The Original Writings of Samuel Adams, Volume 4
by
Samuel Adams
Part 1 out of 7
This eBook was produced by Jay Carper.
THE WRITINGS
OF
SAMUEL ADAMS
VOLUME IV.
1778-1802
THE WRITINGS
OF
SAMUEL ADAMS
COLLECTED AND EDITED
BY
HARRY ALONZO CUSHING
VOLUME IV
1778-1802
CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV
1778.
To Richard Henry Lee, January 1st
Military Affairs--European Politics--Articles of Confederation--Army Supplies.
To --------, January l0th
New Haven Conference--Legislation on Trade--Baron Steuben.
To Archibald Campbell, January 14th
Exchange of Prisoners.
To Horatio Gates, January 14th
Introducing Baron Steuben--Captain Olivier.
Vote of Town of Boston, January 21st
Articles of Confederation.
To John Burgoyne, February 6th
Declining a Conference.
To Daniel Roberdeau, February 9th
The Work of Congress.
To Arthur Lee, March 12th
Complaints of French Volunteers.
To Jonathan Trumbull, March 19th
Defence of Hudson River.
To James Lovell, March 27th
Postal Service--Military Academy--Exchange of Prisoners--Case of John Amory.
To Francis Lightfoot Lee
Illness--Conditions in Boston--Military Affairs.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 20th
Action of France--Attitude of England, iii
To Mrs. Adams, May 5th
Journey from Boston.
To the Earl of Carlisle and others
Address of "An American."
To Baron Steuben, June 3rd
Action of Congress.
To John Adams, June 21st
The English Commissioners--Arrivals from France--Arthur Lee.
To Mrs. Adams, July 9th
Signing of Articles of Confederation.
To James Warren, July
Cases of Manley and McNeil--Appointment of Naval Officers.
To James Warren, July
Office-holders--The British Commissioners--Arrival of French Squadron.
To Samuel Phillips Savage, August 11th .
Return of Hancock.
To Peter Thacher, August 11th .
The British Commissioners--Activity of Quakers.
To James Warren, September 1st
Cases of Manley and McNeil--Personal Critics--The Rhode Island Expedition.
To James Bowdoin, September 3rd
Conduct of John Temple.
To Hannah Adams, September 8th
Illness of Wife.
To John Bradford, September 8th
Conduct of McNeil.
To James Warren, September 12th
Case and Conduct of Manley--The Rhode Island Expedition.
To Samuel Phillips Savage, September 14th
The Rhode Island Expedition--Activity of Tories.
To ----, September 21st
Appointment of Auctioneers--Attitude of Manley--Public Criticism of French
Admiral.
To Mrs. Adams, September 28th
Death of Friends--Family Affairs.
To William Cooper, September 3Oth
Assistance in Exchange of Son.
To Samuel Phillips Savage, October 6th
Extravagance in Boston.
To James Warren, October nth
Conduct of Arthur Lee--Opinion of Silas Deane--Affairs of Du Coudray--Public
Criticisms of Deane.
To James Warren, October 14th
Attacks on Arthur Lee--Berkenhout.
To Jonathan Trumbull, October 16th
Death of Son.
To Timothy Matlack, October 16th
Proposed Manifesto of General Clinton.
To James Warren, October 17th
Attitude of Politicians to Tories.
To Mrs. Adams, October 2oth
Personal Enemies in Boston.
To John Adams, October 25th
Military Affairs--Relations with France--The Rhode Island Expedition--Naval
Movements.
To Arthur Lee, October 26th
Comments on Correspondence.
To ----, October 26th
Falsehoods of Enemies.
To the Public, October 30th
Manifesto of the Continental Congress.
To Samuel Phillips Savage, November 1st
Share of New England in Securing Independence--Personal Relations.
To James Warren, November 3rd
Work of Congress--Foreign Relations--Proposed Resignation.
Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 3rd
Resolution of Continental Congress.
To Samuel Phillips Savage, November l0th
State of Society and Politics in Boston.
To Jeremiah Powell, December 1st
Use of Appropriation--Re-election to Congress.
To Mrs. Adams, December 13th
Relations with John Temple--Personal Critics--Deane and Lee.
To the Council of Massachusetts, December 15th
Enclosing Declaration of French Minister.
To James Bowdoin, December 19th
Conduct of John Temple.
To John Winthrop, December 21st
Conduct of John Temple.
To Samuel Cooper, December 25th
Conduct of John Temple--Deane and Lee--Proposed Resignation.
To Charles Chauncy, December 25th
Conduct of John Temple--Gates and Heath.
1779.
To Samuel Cooper, January 3rd
Deane and Arthur Lee.
To James Warren, January 6th
Silas Deane--William Lee--Arthur Lee.
To Samuel Cooper, January 6th
American Representatives in France.
To Samuel Cooper, January 19th
Negotiations with France--Diplomatic Appointments.
To Jonathan Trumbull, February 6th
Naval Affairs.
To John Winthrop, February 6th
Depreciated Currency.
To Samuel Allyne Otis, February l0th
Recommending Richard Checkley.
To James Warren, February 12th
Confidential Correspondents--Public Manners and Principles.
To the Board of War, February 16th
Action of Governor Clinton on Flour Shipments.
To Samuel Cooper, February 21st
Monopoly of Trade and Land--Course of England.
To Mrs. Adams, March 7th
Proposed Resignation as Secretary--Personal Jealousies--News from France.
To John Adams, March 9th
Personal Reflections.
To Benjamin Austin, March 9th
Opinion of Deane and Arthur Lee.
To Mrs. Adams, March 23rd
Purpose to Resign as Secretary and as Delegate--Attitude of Countrymen.
To James Warren, March 23rd, 24th
Purpose to Resign--Personal Critics--Arthur Lee,
To James Lovell, March 26th
Case of Otis and Henley.
