Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams
Volume 3, May 1775 – January 1776

Front Matter

Title Page

Copyright Page

Sponsors of Print Edition

Advisory Board

Contents

Descriptive List of Illustrations

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Guide to Editorial Apparatus

Documents

2 May 1775Dr sir We are very anxious to know the State of Things at Boston, Cambridge, Watertown and Roxbury. The Accounts We have here are very confused and u...

3 May 1775Dear Sir I have only One Moments opportunity of acknowledging your favor of the 30th of Decr and of informing you that the Packet inclosed was sent a...

7 May 1775My Dear Sir After I had Executed my Commission at Providence, I Returned Home set Mrs. Warren down in her own Habitation, made the best provision I c...

3 June 1775

12 June 1775 Resolved that it be and hereby it is recommended to the Inhabitants of the united Colonies in America of all Denominations That Thursday the 20th day...

20 May 1775Dear Sir Having wrote fully upon several Subjects to Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams, upon several Matters which they will communicate to you, I can only a...

21 May 1775My dear Friend I am vastly obliged to you for your Letter. It was like cold Water to a thirsty Soul. We Suffer, greatly for Want of News from you and...

26 May 1775Dr Sir The Bearers of this are two young Gentlemen from Maryland, of one of the best and first Families in that Province. One of them is a Lawyer, th...

29 May 1775Dr Sir The Bearers of this are two young Gentlemen from Maryland. Aquilla Hall and Josias Carvill Hall, both of one of the best Families in Maryland,...

1 June 1775Honour'd Sir An ancient, and accounted a long headed Man, in these parts, has drop'd some words devising a scheme of reconciliation between the Colon...

5 June 1775Sir While you are anxiously engaged to preserve the rights of your Country, I cannot entertain the least doubt, but you will readily excuse this addr...

7 June 1775Dear Sir We have been puzzled to discover, what we ought to do, with the Canadians and Indians. Several Persons, have been before the Congress who ha...

9 June 1775Sir The great Character he hath heard of you, induces a private Man to offer to your Consideration the following Hints, with an Assurance, that your ...

10 June 1775Dr Sir It would be a Relief to my Mind, if I could write freely to you concerning the Sentiments Principles, Facts and Arguments which are laid befor...

10 June 1775Dr Sir I have written a few Lines to Dr Warren to whom I refer you. It is of vast Importance that the officers of our Army should be impressed with t...

11 June 1775Dr Sir Mr. Gadsden of South Carolina whose Fame you must have heard, was in his younger Years, an officer, on board the Navy, and is well acquainted ...

11 June 1775My Dear Sir Since my last I have waited with Impatience to hear from you. I mean Individually. The public Expectation to hear from the Congress is gr...

18 June 1775Dear Sir I have at last obtained liberty, by a vote of Congress, to acquaint my friends with a few of the things that have been done. The Congress ha...

19 June 1775My dear Friend I thank you for your Several favors, the last of which, the 10th Inst., I just now received. I have not had time to write, and thro' a...

19 June 177520 June 1775Dear Sir In Complyance with your Request, I have considered of what you proposed, and am obliged to give you my Sentiments, very briefly, and in grea...

20 June 1775Dr Sir We send you for your Comfort the Generals Washington and Lee with Commissions for Ward and Putnam: together with a Vote to Support about twent...

20 June 1775Dr sir I have lamented excessively the Want of your Correspondence ever since I have been here. Not a Line from Dr. Winthrop, Dr. Cooper, Mr. Kent, S...

20 June 1775My Friend This Letter will go by the sage, brave, and amiable General Washington, to whom I have taken the Liberty of mentioning your Name. The Congr...

20 June 1775My Dear Sir Since my last I have the pleasure of Several of yours. I am Extreamly obliged to you, and to continue your Attention to me in this way ca...

20 June 1775Gentlemen I Received the Letters, with which you were pleased to favor me per Mr. Fessenden on Saturday last being the 18th Instant, at a Critical Ti...

21 June 1775Dr Sir Major Mifflin goes in the Character of Aid de Camp to General Washington. I wish You to be acquainted with him, because, he has great Spirit A...

21 June 1775Dr Sir This Letter I presume will be delivered into your own Hand by the General. He proposes to set out, tomorrow, for your Camp. God Speed him. Lee...

21 June 1775Dear Sir I received your favor of May 29 by Messrs. Halls. I was much concerned that I had it not in my power to treat those young Gentlemen with as ...

22 June 1775Sir In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in g...

26 June 1775Dear Sir You will doubtless before the Receipt of this have heard of the bloody Engagement at Charlestown. For a particular Account of it I must refe...

27 June 1775My dear Friend I am extreamly obliged to you for your Favour of the 20th. of June. The last Fall, I had a great many Friends who kept me continually ...

27 June 1775My Dear Sir I feel great reluctance in suffering any Opportunity to pass without writeing to you. I can easily suppose your Anxiety as well as Curios...

1 July 1775Dear Sir I am Now Acompanyg Genl. Washington and Lee from Springfield to the Camp—having been appointed by Congress with Doctr. Church to proceed to ...

