since which your favor of the 21st of the same month from Paris
came to my Hand. You have supposd that this Campaign would put
General Howe, after the Junction with Burgoyne in Possession of
the States of New York, New Jersey Pennsylvania & the Delaware
with Rhode Island as his Center of Attack upon the States of New
England; you have even considerd such a situation of things as
almost certain. But I have now the Satisfaction of informing you
that General Howe has found it neces- sary to withdraw all his
Troops from New Jersey, and I am of Opinion that it is
impracticable for him to distribute his Troops among the States
you have mentiond in sufficient Numbers to keep possession of
them and afford enough to attack the New England States with the
least Prospect of subduing them. I have thought that the
Impression which the Enemy made the last Winter on the State of
New Jersey was owing to favorable Circumstances which then took
place, and was not in pursuance of the original Plan. The Time
for which our Troops were inlisted had expired--our Army was
reducd to a mere handful and General Howe had flatterd himself
that the middle States were so generally disaffected to our Cause
as to render their total Submission practicable & easy. He
therefore made a vigorous push in the Depth of Winter as far as
Trenton upon Delaware, and there cantond his Troops with a Design
probably of availing himself of this City early in the Spring
before we should be able to collect a force sufficient to prevent
it. But General Washington, having gaind a signal Advantage by an
Attack as you have heard obligd him to retreat and make his
remaining Winter Quarters in Brunswick, since which the Vigilance
& Activity of the people of Jersey who by frequent Skirmishes
have lessend his Army, has given him reason to alter his opinion
of their Disposition & his removing from thence has I think
afforded sufficient Proof that he has not been able by Arts or
Arms to conquer even one of our smallest States. What his next
Step will be is uncertain, perhaps he may embark his Troops for
Philadelphia, or more probably he may attempt a Junction with
Burgoyne. If the first, has he to expect more Laurels or better
Success than he gaind in Jersey? Or, if the latter should be his
Choice judge what must be his Prospect. Burgoyne who it is said
cannot muster more than 7 or 8 thousand will be opposd by our
Northern Army & I hope overwhelmd before they can reach Albany.
Howe will be followd close by the Army under the immediate
Command of G W, at present more than equal it in number, in high
Spirits, full of the Idea of Victory and daily increasing. Under
these unpromising Circumstances should he even complete a
Junction, he will then have to begin an attempt of the most
arduous Business of conquering the whole Army of the united
States together with the numerous, hardy & stubborn Militia of
New England. These are my Views of the present State of our
military affairs, and I am perswaded, when I reflect on the
Spirit & Valor discoverd in my Countrymen of Georgia So & No
Carolina Virginia & Jersey to say nothing of Lexington & Bunker
Hill in my own dear native State, Great Britain will ever show
her self feeble in her Efforts to conquer America. I beg you to
write to me full as often as you may find Leisure, and for my own
part I feel a Disposition almost to persecute you with my Letters
but I must conclude with congratulating you on this first
Anniversary of American Independence, and assuring you that I am
unfeignedly and very affectionately,
Your Friend,
TO SAMUEL HEWES.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA July 7 1777
MY DEAR SIR/
I intreat you to ascribe my not having yet acknowledgd the
Receipt of your favor1 to the true Cause, a perpetual Hurry of
affairs. I have not been unmindful of its Contents. Major Ward,
as you have heard, is appointed Commissary General of Musters
with the Rank and Pay of a Colonel. I have long known him a Man
of Sense and a zealous and steady Patriot, in Times less
promising than the present; and the Part he took on the ever
memorable 19th of April 75, together with the Experience he has
gaind by constant Application ever since in the military Line,
intitles him to particular Notice. I will bear in my Memory the
Hint given in the Close of your Letter. If at any Time I may have
it in my power to render benefit to a Friend by puting him in the
Way of serving our Country it will afford me double Satisfaction.
You will have heard before this reaches you that General Howe has
at length drawn all his Forces from the State of Jersey to New
York. It is the Business of General Washington to penetrate his
future Design. This City has been threatned for some Months past;
if he ever had such an Intention, it is probable he has now laid
it aside, and that he will attempt to force a Junction with
Burgoyne, and subdue the Eastern States. [But] why should I
hazzard a Conjecture of this kind who profess no Skill in
military affairs. I hope my Countrymen are prepared to give the
Enemy a proper Reception whenever they may be attackd!
I have written you a friendly Letter though a short one--short
for want of time to write more. I have twenty things to say to
you but at present must conclude with most respectful Complts to
your Lady Family & Connections very cordially your friend,
_________________________________________________________________
1Of March 25, 1777.
