Papers of John Adams, volume 3
1775-07-24
I am this far arrived on my way Home. Give Me Leave to introduce to your Notice Mr. George Lux a Son of a Gentleman who is my particular Friend, a Man of the most worthy and amiable Character, he is bound for our Camp and would be glad to carry your Commands to any of your Friends. Mr. Cary, Mr. Hopkins and Smith, young Gentlemen of Balt. Town, are also for our Camp and worthy of Attention.2
I met the enclosed from a young Gentleman in my office. The Contents will please You.3
94My warmest Wishes attend You and your worthy Brethren. I beg a Line. Your Affectionate and Obedient Servant
Since JA refers to Chase's mention of these men in letters of 27 and 28 July to James Warren and William Tudor (below), a Monday date of 24 July would seem reasonable.
George Lux was the son of William Lux, Baltimore merchant and shipowner (JA, Diary and Autobiography
, 2:258, note). Although Cary has been identified as Richard Cary, aide to Washington, he, according to Freeman, was from Virginia rather than Baltimore (Freeman, Washington
, 4:124, note;
Warren-Adams Letters
, 1:93, note). Smith and Hopkins remain unidentified.
The enclosure was very likely a letter of 21 July to Chase from Thomas Maddux Jr., which reported that a Liverpool ship which had salt, cheese, and dry goods on board grounded near the West River and was burned by local people before Baltimoreans could get their hands on it. The letter also reported that the ship's owner had assured the doubtful captain before he sailed for America that 10,000 troops would arrive before him to protect him against violence. Finally, the letter mentioned a rumor that Gage had been taken prisoner (Adams Papers).