Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams
Volume 5, August 1776 – March 1778

Front Matter

Title Page

Copyright Page

Sponsors of Print Edition

Advisory Board

Contents

Descriptive List of Illustrations

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Guide to Editorial Apparatus

Documents

29 August 177620 September 1776Dear Sir I Sett down now in the Character of a School Master, or a Fellow of a Colledge to give myself Airs, the Pedantry and Impertinence of which I...

29 August 1776Sir In Answer to your last in which you desire some further Information respecting Shephard &c., I can inform that Lt. Colo­nel Shephard belongs to W...

29 August 1776Dr. Sir I had a Warrant on Sunday Morning last, from Head Quarters, for the Trial of Lieut. Col. Harman Zeidwitz Commanding Officer of Brigadier McDo...

2 September 1776

4 September 1776Dear sir Mr. Hare, a Brother of Mr Robert Hare, the Porter Brewer in this City is bound to Boston. He has boarded, Sometime in the Same House with me...

4 September 1776Dear Sir It is in vain for me to think of telling you News, because you have direct Intelligence from Ticonderoga much sooner than I have, and from N...

6 September 1776Dr Sir I am exceedingly concerned to find that the New Articles of War, though passed, are not to take Place yet. The infamous Desertions, the Shamel...

6 September 177612 September 1776Sir I have the honour of your Letter of the 20th of August. Agreeable to your desire have inclosed a Return of the Continental armed Vessels fitted o...

8 September 1776 I am going tomorrow Morning on an Errand to Lord Howe not to beg a Pardon, I assure you, but to hear what he has to Say. He sent Sullivan here to let...

9 September 1776Worthy Sir Received, another of your kind Favours on Monday last, for which I thank You, the Demands of my Regiment from the hourly Expectation of an...

11 September 1776Sr. I have not been favord, with any from you for sometime. As to News of any consequence this way, we have None. The most important is your way, tru...

14 September 1776Dear Sir I forbore asking You any Questions on your Return from Staten Island, as there were a Number of People about us; but would beg Leave to sugg...

16 September 1776My dear Sir I very gratefully acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter dated the of August. I should have written to you from this place before, but I...

17 September 1776Dear Sir I have received your favor of —— but it is so old a date, that I am ashamed to put it down. I should have answerd it seasonably, and congrat...

17 September 1776Dear Sir I don't wish to Complain when the Public Service will not be injurd by Silence: two Things must be attended to in the new raising Army or in...

18 September 1776Sir I hope youle excuse the Liberty of this Adress from a Stranger, which I presume to take on the Strength of my Brothers Acquaintance with you, And...

19 September 1776My dear Sir I wrote you in my last that we were about raising every fifth Man of our Alarm and Train Band List to go to the Aid of the Army at New Yo...

22 September 1776Dear Sir Since I received your favour of the 27th of May on the Subject of Representation I have heard of a Letter being in the post office in Boston...

23 September 1776Dear Sir Every Day more thoroughly convinces me that an absolute Tyranny is essential in the Government of an Army, and that every Man who carries Ar...

25 September 1776Dr sir This Express carries a new Plan of an Army. I hope the General Court without one Moments delay will Send Commissions to whole Corps of their O...

25 September 1776Dear sir Thro' the hurry and confusion of one retreat after another I have omitted to answer your last favor. You are pleas'd to desire a list of the...

30 September 1776My dear sir I am much obligd to you for your two Letters of the 8th and 14th of this Month, which I receivd, together, by the last Post. The Caution ...

3 October 1776Dear Sir By the Carelessness of an Orderly Sargent to whom it was given, I did not get your Letter, forwarded by Mr. Gerry from Philadelphia, and so ...

5 October 1776 Yours of September 19. came duely to Hand. You have raised every fifth Man to march to New York. But to what Purpose, Should you send forth Your Thou...

8 October 1776Dear Sir Your's of the 2nd. Instant I received last Night for which I am obliged to you. If any Information I can give will contribute to your Satisf...

11 October 1776Gentlemen There is no measures conceivable to me that can save this Country from utter ruin but the raising an Army to serve during the present War w...

5 November 1776Dear Sir I find the People this Way, under very disagreable Apprehensions, about Paper Currency. The Depreciation of it, in all the States from Phila...

21 November 1776Sir Since I had the pleasure of seeing You last, I have conversed with my Father on the plan you proposed to me of going into the Service; and tho' w...

28 November 1776Sir I had this Moment, between two and Three o'Clock, the Honour of your Letter of this Days Date, requiring my Attendance, on the Hon. House of Repr...

10 December 1776Whereas, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Francis Dana, and James Lovell Esqrs. have been chosen by joint B...

31 December 1776My dear Sir Mr. Lovell goes tomorrow. In him We shall find a Man of Spirit Fortitude, and Patience, three Virtues the most Usefull of any in these Ti...

1 January 1777sir Your Favour of the 30 Nov came to hand last Evening for which I most sincerely thank you. I wrote to you the 15: Nov. which I hope you have recei...

