Papers of John Adams, volume 8

From James Lovell

To the President of the Congress

To Samuel Chase, 23 September 1779 JA Chase, Samuel

1779-09-23

To Samuel Chase, 23 September 1779 Adams, John Chase, Samuel
To Samuel Chase
Dear Sir Boston septr. 23. 1779

I had yesterday the Pleasure of your kind Letter of the 2d1 of this Month. I should not have sat down in so much Haste as I am in at present, even to acknowledge the Receipt of it, if it was not for the Extraordinary Intelligence it contains, of some Merchandizes shipped to me from Amsterdam, in the sloop Porpus. There must be some Mistake in this, as I knew nothing of it. I never heard nor dreamed of a sloop Porpus, nor of any Goods of any Kind shipped or to be shipped to me from Amsterdam. If there is not Some other Person of the same 168Name, for whom they were intended, Somebody must have made Use of mine by Mistake or by Malice.

I thank, you, sir, for your friendly Advice. I have had and Still have an Opinion of my own, but I have been joined to no Faction, nor attached to any Party, farther than that Party was supported by Justice and by Truth, which are the only foundations, according to my Creed of sound Policy. I am, sir, with much Respect & Esteem, sir your most obedient servant

Dft (Adams Papers). The draft is on the blank fourth page of Chase's letter to JA of 3 Sept. (above).

1.

Chase's letter is clearly dated the 3d.