Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams
Volume 4, February–August 1776

Front Matter

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Descriptive List of Illustrations

Documents

John Adams' Service in the Continental Congress9 February – 27 August 1776

23 February 1776 Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils or Committees of Safety, and Committees of Correspondence and Inspe...

8 March 1776 Resolved, That the gentlemen who are appointed to go into Canada, be desired to enquire into the cause of the imprisonment of the officers of Militia...

20 March 1776Gentlemen, You are, with all convenient despatch, to repair to Canada, and make known to the people of that country, the wishes and intentions of the...

2 April 1776Sir It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; th...

15 May 1776 Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants...

21 May 1776 13. Resolved that the Commissioners in Canada and General Schuyler be informed that We cannot give them any assurance of maintaining our Army there ...

7 June 1776 The Committee to whom was referred the Letter from Eseck Hopkins Commodore of the Continental Fleet dated Providence May 22 1776, have taken the same...

17 June 1776 The Committee to whom were referred, the Letter from William Palfrey Esqr. Paymaster General, dated New York 19 May, in closing his Weekly Account en...

24 June 1776 The Committee appointed to consider what Harbours are proper to be fortified, have attended that Service, and come to the following Resolutions. vizt...

27 August 1776 Whereas it is probable, that among the Officers of the foreign Troops, now in the Service of the King of Great Britain, there may be many, of liberal...

9 February 1776

11 February 1776Dr sir Mr. Archibald Buchannan, and Mr. Walter Tolley both of Maryland, and hearty Friends of America, introduced to me by my Friend Mr. Chace Chase,...

13 February 1776Dr Sir I take this opportunity by Mr. Romain to write you one Line more for the sake of reminding you of my Existence, and requesting that you would ...

14 February 1776Dear Sir I Shall inclose to a Lady of my Acquaintance all the News Papers which have been printed in this City, Since my arrival, by which you will S...

14 February 1776Sir We hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you again in Camp before you set out for Philadelphia, but as you don't like a “sleepy Camp” I can easily...

18 February 1776Dear sir Since my arrival in this City and not before, I received your Favour of December the sixteenth. I am very sorry to learn that you ever was e...

18 February 1776Dear sir Your Favour of January 22d. never reached me, untill my arrival at this City. I am much obliged to you for the Information you have given me...

18 February 1776My dear Sir We have at last hit upon a Plan which promises fair for Success. Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Chase of Maryland, and Mr. Charles Carroll of Carr...

19 February 1776My dear Sir The Congress have seen such a Necessity of an able Commander in Canada, as to destine you to that most arduous Service. I tremble for you...

19 February 1776Dr Sir On my Arrival at Cambridge Mr. Craigie waited on me and sollicited my appointing of him Apothecary to the General Hospital. He represented tha...

19 February 177624 February 1776My dear Sir Your Family were pretty well yesterday; also Mr. Cranches and mine; N Q has a bad cold. I have been sick a few days, but am now better, s...

29 February 1776Mr. Adams I wrote you One or two letters not knowing of your being coming home all that time. We have nothing Material in this quarter. By some peopl...

29 February 1776Dr Sir We have Nothing here sufficiently important to communicate, As it is hardly worthwhile to tell you that a Vessel was last Sunday taken by one ...

2 March 1776Dear Sir I must beg the Liberty of introducing to your acquaintance, Capt. Harry G. Livingston of New York. He is a young Gentleman who has not been ...

4 March 1776Sir Capt. Gordon Hutchins the bearer hereof, being a Man of Experience in Military Service, the late war with France, had a Company the last year in ...

7 March 1776Dr sir The Congress, have determined to send you to Canada. They have advanced you one Step, by making you a Major General, and have made an handsome...

7 March 1776My Dear Sir I have been very much Indisposed for the greater part of the Time since you left us. I have been at Home three weeks, and the whole time ...

8 March 1776Dear Sir Monday Night Two Thousand men under the Command of Brigadier General Thomas took possession of Dorchester Heights; a vast Quantity of Materi...

10 March 1776Dear sir As your time is so Much Devoted to the Service of the publick that you have Little Leasure for Letters of friendship or Amusement And Consci...

14 March 1776Sir The 2 instant at night we began a cannonade and bombardment upon the Enemy, and continued it three nights successively; on the 4th at night we th...

15 March 177619 March 1776Dear Sir Your very Acceptable Favour of the 7th Instant Came to hand this Day. You could not have Conferred a greater obligation on me than by giving...

21 March 1776My dear sir I have not received more than one Letter from you since I left you and that was a very Short one. I have written as often as I could. If ...

23 March 1776Dear Sir I had the Pleasure, a few days ago, of your Favour of 8th. Instant, for which I esteem myself under great obligations to you. We rejoice her...

23 March 1776Sir The 17th Instant the Pirates all abandoned their Works in Boston and Charlestown and went on board their Ships, and on the 20th they burnt and de...

25 March 1776Gentlemen Two accounts of loss by hostilities committed by the Ministerial Navy, which came to hand since my last, are enclosed. I do most sincerely ...

Thoughts on Governmentante 27 March—April 1776

27 March 1776Dear Sir The Subject, on which you was pleased to request my Sentiments, is of infinite Importance to Mankind. Politicks is the Science of human Happ...

27 March 1776Dear Sir If I was possess'd of Abilities equal to the great Task you have imposed upon me, which is to sketch out the outlines of a Constitution for ...

1 April 177630 April 1776My dear Sir, If I was equal to the task of forming a plan for the government of a colony, I should be flattered with your request, and very happy to ...

