take my place here. I wrote a Letter to them last December, requesting
that I might be relievd by one of my absent Colleagues or some other
Gentleman, & permitted to return to my Family in the Spring. I find my
Health declining, and the Air of this Country is unfriendly to it. I am
therefore steadfastly determind to get my self excusd in April or May
at farthest. In doing this, I shall immediately make Room for an abler
Man. Such may easily be found, and, I hope, prevaild upon to come. I
shall also gratify those whose Hearts are bent upon my Removal, and
shall save them Abundance of Pains in making their Interest to effect
it. These Men agree with me, if in Nothing else, in wishing most
cordially for my Retirement from publick Business. Perhaps they would
chuse to have me recalled with Disgrace. I hope this is not in their
Power; though I think I could bear even that with becoming Fortitude,
for I am conscious that I do not deserve to be disgracd by my Country,
and can be happy in the Reflections of my own Mind. The Arts they make
use of are contemptible. Last year, as you observe, I was an Enemy to
General Washington. This was said, to render me odious to the People.
The Man who fabricated the Charge did not believe it himself. When he
endeavord to make others believe it, he attempted to injure me by
imposing upon them. His own Heart must therefore reproach him with
complicated Acts of Injustice, and if he has any Feeling he must
despise himself. If I indulgd the Spirit of Revenge, could I wish for
more? NOW, you tell me, their Art is, to prejudice the People against
the Lees, and propagate that I am a Friend to them. HOW trifling is
this? Am I accountable to the People for my opinions of Men? If I have
found from long & intimate Acquaintance with those Gentlemen, that they
are, and have been from the Beginning of this Contest, among the most
able & zealous Defenders of the Rights of America and Mankind, shall I
not be their Friend? I will avow my Friendship to them in the Face of
the World. As an Inhabitant of Massachusetts Bay, I should think my
self ungrateful, not to esteem Arthur Lee most highly, for his
voluntary Services to that State, in Times of her greatest Necessity,
to the Injury of his private Interest, and at the Risque of his Life.
Adieu my Friend.
March 24--79
The Bearer of this Letter being prevented setting off by a Storm, I
have had Time to transcribe the inclosd Extracts. They were written to
me, as you will observe, in Confidence. I think I am warranted in
communicating them to you, because I know the Writer has as much
Confidence in your Prudence & Discretion as in mine, if not more. And I
do not see how I can better use them for the purpose he intended in
sending them to me, than by sending them to you. The Parts which are
descriptive of the Weakness, or if you think more proper, the reserved
Caution of Age, you will judge prudent to keep secret for the present.
There are some of our Friends, who, having so long habituated
themselves to admire the Wisdom of the Philosopher cannot easily be
perswaded to believe, that in the different Character of a Politician,
he may be liable to human Frailties at the Age of more than three score
and ten. Those Parts which may serve to set Dr Lee in his true
Character of an honest & diligent Servant of the publick, you will make
Use of for that Purpose. For it is of equal Importance that the
Fidelity of one or the Treachery of another, in the service of the
publick, should be made known. A Man of inflexible Republican Virtue
cannot but incur both the Dread & the Hatred of those who
are--ambitious--desirous of making Fortunes--artful and enterprizing--especially if
much of the publick Money has passd, unaccounted for, through their
Hands. Mr Dean would have the World believe that Dr Lee is a dishonest
Man & a Traitor. The Writer of these Extracts, who has had full
Opportunity of enquiring, says, he is "a Man of Integrity and Honor,"--"a
worthy Character"--"invariably attachd to the Cause of America." I am
inclind to think, that no honest & sensible Man who is acquainted with
both will hesitate to determine, which of their Opinions to rely upon,
or which of them in the present Case ought to be supposd the impartial
Judge.
Adieu.
TO JAMES LOVELL.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
March 26
Mess Otis and Henley are under a Difficulty which I wish mt have your
Attention, and that you wd consult our Brother Mr Gerry to whom they
have written on the Subject. In Consequence of the most pressing
Letters from the Board of War, they have lately purchasd a Quantity of
Woolen Goods at 5 Months Credit, to be paid for in Currency at 75 for
one provided Bills on Europe continue at 25, otherwise is that
Proportion. They consulted the most judicious and publick spirited
Merchants upon Change who thought it an advantageous Bargain. But the
Board of War in a Letter to them say they hope & expect they have got
rid of the Bargain. To insist upon this would seem hard and unjust, and
to leave the Matter to be settled at a distant Time would be precarious
and unsafe for them. I hope Gentlemen with you do not look upon them as
that Kind of Men who seek publick Employment without any View of
serving the Publick. They are Men of Honor and Reputation; and as such
they expect to fullfil the Contracts they make, and they ought to be
supported by their Employers.
