Chapter 2

I must confess it chagrins me greatly to find it so illy supported by the People of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys. They seem to me to be determind to give it up--but I trust that my dear New England will maintain it at the Expence of every thing dear to them in this Life---they know how to prize their Liberties. May Heaven bless them! It is not yet determind to what place to adjourn the Congress, if it should be necessary to move. Wherever I may be, I shall write to you by every Opportunity. Mr Brown who carries this Letter will give you a particular Account of the Circumstances of things here--to him I refer you. Pray remember me to my Daughter, Sister Polly, the rest of my Family & Friends. I hope the Life of our valueable Friend Mrs March will yet be spared. She is indeed a good Woman. Tell my worthy Neighbor Mr Preston, that I rejoyce to hear of his honorable Appointment. I hope & believe he will use his office well. I wish to have a Letter from you. You cannot imagine how highly I prize such a Favor. My daily Prayer is for your Safety, & Happiness in this Life & a better. Adieu, my dear. You cannot doubt the sincere & most cordial Affection of,

Your,

Decr 11

Since writing the above I have receivd your Letter of the 9th of Novr, for which I am much obligd to you. If this City should be SURRENDERD, I should by no means despair of our Cause. It is a righteous Cause and I am fully perswaded righteous Heaven will succeed it. Congress will adjourn to Baltimore in Maryland, about 120 Miles from this place, when Necessity requires it and not before. It is agreed to appoint a Day of Prayer, & a Come will bring in a Resolution for that purpose this day. I wish we were a more religious People. That Heaven may bless you here & hereafter is the most ardent Prayer of, my dear, most cordially,

Your,

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADELPHIA Decr 12 1776

SIR

We are this moment informd by a Gentleman who is Brother of Coll Griffin, and has lately been at New York, that a Body of ten thousand of the Enemies Troops had actually arrivd at Rhode Island. As Congress is now adjournd to Baltimore in Maryland, and the President and the Board of War are not in Town, we think it our Duty to send you this Intelligence; and as there is no General Officer in that Department, we refer it to your Consideration whether the Service does not absolutely require that one be immediately sent to take the Command of Troops that may be raisd there to repel the Progress of the Enemy.

If Major General Gates or Green,1 who are greatly belovd in that Part of America with a suitable Number of Brigadiers could be spared for this Service, it would be attended with another Advantage, that of facilitating the new Inlistments.

We intreat your Attention to this important Matter, and are with great Respect,

Sir your very humble Servants,2

_________________________________________________________________ 1The words "or Green" and "with a suitable number of Brigadiers," were added by interlineations in the first draft. 2Signed by Adams, Elbridge Gerry, William Ellery, and William Whipple.

TO MRS. ADAMS.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND

Decr 19th 1776

MY DEAR BETSY

The Day before yesterday I arrivd in this Place which is One hundred Miles from Philadelphia. The Congress had resolvd to adjourn here when it should become absolutely necessary and not before. This sudden Removal may perhaps be wonderd at by some of my Friends, but was not without the advice of Generals Putnam & Mifflin, who were at Philadelphia to take Measures for its Preservation from the Enemy. For my own part, I had been used to Alarms in my own Country, and did not see the Necessity of removing so soon, but I suppose I misjudgd because it was otherwise ruled. It must be confessd that deliberative Bodies should not sit in Places of Confusion. This was heightned by an unaccountable Backwardness in the People of the jerseys & Pennsylvania to defend their Country and crush their Enemies when I am satisfied it was in their Power to do it. The British as well as Hessian officers have severely chastisd them for their Folly. We are told that such savage Tragedies have been acted by them without Respect to Age or Sex as have equaled the most barbarous Ages & Nations of the World. Sorry I am that the People so long refusd to harken to the repeated Calls of their Country. They have already deeply staind the Honor of America, and they must surely be as unfeeling as Rocks if they do not rise with Indignation and revenge the shocking Injuries done to their Wives and Daughters. Great Britain has taught us what to expect from Submission to its Power. No People ever more tamely surrenderd than of that Part of the Jerseys through which the Enemy marchd. No opposition was made. And yet the grossest Insults have been offerd to them, and the rude Soldiery have been sufferd to perpetrate Deeds more horrid than Murder. If Heaven punishes Communities for their Vices, how sore must be the Punishment of that Community who think the Rights of human Nature not worth struggling for and patiently submit to Tyranny. I will rely upon it that New England will never incur the Curse of Heaven for neglecting to defend her Liberties. I pray God to increase their Virtue and make them happy in the full and quiet Possession of those Liberties they have ever so highly prizd. YOUR Wellfare, my dear, is ever near my heart. Remember me to my Daughter Sister Polly & the rest of my Family and Friends. I am in high Health & Spirits. Let me hear from you often.

Adieu,

Mr. Hancock is just now arrivd with his Family--all in good health.