TO JOHN PITTS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE July 8 1777
MY DEAR SIR
I do not recollect to have receivd a Letter from [you] of a later
Date than the 25 of Decr last, although I have been since writing
to you as often as I cod find Leisure. I do not know that I have
by any thing I have written given you just Cause of offence. If
you think otherwise pray let me know it, and I will make as full
Atonement as I am able, for I do assure you I wish to continue a
friendly epistolary Correspondence with you. Be so kind as to
write me by the very next Post and assure yourself that I am
unfeignedly and most cordially,
Yr Friend,
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
[MS., Emmet Collection, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE July 15 1777
MY DEAR FRIEND
I wrote to you a Fortnight ago in so great Haste that I had not
time to transcribe or correct it and relied on your Candor to
overlook the slovenly Dress in which it was sent to you. You have
since heard that our Friends in Jersey have at length got rid of
as vindictive and cruel an Enemy as ever invaded any Country. It
was the opinion of General Gates that Howes advancing to Somerset
Court House was a Feint to cover the Retreat of his Battering
Train, ordinary Stores and heavy Baggage to Amboy. I confess I
can not help yet feeling myself chagrind, that in more . . . .
diminish his paltry Army in that State. If their Militia, among
whom so great an Animation prevaild, had been let loose upon the
Enemy, who knows but that they wd have destroyd their Army, or at
least, so far have weakend it as to have put a glorious End to
this Campaign, and perhaps the War? I will acknowledge that my
Temper is rather sanguine. I am apt to be displeasd when I think
our Progress in War and in Politicks is Slow. I wish to see more
of an enterprising Spirit in the Senate and the Field, without
which, I fear our Country will not speedily enjoy the Fruits of
the present Conflict--an establishd Independence and Peace. I
cannot applaud the Prudence of the Step, when the People of
Jersey were collected, and inspired with Confidence in themselves
& each other, to dismiss them as not being immediately wanted,
that they might go home in good Humour and be willing to turn out
again in any OTHER Emergency. I possess not the least Degree of
Knowledge in military Matters, & therefore hazzard no opinion. I
recollect however that Shakespear tells us, there is a Tide in
human Affairs, an Opportunity which wise Men carefully watch for
and improve, and I will never forget because it exactly coincides
with my religious opinion and I think is warranted by holy writ,
that "God helps those who help themselves."
We have letters from General Schuyler in the Northern Department
giving us an Account of the untoward Situation of our Affairs in
that Quarter & I confess it is no more than I expected, when he
was again intrusted with the Command there. You remember it was
urged by some that as he had a large Interest and powerful
Connections in that Part of the Country, no one could so readily
avail himself of Supplys for an Army there, than he. A most
substantial Reason, I think, why he should have been appointed a
Quartermaster or a Commissary. But it seems to have been the
prevailing Motive to appoint him to the Chief Command! You have
his Account in the inclosed Newspaper, which leaves us to GUESS
what is become of the GARRISON. It is indeed droll enough to see
a General not knowing where to find the main Body of his Army.
Gates is the Man of my Choice. He is HONEST and TRUE, & has the
Art of GAINING THE LOVE OF HIS SOLDIERS principally because he is
ALWAYS PRESENT with them in FATIGUE & DANGER. But Gates has been
disgusted! We are however waiting to be relievd from this
disagreeable State of uncertainty, by a particular Account of
Facts from some Person who WAS NEAR the Army who trusts not to
MEMORY altogether, lest some Circumstances may be OMITTED while
others are MISAPPREHENDED.
I rejoyce in the Honors your Country has done you. Pray hasten
your Journey hither.
Your very affectionate,
TO SAMUEL COOPER.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE July 15 1777
MY DEAR SIR
Before this reaches you, it is probable you will have heard of
the untoward Turn our Affairs have taken at the Northward. I
confess it is not more than I expected when Genl Schur was again
intrusted with the Command there. But it was thought by some
Gentlemen that as he had a great Interest & large Connections in
that Part of the Country, he could more readily avail himself of
Supplys for an Army there as well as Reinforcements if wanted
upon an Emergency, than any other Man. You have the Account in
the inclosed Paper, which leaves us to guess what is become of
the Garrison. There is something droll enough in a Generals not
knowing where to find the main Body of his Army. Gates is the Man
I should have chosen. He is honest and true, & has the Art of
gaining the Love of his Soldiers, principally because he is
always present and shares with them in Fatigue & Danger. We are
hourly expecting to be relievd from a disagreable State of
Uncertainty by a particular Relation of Facts. This Account, as
you are told, is related upon MEMORY, & therefore some
Circumstances may be OMITTED, others MISAPPREHENDED. But the Post
is just going, & I have time only to acknowledge the Receipt of
your favor of the 12 of June & beg you would write to me often.