A Prize is arrivd in Salem taken by one of our Privateers, said to have
on board 1500 bls of Flour, 1400 bls of Beef and Pork, besides dry
Goods.
Mrs A made a Visit to Mrs L a day or two ago & informd me that your
Family were in Health. They are shortly to move into the House of S
Waterhouse an Absentee.
TO JAMES LOVELL.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
Mar 27
The Gentn of the Medical Departmt have diverse Times applied to
Congress for Consideration on Accot of the depreciating Currency. It
appears to me that they are as much intitled to it, as the officers of
the Line; for altho they may not run Risques in the fighting Way, they
very probably do, equally, in the Midst of putrid Fevers &c. Those of
them who are the Subjects of this State, have applied to the General
Assembly; and tho ample Provision is made for officers & Soldiers, no
Provision is made for them, because they are not considerd as Part of
the Quota of this State. I wish you would take this Matter under your
Consideration. This is the first Time I have ever interposd in behalf
of that Department. I have hitherto refraind on Account of my Sons
being one, whom I early cautiond not to expect any Advantage, as a
Servant of the Publick from his Connection with me.
TO JAMES LOVELL.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
March 30
Capt Paul Jones, it is supposd may be now in Philadelphia in Command of
the Alliance. If Congress will recollect the Mannagemt of the Cutter
Revenge commanded by Cunningham, which I imagine has not been cleard up
to this Day & probably never will be, they will think it just to the
Publick and necessary that Enquiry shd be made, while Jones is on the
Spot, concerning the Squadron lately under his Command. Whether it was
fitted out at the Expence of the Publick either french or american or
joyntly by both. Or whether it was a Project of private Men so artfully
contrivd & conducted as that they can declare the property to be either
publick or private as may best suit their Interest. Landais is esteemd
here a good Commander & an honest Man. But he is left in France &
cannot inform you any thing about it. And whether the Character which
Jones has given to all his officers (Landais only excepted) may operate
as a Bribe, may be worth your particular Vigilance. The Reputation of
our Navy, to say Nothing of the Honor of Congress which ought never to
be suspected, will suffer, if our Seamen, after having venturd their
Lives in cruizing upon the Enemy in Europe should return to America
without receiving their Prize Money, & be told [here] that no one
knows, whether the Vessels into which they inlisted were publick or
private Property, tho they were taught to believe in Europe they were
ownd & commissiond by the United States. If [our] Ministers or Agents
abroad either with or without special Direction of Congress shall think
it proper to employ our Ships of War (which has been the Case of the
Alliance at least) in Expeditions or Services in Europe, ought they not
to be directed, when the Service is performd, if it cannot be done
conveniently before, to make known the Circumstances & Events to
Congress? I am told that a Commodore Gillon has written a Letter to the
late Mr President Jay concerning the attaching the American Ship of War
Alliance to "an amphibious Squadron of french Cruizers, subjecting them
to the Orders of Capt Paul Jones and giving Continental Commissions to
a Number of french men, who were put upon Court Martials on American
Citizens." And it is apprehended this Information will be withheld from
Congress, because, tho intended to be laid before them, it was not
expressly so desired. It is allowd that Jones has behavd with Bravery;
but I think the Expedition with all its Circumstances should be the
Subject of thorough & immediate Enquiry. Landais, I am informd is in
Prison. He is an officer of Congress, and Congress should know, whether
he is justly a....
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers Lenox Library.]
PHILAD Apr 1 1779
SIR
We had the Honor of receiving by the Hands of N1 Gorham Esqr & others a
Come of the General Court, your Letter of the 1st of March. Congress
had before considerd the Subject of it and come in to Resolutions which
we forwarded to you in Season. If any thing further can be done for the
Reliefe of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay from the Distress they
are under for Want of Bread, the Honble Assembly may rely upon our
utmost Exertions. We have also recd another Letter by Express,
inclosing a Resolution of the Assembly relating to the Necessity of
ascertaining the Powers of foreign Consuls in the American Ports. This
we immediately laid before Congress & the Matter is under the
Consideration of a Committee.