5 July 1775 The bearers of this letter, Mr. Stephen Collins and Mr. John Kaign, are of the peaceable society called Quakers or Friends, yet they are possessed of...

5 July 1775Dear sir I have had the pleasure of seeing several of your Letters in which you Complain that your friends are Rather remiss With Regard to writing y...

6 July 1775Dear Sir I have at last the Pleasure of acknowledging your Favour of the 26. June. I have mourned, week after Week, the loss of all my old Correspond...

6 July 1775Dear Sir Every Line I receive from you, gives me great Pleasure, and is of vast Use to me in the public Cause. Your Letters were very usefull to me l...

6 July 1775Dr Sir I have this Moment Sealed a Letter to you which is to go by my hospitable, honest, benevolent Friend Stephen Collins. But, I have several Part...

6 July 1775Dr Sir I received your very kind Letter last Evening and this Morning had the Honour of being introduc'd to Genl. Washington by Majr. Mifflin, and th...

7 July 1775Dr Sir I received yours of the 20th June, and am very much obliged to you, for your Kindness in mentioning my Name to General Washington. I have sinc...

7 July 1775My Dear Sir I am much Obliged to you for your favours by the Sage, Brave, and Amiable General Washington, by Major Mifflin, and by the Express, which...

10 July 1775Dr Sir I have just Time to inclose You, a Declaration and an Address. How you will like them I know not. A Petition was Sent Yesterday, by Mr. Richar...

11 July 1775Hond & Dr Sir I have the Pleasure of inclosing you, a Declaration. Some call it a Manifesto. And We might easily have occasioned a Debate of half a D...

11 July 1775Dear Sir Every line from you gives me much satisfaction, my Heart Sympathizes with you in your present distress. I cannot write so fully as I could W...

11 July 1775Dear Sir Your amiable Lady tells me, you have often complained of your Friends not writing to you. I should have wrote to you, but was unwilling to b...

11 July 1775My dear Sir I wrote you several days ago, and wrote in a hurry, Expecting the Generals Express would be along before I could finish, but he has been ...

14 July 1775Dear Sir I have, since I have had the Happiness to see you become a Son of Mars. Should have done myself the Pleasure of writing before this had not ...

19 July 1775Dr. Sir I am much oblig'd by your Letter of 6th. Instant and will now attempt in Part to comply with your Request. Things have remaind tolerably quie...

20 July 1775My Dear Sir I yesterday returned from Plymouth where I had opportunity of spending only three or four days in such a hurry of private Business as wou...

23 July 1775Dr sir We live in Times, when it is necessary to look about Us, and to know the Character of every Man, who is concerned in any material Branch of pu...

23 July 1775Dr Sir I have many Things to write you, which thro Haste and Confusion, I fear, I Shall forget. Upon the Receipt of General Washingtons Letter, the M...

24 July 1775Dear Sir In Confidence,—I am determined to write freely to you this Time. —A certain great Fortune and piddling Genius whose Fame has been trumpeted ...

24 July 1775Dear Sir 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 Fri...

25 July 1775Watertown, 25 July 1775. (M-Ar: Mass. House of Representatives Records, 57:263). As speaker, James Warren notified and the other members of the dele...

25 July 1775 In Obedience to the above Order of Congress, this Committee have enquired into the Premises, and, upon the best Information obtained, find, that the ...

26 July 1775Dear Sir I can never Sufficiently regret, that this Congress have acted So much out of Character, as to leave the Appointment of the Quarter Master G...

26 July 1775Dr sir I shall make you sick at the Sight of a Letter from me. I find by Edes's Paper that Joseph Pearse Palmer is Quarter Master General. I confess ...

27 July 1775Dear sir The Congress have this Day, made an establishment of an Hospital and appointed Dr. Church Director and surgeon and have done themselves the ...

28 July 1775Dear Sir Mr. Lux, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Smith, with Mr. Cary, all from Baltimore, are bound as Voluntiers to the Camp. Beg the Favour of you, to treat the...

29 July 1775Dear Sir I had yesterday the honour of your letter of July the eleventh, and I feel myself much obliged, by your kind attention to me and my family, ...

30 July 1775Dear Sir For the Honour of the Massachusetts I have laboured in Conjunction with my Brethren to get you chosen Paymaster General, and Succeeded So we...

31 July 1775Dear Sir I have this Minute your Favour of 23d. July. We have had, Saturday Night and last Night much skirmishing between the ministerial and contine...

31 July 1775My Dear Sir I had the pleasure of your favours of the 23d. Instant Yesterday. I am glad to find that you have appointed Thomas the first Brigadier th...

2 August 1775Sir To your request that I would give you my sentiments on the important subject of your Commission which so much interests the defence of these Colo...

9 August 1775My Dear Sir I have very Accidentally heard of this Opportunity by Mr. Brown and have so short Notice of it that I can do little more than Acknowledge...

John Adams' Service in the Council10–30 August 1775

19 August 1775 THE COMMITTEE [to consider what is proper to be done with the Letters of the late Govr Hutchinson and how they shall be preserv'd] Report, that it is...