I am affectionately,
Your friend,
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; the text, dated July
12, 1777, is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. ii., pp.
484-486.]
PHILADA July 22 1777
MY DEAR SIR
Your very acceptable Letter of the 12th came to my hand
yesterday. The Confederation, is most certainly an important
Object, and ought to be attended to & finishd speedily. I moved
the other Day and urgd that it might then be brought on; but your
Colleague Colo H opposed and prevented it, Virginia not being
represented. It is put off till you shall arrive; you see
therefore the Necessity of your hastening to Congress.
We have still further & still confused Accounts from the
Northward. Schuylers Letters are rueful indeed! even to a great
Degree, and with such an awkward Mixture as would excite one to
laugh in the Midst of Calamity. He seems to contemplate his own
Happiness in not having had much or indeed any Hand in the
unhappy Disaster. He throws Blame on St Clare in his Letter of
July 9th. "What adds to my Distress is, that a Report prevails
that I had given orders for the Evacuation of Tyconderoga,
whereas not the most distant Hint of any such Intention can be
drawn from any of my Letters to General Sinclare or any other
Person whatever." He adds "What could induce the General Officers
to a Step that has ruind our Affairs in that Quarter, God only
knows." And indeed Sinclares own Letter of the 30th of June dated
at Ty. would induce one to be of the same Opinion, for he there
says "My People are in the best Disposition possible and I have
no Doubt about giving a good Account of the Enemy should they
think proper to attack us." Other Parts of his Letter are written
in the same spirited Stile. The General Officers blame N E for
not furnishing their Quota of Troops. It is natural for Parties
to shift the Fault from one to the other; and your Friend General
Steven, who seems desirous of clearing his Countryman from all
Blame, in a Letter to your Brother says "Eight thousand Men were
thought adequate to the Purpose. They (N E) furnishd about three
thousand--for Want of the Quota the Place is lost & they stand
answerable for the Consequences." The General forgets that five
of the ten Regiments orderd from Mass. Bay were countermanded and
are now at Peeks Kill. I will give you an Abstract of the Forces
at Ty & Mount Independence the 25th of June taken from the
Muster-master General Colo Varicks Return.
Fit for Duty of the 9 Continental Regiments Commissiond & Non
commissiond & Staff Officers included 2738
Colo Wells' & Leonard's Regiments of Militia [their time
expired the 6th of July] 637
Colo Long's Regimt of Militia [engagd to 1st of Augt] 199
Major Stephens' Corps of Artillery 151
5 Companies of Artificers 178
Whitcombs Aldrichs & Lees Rangers 70
_____
3973
Men at Out Posts not included in the Above 218
Sick in Camp and Barracks 342
_____
4533
Besides a Number of Recruits belonging to the Continental
Regiments arrivd at Ty. between the 18th & 29th of June, that are
not included in the above Abstract. General Schuyler in his
Letter of the 9th of July says, "I am informd FROM UNDOUBTED
AUTHORITY that the Garrison was reinforced with twelve Hundred
Men AT LEAST, two days before the Evacuation." When the Commander
in chiefe writes in so positive Terms, one would presume upon his
certain knowledge of Facts; BUT AS HE WAS NOT PRESENT WITH HIS
ARMY, let us suppose (though it does not seem probable by the
general gloomy Cast of his Letters) that he has overrated the
Numbers, and set down 967 and it would complete the Number Of
5500. Deduct the sick 342, and I am willing also to deduct the
two "licentious and disorderly" Regiments from Massachusetts who
left Sinclare, though he acknowledges they kept with him two days
upon the March, and there remaind near five thousand. Mentioning
this yesterday in a publick Assembly, I was referrd to the
Generals Information to his Council of War, who says "the whole
of our Force consisted of two thousand & Eighty nine effective
Rank & file." But allowing this to be the Case, Is an Army the
worse for having more than one half of its Combatants Officers?
Notwithstanding Nothing is said of it in the publick Letters Genl
Sinclair writes to his private Friend that the Enemy came up with
the Rear of the retreating Army, & a hot Engagement ensued. Other
Accounts say that many were killed on both sides, that our Troops
beat off the Enemy & that Colo Francis of the Massachusetts &
some of his officers were among the slain.
I shall not write you any more Letters for I hope to see you
soon.