2 January 1777

3 January 1777 The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider a Letter from General Washington to the President of the Council dated Decr: 18th: beg leave to re...

8 January 1777Dear sir Since You left Philadelphia many important Events have taken place in the Council as well as the Field; those that are publick You are undou...

9 January 1777My dear Sir I have every Day for a Month past been anxiously expecting the Pleasure of seeing you here, but now begin to suspect you do not intend to...

14 January 1777Dear Sir I return the two volumes of Hume (by my brother) which you were so good as to lend me, and should be glad of two volumes of Mrs. McCawley, i...

31 January 1777Dr Sir I flatter myself with the Pleasure of hearing from you Soon, and in the mean Time, I wish to convey to you a Piece of important Secret Intelli...

3 February 1777Dear Sir After a very tedious Journey, through the severist Weather, and over very bad Mountains, in one Part of it, and perfect Mortar, in the other...

3 February 1777Dear Sir It may not be a Mispence of Time to make a few Observations upon the Situation of Some of the States at this Time. That Part of New York whi...

3 February 1777 There is no kind of Relaxation here in warlike Preparations, and yet the Ministry have so contrived that few People believe there is any danger of Wa...

4 February 1777 Whereas the Commission given the Delegates in Congress Representing this State, by a Resolve of the Tenth of December last, Confines the exercise of ...

John Adams to John Avery, with Letter of Resignation from Superior Court

10 February 1777Sir I have to request of you to communicate the inclosed Resignation to the Honourable Board, as soon as may be; as it is of great Importance to the ...

10 February 1777 To the Honourable the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay. May it please your Honours I find myself under a Necessity of resigning my Appointme...

12 February 177715 March 1777Dear sir The Certificates and Cheque Books for the Loan Office, I hope and presume, are arrived in Boston, before this Time, and notwithstanding the ...

12 February 1777My dear Sir We had a Court Martial set at Chatham last Week for the Trial of a Colo. Buckner of the 6th. Virginia Battalion in the Continental Servic...

14 February 1777D Sir I hope you will pardon me for not writing to you oftner of the state off affairs in the army of our Victories and Defeats Advances and Retreats...

17 February 1777My dear Sir I have the melancholly Prospect before me, of a Congress continually changing, untill very few Faces remain, that I saw in the first Cong...

20 February 1777Dr sir Yesterday, I had the Pleasure of yours of Jany. 28. I am rejoiced to hear of the Measures taken by our state to raise their Battalions and to ...

22 February 1777Dear Sir I had this Evening the Pleasure of your Favour of the fourteenth instant, and a great Pleasure it was, as it was an Evidence that my old Fri...

22 February 1777My dear Sir I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 3d. and 5th. Instant the first that have come to hand since your departure....

25 February 1777dear sir I had last Evening yours of the 12 Instant. Am much obliged to you for it. Why did not the Court martial find Buckner guilty of Cowardice? W...

27 February 1777 Resolved That General Washington's Proclamation of the Day of does not interfere with the Laws or civil Government of any State: but considering the...

3 March 1777Dear Sir It is a long time since I wrote to you, or you to me, who stands in debt upon the schore of Letters I cannot tell therefore I shall begin an...

4 March 1777Much Respected sir I beg Leave to write your Excellencys this Letter to have the honour to present you my Respect. I pray you to you Remember wath yo...

6 March 1777My dear sir Dr. Jackson, by whom this will go, is a Manager of the State Lottery, and is bound to the New England states, to forward the Sale of the ...

7 March 1777Sir Your kind favor of the 10th. Feby. Ultimo have received and agreeable to your Request have communicated the Resignation of your Office as Judge o...

7 March 1777Dear Sir Your Letter from Baltimore of 25th. Feby. I got to Day and was not a little pleased with its Receipt, as it convinc'd me You was not averse ...

9 March 1777Dear Sir I had, last Evening the Pleasure of yours of March 3. by your Brother, to whom in his Business to this Place I shall give all the Assistance...

11 March 1777Dear Sir Yours of the 7th. instant, I just received. Am glad to find the Post begins to do its Duty, and that Intelligence, is like to be more regula...

15 March 1777 Officers of the first Distinction have embarked at Havre De Grace for America, and a large supply of Field Pieces, military stores &c were sent by th...

16 March 1777Dr. Sir Since the Return of one half their Troops from Rhode Island I think the Enemy must be full 10,000 Men. They have only two out Posts Bonam Tow...

18 March 1777My dear sir I had this Morning the Pleasure of your Favour of Feb. 22. by the Post. This is the first Letter from you Since I left you. You are anxio...

18 March 1777My dear Sir There is a Part of your Letter of 22 of Feb. which I did not remark upon in a Letter I wrote this Afternoon and Sent to the Post Office. ...

21 March 1777Sir I had this Morning the Pleasure of your Favour of the 7th. Instant, and am glad to learn that my Letter to you of the Tenth of February, was con...

21 March 1777Dear sir It is not easy to penetrate the Designs of the Enemy. What Object they have in View, cannot certainly be determined. Philadelphia, most prob...

