1481To George Washington from John Adams, 6 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
As your Excellency has asked my Opinion of General Lees Plan, as explain’d in his Letter of the fifth instant, I think it my Duty to give it, although I am obliged to do it in more Haste than I could wish. I Suppose the only Questions which arise upon that Letter are whether the Plan is practicable; whether it is expedient; and whether it lies properly within your Excellencys Authority,...
1482From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 8 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Friend insists upon my Writing to you, and altho I am conscious it is my Duty, being deeply in Debt for a number of very agreable Favours in the Epistolary Way, yet I doubt whether a sense of this Duty would have overcome, my Inclination to Indolence and Relaxation, with which my own Fire Side always inspires me, if it had not been Stimulated and quickened by her. I was charmed with three...
1483Resolution ordering Frenchman’s Bay committee to deliver clothing to Neal Mclntyre or to Charles Chauncy in Mclntyre’s … (Adams Papers)
10 January 1776. Resolution ordering Frenchman’s Bay committee to deliver clothing to Neal Mclntyre or to Charles Chauncy in Mclntyre’s behalf. M-Ar :207, p. 392. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser.,...
1484II. Report of a Committee on Fitting Out Armed Vessels, 11 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider a Plan for fiting out one or more Armed Vessels for the defence of American Liberty, have attended that service, and Report in the following Resolves, vizt. Resolved that two Ships be built, as soon as may be, at the expence of this Colony; One Suitable to carry Thirty-Six Guns, vizt., Twenty Four Guns carrying twelve Pound Shot, and Sixteen...
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the Letter from his excellency General Washington of the Tenth Instant, have attended that service and beg leave to report. That a Committee of both Houses be appointed to wait on the General and to assure him that this Court are zealously disposed to do everything in their power, to promote the Recruiting of the American Army and to acquaint...
1486Resolution to allow the accounts of the treasurer of Barnstable county, 15 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
15 January 1776. Resolution to allow the accounts of the treasurer of Barnstable county. M-Ar :207, p. 405. ( M-Ar :207, p. 405).
1487Order to Worcester jail to release Thomas Mullin, 17 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
17 January 1776. Order to Worcester jail to release Thomas Mullin. M-Ar :164, p. 237. ( M-Ar :164, p. 237).
1488Isaac Smith Sr. to John Adams, with Adams’ Letter of Transmittal, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I had wrote you several posts before my hearing you was returned. I should be very glad if you and Mrs. Adams could take a turn this way before you return to Philadelphia again. I had lately a schooner arrived, with some powder, at Barnstable, rather better than three hundred pounds, which was disposed of there, as the people wanted it much. I understand that any person importing powder shall...
1489Order that blankets collected in Hampshire and Berkshire counties be retained there for use by troops going northward … (Adams Papers)
19 January 1776. Order that blankets collected in Hampshire and Berkshire counties be retained there for use by troops going northward. M-Ar :207, p. 423–424. ( M-Ar :207, p. 423–424).
1490Resolution requesting accounts from towns of powder, lead, and flints supplied to the Continental Army, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
19 January 1776. Resolution requesting accounts from towns of powder, lead, and flints supplied to the Continental Army. M-Ar :207, p. 426. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1267. ( M-Ar :207, p....
1491Resolution ordering commissioners designated to erect a powder mill to do so at Stoughton, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
19 January 1776. Resolution ordering commissioners designated to erect a powder mill to do so at Stoughton. M-Ar :207, p. 429. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1270. ( M-Ar :207, p. 429.) printed...
1492Resolution for raising 728 officers and men in Hampshire and Berkshire counties to go to Canada, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Resolution for raising 728 officers and men in Hampshire and Berkshire counties to go to Canada. M-Ar :207, p. 430. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1270. ( M-Ar :207, p. 430.) printed : ( Force,...
1493Resolution to approve choice of field officers for regiment going to Canada, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
19 January 1776. Resolution to approve choice of field officers for regiment going to Canada. M-Ar : 207, p. 434. printed : Force, Archives [Peter Force, ed.,] American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs , Washington, 1837–1853; 9 vols. , 4th ser., 4:1270. ( M-Ar : 207, p. 434.) printed : ( Force,...
