Papers of John Adams, volume 3

II. Committee Report on Gunpowder Sent to the Northern Army, 16 October 1775 JA Langdon, John Dyer, Eliphalet Continental Congress

1775-10-16

II. Committee Report on Gunpowder Sent to the Northern Army, 16 October 1775 Adams, John Langdon, John Dyer, Eliphalet Continental Congress

II. Committee Report on Gunpowder Sent to the Northern Army

post 16 Oct. 1775 1

The Committee appointed to enquire, what Powder has been Sent to the Army in the Northern Department, have attended that service and beg Leave to report

That five Thousand Weight of Powder, sent from South Carolina, has been forwarded to the said Army.	5000 wt.
140
That Two Thousand one hundred and thirty six Pounds Weight have been forwarded to the Same Army from the City of Philadelphia.	2136
That Seventeen hundred Weight have been forwarded from New York.	1700
That Eight hundred Weight has been forwarded from Connecticutt.	800
That Thirteen hundred Weight has been forwarded at another Time from the City of Philadelphia.	1300
	10936
In Addition to which Two thousand Weight has been lately ordered to New York and from there to the same Army.2	2000
	12,936

MS in JA's hand (Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 346, filmed under date [1776–1778]).

On 16 Oct. a committee composed of John Langdon, Eliphalet Dyer, and JA was ordered to make a survey of the amounts of gunpowder sent to the northern army and by whom. The Journals do not record any report made or accepted ( JCC , 3:296).

Pres. Hancock informed Gen. Schuyler of the shipment of powder in his letter of 11 Oct. (Burnett, ed., Letters of Members , 1:228).

III. Form Letter Requesting Information on British Depredations, 19 October 1775 JA Deane, Silas Wythe, George Continental Congress

1775-10-19

III. Form Letter Requesting Information on British Depredations, 19 October 1775 Adams, John Deane, Silas Wythe, George Continental Congress

III. Form Letter Requesting Information on British Depredations

Philadelphia, 19 Oct. 1775 Sir

The continental congress having been pleased to appoint us a committe1 for collecting an account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy in America, since last March, with proper evidence of the truth of the facts related, the number and value of the buildings destroyed, and of the vessels inward and outward bound seised, by them as nearly as can be ascertained, and also the stock taken by them from different parts of the continent, as you may see by the resolve inclosed; we entreat the assistance of the convention of your colony in this business, that we may be enabled to perform what is required of us, in the manner and with the expedition congress expects; and, to that end you will be pleased to furnish us with the necessary materials sending to us clear distinct full and circumstantial details of the hostile and destructive acts, and the captures 141or seizures and depredations in your colony, and accurate estimates of the loss and damage with the solemn examinations of witnesses, and other papers and documents officially authenticated. We are, Sir, Your obedient humble servants,

Silas Deane John Adams George Wythe

MS (PHi:Sprague CoIl.).

This letter was the work of the committee formed on 18 Oct. to obtain “a just and well authenticated account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy in America since last March” ( JCC , 3:298–299). For JA's comments on the committee and its purpose, see his letters to James Warren of 12, 18, and 19 (1st) Oct. (below). No indication of when or whether this committee reported to congress has been found.