TO JAMES WARREN.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND Decr 25 1776

MY DEAR SIR

Although I have been continually writing to you, I have had the Pleasure of receiving only one Letter from you since I left New England. The Congress is here, scituated conveniently enough and doing Business. You will ask me perhaps, How we came here. I confess I did not see the Necessity of removing so soon; but I must think I misjudgd because it was ruled otherwise, not indeed until the Opinions of Putnam & Mifflin then in Philadelphia, had been taken. The Truth is, the Enemy were within seventeen Miles of us, and it was apprehended by some that the People of Pennsylvania, influenced by Fear Folly or Treachery, would have given up their Capital to appease the Anger of the two Brothers & atone for their Crime in suffering it to remain so long the Seat of Rebellion. We are now informd that they have at length bestirrd themselves and that hundreds are daily flocking to Genl Washingtons Camp, so that it is hoped if our Army pursues as expeditiously as they have retreated, they will take them all Prisoners before they can reach the Borders of Hudsons River.

We have this day receivd a Letter from General Schuyler, which has occasiond the passing a Resolution, forwarded to you, I suppose by this opportunity. The General says he is informd that the Levies are making very tardily. I hope he has been misinformd. It is certainly of the greatest Importance that New England in a particular Manner should be very active in Preparation to meet the Enemy early in the Spring. The British Tyrant will not quit his darling Plan of subduing that Country. The Intent of the Enemy seems to me to be to attack it on all Sides. Howes Troops have penetrated this way far beyond his Expectations; I flatter myself they will be driven back to New York & winter there. Carleton will, unless prevented by an immediate Exertion of New England, most certainly possess himself of Tyconderoga as soon as Lake Champlain shall be frozen hard enough to transport his Army. Clinton it is said is gone to Rhode Island with 8 or 10 thousand to make Winter Quarters there. The infamous Behavior of the People of Jersey & Pennsylvania will give fresh Spirits to the British Court and afford them a further Pretence to apply to every Court in Europe where they can have any Prospect of Success. Russia has already been applied to. Their whole Force will be poured into N England for they take it for granted that having once subdued those stubborn States, the rest will give up without a Struggle. They will take Occasion from what has happend in Jersey to inculcate this Opinion. How necessary is it then for our Countrymen to strain every Nerve to defeat their Design. The Time is short. Let this be the only Subject of our Thoughts and Consultation. Our Affairs in France wear a promising Aspect. Let us do our Duty and defend the fair Inheritance which our Fathers have left us--our pious Forefathers who regarded Posterity & fought and bled that they might transmit to us the Blessing of Liberty.

When we first heard at Philadelphia of Clintons having saild to Rhode Island, Mr Gerry and myself joynd with Coll Whipple of New Hampshire & Mr Ellery of Rhode Island in a Letter to Genl Washington and proposed to him the sending Gen Gates or Greene with a suitable number of Brigadiers to take the Command in the Eastern Departmt. [In] his answer which we receivd in this place he tells us he has orderd M Genl Spencer & B Genl Arnold to repair thither who he hopes may be sufficient to head the yeomanry of that Country & repel the Enemy in their attempts to gain possession of that part of the Continent. He [adds] that he will if possible, send some other Brigadiers, and says Gen Wooster is also at hand.

I wrote to you after my Arrival at Philade & inclosd a Resolution of Congress relative to the procuring of cloathing in N E for the Army. In another Letter I gave you a hint which I think of great Importance if the Measure proposd [be] practicable. I hope both these Letters were duly receivd by you. You cannot, my dear Sir, do me a greater Kindness than by writing to me. I suffer much thro want of Intelligence from N E; I pray you therefore let your Letters to me be very frequent.

I am very cordially your friend,

By a late Letter from London written by a Gentn upon whose Intelligence I greatly rely a Treaty is on foot with Russia to furnish Britain with 20 or 30,000 troops. Levies are making with all possible Industry in Germany & in Britain & Ireland from where it is expected that 20,000 will be raisd. It [is] indeed to be supposd that, as usual, a greater Appearance will be made on paper than they will realize. But let us consider that they realizd in America the last year 35,000 and do without doubt . . . . . . . they lose because they are able to do it, we may then set down their actual force in America by May or June next at least 55 and probably 60,000.

We have the pleasure of hearing that a valueable Prize is arrivd at [Boston]--among the rest of her Cargo 10,000 Suits of Cloaths! A most fortunate Prize for us, especially as she is said to be the last of 8 Vessels taken bound to Quebec. However while we are pleasing ourselves with the Acquisition we should remember that the Want of those supplys will be a strong Stimulus to Carleton to make an early & bold push over the Champlain in hopes of furnishing himself at Albany; & increases the Necessity of the Eastern States sending their Troops to Tyconderoga immediately to supply the places of those who will return home, when the time of their Inlistments shall expire. I have good Information from England that a certain Captn Furze who [was] in Boston the last year & gaind the Confidence & recd the Civilities of the People; when he returnd gloried in the Deception & carried Intelligence to the British Ministry, particularly of the Fortifications in & about Boston. Some of the People may remember him. How careful ought we to be lest while we mean only innocent Civility, we expose our Councils & Operations to Spies.

