Gentleman of that City (I think it was yourself but am not
certain of it) that a Quantity of Rice had arrivd from South
Carolina consignd to his Care for the Benefit of the Sufferers in
this Town by Means of the Port Bill.--If it is under your
Direction, I am very sure it will be disposd of in the best
Manner for the benevolent Use for which it was intended. My only
Design in troubling you with this Letter is to be ascertaind of
the Matter, and of the Situation the Rice is in, having been also
informd, if I mistake not, that some of it had been dammaged.--A
Line from you by the Post will much oblige me.
I am with great Respect
Sir your most humble Servant,
_________________________________________________________________
1Of New York.
TO THE UNION CLUB.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 168, 169.]
BOSTON, 16th December, 1774.
GENTLEMEN,
I am directed by the Committee of the town of Boston, appointed
to receive and distribute the donations that are made for the
relief and employment of such as are, or may become sufferers by
means of the Boston Port Bill, to return their sincere thanks to
the members of the Union Club, in the Town of Salem, for the
generous contribution they made, and transmitted by their worthy
brother, Mr. Samuel King. It is an unspeakable consolation to
the inhabitants of this devoted Town, that amidst the distress
designed to have been brought upon them by an inhuman, as well as
arbitrary Ministers, there are many whose hearts and hands are
open for their relief. You, gentlemen, are among the happy number
of those, of whom it is said, the blessing of him that is ready
to perish hath come upon us, and through your liberality the
widow's heart to sing for joy.
Our friends have enabled us to bear up under oppression, to the
astonishment of our enemies. May Heaven reward our kind
benefactors ten-fold; and grant to us wisdom and fortitude, that
during this hard conflict we may behave as becomes those who are
called to struggle in so glorious a cause; and, by our patience
and perseverance, at length frustrate the designs of our
country's inveterate foes. You may rely upon it that your
donation will be applied by the Committee to the benevolent
purpose for which you intended it.
Be assured that I am, in truth and sincerity, your friend and
humble servant,
________________________________________________________________
1Of Salem, Massachusetts.
Regina Azucena
razucena@gis.net
TO PETER T. CURTENIUS.1
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text is in Historical
Magazine, 1st ser., vol ii., pp. 196, 197.]
BOSTON, Jan. 9th, 1775.
GENTLEMEN,
The Committee appointed by the inhabitants of this Town, to
receive and distribute the donations of our friends for the
benefit of the sufferers by the Boston Port Bill, acknowledge
your several favors of 7th and 17th of December last, enclosing
invoices of flour, &c., amounting, with charges, to one thousand
and sixty-two pounds, 9/6, which, agreeable to your kind wishes,
are come safe to hand. I am directed by the Committee to request
that you would assure our benefactors, the citizens of New York,
of their warmest gratitude for the very seasonable relief they
have afforded to their afflicted brethren in this place, by such
generous donations, in this most difficult time of the year.
While we acknowledge the superintendency of divine Providence, we
feel our obligations to the sister Colonies. By their liberality,
they have greatly chagrined the common enemies of America, who
flattered themselves with hopes that before this day they should
starve us into a compliance with the insolent demands of despotic
power. But the people, relieved by your charitable contributions,
bear the indignity with becoming patience and fortitude. They
are not insensible of the injuries done them as men, as well as
free Americans; but they restrain their Just resentment from a
due regard to the common cause.
The Committee beg the favor of you, gentlemen, to return their
thanks to our worthy brethren of Marble Town, for the valuable
donation received from them.
I am, with due acknowledgments for the care you have taken, in
the name of the Committee, Gentlemen, your obliged friend and
servant,
_________________________________________________________________
1 Of New York. [back]
DONATIONS COMMITTEE OF BOSTON TO THE PUBLIC.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 277, 278; a text, dated January 20, is in Boston
Gazette, January 23, I775, and in Force, American Archives, 4th
ser., vol. i., p. 1172.]
BOSTON, January 13.