28 March 1776Sir This acknowledges the favour of your Letter dated Feby 18th. which I received March 15th the Day that I Received orders to come to this place, I ...

29 March 1776 Since the joyfull News of the Reduction of Boston by the Forces of the united Colonies, my Mind has been constantly engaged with Plans and Schemes fo...

30 March 17763 April 1776My Dear Sir When I wrote you last I was at Plymouth sick, and Confined. I did not return to this place till three days ago. In my way Mrs. Warren and...

31 March 1776Sir Your Favour by 'the reputed Author of Common Sense' I have not yet answered, as I was not then, nor for some Time afterward, quite clear how Matt...

1 April 1776Dear Sir The Bearer of this Letter Francis Dana Esqr. of Cambridge, is a Gentleman of Family, Fortune and Education, returned in the last Packett fro...

2 April 1776Dear Sir This will go by my worthy Brother Dana who, is returned, as he went a very good Whigg and much more abundantly. I hope he will be appointed ...

3 April 1776Dear sir As foreign Affairs become every day more interesting to Us no Pains should be spared to acquire a thorough Knowledge of them, and as the inc...

3 April 1776Sir The Congress being Inform'd by a Letter from Genl. Washington, that two Thousand of the Continental Troops at Cambridge and Roxbury are deficient...

3 April 1776Sir As the Ships of War now building in this and other Colonies for the Continental Service, will want Commanders, who will I conclude be appointed b...

3 April 1776 The sudden departure of the plunderers of Boston and the removal of the Continental troops from Cambridge occasions a temporary calm in the eastern r...

5 April 1776Dear Sir I cannot omit so good an opportunity as now offers, of paying my respects to you. Nothing remarkable has occurred among us since the disgrac...

6 April 1776Dear Sir I arrived here last Evening in a very indifferent State of Health and shall return or not return according as I have Reason to believe I may...

11 April 177612 April 1776Dear Sir Your late worthy Governor Hutchinson used to mark some of his Letters confidential. You will give me Leave to use this Hint and at the same ...

12 April 1776 We begin to make some little Figure here in the Naval Way. Captn. Barry was fitted out here a few days ago in a sixteen Gun Brig, and put to sea by t...

12 April 1776 I wish you Joy, sir, of your new Abode. I hope you found, the Houses, Wharves &c. &c., in the Town of Boston which are hereafter to contribute to you...

15 April 1776Dear sir Altho I never had the Pleasure and the Honour of so intimate an Acquaintance with you as I wished yet I have a long Time, been sufficiently ...

16 April 1776Dear Sir I agree with you, in yours of the 30 March, in opinion that five Regiments are too Small a Force to be left with you, considering the Necess...

16 April 1776Madam Not untill Yesterdays Post, did your agreable Favour of March the Tenth, come to my Hands. It gave me great Pleasure and altho in the distracte...

16 April 1776Mr. Adams Yours of the 4t. Instant, I have received which I received by Via Watertown but As the post is most certain would not have you be affraid o...

17 April 1776Dear Sir After a Tedious Journey, (occasion by bad roads and wet weather I arrived here in good health,) as I came through Virginia I found the inhab...

18 April 1776My Dear Sir I left Saratoga last Tuesday and arrived at this place the same afternoon. I expected to find the Lake open but am disappointed. General ...

20 April 1776 Last Evening, a Letter was received, by a Friend of yours, from Mr. John Penn, one of the Delegates from North Carolina, lately returned home to atte...

20 April 1776Sir Soon after I came to this place I took the freedom to write you. I once more ask leave to inform you that this morning I am to set out for Quebec...

21 April 1776My Dear Sir I left Fort George on last Fryday afternoon and arrived at this place yesday Evening. I have just seen a Gentleman, who left Quebec on th...

21 April 1776Dr Sir I arriv'd in this City last Monday 15th. Instant. I left Boston with much Regret, not so much because I was coming to this unfriendly Town, as...

22 April 1776 The Management of so complicated and mighty a Machine, as the United Colonies, requires the Meekness of Moses, the Patience of Job and the Wisdom of ...

22 April 1776My dear Sir I wrote last Thursday Morning by the Post to our Friend Mr. S. Adams—to which I refer you on some Things of a public Nature. After so man...

22 April 1776Mr. Adams I wrote you, by last Weeks post, and am confirmd in my Opinion As to what I wrote you, with referance to a free trade with the Neutral Isla...

23 April 1776Dear Sir Your Excellent Letter of the 23d: of March, and one by Mr. Dana, are now before me. How any Mortal can entertain an Idea that Liberty, and S...

24 April 1776Dr sir Your Favour by Mr. Palfrey, I received this Evening, and it was the more agreable because it resolved a Question I had often asked and never b...

24 April 1776Bror: Adams When I had the last pleasure of your company at Watertown I told you, I would write you when Our Attack upon the Kings Troops should affo...

27 April 1776Dear Sir Your Favour of the Twenty third, I received Yesterday, and it put me into a good Humour, the Benefit of which I feel to this Moment, and sha...

28 April 1776Dear Sir This Morning I had the Pleasure of receiving yours of April 17th: for which I think myself much obliged to you. The Account you give of the ...

28 April 1776My Dear Sir I left Ticonderoga last Wesdnesday and arrived at this Fort yesday afternoon. Our Troops were to come off the next Day, and twenty four B...

29 April 1776Sir As the day of the general election draws nigh, I think it my duty to express my grateful acknowledgments to the honorable electors of the last ye...

30 April 1776Sr It gives me no pleasure to meddle with departments not my own. But necessity is laid upon me to inform you (for I suppose you are as yet uninform'...