Adieu my Friend,
TO PAUL REVERE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE July 28 1777
MY DEAR SIR
I receivd your favor of the 26th of June and also one from Colo
Crafts of the same Date. I wrote to him by the Return of the Post
& desired him to communicate the Contents to you. I conversd with
Mr J A upon the Subject of your Letter, and we venturd, both of
us, to step out of the Line of strict order in a Debate in
Congress the other day, to bring your Regiment of Artillery into
View. It occasiond a Conversation in the House in which we had a
Opportunity of acquainting the Members of the long Standing of
that Regiment & the Seniority of its Officers. But still it was
considerd as a Regiment raisd by a State & not by the Continent.
And though we caused the Merit of it to be well understood & it
was acknowledgd in the House, the Difficulty of altering the
Regulation you refer to appeard so evidently in the Minds of the
Gentlemen, that we waved making any Motion at that time, because
we apprehended that the Issue would be unfavorable. Indeed I am
of Opinion that Congress will not be induced to make the
Alteration you wish for, until it shall become a Continental
Regiment. In that Case, I am apt to think there would be no
Difficulty with Regard to the Seniority of other Regiments which
have been raisd since, over yours. But till that is done, it is
feared that an Alteration in this Instance would cause Discontent
in other States, where it is said there are Instances similar. A
Regiment of Artillery raisd in this State under Command of Colo
Procter was lately taken into Continental Service and the
Commissions were dated at the time they were raisd. It was upon
this Occasion that Colo Crafts Regiment was mentiond; and I
suppose that Regiment wd be admitted on the same terms. But I
think I foresee an insuperable Obstacle in that Case. If any
thing can be done consistently with the general Service, to show
Honor, but especially to do Justice to the Regiment of Artillery
in Boston, I shall not fail to push it as far as I may have
Influence. My fellow Citizens well know that I have never been
indifferent TO THEM. I am thought here in a great Degree partial
in their Favour. I have in particular a Predilection for that
Regiment. But my Friend, let me intreat you and the Gentlemen of
your Core, above all other feelings to cherish those of the
virtuous Citizen. I will allow that the Ambition of the Soldier
is laudable. At such a Crisis as this it is necessary. But may it
not be indulgd to Excess? This War we hope will be of short
Duration. We are contending, not for Glory, but for Liberty
Safety & Happiness of our Country. The Soldier should not lose
the Sentiments of the Patriot; and the Pride of Military Rank as
well as civil Promotion should forever give Way to the publick
Good. Be assured that I am very cordially,
Your Friend,
TO JAMES WARREN.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE July 31 1777
MY DEAR SIR
It is a long time since I had the pleasure of a Letter from you.
I have not heard your opinion of the Evacuation of Tyconderoga.
You are doubtless chagrind as much as I am. It is ascribd to
different Causes. Congress is determined that the true Reasons
shall be enquird into, and the Conduct of the General Officers.
Sch--rs friends are endeavoring to clear him from all Blame,
because, say they, HE WAS NOT THERE. This is true, and as it was
well known, that he had never been used to keep himself near his
Army, perhaps it may be pertinently asked, Why HE was pitchd upon
to take the Command. YOUR Delegates, I can assure you, were
utterly against it. And Notwithstanding it was publishd in some
of the Boston News papers, said to be warranted by a Letter from
this City, that Schr had the entire Confidence of Congress, there
were five only of 11 States present, in favor of it. The paper I
think was of the 5 of June. I wish I could know who gave the
Letter to the Printer. In order, I suppose, to give Credit to
that Letter, there was another publication in the papers here,
informing the World, that when he set off for the Northern
Department he was accompanied by ----- and several other Members
of C-----, which I take for granted is true. These are trifling
political Manuevres similar to those which we have seen practicd
in the Mass Bay when a prop was wanted for a sinking Character.
You may think them not worth your Notice. Excuse my troubling you
with them. Cunning Politicians often make use of the Names of
Persons, & sometimes of the Persons themselves who have not the
least Suspicion of it, to serve their own Purposes. When I
mentiond 5 out of 11 I shd have explaind my self. There were 5
for the measure 4 against it & 2 divided. Had not the state of
Rhode Island been at an equal Division, which wd have prevented
the Measure. The most important Events sometimes depend upon
small Circumstances. Some Gentn of the State of N Y are
exceedingly attachd to Genl Schr. They represent him as Instar
Omnium in the Northern Departmt. But after all that has been
said, I conceive of him, as I have for a long time, excellently
well qualified for [a] Commissary or Quartermaster. The N E
Delegates were (perhaps one excepted) to a Man against his having
the Command of that Army. But [of] this I will write particularly
in another Letter.