The printers in this and the other American Colonies are
requested to insert the following in their several News Papers.
TO THE PUBLIC.
The Committee appointed by the Town of Boston, to receive and
distribute donations for the charitable purpose of relieving and
employing the sufferers by means of the Act of Parliament
commonly called the Boston Port-Bill, from a due regard to their
own characters and that of the Town under whose appointment they
act, as well as for the sake of the said sufferers, who depend
upon the continual beneficence of their friends for necessary
relief; think themselves obliged, in this public manner, to
contradict a slanderous report raised by evil minded persons,
spread in divers parts of this Province, and perhaps more
extensively through the continent. The report is, that "each
Member of the Committee is allowed six shillings, and, as some
say, half a guinea, for every day's attendance; besides a
commission upon all the donations received, and other emoluments
for their trouble." The Committee, therefore, thus openly
declare, that the above mentioned report is in every part of it
groundless and false ; and that they have hitherto attended and
acted in their office, and still continue so to do, without any
intention, hope, or desire, of receiving any other reward in this
life, but the pleasure which results from a consciousness of
having done good.--So satisfied are they of their own
DISINTERESTED motives and conduct in this regard, that they can
safely appeal to the Omniscient Being for their sincerity in this
declaration.
And whereas the committee have this evening been informed, by a
letter from the country, of another report equally injurious,
viz. that "the Com- mittee have employed poor persons in working
for themselves, and gentlemen of fortune with whom they are
particularly connected in their private concerns, and paid them
out of the donations received "; the Committee do, with the same
solemnity, declare the said report to be as false as it is
scandalous.
They were early apprehensive that the enemies of TRUTH and
LIBERTY, would spare no pains to misrepresent their conduct and
asperse their characters ; and therefore, that they might always
have it in their power to vindicate themselves, they have
constantly kept regular books, containing records of the whole of
their proceedings; which books, as the Committee advertised the
public some months ago, are open for the inspection of such as
are inclined to look into and examine them.
The Committee now challenge any person whatever, to make it
appear, that there is a just foundation for such reports. Until
this reasonable demand is complied with, they confide in the
justice of the public, that no credit will be given to reports,
so injurious to the Committee, and to this oppressed and insulted
people.
If the friends of truth will inform the Committee of any reports
they may hear, tending to defame the Committee, and by that means
to discourage further donations for the benevolent purpose of
relieving the sufferers above-mentioned, it will be acknowledged
as a particular favor.
Sign'd by Order of the Committee,
_________________________________________________________________
1 Signed by Samuel Adams as chairman. The authorship is not
determined.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Jan 29 1775
MY DEAR SIR/
Upon my Return from the Continental Congress at Philadelphia I
had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of the . . . I beg you
would attribute my not having acknowledgd the favor before this
time, to continual Avocations which the Necessity of the Times
have required.
When the cruel Edict for shutting up this Harbour took place,
which was in a very short time after we had any notice that such
a Measure was intended, the Inhabitants of the Town met in
Faneuil Hall and, as you have long ago heard, resolvd to suffer
all the hardships intended by it, rather than submit to its
unrighteous as well as ignominious Terms. Supported by the most
liberal Donations from their Brethren in all the Colonies, they
suffer the Suspension of their Trade & Business with Patience and
even laugh at this feeble Effort of their Enemies to force them
to make the Concessions of Slaves.