I remain very cordially your friend,

TO MRS. ADAMS.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND 26 Decr 1776

MY DEAR BETSY

I have written to you once since I arrivd here, and am determind to omit no opportunity, because I flatter myself you will at all times be gratified in hearing from me. I am at present in good health and am exceedingly happy in an Acquaintance with Mr Samuel Purviance a Merchant of this Place, with whom I have indeed before corresponded, but I never saw him till I came here. He is a sensible, honest and friendly Man, warmly attachd to the American Cause, and has particularly endeard himself to me by his great Assiduity in procuring Reliefe in this part of the Continent for the Town of Boston at a Time when her Enemies would have starvd her by an oppressive Port bill.

Just now I receivd a Letter from my Son dated the 7th Instant; he tells me he had very lately heard from his Sister and that she and the rest of my Family were well. I pray God to continue your Health and protect you in these perilous times from every kind of Evil. The Name of the Lord, says the Scripture, is a strong Tower, thither the Righteous flee and are Safe. Let us secure his Favor, and he will lead us through the journey of this Life and at length receive us to a better.

We are now informd that the People of Jersey & Pennsylvania are in Possession of their Understanding and that they are turning out in great Numbers to the Assistance of General Washington. Had they done this early they would not have so deeply staind the Reputation of America. However I shall hardly think they will do their Duty at last if they suffer the Enemy to return without paying dearly for the barbarous Outrages they have committed in the Country, without Regard to Age or Sex.

Our Affairs in France & Spain wear a pleasing Aspect, but human Affairs are ever uncertain. I have strongly recommended to my Friends in New England to spare no Pains or Cost in preparing to meet the Enemy early in the Spring. We have a righteous Cause, and if we defend it as becomes us, we may expect the Blessing of Heaven.

Remember me to my Daughter, Sister Polly & the rest of my Family & Friends. Adieu, my dear,

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

BALTIMORE Decr 30 1776

SIR

Being a Committee of Congress we are directed to employ some suitable Person to make Application to your Honorable Board for certain Ordnance and other Stores, which have been represented by General Schuyler as immediately necessary for the Use of the Northern Army. We accordingly send forward Collo Stewart, who will lay before the Board such Stores as are wanted; which we hope may be procurd on just and equitable Terms, and transported with all possible Dispatch to General Schuyler, whose Receipt will be duly acknowledgd by Congress.

We need not urge the great Importance of having our Army in that Quarter well furnishd with every necessary Article, there being not the least Reason to doubt of General Carletons Intentions as early as possible to push his Forces into the Eastern States, or of his Success in such an Attempt unless seasonably prevented.

It is therefore our earnest Request that you would afford Coll Stuart every possible advice & assistance in the Prosecution of this Business, and furnish him with such Money as he may have need of for the purpose in which Case your Draft on the President of the Congress will be duly honord.

We are with the most cordial Esteem Sir your most obedient & very humble Servants

TO WALTER STEWART.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a portion is printed in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. ii., pp. 450, 451.]

BALTIMORE Decr 30 1776

SIR

We are a Committee of Congress1 authorizd and directed to appoint some suitable Person to apply to Mr Livingston Owner of a Furnace in the State of New York, and to Governor Trumbull who has the Direction of the Furnace in the State of Connecticutt also to the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay, to procure such Cannon and Ordnance Stores, as General Schuyler has represented to be immediately necessary for the use of the Army in the Northern Department.

We know of no one in whom we can more chearfully confide, for the Performance of this important Business than your self; and therefore we request you to undertake it, as Major General Gates has assured us, that it is not inconsistent with the General Service, or the Duty of that Station which you hold under his immediate Command.

You have herewith a List of the Ordnance and Ordnance Stores that are wanted; and you will be pleasd to make your first Application to Mr Livingston for such of the Cannon and Stores as he can furnish. You will then apply to Governor Trumbull, to be furnishd by him with the Remainder, to be sent to General Schuyler as early as possible this Winter.

For the Ordnance Stores we depend chiefly upon the Massachusetts Bay; and desire you to make Application to the Council of that State; although we would by no means restrain you in Endeavors to procure them in New York Connecticutt or elsewhere.

We doubt not but you will provide these Necessaries with all possible Dispatch, and at reasonable Rates; and we desire you to give Notice to General Schuyler and to us of the Success you may meet with in your several Applications.

We would inform you that Congress has contracted for Cannon to be cast in this State at the Rate of Thirty Six pounds ten shillings p Ton. And the highest price that has been given in Pennsylvania is Forty Pounds. We desire and expect you will purchase them at the lowest Rate you can. The Proof of the Cannon must be according to the Woolwich Practice.

_________________________________________________________________ 1The members of the committee were Adams, Lee, Harrison, Whipple and Hayward.

TO JAMES WARREN.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

BALTIMORE Decr 31. 1776

MY DEAR SIR/

I am determind to omit no Opportunity of writing to you, although I of late very seldom receive a Favor from you. Your second