James Warren to John Adams, with a Letter from Benjamin Greenleaf to James Warren

30 April 17761 May 1776My Dear Sir Were I as Ceremonious as I suppose the Ladies will be about their Tea visits, after the late Indulgence of Congress, I should hardly have...

30 April 1776Sr The Letter from which the Extract that accompanies this was taken, you may consider, as wrote by Capt Willson who lately arrivd from Bordeaux, in ...

1 April 177630 April 1776Dear sir I wrote you the 5th instant by my son William who was going to Philadelphia; but as he was to stay some time at New York, being employed by ...

1 May 1776Dear Sir As a Multiplicity of public Business prevents my revisiting Philadelphia, I have embraced an Opportunity by Major Walton of enquiring after ...

1 May 1776My Dear Sir It is almost too late to congratulate you upon our regaining Boston; but I may give you joy of our not having as yet relost it. We ought ...

1 May 1776Sir The Necessity of the present address must be my apology for making it. I am engaged as Counsel for certain Heirs at Law to a Large real Estate, a...

4 May 1776Dear Sir Your Favour of the 27th: of April was put into my hands by Colonel Clinton, we had much conversation together upon the Critical and politica...

4 May 17768 May 1776Mr. Adams I suppose there were some dispatches went off yesterday to your body respecting the late News of more Troops expected. I did not think they...

4 May 1776My Dear Sir I had the pleasure of receiving your agreeable favour of the 15th ultimo. I Delayed answering it till I could give you information how ma...

4 May 1776Dr Sir I was much oblig'd by the little Essay you sent me and more so by the Letter which accompanied it. The Plan proposed is an exceeding good Syst...

5 May 1776Sir I have the honour of your Favour of the sixteenth of April. You observe, Sir, very justly, that every motive of self preservation, of honor, prof...

6 May 1776Dear Sir Your Letter by your son I have not received, but I hope to have that Pleasure soon together with that of waiting upon him here. Your Brother...

8 May 17769 May 1776My Dear Sir Since my last we have the formidable Accounts of the Exertion of the powers and Malice of Britain which I suppose have reached you by thi...

9 May 1776Dear Sir To intrude on one who in the greatest Political Tempest is Tyed to the helm of the Mighty Vessel of Empire, wrecked and tossed by the Whirli...

9 May 177610 May 1776Gentlemen Inclosed you have an Account of Powder supplyed the Army lately before Boston, by this Colony. We have not been able to procure the proper ...

12 May 1776My dear Friend Yours of Ap. 30. was handed me yesterday. My Writing So seldom to you, proceeds from Necessity not Choice, I assure you. I can Sympath...

12 May 1776Dear sir I am favoured with yours by your son, who has arrived here in good Health. I wish he may be provided for in one of the Ways you mention, bec...

15 May 1776 This Day the Congress has passed the most important Resolution, that ever was taken in America. It is, as nearly as I can repeat it, from Memory, in ...

16 May 177620 May 1776Very Dr sir Yesterday I was honoured with yours of April 29. It gives me much pleasure that any inteliganc I was capable of giving respecting Salt Pe...

16 May 1776Sir I did myself the honor to address you sometime ago and soon after it I sat out upon a Journey to New York Ticonderoga &c: whilst I was upon my Jo...

18 May 1776My dear Sir Yours of 8 May received this Morning, and am as I ever have been much of your Opinion that The Enemy would return to the Massachusetts if...

18 May 1776Sr. Inclosed you have a printed Resolve which passed our Convention to the infinite joy of our people. The Resolve for Independency has not that pere...

20 May 1776My dear Sir Every Post and every Day rolls in upon Us Independance like a Torrent. The Delegates from Georgia, made their Appearance, this Day in Con...

20 May 1776My dear Sir By the last Post I received your's of May 6th. and am not troubled at your Acceptance of the Resignation of G. W. He is, indeed, a cool p...

20 May 1776Dear Sir Amidst the trouble of our times, I have pleasure in the thought of your being on the bench and appointed to the head of it, a place I have h...

20 May 1776My dear Sir Your Favor with the pamphlet came safe to hand. I am Exceedingly obliged to you for it, and I'm not without Hopes it may produce Good her...

20 May 1776Dear Sir I have felt a degree of Criminality in my long Silence, which has given me many uneasy Reflections; and yet I should have suffered more from...

20 May 1776Sir Our former Acquaintance contracted in early Life, and under Circumstances which Experience Shews is hardly to be effaced by Length of Time or loc...

20 May 1776Dear Sir I wrote You soon after I arrived here a Letter which I hope You received; but which you have not yet acknowledged. The many studied Embarras...

26 May 1776Dear Sir Your Favours of May 9th. and 17th. are now before me; and I consider them as the Commencement of a Correspondence, which will not only give ...

26 May 1776Sir The peculiar situation of American affairs renders it necessary to adopt every measure that will engage people in the service. The danger and har...

26 May 1776Dr: Sr: I have written upon Politics, to your Names Sake, upon the grand affair of a Declaration of Independence, and I suppose he will show it to ou...

27 May 1776 I find by your Letter of 16th. Instant that you had no Expectation of the disagreable News from Canada. Our Accounts from thence are not very perfect...

29 May 1776Dear sir Your agreable Favour of 20th. May, was handed me Yesterday and it gave me much Pleasure on various Accounts—one particularly as it gave me E...

29 May 1776Sir I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that our Citizens had a Meeting on Monday Evening last, when it was agreed, without a dissenting Voice, to in...

30 May 1776My dear sir Yours of the 20th. was handed me by the last Post. I congratulate you upon the first modern Election, on the last Wednesday in May of Cou...