22 March 1777Dear sir Yours of the 16th. I got Yesterday. If Howe imagines that one fourth of Pensilvania are Quakers, he is mistaken one half: for upon the most ...

23 March 1777Dr Sir I yesterday ask'd Permission to resign my Post of J.A.G. and to retire from the Army, but met with a Refusal, which, though softened by a Comp...

23 March 1777My dear Sir I wrote you last from Plymouth about three weeks ago after which I was detained at Home longer than I Expected and did not get here till ...

24 March 1777Dear sir This Morning, a Vessell has arrived in this City with 6800 stand of excellent Arms and 1500 Gun Locks, belonging to Congress and 1500 more p...

25 March 1777Sir Being informed that you are of a Committee of Congress, appointed to consider what further Regulations are necessary to be made in the Post Estab...

25 March 1777Sr Your Favor per Dr. Jackson of the 7 Instant came to hand this day. It gives me pleasure that you are upon the Committee to consider of further Reg...

26 March 1777 There are two ingenious Artificers, here, who have made a beautifull Field Piece of Bar Iron. The Barrs were not bound together with Hoops, like that...

27 March 1777My dear Sir I had yours by Coll Palfry last night. General Green is just taking his Departure so that I can, only write you a Line. I blame you not f...

27 March 1777My Dear Sir I expected some how or other to have had the happiness of falling into your company when you was last in this State, but was disappointed...

27 March 1777Dear Sir I have pleasure in calling your Attention back to a Subject which was mentioned at Bush Town. Doctor Howard, in Compliance with his promise ...

31 March 1777Dear sir We have this day received Letters from Europe, of an interesting Nature. We are under Injunctions of Silence, concerning one very important ...

1 April 1777 Having an opportunity by So carefull an Hand as Captain Wentworth of Portsmouth, I have ventured to inclose you a copy of a Letter which appears to m...

3 April 1777My dear Sir I scratch a Line in utmost Hast—Your kind Letter I receiv'd by Mr Jackson the Day after sending one to you. Your Tickets sell rapidly. Yo...

3 April 1777My dear Sir I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 15th. and 18th. of March. There are few things I wish for more than A War b...

5 April 1777Dear sir I have neither seen nor heard of any Resolution of Congress approving or disproving of the Laboratory being fixed at Springfield. If the Con...

6 April 1777Dear sir This Evening I was favoured with yours of 24 March, by Major Ward. I thank you, sir for your kind Attention to me, and for affording me an o...

6 April 1777My Friend The Business of the naval and marine Department, will I hope be soon put in a better Train than it has been. A Board of Assistants has been...

6 April 1777Dear Sir Yours of 23d March, was handed to me, this Evening by Major Ward. Your Letter from Plymouth by the Post, I duely received—and immediately wr...

7 April 1777Dear Sir As nothing worthy your Attention has occurred since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Philadelphia except what you must have had from bett...

8 April 1777Dear Sir I had your Favour of 27 March by this Days Post. That this Country will go Safely through this Revolution, I am well convinced, but We have ...

13 April 1777My dear sir In considering a Letter from the General, sometime ago, in the Board of War, it was agreed to report to Congress a Resolution, approving ...

13 April 1777Dear Sir The Enemy made an attempt to surprise General Lincoln. This morning they advanced by three divisions. One crossed the Rarotan about a mile a...

16 April 1777Sir It is difficult to ascertain with Precision the Designs of the Enemy: But by the best Intelligence We can obtain their Malice and Revenge against...

16 April 1777 An unfortunate Vessell has arrived from France. The brave Fellow who commanded her, is blown to Pieces in her. A French Nobleman who came in her, got...

16 April 1777Dear Sir I have too many kinds of public business, to admit my looking into the matter of Finances, and examining the Same with that precision which ...

19 April 1777Sir Yesterday I came to this place; all things remain much as they were; a few Companies have come in from Connecticut, and many more on their march,...

23 April 1777Sir The General Assembly of this State frequently receives Petitions from Soldiers who have met with losses while in the Army, some who were inlisted...

23 April 1777My dear Sir I have been very Unwell and Absent for A fortnight. I returned here Yesterday. While I was at home I had the great pleasure of receiving ...

27 April 1777sir Your Favour of 25 March I duely received. The Plan of riding you mention, between Boston and Falmouth, appears to me, reasonable enough, but the ...

27 April 1777 Aha!—exchanging the Pride, Pomp and Circumstance of Glorious War, for the soft Charms of Wedlock and domestic Felicity, I suppose—abandoning Gun, Dru...

27 April 1777 I think it is Montesqueiu, who, Somewhere observes, that the English of Charles's days were perpetually bewildered in their Pursuit of a Republic, fo...

27 April 1777My dear Sir Since I wrote you by the post on last Thursday, Nothing very material has taken place here. Two Frigates have for some time been Infectin...

28 April 1777Dear Sir We are now very near the Month of May, and the Enemy, are in the Midst of Us. They have an Army, in Canada, another in Rhode Island another ...