11 August 1775Sir I receiv'd yours of the 7th Instant, and Consider'd the Contents. To comply with every part, so as to make it Inteligable so far as fully to expl...

Joseph Frye to John Adams, with an Account of Frye's Military Services

25 August 1775Sir I have taken leave to Send you Enclos'd herewith, a brief account of the Several Stations in which I have Serv'd my Country in a Military way—as ...

25 August 1775In 1745 He was an Ensign of a Company in Colo. Robert Hales Regiment at the Reduction of Louisbourg. In 1746, He was made a Lieutenant in Major Moses ...

25 August 1775Sir I have this minit received the Inclosed account and Imbrace the oppertunity of Conveying it to you by Mr. Pain. I am Sir your most obediant Huml ...

25 August 1775Sir I have received a Line from my Brother which informs me of your desire of a particular Account of the Action at Charlestown. It is not in my Powe...

26 August 1775Madam I have been, the happiest Man, these two Days past, that I know of, in the World. I have compared myself, in my own Mind, with all my Friends, ...

1 August 177531 August 1775Dear Sir You was inquiring the other Day into the Office of Judge Advocate. I will now acquaint you with some Particulars in that Department which wi...

4 September 1775Sir This afternoon came to Hand your Favour of August 26. May you ever have it in your power to expatiate this Largly on your own Happiness, but I wo...

6 September 1775Watertown, 6 September 1775. Printed form with spaces filled in appropriately (Adams Papers); signed by Perez Morton, Deputy Secretary, and fifteen Co...

11 September 1775My Dear Sir I please myself with the probability that before this you are safely arrived at Philadelphia, after having fine weather for Journeying. I...

John Adams' Service in the Continental Congress13 September – 9 December 1775

5 October 1775 Resolved, That a letter be sent by Express to Genl Washington, to inform him, that they Congress having received certain intelligence of the sailing ...

16 October 1775 The Committee appointed to enquire, what Powder has been Sent to the Army in the Northern Department, have attended that service and beg Leave to rep...

19 October 1775Sir The continental congress having been pleased to appoint us a committe for collecting an account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial t...

3 November 17753 November 1775. not found. printed: JCC, 3:319. Based on a report (not found) from a committee appointed 26 October composed of John Rutledge, , Sam...

7 November 1775To Silas Deane Esqr. You are desired to repair immediately to the City of New York, and there purchase a Ship suitable for carrying 20 nine pounders ...

9 November 1775 Proposals. That two Battallions of Marines be raised consisting of one Collonell, two Lt. Collonells, two Majors &c. (officers as usual in other Regi...

27 November 1775Sir The Congress are now preparing two Ships and two Brigantines to be fitted out as soon as possible to cruise against our common enemy. They have t...

28 November 177531 December 1775 ART. 1. The Commanders of all ships and vessels belonging to the THIRTEEN UNITED COLONIES, are strictly required to shew in themselves a good example...

14 September 1775

17 September 1775Dr sir I have nothing in particular to write. Our most gracious K—— has given a fresh Proof of his Clemency, in his Answer to the City. But no more o...

19 September 1775Dear Sir I have but a moments Time to write and nothing of Importance to say. Mr. Randolph, our former President is here, and Sits very humbly in his...

19 September 1775My Dear Sir I had fixed a determination in my own mind to omitt no Oppertunity of writeing either to you, or my Friend Mr. S. Adams, but I have Indee...

22 September 1775Dear Sir Under my adverse Circumstances, I stood, and still stand in great Need of your Advice; and am therefore, very sorry I had not an Opportunity...

26 September 1775Dr Sir This Afternoon, and not before I received a Line from the excellent Marcia, which is the first and only Letter I have received from the Family...

26 September 1775Madam Your Favour, by my Friend Collins, never reached me till this Evening. At Newport, concluding to go by Water, he put it into the Post office, l...

28 September 1775Dr sir I write at this Time, only to remind you that I have received no Letters. Let me intreat the earliest Attention of our Houses, to the Accounts...

30 September 1775Dr sir Mr. Lynch, Coll. Harrison, and Dr. Franklyn are preparing for a Journey to Watertown and Cambridge, one of whom will do me the Favour of takin...

30 September 1775Philadelphia, 30 September 1775. offered for sale by Parke-Bernet Gallery, N.Y., Gribbel sale, pt. 2, 22–24 Jan. 1941, lot 2. Addressed to James Warr...

30 September 1775Dear Sir The manoeuvers of the Camp have afforded Nothing important for a month past. The Works at Plough'd Hill are finish'd, but are useless, becau...

1 October 1775Dr Sir I have at last the Pleasure to mention to you what I Suppose Mr. H. has informed you of, before, vizt that the Pay of the Judge Advocate is ra...

1 October 1775Dear sir This Morning I received your kind Favours of the 11th. and 19th. Ultimo—with the Enclosures. Drapers Paper is a great Curiosity and you will...

1 October 1775My Dear Sir An Event has lately taken place here, which makes much Noise, and gives me much Uneasiness not only as it Affects the Character, and may ...

2 October 1775Dr sir I do myself the Honour of writing to you for the sake of introducing to you Three Gentlemen, whose Characters and Embassy will render any priv...