1 June 1776Dear Sir I wrote you last week acknowledging the receit of your favor of May 6. Since that, have had the pleasure of another, of May 12, by my Son—am...

2 June 1776Dear sir Your esteemed Favour of the 16 of May, came to my Hand a few Days ago. You have laid me under obligations, by your ingenious Observations up...

2 June 1776Sir I have just receivd your favor of the 26th of May in answer to mine of the 24th. You must not expect me to be a very exact correspondent, my circ...

2 June 1776My Dear Sir I Received yours of the 20th. of May with the pamphlets Inclosed. I am much Obliged to you for them. I am quite satisfied that you have w...

3 June 1776My dear Sir I had this Morning the Pleasure of yours of 20 May. The little Pamphlet you mention is nullius Filius, and if I should be obliged to main...

3 June 1776Sir Your favor of the 26th. Ultimo I duly received. I am fully of I Opinion with you that the Rank of Officers ought to be regarded, but not made the...

4 June 1776Sir Yours of May 29. came safe to Hand, and am much pleased to find that your Citizens have behaved with so much Wisdom, Unanimity, and Spirit. Yet I...

4 June 1776Sir Your Favour of 18 May, inclosing the momentous Resolution of your wise and patriotic Convention, together with the American Crisis came duely to ...

5 June 1776My Dear Sir The Inclosed Letter was sealed to go by the last Post, but I Unluckily missed it. I have now An Opportunity to Inclose one from Braintree...

6 June 1776Gentlemen At the same time that we think Ourselves obliged to acknowledge the vigilance and care of our Delegates to the defence of our Colony, and t...

9 June 1776Dear Sir Yours of 27. May, received yesterday. I did not expect that our Army would have raised the Siege of Quebec, So soon, much less So unskillful...

9 June 1776Dear Sir I had, yesterday, the Honour of your Letter of the 20th. of May, and I read it, with all that Pleasure, which We feel on the Revival of an o...

9 June 1776 I shall address this to you as Speaker, but you may be Councillor, or Governor, or Judge, or any other Thing, or nothing but a good Man, for what I k...

12 June 1776Dear Sir It was with great Pleasure, and perhaps some little Mixture of Pride, that I read your Name among the Representatives of Bridgwater, in the ...

12 June 1776Dear Sir In the Lists of the House and Board, I was as much pleased to find your Name among the latter as I was chagrined to find it omitted in the f...

12 June 1776Dear Sir Yesterdays Post brought me a Newspaper of the 3d. Instant, containing a List of your House, and Board, and upon my Word I read it with more ...

12 June 1776Dear Sir In the Boston Gazette of the 3d. Instant, I have the Pleasure to see your Name among the Councillors, where I have wished to see it, for som...

John Adams and the Board of War12 June – 27 August 1776

Calendar of Resolutions Based on Reports of the Board of War

17 June 177617 June. The congress resolved, in response to a letter of 10 June from Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, that two battalions raised in Connecticut for service ...

19 June 177619 June. The congress resolved in regard to several letters, particularly one of 16 June from George Washington, that commissions given by Brigadier G...

21 June 177621 June. The congress, considering the status of several officers who had served in Canada during the last winter, resolved that New York raise a new ...

24 June 177624 June. The congress tabled a petition from Carpenter Wharton (see resolution of 6 July, below) and desired that General Washington inform it as to t...

25 June 177625 June. In response to letters from Schuyler, Sullivan, and Arnold transmitted in a letter of 23 June from George Washington, the congress resolved t...

26 June 177626 June. The congress resolved that M. Felix Weibert be permitted to serve in the capacity of an engineer under General Washington (JCC, 5:480–482; No...

27 June 177627 June. In response to a letter from George Washington, the congress resolved that six companies of riflemen in addition to the three in New York be ...

28 June 177628 June. The congress resolved that M. Le Chevalier de Kirmovan be employed by Pennsylvania in planning and laying out the fortifications at Billingsp...

5 July 17765 July. The congress resolved that a regiment be raised out of the officers who had served in Canada on the same basis as that of Colonel Dubois and d...

5 July 17765 July. The congress resolved that John Coburne, assistant conductor of military stores in Canada, be allowed lieutenant's pay from 1 March – 1 June 1...

5 July 17765 July. The congress resolved that five tons of powder be sent to Gen. Andrew Lewis at Williamsburg for use in the Southern Department and that part o...

6 July 17766 July. The congress resolved that Carpenter Wharton be appointed commissary to the militia being sent from Pennsylvania to New Jersey; that William S...

8 July 17768 July. The congress resolved that George Washington have the power to call to New York the continental regiments in Massachusetts not bound for Ticon...

9 July 17769 July. The congress named officers for the Virginia Rifle Company and resolved that money be sent to Virginia and Maryland for the rifle companies (J...

10 July 177610 July. The congress resolved that the Committee of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, be empowered to mount a guard over the prisoners there and construct a s...

11 July 177611 July. In response to a letter from the New Jersey Convention the congress resolved that New Jersey be informed of the measures being taken by the c...

16 July 177616 July. The congress resolved that the new positions of sergeant major, quartermaster sergeant, drum major, fife major, and paymaster be created at t...

17 July 177617 July. The congress resolved that Washington had acted with dignity in refusing to receive an improperly addressed letter from Lord Howe and resolve...

19 July 177619 July. The congress resolved that General Schuyler should police the pricing of goods sold to soldiers, observe the rule of the congress that office...

20 July 177620 July. The congress resolved that Jacques Antoine de Franchessin be commissioned a lieutenant colonel and assigned to the Flying Camp (JCC, 5:595; N...

