Collections Online

Letter from the Sons of Liberty to John Adams, 5 February 1766

Letter from the Sons of Liberty to John Adams, 5 February 1766 Manuscript

page:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

    • To order an image, navigate to the full
    display and click "request this image"
    on the blue toolbar.

    Manuscript

    Pages 1 and 2: 33.1 cm x 21.1 cm; page 3: 26 cm x 21.1 cm

    From the Adams Family Papers


      Choose an alternate description of this item written for these projects:
    • Main description

    [ This description is from the project: Coming of the American Revolution ]

    In this letter the Sons of Liberty reach out to John Adams, seeking his participation in colonial opposition to the Stamp Act.

    "Certain Mutual and Reciprocal Agreements"

    By the fall of 1765, Sons of Liberty in many colonies express an interest in regularizing colonial opposition to the Stamp Act. The effort begins in New York when the Sons of Liberty create a committee to correspond with other colonies. On 25 December, representatives from the Sons of Liberty in New York and Connecticut meet to formalize an alliance. In January, Sons in New York establish a correspondence network with Sons in Boston and Albany. Gradually, the communication network spreads from town to town and colony to colony, as far south as Virginia. In Boston, the Sons of Liberty reach out to supporters, such as John Adams, in neighboring communities.

    Questions to Consider

    1. In what ways do the Sons of Liberty in New York and Connecticut pledge to support each other?

    2. What do the Sons of Liberty ask John Adams to do?

    3. Where is John Adams to send the information he gathers? Why do you think this is so?

    Further Exploration

    4. Why would the Sons of Liberty reach out to John Adams in order to spread their message? Why do they think he will be a good messenger for the Sons of Liberty?

    5. Why is it important for the Sons of Liberty in multiple colonies to coordinate their resistance efforts?

    6. Research Sons of Liberty activities in another colony. How were their activities similar to or different from the activities of the Boston Sons of Liberty?