2 October 1775Dr sir I believe you will have a surfeit of Letters from me, for they will be as inane, as they are numerous. The Bearer of this is Major Bayard a Ge...

2 October 1775Dr sir I do myself the Honour of writing you, a very few Lines, just for the Sake of introducing to you, the Gentlemen who compose a Committee of thi...

5 October 1775Sir I never had the Pleasure of a Correspondence or any particular Acquaintance with you, which can justify the Freedom I have taken of giving you th...

5 October 1775My Dr Sir As you may possibly harbour some suspicions that a certain passage in your intercepted letters have made some disagreeable impressions on m...

6 October 1775Dear Sir Two days ago I had the Pleasure of yours of Septr. 22. I am very Sorry to learn from your Letter that you have occasion for any Advice of mi...

7 October 1775Dr sir The Debates, and Deliberations in Congress are impenetrable Secrets: but the Conversations in the City, and the Chatt of the Coffee house, are...

8 October 1775Dear Sir You will not think your Time misspent in Perusing any Plans for the Service of your Country, even altho they may prove, upon Examination chi...

10 October 1775Dr Sir Mr. Jonathan Mifflin, a young Gentleman of this City, a Relation of our Friend the Quarter Master General will hand you this Letter. I believe...

12 October 1775Dr sir I have received yours of the first of this Instant and am glad to find you have me still in Remembrance. I wrote you some time ago, and ventur...

John Adams to James Warren, with a Proposal Regarding the Procurement of Powder

12 October 1775Dr Sir I would write often if I had any thing to communicate: But Obligations of Honour forbid some Communications and other Considerations prevent o...

12 October 1775As the Article of Powder is much wanted to carry on the operations vs the ministerial Army, and as the british Ministry, have taken every Step that hu...

12 October 1775My Dear Sir I have only a Minute to Cover the Inclosed Letters. I have been on an Excursion to Plymouth for a Week and returned Yesterday with Mrs. W...

12 October 1775 I Write again from Waterton, where I Arrived Yesterday with your Excelent Friend who has been so much Engaged by his Necessary Attention to public af...

13 October 1775My dear Sir Your obliging Favour of the fifth Inst. I this Moment received, and give me Leave to assure you that no Letter I ever received, gave me g...

13 October 1775 Yours of october 1. and 2d I received this Morning with the Letters inclosed. These were from my afflicted Wife, giving me Such a continued History o...

16 October 1775Gentlemen I have been here, almost ever since I had the Pleasure of seeing you at Fairfield, and have attentively observed the Conduct of these Peopl...

18 October 1775Dr sir The Letter of Dr—— is the oddest Thing imaginable. There are so many Lies in it, calculated to give the Enemy an high Idea of our Power and Im...

18 October 1775Gentlemen Since I closed my last, of this Morning, I have been inform'd of a most curious Motion that was made in Committee, last Evening, by a Membe...

19 October 1775My dear sir It was the latter End of August that I left you. All September has run away, and 19 days in Octr.—and We have had no regular Intelligence...

19 October 1775Dr Sir What Think you of an American Fleet? I dont mean 100 ships of the Line, by a Fleet, but I Suppose this Term may be applied to any naval Force ...

19 October 1775Dr sir I want to be with you, Tete a Tete, to canvass, and discuss the complicated subject of Trade. I Say nothing of private Consultations or public...

20 October 1775Dear Sir Can The Inhabitants of North America live without foreign Trade? There is Beef and Pork, and Poultry, and Mutton and Venison and Veal, Milk,...

20 October 1775Dr sir The Bearer of this is John McPherson Esq. He is a Genius—an old Sea Warriour, Nine or ten Times wounded in Sea Fights. He has a son in the Ser...

20 October 1775My Dear Sir After an Interval much longer than I ever designed should take place, I now set down to write again. The Multiplicity of Business, and th...

21 October 1775Dear Sir I believe I shall surfeit you with Letters, which contain nothing, but Recommendations of Gentlemen to your Attention, especially as you hav...

21 October 1775Dear Sir We must bend our Attention to Salt Petre. We must make it. While B. is Mistress of the Sea, and has so much Influence with foreign Courts, W...

21 October 1775Dr. Sir I must acknowledge myself culpable, by a Breach of Orders, should not have neglected writing, but for an almost invincible Disorder in My Han...

23 October 1775Dear Sir I have only Time to acquaint you that Yesterday, that eminent American, and most worthy Man The Honourable Peyton Randolph Esqr. our first v...

23 October 1775Dear Sir I have to acknowledge the Honor of the Receipt of yours of the 5th. Instant, and shall think myself fortunate if by writeing or Otherwise, I...

23 October 1775 Without apologizing for interrupting you a short Moment I have to inform you that Genl. Frye not receiving any Intelligence respecting himself, and b...

23 October 1775Sir Yesterday I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, a week after the arival of Mr. Lynch, although I had been twice in his company be­fore. I ...

23 October 1775Sir I have been long waiting for an opportunity to communicate some intelligence worthy of your notice, but nothing very important has taken place si...