A Resolution yesterday passd, which directs that the proceedings of
Congress from the first of Jany last, excepting such as require Secrecy
for the present, be publishd with all Dispatch and transmitted weekly
to the Assemblys of the respective States. This will enable us to
comply with a former Instruction with Ease. The printing of the
Journals preceding the Time just mentiond, will not be interrupted by
the execution of this Resolution.
We are with Sentiments of Duty & Regard to the Genl Assembly
Sir
your most hbl Servts 2
1 Nathaniel Gorham, of Lunenburgh, Mass. On February 27 the House of
Representatives appropriated L500 each to Gorham and Ebenezer Wells for
their expenses while visiting the southern states as a committee of the
House.
2 Signed by Adams, Gerry, Lovell and Holten, delegates of Massachusetts
in the Continental Congress.
TO JOHN PITTS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILAD April 27-79
MY DEAR SIR
I have recd several of your favors which I have not yet answerd. You
will not I am sure, impute it to Inattention or Neglect. I have been
often sick. I have been fatigud with Business, whereby I am become
greatly indebted to all my Friends in the Epistolary Way. Shortly I
hope to see them when I shall make a satisfactory Apology. Upon what
Foundation do they build their Hopes of Peace? Congress, they say, have
receivd great News. No such thing. There is Nothing I know of worth
your hearing which you have not already heard. Be not amusd by the
Tales of interrested Politicians, Speculators & Tories. A false Hope of
peace in the Time of War does a World of Mischiefe. The latest & best
Advices I have seen mention Britain as breathing Nothing but Revenge.
Besides, were we to expect serious Overtures, did a wise Nation ever
remit; their Exertions at such a Juncture? I hope America will
persevere in this glorious Struggle till she obtains what in Reason she
ought to insist upon This you will tell me is saying just Nothing at
all Very true; and why should one speak when it is the Time to be
silent? At a proper time when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you,
I will chat with you upon the Subject. Let me only ask you at present,
Is not the Fishery as valueable to America & more so to old
Massachusetts than the Tobacco Fields of the middle States or the Rice
Swamps of the South?
Ask my old Fd the Hon T C1 what he thinks of the pious Lord Dartmouth
now. Adieu.
TO SAMUEL COOPER.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADE April 29, 1779
MY DEAR FRIEND
I have not yet acknowledgd your Favors of the 14th & 15th of March. The
Subject of the former is of the last Importance. I have always been of
Opinion that America would be in more Danger in the Point of coming to
an Accommodation with Great Britain than in any Stage of the War.
Unpracticd as we are in the Business of Treaties and perhaps too
unsuspecting of the Intrigues of Courts, we may be led into Conventions
which may put us into a State of Insecurity while we are nominally
independent. The Advice which some Persons would affect to give us not
to insist upon too much, should be receivd with the greatest Caution.
What do they mean by it, and how far wd they have us extend it? If we
had hearkned to such Advice in the Infancy of this Contest, we should
have submitted [to] Britain the Right of taxing us, & humbly
supplicated her to suspend the Exercise of it. In doing this we might
have prevented the Horrors of War, & have been her quiet Slaves. No
Terms have yet been proposd by Britain. She possibly may offer them
soon, and her proposals possibly may be insidious & inadmissible. I do
believe she is at this Moment employing her secret Emissaries to find
out the Disposition of America & what would be her Ultimatum. Should
not the People then speak the Language which becomes them & assure her
that after so virtuous & successful a Struggle they are determind to
demand enough for the Purpose of securing their own internal & external
Happiness. This is the Aim of the Revolution and the Extent of the
Wishes of our good & great Ally, who I dare affirm, is invariably
determind not to seperate his Interest from that of America, & to
support the Cause of the United States as his own. Our Happiness
depends upon Independence. To be prosperous we must have an extensive
Trade. This will require a respectable Navy. Our Ships must be mannd,
and the Source of Seamen is the Fishery. Among those who ought to see
the Importance of the Fishery, I am affraid there are some who think
that in insisting upon that we should insist upon too much. Nova Scotia
& Canada would be a great & permanent Protection to the Fishery. But
these, say some, are not Parts of the United States, and what Right
should we have to claim them? The Cession of those Territories would
prevent any Views of Britain to disturb our Peace in future & cut off a
Source of corrupt British Influence which issuing from them, might
diffuse Mischiefe and Poison thro the States. Will not then the
Possession of Nova Scotia & Canada be necessary, if we mean to make
Peace upon pacifick Principles? If we are to have no overtures this
year, and Providence blesses us with the Spirit of Enterprize would it
not be better for us, provided it be practicable, to wrest those Places
from the Hands of the Enemy than trust to the Uncertainty of Treaty? I
confess we have a Choice of Difficulties. I pray God we may surmount
them all! None however reach the Pinnacle of Eminence & Glory but the
virtuous & brave. Adieu my dear Sir. I hope to see & live with you
shortly; but I shall expect another Letter from you before I leave this
Place.