The Act for regulating the Government of this Province and the
Murder Act as it is commonly called soon followd the Port Act;
and General Gage, whether from his own Motives or the
Instructions of the Minister, thought proper to assemble all the
Kings Troops then on the Continent, in this Town and has declared
to the Selectmen & others his Resolution to put the Acts in
Execution. The People on the other hand resolve that they will
not submit to them and the Continent applauds them herein. The
new appointed Councellors and others who have openly avowd the
Measures of Administration being conscious that Mr Gage was not
mistaken when he publickly declared under his Hand, that the
Opposition to these Acts was general through the Province, have
fled to this Town for Protection. Thus we appear to be in a state
of Hostility. The General with . . . Regiments with a very few
Adherents on one side & all the rest of the Inhabitants of the
Province backd by all the Colonies on the other! The People are
universally disposd to wait till they can hear what Effect the
Applications of the Continental Congress will have, in hopes that
the new Parliament will reverse the Laws & measures of the old,
abolish that System of Tyranny which was pland in 1763 (perhaps
before), confirm the just Rights of the Colonies and restore
Harmony to the British Empire. God grant they may not be
disappointed! Lest they should be, they have been, & are still
exercising themselves in military Discipline and providing the
necessary Means of Defence. I am well informd that in every Part
of the Province there are selected Numbers of Men, called Minute
Men--that they are well disciplind & well provided--and that upon
a very short Notice they will be able to assemble a formidable
Army. They are resolvd however not to be the Aggressors in an
open Quarrel with the Troops; but animated with an unquenchable
Love of Liberty they will support their righteous Claim to it, to
the utmost Extremity. They are filled with Indignation to hear
that Hutchinson & their other inveterate Enemies have hinted to
the Nation that they are Cowards. Administration may improve this
Suggestion to promote their mad purposes, but whenever it is
brought to the Test it will be found to be a fatal Delusion. The
People are recollecting the Achievements of their Ancestors and
whenever it shall be necessary for them to draw their Swords in
the Defence of their Liberties, they will shew themselves to be
worthy of such Ancestors. I earnestly wish that Lord North would
no longer listen to the Voice of Faction. Interested Men whose
very Being depends upon the Emoluments derivd to them from the
American Revenue, have been artfully deceiving him. Such Men as
these, some of them, under a mere pretence of flying to the Army
for Protection, have got themselves about General Gage. They are
supposd to be perpetually filling his Ears with gross
Misrepresentations. Hutchinson who is now in England has the
Tongue & the Heart of a Courtier. His Letters to Whately show
what his Designs have been and how much he has contributed
towards bringing on the present Difficulties. America never will,
Britain never ought to forgive him. I know, at least I thought I
knew his ambitious and avaritious Designs long before he wrote
those Letters. I know the part he bore in the several
Administrations of Shirly of Pownal & of Bernard. Pownals Views
were generous. I pitied him under his Embarrassments. Even
Bernard I can forgive. If Administration are determind still to
form their measures from the Information of an inveterate Party,
they must look to the Consequences. It will be in vain for others
to attempt to undeceive them. If they are disposd to bring
Matters to an Accommodation they know the Sense of the Colonies
by the Measures of the Continental Congress. If our Claims are
just & reasonable they ought to concede to them. To pretend that
it is beneath the Dignity of the Nation for them to do that which
Justice demands of them is worse than Folly. Let them repeal
every American revenue Law--recall standing Armies--restore. . .
TO STEPHEN COLLINS.
[Historical Magazine, 2nd ser., vol. iv., p. 219.]
BOSTON Jany 31 1775
SIR
I received your kind letter some time ago, which should have been
acknowledged before this time but I beg you would consider that
our hands are full. Our "worthy citizen" Mr Paul Revere will
explain to you the intelligence which we have just received from
England. It puts me in mind of what I remember to have heard you
observe, that we may all be soon under the necessity of keeping
SHOOTING IRONS. God grant that we may not be brought to extremity
or otherwise prepare us for all events.
Mr Tudor has informed me that a report has prevailed in
Philadelphia of a Fracas between Mr Cushing and myself at our
late Provincial Congress, he showed me your letter; you may
depend upon it there is not the least Foundation for the Report.
Any Difference between Mr Cushing and me is of very little
consequence to the public cause. I take notice of it only as one
of the many Falshoods which I know to have been propagated by the
Enemies of America. It is also a Misrepresentation that the sect
taken notice of for opening their Shops on our late Thanksgiving
Day, was that of the People called Quaquers. They were the
Disciples of the late Mr Sanderman, who worship God here without
the least Molestation according to their own manner, and are in
no other Light disregarded here but as it is said they are in
general avowed Friends of the Ministerial Measures. This is what
I am told, for my own part I know but little or nothing about
them. The Different denominations of Christians here (excepting
those amongst them who Espouse the cause of our Enemies) are in
perfect peace and Harmony, as I trust they always will be.
