Papers of John Adams, volume 5

To Samuel Freeman, 6 May 1777 JA Freeman, Samuel

1777-05-06

To Samuel Freeman, 6 May 1777 Adams, John Freeman, Samuel
To Samuel Freeman
Dear Sir Philadelphia May 6. 1777

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 any Soldiers—nor any Accounts for Sickness, more than Pay, Rations, and Mileage.

I am much obliged to you, for your Account of the Several Acts passed by the Assembly. It is very necessary that We should know here, the Proceedings of our Assembly. We often suffer, much Anxiety, and indeed the public Cause often suffers, from our Ignorance.

I am rejoiced above all Things that you have detached 2000 Men to Rhode Island. It is the opprobrium of New England, that So small a Nest of Vermin has been so long unmolested at Newport.

We have no News here, but what you have had before. I hope you will hear of something done before long. We have been insulted long enough. We have borne even to long Suffering. If something is not done Soon I shall think Americans have very small souls.

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I hope you will not fail, a single Man of your Quota. Dont harbour the Thought of falling short. Send the Men along. For Gods sake send them along, that We may suffer no more Surprizes, and Disgraces, for Want of Men.

The Muster Master in this City, has mustered two hundred Men a day for Ten days Past. We shall have an Army, if the Lassitude of the Massachusetts dont discourage it. I am, with much Respect sir, your servant

John Adams

RC (MeHi).

To Joseph Palmer, 6 May 1777 JA Palmer, Joseph

1777-05-06

To Joseph Palmer, 6 May 1777 Adams, John Palmer, Joseph
To Joseph Palmer
Dear sir Philadelphia May 6. 1777

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 can come under our Consideration. If We can Support those We can, carry on the War with Vigour and probably with success. But if We go on, as We have We must suffer, extream Distress. The science of a Financier is to be learned only from Books or from Travel. I have Scarce a Moment to look into a Book and I never travelled. Some of our Bostonian Genius's who understand the Nature of Commerce and of Money must turn their Thoughts to these Subjects.

I think with you that We ought to negotiate with some foreign Power Loans of Cash; But this is attended with great Difficulty. We might possibly borrow, but there is a vast Risque in transporting, the Money across the sea.

I know not what to say of the Lottery, You say is in Contemplation. I dread the Effects of the Gambling Spirit that is abroad. Salt, Lead, sulphur, Allum and Copperas, are Articles of great Importance, but whether you cannot import them cheaper, than you can make them, (under all the Risques) I know not.

I wish you had informed me, how many Men of our Quota, are raised and how many marched. We are Suffering much for Want of Men. The surprizes at Bound Brook, Peeks kill and Danbury were all owing to this Cause. I hope and pray that our State will not fall a Man short of its Quota, and that every Man will be sent to Ti. and Morristown.

I Sincerely condole with you under Mrs. Palmers Indisposi-180tion. Be pleased to make my Compliments to her and all the Family. I hope she will recover, beyond your apprehensions. I am &c.

RC (PHC:Charles Roberts Autograph Coll.).