24 October 1775Dear Sir When it is Said that it is the Prerogative of omniscience to Search Hearts, I Suppose it is meant that no human sagacity, can penetrate at a...

24 October 1775Sir I Received your favour of the fifth Instant, am Pleased to hear the Unanimity of the Colony's Increase, as the Salvation of our Country Depends o...

24 October 1775 The General Court of the Colony which you represent in Congress, now incloses you an application, made to your Honorable Assembly for a Grant of the ...

25 October 1775Sir A Method of collecting Salt Petre from the Air which is talked of here is this. Take of Lime and Ashes equal Quantities, and of horse dung a Quan...

25 October 1775Dear sir Governor Ward of Rhode Island has a son about five and twenty years old who has been so far carried away in the Absence of his Father, with ...

25 October 1775Dear Sir Upon the Receipt of the Intelligence of Dr. Church's Letter, Dr. Morgan was chosen in his Room. This Letter is intended to be sent by him, a...

William Gordon to John Adams, with a letter from Lemuel Hayward to William Gordon

25 October 1775My dear Sir I begin upon a half sheet, as a quarter may possibly not hold what I have to write, but should I comprehend the whole within that compass...

24 October 1775Sir I have attended the Hospital ever since about the middle of May last by Order from Genl. Thomas, but am unable to ascertain the Number I attended...

25 October 1775Sir I Recived your favor of the first Current and Note the Contents and in answer say that I am Obliged for this first favor of the Kind Since you ha...

25 October 1775Dear Sir I have now before me your obliging Letter of the 6th: Instant. It came to hand with another for your good Lady, which was imediately forward...

25 October 1775Dear Sir I wrote you by the Post 3 Weeks ago but have not been honour'd with a Line since your Returnto Philadelphia. I should write oftener but ever...

25 October 1775Dear Sir I received your Favor by Mr. Lynch. I was very sorry I had no opportunity of Shewing respectto the Gentlemen of the Congress, and was partic...

26 October 1775Sir Encourag'd by your kindly mentioning my name in your Letters to several Gentlemen this way I now take the liberty of writing to you. A number of ...

28 October 1775Dr Sir Our Association, against Importations and Exportations, from and to Gr. Britain, Ireland andthe British West Indies, if We consider its Influe...

28 October 1775Dear Sir If tears of blood were to follow my pen, they wou'd but faintly marke the distressing anxiety I have suffered for near three months past, to...

Perez Morton to John Adams, with a List of Superior Court Justices

28 October 1775Sir I am directed by the Major part of the Council of this Colony, to acquaint You, that by Virtue of the power and Authority in and by the Royal Cha...

28 October 1775Honble. John Adams Esqr. William Cushing Esqr. William Read Esqr. Honble. Rob. Treat Paine Esqr. Nathl. P. Sargent Esqr. ...

28 October 1775Dr Sir I received your Letter of the 12th. Instant by Mr. Tracy. But the One you mention to have sent me some Time before I never got. I am much obli...

28 October 1775My dear Sir I did not hear till Yesterday in the Afternoon that Coll. Reed had any Intention to leave us so soon and begin his Journey to Philadelphi...

31 October 1775 I received, this day with great Pleasure your Favour of the Twelfth and fourteenth Instant—and was the more gratified with it, because it was dated f...

31 October 1775Dear Sir Herewith you have a Copy of the Account of the Battle of Charlestown; the other matters will be attended to as soon as possible; That there ...

1 October 177531 October 1775Dr Sir What think you of a North American Monarchy? Suppose We should appoint a Continental King, and a Continental House of Lords, and a Continental...

1 October 177531 October 1775Sir The extensive system of policy which must engross your thoughts, and the vast field of business in which you are engaged, is such that I feel som...

1 November 1775Honored Sir The small Acquaintance I have had with your Honor emboldens me to write you on an Affair which has given me no small degree of Perplexity...

1 November 1775Sir I wrote you some time since the Gentlemen of the Committee from the Congress and presume'd to trouble you once more on the Account of the Hospita...

4 November 1775 I have no other excuse for troubling you with another Letter but to inform you that my other ought to have been dated at Roxbury Camp Octr. 23d. pard...

4 November 1775Sir I beg leave to recommend to your Notice Capt. Price, the Bearer of this, who has commanded one of the Companies of Riflemen in this Encampment; h...

5 November 1775Dear Sir I am under Such Restrictions, Injunctions and Engagements of Secrecy respecting every Thing which passes in Congress, that I cannot communic...

5 November 1775My dear Sir I take an opportunity by this Express, to thank you for Me Fingal, a Poem which has been shewn me within a few days. It is excellent, and...

5 November 1775 My dear Sir I must begin every Letter with Thanks for the Receipt of your Favours, haveing such Abundant reason for it, that mine would be marked wit...

6 November 1775Sir I take the first Opportunity to acknowledg the Honor I receiv'd in a Letter sign'd by you as Chairman of a Committee of the Honorable Congress fo...

8 November 1775Watertown, 8 November 1775. Printed form with spaces filled in appropriately (Adams Papers); signed by Perez Morton, Deputy Secretary, and fifteen Cou...

