I dare say, the
+ship will be rigged for her proper service; she must also be well man'd
+and very carefully officered. No man can be fit to sustain an office
+who cannot consent to the principles by which he must be governed. With
+you, I hope, we shall once more see harmony restored; but after so
+severe and long a storm, it will take a proportionate time to still the
+raging of the waves. The World has been governed by prejudice and
+passion, which never can be friendly to truth; and while you nobly
+resolve to retain the principles of candour and of justice, resulting
+from a free elective Representative Government, such as they have been
+taught to hate and despise; you must depend upon being hated yourself,
+because they hate your principles, not a man of them dare openly to
+despise you; your inaugural speech, to say nothing of your eminent
+services to the acceptance of our Country, will secure you from
+contempt. It may require some time before the great body of our fellow
+citizens will settle in harmony good humour and peace. When deep
+prejudices shall be removed in some, the self interestedness of others
+shall cease and many honest Men, whose minds for want of better
+information have been clouded, shall return to the use of their own
+understanding, the happy and wished for time will come. The Eyes of the
+people have too generally been fast closed from the view of their own
+happiness, such alass has been always the lot of Man! but Providence,
+who rules the World, seems now to be rapidly changing the sentiments of
+Mankind in Europe and America. May Heaven grant that the principles of
+Liberty and virtue, truth and justice may pervade the whole Earth. I
+have a small circle of intimate friends, among whom Doctr Charles
+Jarvis is one; he is a man of much information and great integrity. I
+heartily wish there may be an epistolary correspondence between him and
+you. I should have written this Letter before, had not my faithfull
+friend and amanuensis John Avery, who is your friend as well as mine,
+been occupied in the business of his office of Secretary of this
+Commonwealth, which he attends with great punctuality and integrity. It
+is not in my power my dear friend, to give you council; an Old Man is
+apt to flatter himself, that he stands upon an equal footing with
+younger Men; he indeed cannot help feeling that the powers of his Mind,
+as well as his body are weakened; but he relies upon his memory, and
+fondly wishes his young friends to think that he can instruct them by
+his Experience, when in all probability he has forgot every trace of
+it, that was worth his memory. Be assured, that my esteem for you is as
+cordial, if possible, as yours is to me. Though an Old Man cannot
+advise you, he can give you his Blessing. You have devoutly my Blessing
+and my Prayers.
+
+My dear Mrs. Adams will not suffer me to close this Letter, till I let
+you know, that she recollects the pleasure and entertainment you
+afforded us, when you was about to embark for France, and hopes that
+your administration may be happy to yourself and prosperous to our
+Country.
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
+
+[MS., Library of Congress , a draft is in the Samuel Adams Papers,
+Lenox Library.]
+
+BOSTON Novemr 18th 1801
+
+MY DEAR FRIEND
+
+Doctr Eustis will be so kind as to deliver you this Letter.--I am
+persuaded you will find him a man of a candid and fair Mind and liberal
+sentiments.
+
+I congratulate you on the return of Peace. The War both in America and
+Europe was designed by Tyrant Kings to exterminate those rights and
+liberties which the Gracious Creator has granted to Man, and to sink
+the happiness resulting therefrom in ruin and oblivion.--Is there not, my
+friend, reason to believe, that the principles of Democratic
+Republicanism are already better understood than they were before; and
+that by the continued efforts of Men of Science and Virtue, they will
+extend more and more till the turbulent and destructive Spirit of War
+shall cease?--The proud oppressors over the Earth shall be totally broken
+down and those classes of Men who have hitherto been the victims of
+their rage and cruelty shall perpetually enjoy perfect Peace and Safety
+till time shall be no more.
+
+I am
+
+Your cordial friend
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+1802
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TO THOMAS PAINE
+
+[W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol iii , pp 372, 373]
+
+BOSTON, November 30, 1802.
+
+SIR,--
+
+I have frequently with pleasure reflected on your services to my native
+and your adopted country. Your Common Sense, and your Crisis,
+unquestionably awakened the public mind, and led the people loudly to
+call for a declaration of our national independence. I therefore
+esteemed you as a warm friend to the liberty and lasting welfare of the
+human race. But when I heard you had turned your mind to a defence of
+infidelity, I felt myself much astonished and more grieved, that you
+had attempted a measure so injurious to the feelings and so repugnant
+to the true interest of so great a part of the citizens of the United
+States. The people of New England, if you will allow me to use a
+Scripture phrase, are fast returning to their first love. Will you
+excite among them the spirit of angry controversy at a time when they
+are hastening to amity and peace? I am told that some of our newspapers
+have announced your intention to publish an additional pamphlet upon
+the principles of your Age of Reason. Do you think that your pen, or
+the pen of any other man, can unchristianize the mass of our citizens,
+or have you hopes of converting a few of them to assist you in so bad a
+cause? We ought to think ourselves happy in the enjoyment of opinion,
+without the danger of persecution by civil or ecclesiastical law. Our
+friend, the President of the United States, has been calumniated for
+his liberal sentiments by men who have attributed that liberality to a
+latent design to promote the cause of infidelity. This, and all other
+slanders, have been made without the least shadow of proof. Neither
+religion nor liberty can long subsist in the tumult of altercation, and
+amidst the noise and violence of faction. Felix qui cautus. Adieu.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE ORIGINAL WRITINGS OF SAMUEL ADAMS, VOLUME 4 ***
+
+This file should be named 4sdms10.txt or 4sdms10.zip
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 4sdms11.txt
+VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 4sdms10a.txt
+
+Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we usually do not
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance
+of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
+Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections,
+even years after the official publication date.