I have written this letter in very great Haste, while in the
Committee of Correspondence and conclude with due Regard to your
Spouse, and all friends
Yours affectionately
TO EDWARD ARCHER AND OTHERS.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 161, 162.]
BOSTON, Feb. 1, 1775.
GENTLEMEN,
The Committee appointed to receive and distribute the donations
made for the relief and employment of the sufferers by the Port
Bill, have received your letter of the 6th December last,
inclosing a bill of lading for seven hundred and fifteen bushels
corn, thirty-three barrels pork, fifty-eight barrels bread, and
ten barrels flour. We are sorry to inform you that the vessel was
cast away, but being timely advised of the disaster by Capt.
Rysam, we have, though not without considerable expense, the good
fortune of saving the most part of the cargo.
The County and Borough of Norfolk, and Town of Portsmouth, who
made this charitable donation for the sufferers above mentioned,
have the due acknowledgments of this Committee, and their hearty
thanks, with assurance that it shall be applied agreeable to the
benevolent design. The cheerful accession of the gentlemen of
Virginia to the measures proposed by the late Continental
Congress, is an instance of that zeal for, and attachment to the
cause of America, in which that colony has ever distinguished
herself.
This Town is suffering the severest strokes of ministerial
vengeance, for their adherence to the same virtuous cause; and
while the sister Colonies are testifying their approbation of its
conduct, and so liberally contributing for its support, we trust
the inhabitants will continue to bear their suffering with a
manly fortitude, and preserve a superiority over their insulting
enemies.
I am, in the name of the Committee, Gentlemen, your sincere
friend and fellow-countryman,
_________________________________________________________________
1A committee for the county and borough of Norfolk and town of
Portsmouth, Virginia.
TO RICHARD RANDOLPH.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 185, 186.]
BOSTON, February 1, 1775.
SIR,
Your letter of the 29th December last, directed to Mr. Cushing,
Mr. John Adams, Mr. Paine and myself, inclosing bill of lading
for three hundred twenty-nine and a half bushels wheat, one
hundred thirty-five bushels corn, and twenty-three barrels flour,
was delivered to us by Capt. Tompkins, and we have laid it before
the Committee of this Town appointed to receive and distribute
Donations made for the relief and employment of the sufferers by
the Port Bill. I am, in the name of the Committee, to desire you
to return their hearty thanks to the worthy gentlemen of Henrico
County, who have so generously contributed for that charitable
purpose, and to assure them, that their donations shall be
applied so as duly to answer their benevolent intention.
The Colony of Virginia made an early stand, by their ever
memorable Resolves, in 1765, against the efforts of a corrupt
British Administration to enslave America, and has ever
distinguished herself by her exertions in support of our common
rights. The sister Colonies struggled separately, but the
Minister himself has at length united them, and they have lately
uttered language that will be heard. It is the fate of this
Town to drink deep of the cup of ministerial vengeance; but while
America bears them witness that they suffer in HER cause, they
glory in their sufferings. Being thus supported by HER
liberality, they will never ungratefully betray her rights.
Inheriting the spirit of their virtuous ancestors, they will,
after their example, endure hardships, and confide in an all-
gracious Providence. Having been born to be free, they will never
disgrace themselves by a mean submission to the injurious terms
of slavery. These, Sir, I verily believe to be the sentiments of
our inhabitants, and if I am not mistaken, such assistances are
to be expected from them, as you assure us are most sincerely and
unanimously wished by every Virginian.
I am, in the name of the Committee, Sir, your sincere friend and
fellow-countryman,
_________________________________________________________________
1Of Henrico County, Virginia.