23 July 177623 July. The congress resolved, despite allegations, to allow Col. Lewis Dubois to proceed in recruiting his regiment as originally planned; to inform...

24 July 177624 July. The congress resolved to take into continental service the South Carolina rangers and prescribed their table of organization and rates of pay...

29 July 177629 July. The congress resolved that General Washington could use the newly formed Connecticut regiment at his discretion; that M. Jean Artur Vermonet ...

30 July 177630 July. The congress resolved that the recruitment bounties paid to officers be extended to those enlisting men in the new army for three years; that...

31 July 177631 July. The congress resolved that five tons of powder be sent to General Washington at New York and that those militia forces thought necessary by t...

1 August 17761 August. The congress ordered transcribed and sent a draft letter to George Washington stating that the power given to General Gates in Canada to app...

1 August 17761 August. The congress resolved that Col. John Brown be permitted the rank and pay of lieutenant colonel from 20 November 1775 and that Col. James Eas...

2 August 17762 August. The congress resolved that Jonathan Trumbull, deputy paymaster general of the Northern Department, be sent $200,000 and additionally that he...

5 August 17765 August. The congress resolved that commanders of American naval vessels or privateers be allowed to enlist sailors taken from the enemy and that tho...

7 August 17767 August. The congress ordered payment of $222 to three Canadians, Messrs. Giasson, Hertel, and de la Magdelaine, for their expenses from 15 Nov. to 3...

9 August 17769 August. The congress resolved that the Secret Committee supply the Delaware battalion with those articles in the Committee's possession thought nece...

10 August 177610 August. The congress resolved that the officers recommended by the Board be issued commissions, excepting only those named to fill positions held b...

13 August 177613 August. The congress resolved that General Washington supply it with a copy of Massachusetts Bay's treaty with the St. Johns and Micmac Indians; th...

13 August 177614 August. See the Board of War report for 13 August printed below. ...

15 August 177615 August. The congress resolved that James Livingston be commissioned as colonel and ordered to raise as many companies of Canadians as would serve a...

17 August 177617 August. The congress resolved that Gustavus Risberg be appointed an assistant to Clement Biddle, deputy quartermaster general to the Flying Camp (J...

21 August 177621 August. The congress resolved that the cannon committee let a contract for casting in brass or iron six 6-pounders, six 12-pounders, four 8-inch ho...

22 August 177622 August. On this date the Board presented a report that was tabled, with no indication given of its content (JCC, 5:696). This was probably the repo...

27 August 177627 August. The congress resolved that the expense of clothing the soldiers for the Continental Army raised in Virginia be assumed by the Continent and...

Plan of Treaties12 June–17 September 1776

18 June 1776 There Shall be a firm, inviolable, and universal Peace, and a true and Sincere Friendship between the most Serene and mighty Prince, Lewis the Sixtee...

27 August 1776 There shall be a firm, inviolable, and universal peace, and a true and sincere friendship between A. and B. and the subjects of A. and of B. and betw...

17 September 1776 There shall be a firm inviolable and universal peace and a true and sincere friendship between the most serene and mighty prince Lewis the Sixteenth,...

13 June 177625 June 1776Dear Sir Your worthy Lady has been so good as to lend me a Pamphlet printed at Philadelphia intituled “Thoughts upon Government”: I have perused it w...

13 June 1776Sir I Take this opportunity Just to advise You that if Your Congress will Appoint Capt. Job Prince (the Father) to the Command of one of the Continen...

14 June 1776 Mr. Chase will excuse the late Neglects and Inattention of Mr. John Adams to him, upon the express Condition, that in future he constantly communicat...

14 June 1776Dear Sir Mr. Bedford put into my Hand this Moment a Card from you, containing a Reprehension for the past, and a Requisition for the Time to come. Fo...

14 June 1776Respected Sir When I left the Camp at Cambridge I promised myself the pleasure of waiting on you in person at Philadelphia before this time, but the ...

15 June 1776Dear Sir Jacta est Alea. We are passing the Rubicon and our Delegates in Congress on the first of July will vote plump. The Bearer is a staunch Whigg...

16 June 1776Dear sir Your Favours of June 2d and 5th. are now before me. The Address to the Convention of Virginia, makes but a Small Fortune in the World. Coll....

16 June 177617 June 1776Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that we have driven the Pirates out of this Harbour. The thirteenth instant at evening a detachment of five hun...

18 June 1776My dear General We have ordered you to the Post of Honour, and made you Dictator in Canada for Six Months, or at least untill the first of October.— ...

20 June 1776Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that another Scotch Transport with a Company of Highland Grenadiers on board was brought into this Port by the ...

21 June 1776Sir The Congress having thought proper to appoint us to the Board of War and Ordinance, we do ourselves the Honour to transmit you the foregoing Extr...

21 June 1776Dear Sir To remind our friends of their Inattention and Neglect must give Pain. I am almost angry with You. If You are inclined to oblige or please M...

22 June 1776Dear sir Your Favour of the second Instant has lain by me, I suppose these Eighteen days, but I fear I shall often have occasion to make Apologies fo...

22 June 1776Sir Your Letters of April 24. and May 26 are before me, both dated at Boston, a Circumstance which alone would have given Pleasure to a Man who has s...

22 June 1776Dear sir Your obliging Favour of the third of June, has been too long unanswered. I acknowledge the Difficulty of ascertaining, the comparative Merit...

23 June 1776Dear Sir Your agreable Favour of May the first has lain by me neglected, not for Want of Inclination to answer it, but for Want of Time. You have des...