1494IV. A Proclamation by the General Court, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
The frailty of human Nature, the Wants of Individuals, and the numerous Dangers which surround them, through the Course of Life, have in all Ages, and in every Country impelled them to form Societies, and establish Governments. As the Happiness of the People alone , is the sole End of Government, So the Consent of the People is the only Foundation of it, in Reason, Morality, and the natural...
1495To John Adams from Samuel Gelston, 19 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Pardon me for the Liberty I take in Sending a Billet to a Gentleman of your exolted Station and Character, when I have not the Honour to be in the number of your Acquaintance. Had not my situation been Really distressed, I should not have done it. When the Council Rose Yesterday p.m. I was Acquainted by one of the Members That they had come into sundry Resolutions on my Matters and that...
14961776. January 24. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Began my Journey to Phildelphia, dined at C olonel Mifflins at Cambridge with G. Washington, and Gates and their Ladies, and half a Dozen Sachems and Warriours of the french Cocknowaga Tribe, with their Wives and Children. Williams is one, who was captivated in his Infancy, and adopted. There is a Mixture of White Blood french or English in most of them. Louis, their Principal, speaks English...
1497John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
I am determined not to commit a fault which escaped me, the last Time I sat out for the southward. I waited on General Thomas at Roxbury this Morning, and then went to Cambridge where I dined at Coll. Mifflins with the General, and Lady, and a vast Collection of other Company, among whom were six or seven Sachems and Warriours, of the French Cagnawaga Indians, with several of their Wives and...
1498Resolution approving appointment of a committee to call in misprinted bills of credit, 24 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
24 January 1776. Resolution approving appointment of a committee to call in misprinted bills of credit. M-Ar :207, p. 461. ( M-Ar :207, p. 461).
1499Resolution approving an order that bills of credit be delivered to the committee appointed to sign them and that it in … (Adams Papers)
24 January 1776. Resolution approving an order that bills of credit be delivered to the committee appointed to sign them and that it in turn deliver them to the treasurer. M-Ar :207, p. 465. ( M-Ar :207, p. 465).
15001776. Jany. 25. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
About 10 Mr. Gerry called me, and we rode to Framingham, where We dined. Coll. Buckminster after Dinner shewed us, the Train of Artillery brought down from Ticonderoga, by Coll. Knox. It consists of Iron—9 Eighteen Pounders, 10 Twelves, 6. six, four nine Pounders, Three 13. Inch Mortars, Two Ten Inch Mortars, one Eight Inch, and one six and an half. Howitz, one Eight Inch and an half and one...
15011776 Jany 26. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Stopped at Sternes’s Stearns’s in Worcester, and dined with Mr. Lincoln at Mr. Jonathan Williams’s. In Putnams Office where I formerly trimm’d the Midnight Lamp, Mr. Williams keeps Laws Works and Jacob Behmens, with whose Mistical Reveries he is much captivated. This Jonathan Williams (d. 1780), Harvard 1772 , had been a law clerk in JA ’s office. He was a cousin of the better-known Jonathan...
15021776. Sunday. Jany. 28. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Upham informs that this Town of Brookfield abounds with a Stone, out of which Allum, Coperas and Sulphur are made. Out of one Bushell of this Stone, he made five Pounds of Coperas. He put the Stone into a Tub, poured Water on it, let it Stand 2 or 3 days, then drew it off, and boiled the Liquor away—let it stand and it shot into a Kind of Christals. Adding Chamberly and Alkaline Salts to...
15031776 Monday. Jan. 29. (Adams Papers)
Rode to Springfield, dined at Scotts. Heard that the Cannon at Kingsbridge in N. York were spiked up. That dry Goods, English Goods were sent round to N. York from Boston, and from N. York sold all over N.E. and sent down to Camp. That Tryon has issued Writs for the Choice of a new Assembly, and that the Writs were likely to be obeyed, and the Tories were likely to carry a Majority of Members.
1504[In Congress, Spring 1776, and Thomas Paine] (Adams Papers)
In the Course of this Winter appeared a Phenomenon in Philadelphia a Star of Disaster (Disastrous Meteor), I mean Thomas Paine. He came from England, and got into such company as would converse with him, and ran about picking up what Information he could, concerning our Affairs, and finding the great Question was concerning Independence, he gleaned from those he saw the common place Arguments...