29 April 1777Sir There is a Letter from Dr. Lee, dated Bourdeaux Feb. 20th. which Says that he has a Letter from a confidential Friend which assures him that Ten ...

29 April 1777Dr sir I have but a few Moments to write, and these it is my Duty to improve, and faithfully to tell you, that unless you exert yourselves and send f...

2 May 1777Dear Sir Dr. Brownson, a Delegate from Georgia, in Congress, and a worthy, Spirited, sensible Man A Native of Connecticutt will deliver you this. He ...

2 May 1777Dear Sir The interesting intelligence of your Letter occasioned my sending it to Council as soon as I received it. In Consequence of it, and of other...

2 May 1777Dear Sir Your favor of April 22d. came to hand a few days since. General Lincoln is deservedly acquited from any blame. It is as you observe impossib...

3 May 1777My dear sir Yours of April 3d I received. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine, whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between...

3 May 1777Dear Sir It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a Line from you. I was in hopes to have seen you when I went to Boston but you had previo...

5 May 1777My dear Sir We have no late Arrivals no foreign Intelligance. The Affair of Danbury has wholly Engrossed the Conversation here for a week past, and w...

6 May 1777Dear Sir I had the Favour of your Letter of 23d Ultimo by this days Post. As to the Petitions you mention, the Congress have made good no Losses, to ...

6 May 1777Dear sir I had a few days ago the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 16. Ultimo. The Subject of Finances, is the most important, of any that ca...

6 May 1777Dear sir About Ten Days ago, I had the Boldness to make a Motion that a Navy Board Should be established at Boston—certain Gentlemen looked, Struck a...

7 May 1777Dear Sir Yours of the 27th of April I am to acknowledge. I cannot concur with you in Sentiment because the Enimy did not go to Philadelphia last Dece...

8 May 1777My dear Sir I wrote to you a Letter which will Accompany this with A design it should have gone by last Monday's post, but he gave me the Slip. Nothi...

9 May 1777Dear Sir Yours of the 2d Instant, came duly to hand. The Indifference of the People about recruiting the Army, is a Circumstance, which ought to make...

9 May 1777Sir I suppose you have heard we have not taken Brunswick. If any one says we have he belies us. We are however defending ourselves, first against hun...

10 May 1777 Yours of the 7th. was brought me this Morning. My Meaning was that if the Conduct of our Army, had depended on me, I should have taken more Pains to ...

10 May 1777Dear Sir I am obliged to you for your two favors, one of the 25 Ultimo and the other of the 6 instant both of which I have received. I know not in wh...

12 May 1777Sir This day General Arnold came into Camp, I have had a long conversation with him upon the affairs of the Army, and Navy; his mind is set towards t...

14 May 1777Sir Your Favor per Capt. Thompson of April 25 I this Day received and have duly forwarded your other Letters which he was the Bearer of. I am to than...

16 May 1777Dear Sir Matters in our part of the continent are too much in quiet to send you news from hence. Our battalions for the Continental service were some...

19 May 1777Sir I have lately had convincing proof of what I have long expected, that is, men employed as Contractors being allowed two or three percent for all ...

21 May 1777Sir Mr. Gorham and Mr. Russel, Agents of the Town of Charlestown, have presented to Congress a Petition from the unfortunate Inhabitants of that Plac...

24 May 1777 During the civil Wars in Rome, in the Time of Sylla, and young Marius, after the Death of the Elder Marius, Sylla commanded one Army against Mithrida...

26 May 1777My dear Sir I had this Morning, the Pleasure of your Favour of the Sixteenth instant, by the Post; and rejoice to learn that your Battal­lions, were ...

27 May 1777Sir Although I cannot boast a right to address you from an Acquaintance which would warrant it, yet a Gentleman of your Character and Station will no...

28 May 1777 Resolved That the General, or Commander in Chief for the Time being Shall have full Power of pardoning, or mitigating any of the Punishments ordered ...

28 May 1777Dear Sir I receiv'd a letter from you some days since. I have it not with me, and therefore cannot be very particular in the Answer. I re­member you ...

28 May 1777My Dear Friend I Recollect That I Stand Indebted to you one Letter for your favor of the 22d. Feby and have nothing to plead in Excuse for nonpayment...

29 May 1777My dear Sir I wish, with you, that N. England may not fail to furnish their Quota of the Continental Army even to a single man; but am afraid we shal...

2 June 1777Dear Sir Yours of 28 Ultimo is before me. It is certain that Religion and Morality, have no less obligation upon Armies, than upon Cities and contrib...

3 June 1777Dear Sir I regret with you the Loss of Coll Stark, of whose Experience and Bravery, I have often heard the best Accounts. I know not the Man: but Som...

5 June 1777My Dear Sir Your favour of April the 8th tho' frankt was not received till the 22d of May. Tis mortifying to think that such a horrid corruption hath...

5 June 1777My dear Sir You will perhaps wonder that you have not heard from me for so long a time. I have had so little time at home of late, and found so much ...

