Papers of John Adams, volume 5
1778-02-06
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 to its Contents, by rendering to the Gentleman whom you recommend, every service in my Power. I had before been introduced, to that young Gentleman by his Father, for whom I have conceived a great deal of Esteem, and from what I saw of the son and from what I have heard of him I think him ingenious and promising. But as I shall have an ample opportunity to become more acquainted with him, I shall be the better able hereafter to Speak of him from my own Knowledge, and you may depend upon it that nothing shall be wanting on my Part, towards recommending him in Proportion to his Merits. I am &c.
Report Says, that when the order for suspending Mr. Burgoines Embarkation was given him, he thrashed his Hand upon his Thigh, and declared that he believed Congress, were determined to kill him. Will an imperious Court ever ratify that Convention? Or will the Army be Prisoners during the War? I think Burgoines Army is Snugg enough, but they ought to be sent farther from Boston. My best respects to Brother Dana. Beg him to write me—and to excuse my not writing him.1
This final paragraph was an afterthought, squeezed in between the original ending of the letter and the next letter in the Letterbook.
1778-02-06
I have received, this Morning, by several Hands and at other Times during the last Week, Several of your Favours. I will endeavour to acknowledge each if I can but if I should mistake in my Hurry and omit, one or two I hope you will excuse it. One of Jany 1. one of Jany. 17. one of Jany 21. one of Jany. 20. with their Enclosures.1
I will, do all I can to ensure a Passage for the Resolution of Congress respecting G. Burgoines Army, by sending Copies by half a Dozen different Vessells. But I fancy the surest Way of getting any Thing, published in Europe is to publish it in all the 402American News Papers, for then it goes by every Vessell nay it is conveyed even by the Enemy.
I beg you would, favour me with Journals Newspapers, and every Thing else but especially with the elegant and entertaining Traits of your own Pen. I have received several Instances of Politeness, from the Marquis De La Fayette and from the Baron De Kalb, containing several large Packetts, as well as several Letters of Introduction to their Friends for which I feel a great deal of Gratitude.
Resolved that the Navy Board of Boston be directed to transmit, to the Commissioners of these united States at Paris, all the Boston Newspapers from Time to Time, as they shall be published, and as opportunities present, and to send Duplicates and Triplicates by different Conveyances.
I wish you would get Some such Resolution passed, because the Utility of it is obvious. These need not be thrown overboard in Case of Capture for they will do good even in the Hands of our Enemies. &c.
Those of 17 and 21 Jan. have not been found.