23 June 1776Dear Sir Your agreable Favour of May the fourth has lain by me unanswered, till now. The Relation of your Negotiations at New York, in order to convi...

23 June 1776Dear sir Your Favour of June the first is now before me. It is now universally acknowledged that we are, and must be independant states. But Still Ob...

24 June 1776Dear sir I received your obliging Favour of the 21st. this Morning, and I thank you for it. Dont be angry with me. I hope I shall attone for past Sin...

24 June 1776Dear sir Your Favour of May 4th. has lain by me, till this Time unanswered, and I have heard nothing from you Since. I have entertained Hopes of seei...

24 June 1776Dear Sir By the Letters you will by this Post receive in Congress from the Brigadiers Sullivan, and Arnold, it appears to me, that Our Army in Canada...

Thomas Walker to John Adams, with a Letter from P. Gamelin to Chabrand Delisle

24 June 1776Honble. Sir I take the Liberty to enclose you a Letter, that you may see the use that is made of the Indulgence, shewn to your prisoners. Another wri...

Translation Group

8 June 1776Monsieur Quoi que privé de vos belles lettres, mon Epouse ma donné de Vos nouvelles et m'a appris la convalessence de Madame, dont la Maladie vous av...

8 June 1776Dear Sir Although I have been deprived of your fine letters, my wife has given me news of you and has informed me of the convalescence of Madame, who...

John Adams' Copy of the Declaration of Independenceante 28 June 1776

28 June 1776 When in the Course of human Events it becomes necessary for a People to advance from that Subordination, in which they have hitherto remained and to ...

28 June 1776Dear Sir I thank You for your two Letters of the 17th. and 24th Instant. They were handed to Me in Convention. I shall offer no other Apology for Con...

1 July 1776Dear Sir Two Days ago I received, your Favour of May 1st. I was greatly disappointed, Sir, in the Information you gave me, that you Should be prevent...

1 July 1776Dear Sir Your Favour by the Post this Morning gave me much Pleasure, but the generous and unanimous Vote of your Convention, gave me much more. It wa...

1 July 1776My dear Sir We are full of anxious Expectation here. Howe has sail'd from Hallifax, it is suppos'd for N. York, and is probably there before this Tim...

1 July 1776Dear Sir Yesterday I had the honor of dining with your Lady, all well. Having an opportunity by my Friend Dr. Craigie, I Steal a few moments from the...

2 July 1776Dear Sir Your obliging Favour of 17 June is now before me. It contains an elegant and masterly Narration of the late Expedition against the British M...

4 July 1776Dear Sir I do not know whether I take the proper Channel of Recommendations, but I cannot help mentioning to you a Gentleman of your own Province who...

5 July 1776Sir Yours of the 16 June, and that of the 20th. of the Same Month, are before me. I congratulate you on those happy Events which are the Subjects of ...

5 July 1776My Dear Sir Your Letter of the 1st. conveys both pleasure and Grief. I hope eer this Time the decisive blow is struck. Oppression, Inhumanity and Per...

7 July 1776Dear sir Yesterday your Favour of the 4th. Instant was handed me by the Post. Am much obliged to you for it, and will give all the Attention I can to...

7 July 1776Dear Sir Congress has been pleased to establish a War Office, and have done me the Honour to make me a Member of that Board, which lays me under obli...

7 July 1776Sir Want of particular confidential Acquaintance with the Delegates from the State of Connecticutt, occasions you more Trouble than I should think my...

7 July 1776Dear Sir I am to acknowlege your Favour of the 24th. of June and to apologize for not having wrote you more than twice since I have been at York. Ind...

8 July 1776My Dear Sir Mr. Paca can show You the Declaration of our Convention, different from the one in December. We have declared the Throne vacant, and by t...

8 July 1776Sir The Small pox having of late spread much in the Town, it was judged impracticable to prevent its going through the Town, and on Friday last the G...

9 July 1776Dear sir Yours of the 5th came to me the 8th. You will see by this Post, that the River is past and the Bridge cutt away. The Declaration was yesterd...

9 July 1776Respected Sir Whether to act in a civil or military department, many are the disadvantages attendant upon those who are just entering upon the stage ...

10 July 1776Dear Sir Your last Letter relates to a Subject of the last Importance, to America. The Continental Currency, is the great Pillar, which Supports our ...

10 July 1776Dear Sir Yours of the 7th. instant I received yesterday. I wish to see you here for Several Reasons. But particularly, to hear your Observations upon...

10 July 1776Sir Yours of 1 July, came duly to Hand. The Establishment of the War Office as you observe has given me Work enough—more than I have a Relish for, an...

10 July 1776My Dear Sir I have for some time past been at Home in daily Expectation of the Courts riseing. It has however Continued setting till this time. What ...

14 July 1776Dear Sir I received your Letter of the 22d. of June, if it was necessary for you to Apologise for not writing sooner it is necessary also for me. But...

15 July 1776Dear sir I have Time only to tell you that I am yet alive, and in better Spirits than Health. The News, you will learn from my very worthy Friend Ger...

15 July 1776sir You being President of the board of War, I make bold to ask a favour of you. I have the care of all Military Stores under The Honble. General War...

15 July 1776My dear Sir It gives me high Pleasure, if my Narration of Nantasket was acceptable to you. I did not lay the least Imputation upon your Neighbors. Th...

15 July 1776Sir The last Will and Testament of Mr Josiah Quincey junr has lately been left at the Probate Office. I find he appointed Francis Dana Esqr his Execu...

15 July 177619 July 1776Dear Sir Yours of the 15th. ultimo reached me at Watertown some few days since. Gladly would I have remained unnoticed in these Times of difficulty. ...