+
+Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til
+midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
+The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at
+Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month.  A
+preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
+and editing by those who wish to do so.
+
+Most people start at our Web sites at:
+https://gutenberg.org or
+http://promo.net/pg
+
+These Web sites include award-winning information about Project
+Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new
+eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!).
+
+
+Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement
+can get to them as follows, and just download by date.  This is
+also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
+indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
+announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
+
+http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext04 or
+ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext04
+
+Or /etext03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
+
+Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
+as it appears in our Newsletters.
+
+
+Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
+
+We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work.  The
+time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
+to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
+searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc.   Our
+projected audience is one hundred million readers.  If the value
+per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
+million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text
+files per month:  1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+
+We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002
+If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
+will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end.
+
+The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks!
+This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
+which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
+
+Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated):
+
+eBooks Year Month
+
+    1  1971 July
+   10  1991 January
+  100  1994 January
+ 1000  1997 August
+ 1500  1998 October
+ 2000  1999 December
+ 2500  2000 December
+ 3000  2001 November
+ 4000  2001 October/November
+ 6000  2002 December*
+ 9000  2003 November*
+10000  2004 January*
+
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
+to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people
+and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
+Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
+Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
+Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
+Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
+Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South
+Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
+Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
+
+We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones
+that have responded.
+
+As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list
+will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states.
+Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state.
+
+In answer to various questions we have received on this:
+
+We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally
+request donations in all 50 states.  If your state is not listed and
+you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have,
+just ask.
+
+While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are
+not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting
+donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to
+donate.
+
+International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about
+how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made
+deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are
+ways.
+
+Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
+
+Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+PMB 113
+1739 University Ave.
+Oxford, MS 38655-4109
+
+Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment
+method other than by check or money order.
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by
+the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN
+[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154.  Donations are
+tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.  As fund-raising
+requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be
+made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states.
+
+We need your donations more than ever!
+
+You can get up to date donation information online at:
+
+https://www.gutenberg.org/donation.html
+
+
+***
+
+If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
+you can always email directly to:
+
+Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com>
+
+Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
+
+We would prefer to send you information by email.
+
+
+**The Legal Small Print**
+
+
+(Three Pages)
+
+***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START***
+Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
+They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
+your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from
+someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
+fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
+disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
+you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to.
+
+*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK
+By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
+eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
+this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
+a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by
+sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
+you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical
+medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
+
+ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS
+This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks,
+is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
+through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
+Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
+on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
+distribute it in the United States without permission and
+without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
+below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook
+under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
+
+Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
+any commercial products without permission.
+
+To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable
+efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
+works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any
+medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
+things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
+intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
+disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer
+codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
+
+LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
+But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
+[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
+receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims
+all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
+legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
+UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
+INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
+OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
+POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of
+receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
+you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
+time to the person you received it from. If you received it
+on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
+such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
+copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
+choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
+receive it electronically.
+
+THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
+TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+
+Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
+the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
+above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
+may have other legal rights.
+
+INDEMNITY
+You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
+and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
+with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
+texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
+legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
+following that you do or cause:  [1] distribution of this eBook,
+[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook,
+or [3] any Defect.
+
+DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
+You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by
+disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
+"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
+or:
+
+[1]  Only give exact copies of it.  Among other things, this
+     requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
+     eBook or this "small print!" statement.  You may however,
+     if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable
+     binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
+     including any form resulting from conversion by word
+     processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
+     *EITHER*:
+
+     [*]  The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
+          does *not* contain characters other than those
+          intended by the author of the work, although tilde
+          (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
+          be used to convey punctuation intended by the
+          author, and additional characters may be used to
+          indicate hypertext links; OR
+
+     [*]  The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at
+          no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
+          form by the program that displays the eBook (as is
+          the case, for instance, with most word processors);
+          OR
+
+     [*]  You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
+          no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
+          eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
+          or other equivalent proprietary form).
+
+[2]  Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this
+     "Small Print!" statement.
+
+[3]  Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
+     gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
+     already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  If you
+     don't derive profits, no royalty is due.  Royalties are
+     payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
+     the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
+     legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
+     periodic) tax return.  Please contact us beforehand to
+     let us know your plans and to work out the details.
+
+WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
+Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
+public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
+in machine readable form.
+
+The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
+public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
+Money should be paid to the:
+"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
+software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
+hart@pobox.com
+
+[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only
+when distributed free of all fees.  Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by
+Michael S. Hart.  Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be
+used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be
+they hardware or software or any other related product without
+express permission.]
+
+*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END*
+
diff --git a/2094.zip b/2094.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d8100d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2094.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac8a1e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #2094 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2094)