1 Thomas Cushing.
THE MARINE COMMITTEE OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[MS., Letter Book of the Marine Committee, Library of Congress; a draft
is in the Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
May 26th 1779
SIR
Your Excellencys Letter to this committee of the 25th instant together
with an Extract from another of the 17th instant to the President of
Congress has been duely considered by the Committee.
Unfortunately the situation of our frigates is such as to afford no
reason to expect that they can possibly be collected in season to
execute the plan proposed. The Providence of 32 Guns and the Ranger of
18 are already ordered on a Cruize and it is supposed must be at Sea
before different orders can reach them at Boston.
The Warren of 36 Guns and the Queen of France of 20 have lately
returned from a Cruize and are unmanned. Although the Naval force of
the enemy at New York is at present trifleing, yet as their situation
in this respect is very fluctuateing they may probably be so reinforced
as to render it too hazardous to risque only the Two frigates in this
River viz: the Confederacy of 36 Guns & the Deane of 28 Guns the latter
of which wants a great number of hands to make up her complement.
Add to this that though the force of the enemy on the water would be
inferior to ours, yet might they not retire under cover of the
Batteries on shore and receive effectual protection from any annoyance
that could be attempted from the Guns of our small Ships. I am desired
by the Committee to assure you Sir that they shall always be ready with
the greatest alacrity to employ our little fleet in the execution of
such plans as may be suggested to them by your Excellency when our
circumstances shall be such as to render it practicable.
I am yr Excellencys
Obet Servt 1
1 Signed, "S. Adams, Chn."
TO BENJAMIN HAWES.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
STATE OF MASS. BAY.
COUNCIL CHAMBER. July 10th 1779
SIR
The Council being informd that a Detachment of Troops destind for the
Defence of the State of Rhode Island are waiting at or near the Town of
Wrentham ready to march you are directed to forward them and all others
in the like Circumstances within the Limits of your regt to the Place
of their Destination with all possible Dispatch.
TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
STATE OF M B. COUNCIL CHAMBER
July 12 1779
To the Honble the Commissioners of the Continental Navy Board
GENTLEMEN
The Council Board having given orders that the Ships in the Service of
this State and employed in the present Expedition to Penobscott proceed
to Sea upon the Signal given from the Continental Frigate Warren, you
are requested to give order to the Commander of the Frigate & other
Ships under your Direction to proceed to place of Rendevous already
agreed on.
In the Name & Behalf of the Council.1
1 Wholly in the autograph of Adams; the original was signed by Jeremiah
Powell, President of the Council, as in the case of letters printed on
pages 153-155, 158, 160, 161, 162.
TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a portion of the text is in W. V. Wells,
Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., p. 70.]
STATE OF MASS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 13 1779
SIR
Your Excellencies Letter of the 11th Current was duly receivd & read in
Council; in Consequence of which, orders are issued to the Brigadiers
of the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire to detach and forward on under
proper officers with all possible Dispatch a Number consisting of one
sixth part of their Militia to such place in Connecticutt as your Excy
shall appoint & to continue in Service for the Defence of the State of
Connecticutt during the space of one Month after their Arrival at the
place appointed unless they shall be sooner dischargd. It is presumd
that the Aid of one thousand Men at least will be afforded by means of
this order. The Council very sensibly feel the Distress which the State
of Connecticutt have already sufferd by the Incursions & Depredations
of a desperate & malicious Enemy, and trust in God that the People of
New England will be always spirited to exert themselves upon every
pressing occasion for the Common Safety & that their Exertions will be
attended with the divine Blessing.