TO BENJAMIN WATKINS AND ARCHIBALD CARY.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 182, 183.]
BOSTON, February 1, 1775.
GENTLEMEN,
Capt. Tompkins duly delivered your letter, dated Virginia,
Chesterfield County, Dec. 1774, directed to Mr. Cushing, Mr. John
Adams, Mr. Paine and myself, with a bill of lading inclosed for
I,054 bushels of wheat, 376 1/2 bushels corn, and five bushels
peas, of which 210 bushels wheat, and 12 1/2 corn we perceive
comes from the people of Cumberland. As this Town have appointed
a Committee to receive and distribute donations made for the
relief and employment of the sufferers by the Boston Port Bill,
for which charitable purpose these donations of your constituents
are appropriated, your letter and the bill of lading are assigned
to them, and in their name I am now to desire you to accept of
their grateful acknowledgments for the benevolent part you have
taken, and also to make their returns of gratitude to the worthy
Gentlemen of Chesterfield and Cumberland County, for the very
Generous assistance they have afforded for the relief of the
inhabitants of Boston, yet suffering, as you express it, under
cruel oppression for the common cause of America. It is a sense
of the dignity of the cause which animates them to suffer with
that fortitude which you are pleased candidly to attribute to
them; and while they are thus encouraged and supported by the
sister Colonies, they will, by God's assistance, rather than
injure or stain that righteous cause, endure the conflict to the
utmost.
The Committee have received 192 1/2 bushels of wheat, mentioned
in your letter, as a donation from the people of Goochland
County. You will greatly oblige the Committee if you will return
their hearty thanks to their generous friends in that County.
I am, with truth and sincerity, Gentlemen, your respectful friend
and humble servant,
_________________________________________________________________
1Of Chesterfield County, Virginia.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 223, 224; a text is
also in Force, American Archives, 4th ser., vol. i., p. 1239, and
a draft is in Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
CAMBRIDGE, Feb. 14th, 1775.
MY DEAR SIR,--A few days ago I received your letter of the 7th
December, and was greatly pleased to find that you had returned
from Rome at so critical a time. A sudden dissolution of the late
parliament was a measure which I expected would take place. I
must needs allow that the ministry have acted a politic part; for
if they had suffered the election to be put off till the spring,
it might have cost some of them their heads. The new parliament
can with a very ill grace impeach them for their past conduct,
after having so explicitly avowed it. The thunder of the late
speech and the servile answers, I view as designed to serve the
purposes of saving some men from the block. I cannot conclude
that lord North is upon the retreat, though there seems to be
some appearance of it. A deception of this kind would prove fatal
to us. Our safety depends upon our being in readiness for the
extreme event. Of this the people here are thoroughly sensible,
and from the preparations they are making I trust in God they
will defend their liberties with dignity. If the ministry have
not abandoned themselves to folly and madness the firm union of
the colonies must be an important objection. The claims of the
colonies are consistent . . . and necessary to their own
existence as free subjects, and they will never recede from them.
The tools of power here are incessantly endeavouring to divide
them, but in vain. I wish the king's ministers would duly
consider what appears to me a very momentous truth, that one
regular attempt to subdue those in any other colony, whatever may
be the first issue of the attempt, will open a quarrel, which
will never be closed till what some of THEM affect to apprehend,
and we sincerely deprecate, shall take effect. Is it not then
high time that they should hearken not to the clamours of
passionate and interested men, but to the cool voice of impartial
reason ? No sensible minister will think that millions of free
subjects, strengthened by such an union, will submit to be
slaves; no honest minister would wish to see humanity thus
disgraced.
My attendance on the provincial congress now sitting here will
not admit of my enlarging at present. I will write you again by
the next opportunity, and till I have reason to suspect our
adversaries have got some of my letters in their possession. I
yet venture to subscribe, yours affectionately,
TO JOSEPH NYE.1
[Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, 4th ser., vol.
iv., pp. 206, 207.]
BOSTON, Feb. 21, 1775.2
SIR,