17 July 1776Sir Yesterdays Post brought me your Letter of the 8th. instant with Several others containing Intelligence of a Nature very interesting to me. The Pr...

17 July 1776Dear Sir The Bearer, and my Letter to Mr. Hancock will acquaint you that I am no Dictator here, and consequently have it not in my power to serve Mr....

17 July 1776My Dear Sir When you are Informed, that on the variety of Changes that have taken place in this Town, it is now become A Great Hospital for Inoculati...

18 July 1776My dear Sir Your agreable Letter from Boston the 9th. July, was handed me, on Tuesday last by the Post. The Confusions in America, inseparable from S...

19 July 1776Dear Sir I am told You are alarmed at Philadelphia with the last clause in our charter. That and another respecting Judges was hard fought; especiall...

20 July 1776Dear Sir I must ask your Pardon for having repeatedly received your favors Since I have been in the Army, without returning you an Acknowledgement of...

21 July 1776Dear sir Your Favour of the 19th. from Trenton, reached me, Yesterday. It is very true that We were Somewhat alarmed at the last Clause in your Const...

21 July 177622 July 1776Dear sirs I have been fully employed since Thursday Noon in obtaining some Knowledge of the State of the Army and conferring with the different Corps...

22 July 1776Sir The strong inclination I have to Serve the Continent, has induced me to continew in the Service of the Publick. I have ever complied with all ord...

22 July 1776Worthy Sir Altho I've been in the Continental Service ever since the Lexington Battle with a Regiment under my Command; and wish'd many Times to have...

24 July 1776Sir Your Letter of the 15th. instant came duely to Hand, by Yesterdays Post. I shall be happy to render you any Service in my Power, But I conceive t...

24 July 1776Sir I had, by yesterdays Post, the Honour of your Letter of the 15th. instant. I Should esteem it an Honour, and an Happiness, to discharge the frien...

24 July 1776My dear Sir Yours of the 10th. instant, came by Yesterdays Post. This I Suppose will find you, at Boston, growing well of the Small Pox. This Dis­tem...

24 July 1776Dear Sir I received yours in which I find some Encouragement is proposed for raising a new Army. I wish it had been greater; I think there is not a g...

25 July 1776Sir I find myself, under a Necessity of applying to the Honourable the general Court for Leave to return home. I have attended here, So long and So c...

26 July 1776Dear Sir My Health has lasted much longer, than I expected but at last it fails. The Increasing Heat of the Weather added to incessant application to...

27 July 1776Dear Sir I have directed a Packett to you, by this days Post, and Shall only add a few Words by Fessenden. I assure you the Necessity of your sending...

28 July 1776My worthy Friend I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 12th. ultimo on the 1st. instant. It reminded me of my duty, or rather the omissi...

28 July 1776Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that the Continental armed Schooners Hancock and Franklin sent into Marblehead this day a Transport from Hallif...

29 July 1776Dear Sir I am much obliged for your favor of the 9th June, which I did not receive till the 15th instant, when I came to town for inoculation; genera...

29 July 1776Sir Mr. Paine has done me the honor to write to me on the subject of casting cannon, in consequence of which Mr. Byers a Cannon founder from this pla...

29 July 1776Gentn At length I have been able to comply with the first part of a Resolution of Congress of the 27 Ultimo relative to a return of the vacancies in ...

3 August 1776Dear Sir Yours of the 20th. Ultimo is before me. I am much obliged to you for it, and most heartily wish for a more free and intimate Communication o...

3 August 1776Sir Your obliging Favour of the 22, Ultimo came duely to Hand, and I thank you for it. A free Correspondence between the Members of Congress and the ...

3 August 1776Dear sir Your Favour of 24. July is before me. Your Observations concerning the Encouragement We ought to give, to soldiers to inlist I think are jus...

3 August 1776My dear sirs Since I wrote You from New York, I have spent most of my Time in endeavouring to get Information of the true State of Things in the east...

4 August 1776Dear Sir Your Favour of the 14 of July is before me. I am happy to find your Sentiments concerning the Rewards of the Army, and the Promotion of Offi...

5 August 1776Dear Mr. Adams Monsieur Weibert who was orderd by Congress to this Post has requested me to apply in his Behalf to you for Rank and pay in our Army; ...

6 August 1776Mr. Adams Yours of the 17th. Ultimo I have received, As to the Massachusetts raising more Men—would say, the seaports are driand very much by there g...

7 August 1776My Dear Sir Reading and writeing have for some time past been Interdicted on Account of the small Pox Affecting my Eyes, which is the reason that you...

8 August 1776Sir Your Favour of the 10th July I have had the honour to receive, but it did not come to hand until the 5th Instant. I am happy to hear of the harmo...

9 August 1776Sir Yesterday I received a Letter from General Washington respecting the Baron de Calbiac, wherein he wishes to know whether any promotion in the mil...

10 August 1776Sir In May last, I took the liberty of writing to Mr. Hancock President of the Continental Congress, and inform'd him of the distrest Situation which...

11 August 1776Dear Sir Last Evening I received yours of 7 July. It should have been August I suppose. I am perfectly of your opinion of the Policy, and the Necessi...

11 August 1776My Dear Sir The singular situation and great suffering, of Mrs. Temple have Induced me to Advise her to write to you, and hope from An Application to...

12 August 1776Honoured Sir Your favour of July the 18th came safe to hand. I consider it as a favour, this amid so great a variety of business, of the first import...