11 November 1775Dr Sir I had the Pleasure of a Letter from you a few days ago and was rejoiced to learn that you have at last determined to take a more im­portant sh...

11 November 1775Dear Sir I received a Letter from the honorable Committee of Congress for collecting “a just and well authenticated Account of the Hostilities commit...

11 November 1775Gentlemen The Manifest Militation between the Resolve which passed the hon'ble the American Congress on the ninth June last relative to Establishing ...

11 November 1775Watertown, 11 November 1775. (Misc. Papers of the Continental Congress, Reel No. 8). Although the credentials as passed by the house bear the date 10 ...

13 November 1775Sir I am much obliged to you for two Letters one by the Committee: the other dated Novr. 1. The subject of the first is not yet determined in Congres...

14 November 1775 I was yesterday favoured with your agreable Letter by Captn. Price, for which as well as a former Letter I acknowledge myself much obliged to you. In...

14 November 1775Dear Sir I received your kind Letter of the 28th. of Octr.—but yesterday. It was such a Letter as I wish all my Friends would write me, as often as p...

14 November 1775Sir I had yesterday the pleasure of your letter of the 4th instant by Captain Price, for which, as well as a former kind letter, I heartily thank you...

14 November 1775Dear Sir En passant. As Church said in his letter to the Regulars, Remember I Never deceived you. If your Congress don't give better encouragement to...

14 November 1775Sir I had the satisfaction last evening of receiving your very friendly Letter, which was the more agreable for being unexpected. As I am setting out...

14 November 1775My Dear Sir I last Evening received yours by Capt. Gist, and this Morning by Fessenden. It gives me great pleasure to see things in such a fine way a...

15 November 1775Dear Sir The Course of Events, naturally turns the Thoughts of Gentlemen to the Subjects of Legislation and Jurisprudence, and it is a curious Proble...

15 November 1775 Your first Letter to me is now before me. The true Cause why General Frie, has not received from me, any particular Intelligence, is that the Matter ...

16 November 1775My Dear Sir I am well assured that a Supply of Powder is arrived at Statia, so writes Captain Waters on 10th. October. A Dutch Vessell bound to Surri...

19 November 1775My Dr Sir I receiv'd your obliging letter and cannot express the pleasure I feel in standing so high in your opinion as without flattery I esteem you...

23 November 1775Sir I had the Honour of your Letter of Novr. the Eleventh, by Express, and am very Sorry to learn that any Difference of Sentiment has arisen between...

24 November 1775Sir I had the Honour of receiving your Letter of the Twenty Eighth of October last, by Mr. Revere; in which you acquaint me that the Major Part of th...

25 November 1775My dear sir This afternoon at five o Clock, I received your kind Letter of November the 14. dated at Brookfield—which was the more agreable because s...

25 November 1775Madam I had the Pleasure of yours of Novr. 4th several Days ago. You know Madam, that I have no Pleasure or Amusements which has any Charms for me. B...

25 November 1775Dear Sir I did Myself the Pleasure to write to You from Baltimore Town, relative to two Vessells, which could be procured there, and that I was infor...

25 November 1775Dear Sir From my last, you may form some judgment of the disagreeable state of mind I have suffered from the Commencement of my late misfortunes. Ant...

30 November 1775Sir I have to acknowledge your Favors of the 14th and 15th Novr. and now Sir I think myself sufficiently happy since you have authorized me to write ...

Lemuel Robinson to John Adams, with an Endororsement for Lemuel Robinson from the Committee of Safety

30 November 1775Dear sir These Lines are to inform you of my Situation which in the Multaplicity of your Business is undoubtaley far from your Mind. Let it Suffice t...

30 November 1775To all whom it may concern We the Subscribers, Members of the late Committee of Safety of this Colony, do certify, That Colo. Lemuel Robinson of Dorc...

2 December 1775My dear Sir Yesterday Mr. Revere returned, and brot your acceptance, which was truly acceptable to our Friends. Since mine by Revere, I have been exp...

3 December 1775My dear Sir I have only Time to acquaint you that Congress have ordered the arrears of Pay to be discharged to the soldiers and one Months Advance Pa...

3 December 1775Dr Sir Long before the Receipt of this You will have heard by Express from the General, of the important Prize we have made in the Capture of the Bri...

3 December 1775Sir I had the honour some time since to receive your Favour of the 14 Ultimo which I am now to acknowledge. The Enemy have not made any important mov...

3 December 1775My Dear Sir I Returned from Plymouth last Wednesday after An Absence of about 10 days. In my way I called on Mrs. Adams and found her pretty well, ha...

4 December 1775Dear sir I received your Favour of the 5th of Novr and the Enquiries relative to Vessels suitable to be armed, Commanders and Seamen to man the same,...

4 December 1775Sir I fancy such an Army was scarcly ever collected together before. What a Contrast do my Eyes behold every Day: in Boston an Army of Slaves!—on thi...

4 December 1775Sir By a resolve of Congress the 18th of Oct. last, I perceive the Sufferers by fire and Seizures, occasion'd by the Enemy, are invited to lay their ...