1505[Draft Resolutions for Encouraging Agriculture and Manufactures, February–March 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, Councils of Safety and Committees of Correspondence and Inspection, that they use their utmost Endeavours, by all reasonable Means to promote die Culture of Flax, Hemp, and Cotton and the Growth of Wool in these united Colonies. Resolved That it be recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils of Safety, that...
1506[February 1776] (Adams Papers)
Cant we oblige B. to keep a Navy on foot the Expence of which will be double to what they will take from Us. I have heard of Bullion Sp anish Flotas being stoppd least they should be taken—But perishable Commodities never were stopped. Open your Ports to Foreigners. Your Trade will become of so much Consequence, that Foreigners will protect you. Wilson. A Gentleman from Mass, thinks that a...
1507[Memorandum of Measures to Be Pursued in Congress, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Mem. The Confederation to be taken up in Paragraphs. An Alliance to be formed with France and Spain. Embassadors to be sent to both Courts. Government to be assumed in every Colony. Coin and Currencies to be regulated. Forces to be raised and maintained in Canada and New York. St. Lawrence and Hudsons Rivers to be secured. Hemp to be encouraged and the Manufacture of Duck. Powder Mills to be...
1508[Draft Resolves Concerning the Secret Committee of Correspondence and a Plan of Confederation, February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Resolved that the Committee of Secret Correspondence be directed to lay their Letters before this Congress. Resolved that be a Committee to prepare a Draught of firm Confederation, to be reported as soon as may be to this Congress, to be considered and digested and recommended to the several Assemblies and Conventions of these united Colonies, to be by them adopted, ratified and confirmed. It...
1509[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
3. Jer. 12. Go proclaim these Words towards the North. Return thou backsliding Israel and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful and will not be angry forever. On 17 Feb. Congress “ Resolved , That a committee of three be chosen to prepare instructions for the committee appointed to go to Canada”; and the members chosen were JA , Wythe, and Sherman ( JCC Worthington C....
1510[February? 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Any Goods or Commodities, except Staves for Sale, may be exported, from the united Colonies to any other Part of the World, not subject to the Crown of G.B. Written on an otherwise blank front leaf in D/JA/26, this is evidently tentative phrasing for an article in the report of the committee of the whole on American trade. From 16 Feb. on, this committee discussed from time to time the opening...
1511[Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Lee &c. were referred brought in their report. Resolved that the Consideration of it be postponed till tomorrow. Mr. William Whipple from New Hampshire appeared: an excellent Member and a valuable Addition to our Phalanx. A Letter of the 14th. from General Washington, inclosing a Letter from Lord Drummond to General...
1512[9th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 9th. of Feb. 1776 The day on which Mr. Gerry and I took our Seats for this Year, sundry Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, Governor Trumbull, with Papers enclosed were read, and referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Rutledge. For these letters see JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789,...
1513John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Here I am again. Arrived last Thursday, in good Health, altho I had a cold Journey. The Weather, a great Part of the Way, was very severe, which prevented our making very quick Progress, and by an Accident which happened to one of my Horses, which obliged me to leave her at Brookfield and hire another, was delayed two days. An Horse broke loose in the Barn and corked mine under the...
1514From John Adams to James Warren, 11 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Archibald Buchannan, and Mr. Walter Tolley both of Maryland, and hearty Friends of America, introduced to me by my Friend Mr. Chace Chase , are bound to the Camp, and Mr. Chace requested a Letter from me. Chace is a Man of common sense. I received your Packett. I am obliged to you for opening the Letter from our Friend Mr. Adams, and if you had opened all the others, you should have been...
1515John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
Lee is at York, and We have requested a Battalion of Philadelphian Associators, together with a Regiment of Jersey Minute Men, to march to his Assistance. Lord Sterling was there before with his Regiment, so that there will be about 1000 Men with Lee from Connecticutt, about 600 with Ld. Sterling from the Jerseys, one Battalion of about 720 Minute Men from Jersey and one of the same No. from...