13 August 177618 August 1776Dear Sir Your Favours of 24 June, and 17. July, are before me. I wish with all my Heart that you were Dictator at Ticonderoga, as much as it was inte...

13 August 1776Agreed to report to Congress That Monsr. Weibert now serving in the continental Army at New York as an Engineer be appointed Assistant Engineer with t...

13 August 1776Dear sir Before this reaches you, you will have heard of the Arrival of near an hundred more of the Enemies ships. There are too many Soldiers now in...

13 August 1776Dear Sir My sincere Thanks are due to my Friend in Congress for the unexpected Honor, done me in my late Preferment. As it was unsolicited and unthou...

Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant to John Adams, with a Draft of an Article

13 August 1776Dear Sir Inclosed is a rough Sketch of a plan, which, for ought I know, may be about as wise as an hundred others, that have made their Appearance in...

Mr. Printer At this Time of general Danger, when every one is anxiously considering by what Means our Liberties may be preserved, I hope to be at lea...

14 August 1776Dear sir By a Return from the Adjutant General of the 10. instant, I see a new Brigade, makes its appearance, under the Title of General Fellow's Bri...

14 August 1776My dear Sir Your Letter of June 10, in Answer to mine on the Continental Currency, I have now to thank you for. Who brought it I know not, but it was...

14 August 1776Dear Sir By some Accident your Letter of the 12th. of June did not reach me till last Week, or I should not have delayed so long to accept a Proposal...

15 August 1776Dear Sir I received yours of the 5th. instant by Tuesdays Post, and laid it before the Board of War, who recommended Monsr. Weibert to Congress for t...

15 August 1776Dear Sir Your Favors of the 3d. and 11th. Instant I received this Day for which I am much obliged. I know not whither the Promotion of Generals will ...

16 August 1776My dear Sir Your obliging Favour of July 28. I duely received. Am glad to hear that your third Freshmanship is a busy one. I think you commence a fou...

16 August 1776My dear Sir I sit down to write in great Haste as the post is just going. I reached P. Ferry on tuesday Six Clock P M and passed over the next mornin...

17 August 1776Dear sir Yours of the 13. came by Yesterdays Post. You have not acknowledged in it, the Receipt of a Letter I wrote you, 21. of July. I dont like you...

17 August 1776Dear Sir I had a Letter from you, by the Post Yesterday. Congratulate you, and your other Self, on your happy Passage, through the Small Pox. I must ...

18 August 1776Dear Sir I had the Pleasure of a line from you, at Princetown, and Yesterdays Post brought me another from New York. I thank you for this Attention, ...

18 August 1776Dear Sir It was with no small Degree of Pleasure, on my Return here, I observed the Cheerfulness which brightened the Countenance of every Soldier I ...

19 August 1776Philadelphia, 19 August 1776. Printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography, 3:447–449. ...

19 August 1776Dear Sir I set down to give you Part of the Information you ask. The Brigade you mention are new Levies wholly from the Massachusetts Bay. They are p...

20 August 1776Sir Your Favours of 28th. July and 8. August are before me. I have a Favour to ask of you, that is to Send me, an exact Account of the Number of Cont...

21 August 1776Dear sir I had by Yesterdays Post, the Pleasure of your Letter of the 12. instant. The Account you give me of the Books you have read and Studied is ...

21 August 1776Madam I had the Honour of receiving your very polite Letter of the Tenth instant by Yesterdays Post. I Sympathize with you, most Sincerely in your pe...

21 August 1776Dear Sir Yours of August 11 reached me Yesterday. Mrs. Temple shall have all the Assistance which I can give her, but I fear it will be without succe...

21 August 1776Dear Sir I received your favor by the post for which please to accept my thanks. I hope the Copper you mentioned will be purchas'd as speedily as pos...

22 August 1776Worthy Sir Your Favour of the third instant yesterday came safe to Hand, for which I thank You; am glad to hear that the Burden lying on Colonels of ...

23 August 1776Dear Sir Colo. Dayton, who with his battalion is Stationed at Fort Stanwix, informs me no Regimental Paymaster hath been appointed to his battalion, ...

23 August 1776Sir In the general Calamity of the times, I find there is little or no Business to be had unless help'd and push'd forward by some able and powerful ...

23 August 1776Dear Sir I have the Satisfaction to acquaint You that immediately after my Arrival here I appointed Mr. Rice a Major of Brigade. He is a most deservi...

24 August 1776Sir Yours of the Twenty Second is before me. You mention, the Delicacy of appointing, an Officer of the Same State over another. And you put the Case...

24 August 1776Dear Sir Your Favours of 18 and 19 of August are before me. I am much obliged to you for them, and am determined to pursue this Correspondence, until...

24 August 1776My dear Sir Mrs. Adams mentioned to me last evening that you wanted to know the state of our forts, the number of men we have to support the lines an...

25 August 1776Dear Sir It is So long Since I had the Pleasure of Writing to you, or the Honour of receiving a Letter from You, that I have forgotten, on which side...

25 August 1776Dear Sir Your Favour of the 21. is before me. I agree that We ought to have an hundred more of Mortars, Howitzers, and Field Pieces, And if I knew wh...

27 August 1776Dear sir Your Favour of July 1. ought not to have lain by me, so long unanswered. But the old Apology of Multiplicity of Avocations is Threadbare. Yo...

28 August 1776Sir The Bearer Mr. Measam was a Merchant of good Reputation at Montreal; but having engag'd warmly in the American Cause, has been oblig'd to abandon...

28 August 1776Respectd Sir As I find that Mr. Christopher Ludwig is about setting off for Philadelphia in the morning, I think it a duty I owe to trouble you with ...