4 December 1775Sir As Surgeons of the continental Hospital we take the Freedom to address you upon an Occasion which though it does not immediately Concern our Depa...

5 December 1775Dear Sir The letter you did me the honor of writing me dated October 19th. came to hand but a few days past. The notice taken of me by the Committee ...

5 December 1775Gentlemen We are informed by his Excellency General Washington, that it is his opinion, the paying our Troops, by the Lunar Month, will throw the res...

8 December 1775Dear Sir I am obliged to you for your Letter of 2nd. Instant. I intirely agree with You in Sentiment as to the Propriety, nay the Necessity of assumi...

11 December 1775Dr Sir I seize a few Minutes before the Post sets out to send You a little Information. Manley took two Prizes last Saturday, a large Ship of more th...

11 December 1775My Dear Sir Since my last I have not A Scrip from you. Whether you Intend by withholding the Encouragement you used to give to get rid of the Trouble...

16 December 1775Dear Sir I ever thought thare was such a Thing as sincere friendship, and that some perticular Persons, with whom I had long been Intemate with And h...

16 December 1775Honored Sir By the hand of Dr. Morgan I had the Pleasure of receiving yours of Nov. 13. and thank you not only for the Honour you did me in writing, ...

18 December 1775Dear Sir I received your favour of the 25th of Novr. as soon as I arrived at this town which was last friday and a very kind and generous return I es...

20 December 1775Dear Sir I have just heard of your return from Philadelphia, and am exceeding sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you as you passed thro' Providen...

21 December 1775Dear Sir Did not the hurry of our affairs prevent; I Should often write you Respecting the State of our Army: but it has been my fortune to be Employ...

22 December 1775My dear Sir My Concern for your Welfare induced me carefully to watch the Weather till I conjectured you had got to the End of your Journey, and I ha...

John Adams' Service in the Council26 December 1775 – 24 January 1776

I. Calendar of Council Actions Signed by John Adams

26 December 177526 December 1775. Resolution to pay post-riders. M-Ar:207, p. 311–315. printed: Force, Archives, 4th ser., 4:1242–1243. ...

26 December 177526 December 1775. Resolution appointing members to a joint committee to determine how bills of credit were to be signed and numbered. M-Ar:207, p. 316...

26 December 1775 Resolution to pay John Davis a sum in behalf of Edward Johnson, a petitioning soldier. M-Ar:207, p. 317–318. ...

26 December 177526 December 1775. Resolution to approve committee report recommending payment to the Committee of Supplies for its services, in response to its petiti...

27 December 177527 December 1775. Resolution to approve appointment of a committee to assist the commissary general in procuring military supplies. M-Ar:207, p. 326. ...

28 December 177528 December 1775. Resolution to liberate Henry Middleton and George Price, prisoners in the Plymouth jail. M-Ar: 164, p. 228. ...

28 December 177528 December 1775. Resolution ordering committee for purchasing saltpeter to deliver it to Richard Devens. M-Ar:207, p. 329. ...

28 December 177528 December 1775. Recommendation to towns to promote the manufacture of saltpeter. M-Ar:207, p. 330. ...

28 December 177528 December 1775. Resolution to approve payment to Committee for the Poor of Boston to assist those at Shirley Point (see Joseph Ward to , 3 Dec., not...

29 December 177529 December 1775. Resolution ordering the Milton committee to deliver Thomas Hutchinson's furniture to Mrs. Deborah Cushing. M-Ar: 207, p. 332. ...

30 December 177530 December 1775. Resolution concerning payment of military companies at Braintree, Weymouth, and Hingham (see Josiah Quincy to , 2 Jan. 1776, note 1,...

30 December 177530 December 1775. Resolution approving a new levy of men for the seacoast forces. M-Ar:207, p. 351–352. ...

3 January 17763 January 1776. Resolution to have copies made of military rolls for use of the treasurer. M-Ar:207, p. 366. Printed: Force, Archives, 4th ser., 4:125...

3 January 17763 January 1776. Approval of mittimus of Moses Wayman and Samuel Webb to Plymouth jail. M-Ar: 164, p. 230. ...

4 January 17764 January 1776. Message to House concerning the guarding of Hull and other towns. M-Ar:207, p. 369. printed: Force, Archives, 4th ser., 4:1252. ...

5 January 17765 January 1776. Resolution to supply the Continental Army with 4,000 blankets. M-Ar:207, p. 370–374. ...

5 January 17765 January 1776. Resolution concerning mittimus of sixteen named men to Worcester jail. M-Ar: 164, p. 231. printed: Naval Docs. Amer. Rev., 3:631. ...

6 January 17766 January 1776. Order to Plymouth jail to release James Middleton. M-Ar:164, p. 234. ...

6 January 17766 January 1776. Resolution directing the Receiver General to pay £8,000 to the committee for fitting out vessels for importing powder. M-Ar:283, p. 14...

10 January 177610 January 1776. Resolution ordering Frenchman's Bay committee to deliver clothing to Neal Mclntyre or to Charles Chauncy in Mclntyre's behalf. M-Ar:2...

15 January 177615 January 1776. Resolution to allow the accounts of the treasurer of Barnstable county. M-Ar:207, p. 405. ...