8 June 1777My Dear Friend You cant oblidge me more than by giving me a Line to Inform whether you are, or are not alive; I begin to grow Suspicions and am there...

11 June 1777My dear Sir The honourable Samuel Hewes Esqr, a Delegate in Congress from North Carolina from 1774 to 1777, being bound on a Journey, to Boston for t...

11 June 1777My dear Sir It is A long time since I have had the pleasure of A line from you. I looked for one last post, and was disappointed. I wrote to you by t...

12 June 1777 Resolved that the Freedom of Speech and Debate in Congress ought not to be impeached or questioned in any Court or Place, out of Congress. Resolved, ...

14 June 1777Sir Centinels are again Posted at my Lodgings. This I suppose a mistake L: Col: Parke having inform'd me as from you, that there was a second resolut...

19 June 1777Dear sir Yours of the 5th. instant is before me. It may be very true, that your Regiments are as full, as those of any other State, but none of yours...

20 June 1777Sir Yesterday the Enemy retreated back to Brunswick; they were followed and fired on by a small party that happened to be near them. Since they came ...

22 June 1777My dear Sir If any Conjecture may be formed from the Intelligence or rather reports prevailing here you may leave Philadelphia before this Letter wil...

23 June 1777Dear Sr. My Brother, Mr. Christopher Sargeant, the bearer has occasion to travel to South Carolina, he is a Stranger in almost all places he has to t...

25 June 1777Dear Sir My last to you was, in answer to yours of the 20th March, concerning the manufacture of wrought-iron Cannon, of which I highly approve, and ...

28 June 1777Sir I wish it was in my power to give you a satisfactory and particular state of facts relative to the late movements in the military way, but all th...

4 July 1777Dear Sir The Army marched from Middle Brook yesterday and arrived here last Evening and encamped. I presume we shall not remain in this place long. I...

7 July 1777My dear Sir I never before took hold of a Pen, to write to my Friend General Green, without Pleasure, but I think myself obliged to do it now upon a ...

7 July 1777My dear Sir Yours of June 22d. received only today. We have no Thoughts of leaving Philadelphia. I believe Howe has no Thoughts of attempting it—but ...

10 July 1777My dear Sir I have lately wrote you more than one Letter which I hope you have receiv'd. Howe has confess'd his Inferiority in the Field by retreatin...

10 July 1777My dear Sir I Returned to this Town on Tuesday and found the Court had Just Adjourned to Sepr:. Last Evening I had the pleasure of yours of the 19th....

11 July 1777Dr. Sir We have this Moment an Account of the Evacuation of Ticonderoga in Consequence of A Council of General Officers who determined it to be Absol...

Joseph Ward to John Adams, with Letter from Richard Varick to Joseph Ward

17 July 1777Sir Yesterday I came to this Place upon some business respecting my Department. I left General Washington encamped 18 miles south of the North River....

5 July 1777Sir I have the pleasure of Acknowledging the Receipt of your Favor of the 8th Ultimo Which was deliver'd me On my Return from Tyonderoga to this Plac...

24 July 1777My dear Sir No Event since the Commencement of the War has excited such Indignation and Astonishment as the Evacuation of Tyconderoga in so disgracef...

26 July 1777Sir Yesterday I received your Favour of the twentieth Instant, while on my way from North River to this place. The Army is now on its march towards P...

27 July 1777Sir Yesterday I did myself the Honor to address a Letter to you; in answer to yours of the twentieth instant. This morning I saw the Adjutant General...

28 July 1777Dear Sir Upon the Public Affairs of the Country we all have a Right to speak freely and censure where we think there's Misconduct; to ramble into the...

2 August 1777Sir As Congress have authorized your Excellency to send a proper Officer to take the Command in the northern Department; We take the Liberty to signi...

4 August 1777Dear Sir Mr. Babcock of Newhaven informs me that he wrote you respecting our maritime Laws, and the Application of them to the Case of the Countess o...

7 August 1777My dear Sir This day 7-night I transmitted under cover to Mr. Hancock a number of anniversary sermons, printed at the request of the General Court, s...

8 August 1777Dear sir In Observing the different operation of Whig principles upon different people, I have been led to divide the Whigs of America into the five ...

10 August 1777My dear Sir I Received your favours by Mr. Hewes and by the post since writeing which, you must have heard of the Important Event of the Evacuation o...

12 August 1777Dear Sir I see by the Papers, our Assembly is called, and conclude it is now Sitting. The Letters we receive from G. Schuyler, are enough to frighten...

15 August 1777 Resolved that a Copy of that Part of Coll Richardson's Letter which relates to Thomas Cockayne and George Walton and Thos Lightfoot of Sussex County ...

18 August 1777My dear sir The inclosed Copies, you will see must not be made public. You will communicate them in Confidence to such Friends as have Discretion. Wh...

21 August 1777Albemarle, Va., 21 August 1777. (Adams Papers); printed: Jefferson, Papers, 2:27–29. Jefferson suggested applying for a loan from the Grand Duke of T...

