[This is a 19th century transcription of one of two letters John Adams wrote on 24 July 1775 that fell into enemy hands. This transcription, part of the Adams family papers, was apparently made for John Quincy Adams. Attached to the transcription is a document with writing on two sides; one side appears to be a 19th century copy of the postscript and address of the letter from John to Abigail, and the other side appears to be an 18th century original note.] [Philadelphia July 24th, 1775]
My dear,
It is now almost three Months since I left you, in every Part of which my Anxiety about you and the Children, as well as my ourCountry, has been extreme.
The Business I have had upon my Mind has been as great and important as can be intrusted to [One] Man, and the Difficulty and Intricacy of it is prodigious. When 50 or 60 Men have a Constitution to form for a great Empire, at the same Time that they have a Country of fifteen hundred Miles extent to fortify, Millions to arm and train, a Naval Power to begin, an extensive Commerce to regulate, numerous Tribes of Indians to negotiate with, a standing Army of Twenty seven Thousand Men to raise, pay,of victual and officer, I really shall pity those 50 or 60 Men.I must see you e'er long. -----Rice, has wrote me a very good Letter, and so has Thaxter, for which I thank them both. Love to the Children.
J.A..
P. S. I wish I had given you a compleat History from the Beginning to the End of the Journey, of the Behaviour of my Compatriots. No martialMortal Tale could equal it. I will tell you in Future, but youmust shall keep it secret. The Fidgets, the Whims, the Caprice, the Vanity, the Superstition, the Irritability of some of us, is enough to ------
Yr.
J. A.
To Mrs. Abigail Adams Braintrie, to the Care of Col. Warren, favor d by Mr. Hichborne.
Page 2
P. S. I wish I had given you a compleat History from the Beginning to the End of the Journey, of the Behaviour of my Compatriots. No martialMortal Tale could equal it. I will tell you in Future, but youmust shall keep it secret. The Fidgets, the Whims, the Caprice, the Vanity, the Superstition, the Irritability of some of us, is enough to ------
Yr.
J. A.
To Mrs. Abigail Adams Braintrie, to the Care of Col. Warren, favor d by Mr. Hichborne.
Page 3
[Endorsement -- see page image]
[The following undated and unsigned message appears to be an 18th century note:] Hon. Sir.
If Col. Hatch is with you please to let him see this which has been corrected by one in the hands of Judge [Peter] Oliver.
Mrs. Adams is daughter of a clergyman at Weymouth, and Thaxter is a clerk to her husband.