TO HORATIO GATES.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a portion of the text is in W. V. Wells,
Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp, 70, 71.]
STATE OF MASS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 14 1779
SIR
Your Letter of the 12th Instant with its Inclosure has been receivd by
the Council. The Progress of the Enemy into the State of Connecticutt,
and the Devastations they have already made in some of the Towns there,
require our vigorous Exertions. Orders have been given to forward the
Troops destind for the Defence of Rhode Island with all possible
Dispatch. And the Commanding officers of the Counties of Hampshire and
Berkshire are also directed to detach a Number from their Militia &
march them forthwith for the Reliefe of Connecticut!, to such place as
Govr Trumbull shall appoint, of which due Notice is forwarded to the
Governor. Should the Enemy, direct their force to Connecticutt or any
part of New Engd & attempt to make that the Seat of the War, this
Summer, Nothing shall be wanting on the part of this Board, to defeat
their Designs.
In the Name & behalf of the Council I am----
Sir your most obedient
humble Servt
TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 14, 1779
To the Hon the Commissioners of the Continental Navy Board
GENTLEMEN
This Board being duly informd by the Board of War that the Ships &
Vessels in Service of this State on the Expedition to Penobscot are
ready to proceed to Sea upon the proper Signals being given from the
Frigate Warren, you are requested to give the necessary order to
Captain Salstonstal as soon as may be.
In the Name & Behalf of the Council
I am &c
TO MESHECH WEARE.1
[MS., Massachusetts Archives.]
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER July 28--1779
SIR
It having been suggested to this Board that a Vessel belonging to the
subjects of his Catholick Majesty has been plunderd on the high Seas by
the Captain of a Vessel from Liverpole, suspected to be Capt George
Hewet of the Prize Brig Adventure lately brot into this Port--And the
Board being informd that Cap Evans of Portsmouth & his Mate who arrivd
here a few days ago & are since gone to that town can give Information
touching the same-- It is the Request of this Board that the Honorable the
Council of New Hampshire will be pleasd to cause a strict Examination
to be made into a Report which is of great Importance to the United
States, as the aforesaid Act of Pyracy is said to have been committed
under American Colours.
I am
in the name &c
TO ARTHUR LEE.
[R. H. Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, vol. ii., pp. 226-228, under date of
August 1, 1777.]
BOSTON, Aug. 1st, 1779.
It was not till the last week that I received your favour from Nantes
of the 6th of March. Our friend Mr. Lovett sent it to me from
Philadelphia. I resent the treatment you have met with in America with
all the feelings of friendship. Among your enemies you may depend upon
it there are some of the worst kind of men. I cannot help entertaining
a violent suspicion that they are the enemies of their country. I am
sure that they cannot at present do a more vital injury to the great
cause of America than by raising the popular jealousy and clamour
against its earliest, most able, and persevering friends. This they are
endeavouring to do not only with regard to you but others; and they are
masters of so much sophistry as to deceive some who, as I think, are
not so wary and suspicious of them as they ought to be. Mr. -------- in the opinion
of some of his own party, was injudicious in his publication of the 5th
Dec. last. They are at least constrained to say it, whether they think
so or not. It is the opinion of the best men, I know, that he has done
more mischief than it will ever be in his power to atone for. I never
had but one opinion of this man since the year 1774, when I first knew
him, and that is, that he is commercial and interested. I believe he
has for a twelvemonth past, thought it his interest to throw us into
divisions and parties, and that he has been as influential in effecting
it as any man in America. Interested men, men who are united in
politics and commercial combinations are and must be his advocates.
Perhaps the persons whose names you mention in the last part of your
letter, may be his secret but powerful supporters; I do not pretend to
affirm it. These men most certainly, should preserve their minds free
from prejudice in disputes of this kind. They should stand totally
unconnected with any party, as they would avoid doing injury to the
joint cause of France and America, and lessening that strong attachment
and mutual confidence between the two nations, which every true friend
and subject of both wishes may long subsist.