31 August 1777 The loss of Ty is in a train of serious enquiry. Altho this disaster for the present is grievous, yet I think it has put Burgoyne into our power, and...

1 September 1777Sir I had the honor to recieve your favor of 19th. June and should have wrote you if it were only to return my Thanks, had not Circumstances in the f...

3 September 1777Sir I this day had the pleasure to converse with the Hon. Mr. Warren who appears desirous to serve me. He informs me the present Establishment for th...

3 September 1777Sir The Resolves of Congress, directing every board to deliver into the secretary's Office, all original Letters referr'd to them address'd to Congre...

4 September 1777Sir Yesterday a severe skirmish happened between a party of seven hundred of our Troops and two or three thousand Barbarians, it is said we lost fort...

4 September 1777My dear Sir I thank you for yours of the 12th. and 18th August which came safe to hand. I am much Gratified by seeing some Account of your plans, and...

5 September 1777Sir The Resolve of Congress which you will receive under this Cover will shew you that we are appointed a Committee and for what purposes. We request...

7 September 1777My dear Sir I wrote you by the last post. I wonder whether all the Letters I write you get to hand, and if they do whether you are not tired with the...

10 September 1777Honabl. Sir I ask pardon for giveing you this Trouble, Amidst your More Important Concerns, but being requested to forward the Inclosed, I beg Leave ...

16 September 1777sir I am directed by the Board of War to desire you, to deliver to Coll. Bird forty of the Hessian Prisoners in your Custody, to work with him as Art...

17 September 1777My dear Sir Yours with the Inclosed came safe to hand last week, and have given me great pleasure. I wish I could in return give you any thing that w...

19 September 1777Sir I am informed, that some of the Members of Congress are dissatisfied with my allowing, as Chief-Justice of this State, writs of habeas corpus for...

22 September 1777 Having here observed a diligent attention to the sick and wounded, and a benevolent desire to make the necessary provi­ sion for the relief of the di...

25 September 1777Sir Knowing how much you have at Heart the Establishing the Currency of this State and the United States—I take this opportunity to inform you that l...

28 September 1777Dear Sir Far from addressing you in The Language of friendship and Desiring your assistance as a Friend I call upon you as a friend to Justice and ma...

29 September 1777Sir I did myself the pleasure to write you from Burdeaux the begining of this Month, giving you what little information I had got, during the two Day...

1 October 1777Dear Sir It would have given me great pleasure to have Spent an hour with you in this place After my return from Genl. Howe's camp. I could have told...

9 October 1777Sir This will be handed you by Doctor John L Linn the Surgeon of our Ship, he goes to Congress with design to represent the hardships himself and oth...

9 October 1777Sir As you have had the history of the late action from the General, I shall not trouble you with many particulars which happened on that memorable d...

9 October 1777 The Committee, to whom were referred the Papers, received from the President of the State of Georgia, respecting George McIntosh, taken into Custody ...

10 October 1777Sir I did myself the Honour to write to you from Nantez the 29th ultimo and at the Same time forwarded Two News papers for you; I mentiond the Scarci...

10 October 1777My dear Sir You will recollect that A long time has elapsed since I had a Line from you. Our hopes and fears with regard to the Operations of War in ...

12 October 1777My dear Sir I want Extreamly to hear from you to know what situation you are in, and what is the true situation of our public affairs. It is Impossib...

13 October 1777Dear Sir I have little to add to the long letter I wrote to you a few days ago, but that the event of the battle at Germantown on the 4th instant was...

21 October 1777My dear friend I fear you will class me with the weeping philosophers of antiquity, but I cannot help it. He who can be happy while his country is wa...

22 October 1777My dear Sir I write to you in Hast and Confidence—and beg you to conceal me when I speak with Freedom of Men and Things. After many Reports that Burg...

23 October 1777 To ascertain the necessary Sums of Money to be raised for the service of the united States, and to appropriate and apply the Same for defraying the...

24 October 1777My dear Sir Two days agoe I wrote you an hasty Script. Perhaps I express'd myself too suddenly and strongly upon an important Subject. The Terms whic...

31 October 1777Dear Sir The disorders of our Army do not proceed from any natural faults in our men. On the contrary I believe the people of America (especially the...

10 November 1777Dear Sir Nothing has given me more uneasiness than to find General Conway is about Leaving our Army on Account of Some French Gentlemen who were infe...

13 November 1777My Dear Friend I this morning was favoured with yours of the 28 ultimo, which gave the more pleasure as I before had began to Conceive that Some part...

14 November 1777Dear sir Tho I must refer you as well as Mr. Hancock to what I have written to Mr. S. Adams relative to the Business in Congress,and also omit at pre...

18 November 1777Dear Sir It appears by Returns this day received from Genl. Gates that Burgoine must have destroyed his Standards and almost every other military Tro...

19 November 1777My dear Sir The inclosed Letter, I this Moment received and can think of no other Way, to answer the Expectations of Mr. Smith, than to request you t...

22 November 1777Dear Sir We have this Evening a Letter from Mr. Bingham of Octr. 13th. in which he tells us that the french General had received a Packet by a Boat w...