17 January 177617 January 1776. Order to Worcester jail to release Thomas Mullin. M-Ar:164, p. 237. ...

19 January 177619 January 1776. Order that blankets collected in Hampshire and Berkshire counties be retained there for use by troops going northward. M-Ar:207, p. 4...

19 January 177619 January 1776. Resolution requesting accounts from towns of powder, lead, and flints supplied to the Continental Army. M-Ar:207, p. 426. printed: Fo...

19 January 177619 January 1776. Resolution ordering commissioners designated to erect a powder mill to do so at Stoughton. M-Ar:207, p. 429. printed: Force, Archives...

19 January 1776Resolution for raising 728 officers and men in Hampshire and Berkshire counties to go to Canada. M-Ar:207, p. 430. printed: Force, Archives, 4th ser.,...

19 January 177619 January 1776. Resolution to approve choice of field officers for regiment going to Canada. M-Ar: 207, p. 434. printed: Force, Archives, 4th ser., 4...

24 January 177624 January 1776. Resolution approving appointment of a committee to call in misprinted bills of credit. M-Ar:207, p. 461. ...

24 January 177624 January 1776. Resolution approving an order that bills of credit be delivered to the committee appointed to sign them and that it in turn deliver t...

11 January 1776 The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider a Plan for fiting out one or more Armed Vessels for the defence of American Liberty, have attended...

13 January 1776 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the Letter from his excellency General Washington of the Tenth Instant, have attended that service...

19 January 1776 The frailty of human Nature, the Wants of Individuals, and the numerous Dangers which surround them, through the Course of Life, have in all Ages, an...

29 December 1775Much honored Sir The degree of acquaintance I have with you, through your indulgence; and your known candour, condescention and goodness, encourage m...

1 January 1776My Dear Friend I arrived here the 28th ultimo from my journey as far as Ticonderoga, we proceeded no farther as we had some expectations when we sat ...

2 January 1776Sir A number of my Neighbours who are present, and in the Names of the rest who are absent, desire me to acquaint you, that, not withstanding Genl. W...

4 January 1776Dear Sir As some worthy Members of the Honourable House of Representatives may possibly be desirous of knowing the Cause of my return at this Time, I...

6 January 1776Dr Sir As your Excellency has asked my Opinion of General Lees Plan, as explained in his Letter of the fifth instant, I think it my Duty to give it, ...

7 January 1776Sir You will excuse me for reminding you of our conversation the other Evening, when I inform'd you that General Lee's departure for New York is advi...

8 January 1776Dear Madam Your Friend insists upon my Writing to you, and altho I am conscious it is my Duty, being deeply in Debt for a number of very agreable Fav...

12 January 1776My Dear Sir The Business of our provincial Convention draws to a Conclusion, and the Session will end in a few Days. I have Leave to visit my Family ...

15 January 1776My dear sir Altho I have at present but little Leisure, I cannot omit writing you a few Lines by this Express. I have seen certain Instructions which...

15 January 1776Sir My Freedom in troubling you upon the Affair, which is the Subject of this Epistle, may need an Apology. Your Candor and Goodness will excuse it. ...

15 January 1776Dr Sir I am exceedingly sorry I did not know that you were in this place today. Our want of Men and arms is such, as to render it necessary for me to...

19 January 1776Sir Pardon me for the Liberty I take in Sending a Billet to a Gentleman of your exolted Station and Character, when I have not the Honour to be in th...

Perez Morton to John Adams, with a Resolution Appointing Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress

19 January 1776Sir Agreable to the Direction of the inclosed Resolution, I am to acquaint you that by a joint Ballot of both Houses of Assembly for the Colony of Ma...

18 January 1776 Whereas John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry Esqrs. have been chosen by joint Ballot of the two houses of A...

21 January 1776Sir Pleas to allow me the freedom of informing your Honour that in the year 1755 in August, I Received a Captains Commission in Col. Brown' Regiment ...

22 January 1776Dear Sir Being informed that you begin your Journey for Philadelphia this week, I would beg to recommend to your Consideration the Services of Colone...

23 January 1776Sir Ever since your Arrival to the Camp my colleague Doctr. Aspinwall has been confined by a Fever, which has doubled my Service in the Hospital and ...

23 January 1776sir Whot doth thee thenk of thes trubelsom tiems. Is thar not a caus—ye sin no dout is the caus—but among the many sins that might be named I would n...

23 January 1776Dear Sir To regulate the trade of the United Colonies, being a field of vast extent, far exceeds my present comprehension; and 'tis not likely I shal...

24 January 1776Gentlemen The Debtors Confined in this Goal have Prepared a Petition to the Honourable Continental Congress, praying that they woud devise or Recomme...

James Warren to John Adams, with Letter from Robert Treat Paine to James Warren

31 January 1776My dear Sir I am Extreamly hurried this morning, and therefore have only time to Express my wishes for your Happiness. I hope by this Time you are no...

5 January 1776Sir I wrote you Last from Hackinsack, dated Nov. 15 that I had put my trunk on board a Waggon bound for Cambridge, and had directed it to your Care; ...