1516From John Adams to John Trumbull, 13 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 favour me with authentic Evidence under your Hand of yours, than any Thing I have to Say. Politicks are a Labyrinth, without a Clue—to write you on that subject would be endless. N. York I think is now in critical state, but I hope We shall Save it. Mr....
1517[14th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 14th. of Feb. 1776 sundry Letters from General Schuyler, General Wooster and General Arnold were read and referred with the Papers enclosed, to Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Chase. On the same day Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Report of the Committee on the regulations and Restrictions, under which the Ports should be...
1518From John Adams to James Warren, 14 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 See, to what Point the Tide of Political Sentiment, Setts. Scarcely a Paper comes out, without a Speculation or two in open Vindication of opinions, which Five Months ago were Said to be unpopular. A vast Majority of the People, indeed, I very well know...
1519[15th of Feb. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On the 15th of Feb. 1776. Sundry other Letters from General Lee, General Schuyler and General Wooster were referred to the Committee to whom the Letters received Yesterday were referred. On the same day Congress took into Consideration the Report from the Committee of the whole house, and after debate resolved that it be recommitted. Resolved that Congress will tomorrow morning resolve itself...
1520[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1776. Feb.[16] (Adams Papers)
Cant we oblige B. to keep a Navy on foot the Expence of which will be double to what they will take from Us. I have heard of Bullion Sp anish Flotas being stoppd least they should be taken—But perishable Commodities never were stopped. Open your Ports to Foreigners. Your Trade will become of so much Consequence, that Foreigners will protect you. Wilson. A Gentleman from Mass, thinks that a...
1521[Fryday Feb. 16. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday Feb. 16. 1776. Agreable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the Propriety of Opening the Ports &c. After some time spent Mr. Ward reported, that not having come to a conclusion, The Committee asked leave to sit again. Granted. See Diary entry (Notes of Debates), 16 Feb. 1776 .
1522[Saturday Feb. 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday Feb. 17. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Arnold, Wooster, Schuyler and Lee were referred brought in their report, which was agreed to in the several Resolutions detailed in page 67. and 68 of this Volume of the Journals. Same day Resolved that Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Sherman be a Committee to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to...
1523John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
I sent you from New York a Pamphlet intituled Common Sense, written in Vindication of Doctrines which there is Reason to expect that the further Encroachments of Tyranny and Depredations of Oppression, will soon make the common Faith: unless the cunning Ministry, by proposing Negociations and Terms of Reconciliation, should divert the present Current from its Channell. Reconciliation if...
1524From John Adams to Thomas Crafts Jr., 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 even for a Moment in a State of Scepticism concerning the Existence and Reality of sincere Friendship. Surely there is sincerity, surely there is Friendship among Men, altho it must be confessed that too Many Persons ground it on improper Principles and too...
1525From John Adams to William Heath, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 of the Character and services of Coll. Baldwin, and should be happy to do any Thing in my Power, to obtain Justice for so deserving an officer. Upon shewing your Letter and another from him to some of my Colleagues, they are of opinion that Coll. Baldwin...
1526From John Adams to James Warren, 18 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 Carrollton, are chosen a Committee to go to Canada. I must confess I have very great Confidence, in the Abilities and Integrity, the Political Principles and good Disposition of this Committee. Franklins Character you know. His masterly Acquaintance with the...
1527[Monday Feb. 19. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Monday Feb. 19. 1776 Congress attended an Oration in honour of General Montgomery, and the Officers and Soldiers who fell with him.
1528From John Adams to Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Adams Papers)
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 your Health, yet I hope the Campaign will rather promote it than otherwise. We want you att N. York. We want you at Cambridge. We want you in Virginia. But Canada seems of more Importance than any of those Places. And therefore you are sent there. I wish you as...
1529[Tuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and Wednesday Feb. 21.] (Adams Papers)
OnTuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and on Wednesday Feb. 21. Means were contrived to elude the Committee of the whole House.
1530[Thursday Feb. 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday Feb. 22. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington, were referred to a Committee of the whole house. Accordingly Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, and after some time, Mr. Ward reported that the Committee had come to no Conclusion, and Congress resolved that Tomorrow they would again resolve themselves into a Committee of the whole, to take into their farther...