27 November 1777 The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, P...

27 November 1777 Resolved That it be Earnestly recommended to the several States, as soon as may be, to Confiscate and make sale of all the Real and Personal Estate t...

28 November 1777Dear Sir I shall not in my great hurry repeat to you any of the matters which I have written to Mr. S. Adams as you can have them, on sight of him. I...

28 November 1777My dear Friend I would not take pen in hand until I could reasonably suppose you safe arrived to your long wished for home, on which I now presume to...

1 December 1777Dear Sir As I was at the Secretaries yesterday I took off a few Resolutions from the Journals for your view, supposing as to the above, that you migh...

3 December 1777Dear Sir With great pleasure to ourselves we discharge our duty by inclosing to you your Commission for representing these United States at the Court...

3 December 1777My dear sir I received your Favour of the 19th Novr on my Way to this Place; and the Business which your Friend Mr. Smith requested You to negotiate,...

3 December 1777Sir The 28th. Ultimo I had the honour of writing to you by the Messenger Frederick Weare and of transmitting a Vote of Congress by which you are appo...

6 December 1777My dear Sir You must expect for the Future, to find in me, Situated as I am by a blissfull Fireside, surrounded by a Wife and a Parcell of chattering...

6 December 1777Dear Sir Your kind Favours of 14 and 18 Novr. I received together, this Evening. I thank you, for your obliging Remembrance of me, and for your enter...

8 December 1777Dear Brother I wish you Joy of your new, Scaene and Stage: You will act your Part well I doubt not, and I hope you will have much Pleasure and Reputa...

8 December 1777My dear sir Since my last the Situation of the Camp has prevented the Committee of Congress from transacting the Business of their Appointment. The E...

8 December 1777Dear Sir Since my signing a letter to you with Colo. Lee an excellent opportunity of sending to France presented; and the Colonel in his way home has...

9 December 1777Dear Sir Some day next Week Mr. John Thaxter, will Sett off, on his Journey for York Town. You may remember, the Want of Secretaries and Clerks, whic...

9 December 1777My dear Sir I have never found an Opportunity, of presenting my Respects to you, Since I left York Town, till now. We had as prosperous, and pleasant...

10 December 1777My dear Sir Permit me to congratulate you on your return to your family and frends, of which I am advertised by the weekly Gazette. It must afford no...

17 December 1777Williamsburg, Va., 17 December 1777. (Adams Papers); printed: Jefferson, Papers, 2:120–121. Noting that Virginia had ratified the Articles of Confede...

17 December 1777 Decr. 2d. Resolved that a Commission be made out for Mr. J. Adams similar to that heretofore granted to the Commissioners at the Court of France. The...

Archibald Campbell to John Adams, with letters from Elias Bowdinot to Heman Allen and from Heman Allen to Archibald Campbell

18 December 1777Sir Mr. Heman Allen of Salisbury has transmitted to me the inclosed Copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdinot Commissary General of Prisoners for the Americ...

30 September 177731 October 1777Sir By perusing the inclosed copy you will be able to judge what further measures will be necessary, for you to take to expedite the liberation of yo...

21 December 1777 That you may excuse my vile manner of doing business, know that I am freezing in my little room this morning so that I can scarcely hold my pen, but,...

James Lovell to John Adams, with Congressional Resolution: A State of Facts

21 December 1777Dear Sir After the Resolve for stopping Burgoyne had passed, some were of opinion that a State of Facts found by the Committee should have preceeded ...

1 December 177731 December 1777That by the return of ordinance and stores taken from the enemy in the Northern department from the 19 Sept. to 17 Oct. inclusive it appears, there we...

22 December 1777Dear Sir Tho' we are withdrawn from the Grand Congress and are about Eighty miles Assunder, yet I would hope to hold a little litterary Congress this...

23 December 1777My dear Sir On my Return from Portsmouth, to which Place I made an Excursion upon a certain maritime Cause, I Yesterday met your kind Letter of Decr....

23 December 1777Sir Having been Absent, on a Journey, I had not the Honour of receiving your Letters, until Yesterday when one of the Twenty Eighth of November inclo...

24 December 1777Gentlemen Having been absent from this State, I had not the Honour of your Favour of December 3d. untill the 22d. when it was delivered to me with it...

24 December 1777My dear Friend I cannot omit this opportunity of acknowledging the Receipt of your kind Favours of 27 or 28 Novr. I Say one or the other of those day...

24 December 1777My dear Friend Your most friendly and obliging Favour of 28. Novr was never delivered to me, untill the 22d instant, when I returned home from a shor...

25 December 1777Sir Three Days ago, I had the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 18th. of December, inclosing Copy of a Letter from Mr. Heman Allen and another f...

Johann Kalb to John Adams, with Two Letters of Introduction for John Adams

27 December 1777Sir As you are going to France in a publick Character from the United States, will you give me leave to present you a Letter of introduction for M Le...