I am not willing to prejudge; but I must say, it is difficult to
reconcile the sudden Evacuation of the Fortress with the previous
flattering Letters of General St Clair. In one of his Letters
written but a few days before, he says, "My People are in the
best Disposition possible, and I have no Doubt about giving a
good Account of the Enemy if they shall think proper to attack
us." He has been esteemd here a good Officer, & in his Letter he
bespeaks the Candor of the publick till he can be heard. Pains
will be taken to lay the Blame upon the N E States, for not
furnishing a sufficient Quota of Men. I wish therefore you wd
procure for me an authentick Accot of the Number of Men, both
regular & Militia, sent to the Northward from our State, and how
they were cloathd and armd. You may remember that Congress
recommended it to the Eastern States, some time, I think in Decr
last, to send a Reinforcemt, of 4500 Militia to Ty. to remain
there till they cod be replaced by Continental Troops then
raising. I have never been informd of the Effect of that
Recommendation; or if I have been informd I do not recollect it.
Pray put it in our Power to state Facts precisely so far as they
regard our State. It is agreed on all sides that a Fault lies
somewhere. I hope the Truth will be thoroughly investigated, and,
to use the homely Proverb, the Saddle laid on the right Horse.
We are looking every hour for the Arrival of the Enemy in this
River. 255 sail were seen on Wednesday last steering from the
Hook S. E. Seventy sail were seen from the shore near Egg Harbour
& about 15 or 20 Leagues from these Capes on Saturday steering
the same Course--the Wind agt them. They cod not come here at a
better time. G Washington is drawing his Troops into this
Neighborhood. Some of them are arrivd. But as the Enemy has the
Advantage of us by Sea, it s too easy for them to oblige us to
harrass our Men by long & fruitless Marches, and I shd not wonder
to hear that they have tackd about & gone Eastward. I hope my
Countrymen are prepared. LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE.
Adieu,
TO JAMES WARREN.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILAD Augt 1--77
DR SR
I wrote to you on the 30th Ulto by Mr Bruce who did not leave the
City on that Day as I expected. His Stay gives me an Oppty of
acquainting you that an Express who left the Capes yesterday
informs us that the enemies ships all went out to Sea in the
morning steering E N E supposd to be going to Hudsons River Rh
lsland or Boston. Mr B will give you as particular an Acct as I
can. I therefore refer you to him. This is what I expected. I
trust you are upon your Guard. Con. has orderd an Enquiry be made
into the reasons . . . . that Schr St Clair . . . . . . . . .
repair to Head Qrs & that G W order such Genl officer as he shall
think proper immediately to repair to the Nn Departmt to relieve
Schr in his Command there. A Come is appointed to digest & rept
the Mode of conducting the Enquiry.
It appears to me difficult to account for the Evacuation of these
posts even upon the principle of Cowardice. The whole Conduct
seems to carry the evident Marks of Deliberation & Design.
If we are vigilant active spirited & decisive, I yet flatter my
self, notwithstanding the present vexatious Situation of our
Affrs at the northwd we shall humble our Enemies this Campaign. I
am truly mortified at their leaving this place because I think we
were fully prepared for it, & I believe the Cowardly Rascals knew
it. May Heaven prosper our Righteous Cause. Adieu,
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILAD. 2d Augt 17771
MY DEAR BETSY
Mr Bruces tarrying in this City longer than I expected, affords
me an Opportunity of giving you a second short Letter by him. The
Enemies Fleet have left these Capes & it is supposd they are gone
either to N York or N England. Secure a Place in the Country to
which you may Retreat in case there shd be a Necessity for it.
Preserve your usual Steadiness of Mind. Take the Advice of those
who are your and my Friends with Regard to removing. I hope there
will be no Necessity for it. I am truly sorry the . . . . have
not made this City their Object, as they . . . . long threatend.
I think we were fully prepared to receive them. Perhaps
Providence designs that N England shall have the Honor of giving
them the decisive Blow. May Heaven prosper our righteous Cause,
in such Way and by such Instruments as to his infinite Wisdom
shall seem meet.
I am in good Health and Spirits.
Adieu my dear,
_________________________________________________________________
1For a letter on this date by Adams to Washington, see W. V.
Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. ii., p. 487; cf. Sparks,
Writings of Washington, vol. v., p. 14; Ford, Writings of
Washington, vol. vi., p. 4.
TO SAMUEL FREEMAN.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
[August 5, 1777]
DR SIR
I have had the pleasure of receiving several Letters from you,
and I thank you for the Intelligence therein communicated to me.
I beg you will continue your favors although it may not be in my
Power to ballance the Account.