27 December 1777Mr Count You take So great an Interest, in the Success of the American Cause, that I have made so bold, as to recommend to you, Mr John Adams, one of...

27 December 1777 The Friendship, with which you have always honoured me, sir, has made me take the Liberty to recommend to you, Mr John Adams, one of the Members of C...

30 December 1777Dear Sir Mr. Geary otherways engaged has given me the pleasure of forwarding this Intelligence from your friend Jefferson respecting the ready concur...

1 December 177731 December 1777Much Respected Sir Owing to the very partial opinion and recommendation of my Friend, you have been pleased to apply to me for such observations as h...

1 January 1778Dear Sir The year is rendered quite pleasing to me, in its beginning, by the arrival of your favour of the 6th of december, which assures me you were...

5 January 1778Dear sir I had the honour of Addressing you on the 28th. November and 3d. Ultimo in Official Letters from Congress. My present business is to intreat...

9 January 1778Headquarters, 9 January 1778. (Adams Papers); printed: Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, ed. S...

9 January 1778Dear Sir A Schooner belonging to Us by which our friend Mr. McCreery went to France, being returnd a few days ago, We inclosed you a Letter received ...

13 January 1778Dear Sir First and foremost, become a reconciling advocate for me with your dear lovely Portia, who, from the most rational tender attachment to you,...

John Adams to the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, with an Account of Adams's Expenses

15 January 1778Sir I had this Moment the Honour of receiving the Order of the Honourable the House of Representatives of the 14th. instant directing the Gentlemen w...

9 January 177715 January 1778Dr. £sd 1777To Cash Spent from my leaving Home the 9. Jany. 1777 to my Return 27. Novr 1777 exclusive of every Article of Cloathing and exclusive of a...

15 January 1778Sir I was honoured on the 7th. Instant by the Receipt of your favour of the 9th. Ultimo by the hands of Mr. Thaxter. I desired that Young Gentleman t...

20 January 1778Dear Sir The receipt of your letters of Decr. 24th variously directed gave equal and uniform satisfaction here yesterday. There was an error in the d...

21 January 1778Dear Sir I acknowledge your favors of the 19th. and 24th. Ultimo, and with great pleasure find you obey the call of your Country. May it prove her ad...

22 January 1778Sir I received a few days since a Letter from my good friend William Vernon Esqr., One of the members of the Navy Board in the Eastern department; in...

22 January 1778Sir On the 19th. Instant I had the honour of receiving and presenting to Congress, your favor of the 23d. Ultimo—the Contents of which afforded great...

22 January 1778Yorktown, 22 January 1778. (Adams Papers); printed: Benjamin Rush, Letters, 1:190–192. Whatever might be said about the graces needed at the French c...

25 January 1778My dear sir I have attended to your Sentiments on the Subject of Money and am equally unhappy with You “to see Injustice, both to the publick and Ind...

2 February 1778 Mr. Hancock's Compliments to Mr. Adams. The Inclos'd Letter from the Baron De Kalb he Received under Cover. Mr. Hancock would have been exceedingly G...

3 February 1778Sir I had Yesterday the Honour of receiving, from the Hand of my worthy Friend General Knox, your kind Letter to me, together with five others, which...

4 February 1778Sir I had this Moment the Honour of yours of the 15. Ultimo and I thank you for your Kindness to Mr. Thaxter of whom I had not before heard, Since he...

6 February 1778Dear sir I had, Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 22d of January, and beg Leave to assure you, I shall pay all proper Attention ...

6 February 1778My dear Friend L. I have received, this Morning, by several Hands and at other Times during the last Week, Several of your Favours. I will endeavour ...

8 February 1778My dear Sir Two Days ago, I was favoured with your polite and elegant Letter of January 22. I have received so many of your Letters, within a few Mon...

8 February 1778Dear Sir Yours of Janry. 9th is before me. Deane had inclosed to Congress a long minute corresponding history of what you sent me. He doubted whether...

8 February 1778Lancaster, 8 February 1778. (Adams Papers); printed: Benjamin Rush, Letters, 1:199–200. Detailing some of his charges against Dr. Shippen, Rush compl...

9 February 17789 February 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography, 2:272–273. Vernon asked that his son be placed with a mercantile house in Bordeaux or Nantes an...

10 February 1778Boston. 10 February 1778. printed (virtually verbatim): JA, Diary and Autobiography, 2:272. Deane recommended his nephew Jesse, the only son of Silas ...

10 February 1778My dear Sir The week after Mr. C—— was appointed secretary, I saw the P.S. of a letter to Mr. S.A. in which he is said to be a very unworthy person, ...

1 February 177828 February 1778York, February 1778. (Adams Papers). Believing that could receive yet another letter in addition to those of 8 and 10 Feb. (above), Lovell wrote to ...

5 March 1778My dear Friend Capt. Le Maire the Bearer tells me he saw you in Paris. In Hopes this may find you there, I write, not so much to tell you any thing o...

9 March 1778Dear sir I hope in God this will find you safe arrived at your desired Port, and that you are happy in your appointment, at least as much so, as any ...