To James Lovell, March 27th
Application of Medical Officers.
To James Lovell, March 30th
John Paul Jones--Retention of Prize Money--The "Aliance."
To the Council of Massachusetts, April 1st
Want of Bread--Journals of Congress.
To John Pitts, April 27th
Comments on Political Affairs.
To Samuel Cooper, April 29th
Proper Attitude toward England--Canada and Nova Scotia.
To George Washington, May 26th
The Marine Committee--State of the Navy.
To Benjamin Hawes, July l0th
Movement of Troops.
To the Navy Board, July 12th
Movement of Ships.
To Jonathan Trumbull, July 13th
Hostilities in Connecticut.
To Horatio Gates, July 14th
Hostilities in Connecticut.
To the Navy Board, July 14th
Penobscot Expedition.
To Meshech Weare, July 28th
Investigation of Seizure.
To Arthur Lee, August 1st
Enemies of Lee.
To Solomon Lovell, August 6th
Military Affairs.
To the Council of Massachusetts, August l0th
Aid for Penobscot Expedition.
To the Council of Massachusetts, August 11th
Movement of Troops.
To Solomon Lovell, August 14th
Movement of Troops.
To John Frost, August 17th
The Penobscot Expedition.
To----, August 17th
The Penobscot Expedition.
To Henry Jackson, August 21st
The Penobscot Expedition.
To Horatio Gates, August 22nd
Failure on the Penobscot--Campaign Preparation.--Luzerne.
To George Washington, October 12th
Raising of Troops.
To the Navy Board, October 19th
Lack of Fuel--Protection of Coast.
To Elbridge Gerry and James Lovell, December
Subscription for Children of Joseph Warren.
To Elbridge Gerry, December 2Oth .
Appointment to Convention.
To Elbridge Gerry and James Lovell, December 20th
Education of Children of Joseph Warren.--Subscription for Benefit of
Children of Joseph Warren
To the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, December 23rd.
Resolution of Council on Absentees.
1780.
To the Governor of Rhode Island, January 5th .
Exclusion of Secret Enemies.
To John Adams, January 13th
Work of the Legislature--Military Affairs--Constitutional Convention--Delegates
in Congress.
To John Morin Scott, February 17th
Condition of Public Records.
To James Lovell, March 5th
Political Details.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, March 9th
Petition for Permission to Purchase Property of Absentees,
To John Adams, March 15th
The Massachusetts Constitution.
To James Lovell, March 25th
The Vermont Controversy--Work of Congress--The Penobscot Expedition--The Eastern
Territory--Need of Consulate In France.
To John Adams, May
Work of the Legislature--The New Constitution.
Article Signed "Vindex," June 12th
Origin of the Contest--Character of the Army--Duty of the People.
To James Bowdoin, June 20th
Defence of Connecticut.
To John Fellows, June 20th
Control of Hudson River--Military Plans.
To Robert Howe, June 20th
Movement of Massachusetts Troops.
To John Fellows, June 21st
Plans for Defence of Hudson River.
To Robert Howe, June 21st
The Defence of Hudson River.
To La Fayette, June
Assistance of France--Military Preparations in Massachusetts --The Coming
Election.
To John Adams, July 10th
The Massachusetts Constitution--The French Fleet.
To Hannah Adams, August 17th
Paternal Advice.
To James Bowdoin, August 22nd
French Opinion of Massachusetts Troops--The Vermont Controversy--The New
Constitution.
To John Lowell, September 15th
The Vermont Controversy--Condition of the Army.
To Mrs. Adams, September 19th
Sacrifice in Public Service--The Southern Campaign.
To James Warren, October 6th
The Massachusetts Election--Reflections on Congress.
To Mrs. Adams, October 10th
Visit of Arthur Lee to Boston--Election of Hancock--Treason of Arnold.
To Mrs. Adams, October 17th
Opinion of Arthur Lee--Election of Hancock.
To James Warren, October 24th
Public Service and Proper Government.
To Richard Henry Lee, October 31st
The Campaign in Virginia--Opinion of Arthur Lee.
To Samuel Cooper, November 7th
Visit of Arthur Lee to Boston--Legislation for the Army--The Southern
Campaign.
To Mrs. Adams, November nth, 13th
Robbery of the Mail--The Massachusetts Election.
To James Warren, November 20th
Activity of Personal Enemies--Local Politics.
To Thomas Wells, November 22nd
Advice on Married Life.
To Mrs. Adams, November 24th
Reflections on Results of Public Service.
To Elbridge Gerry, November 27th.
Proposed Retirement of Adams--Necessity for Public Service of
Gerry--Character of Massachusetts Government.
To John Adams, December 17th
Military Activities--Treason of Arnold--Diplomatic Appointments--The
Massachusetts Constitution.
To John Adams, December 20th
Conditions in the South--Need of a Navy.
To John Scollay, December 30th
Support of Warren's Children--The New Government of Massachusetts--Character
of the Population.
1781.
To Richard Henry Lee, January 15th
Opinion of Arthur Lee--Recurrence to First Principles.
To John Pitts, January 17th
Office-seeking.
To James Warren, February 1st
Effect of Foreign Influence.
To Mrs. Adams, February 1st
Relations with Dr. Cooper--Relations with Hancock.
To Mrs. Adams, March 15th
Desire to Return Home--Situation of Son.
Article, Unsigned, April 2nd
Character of Government--The Massachusetts Election.
To Caleb Davis, April 3rd.
Admission of Belligerent Subjects--Affairs at Boston.
Article, Unsigned, April 16th
The Massachusetts Election--The Duty of Citizens.
To Samuel Cooper, April 23d
Political Details--Attacks of Rivington.
To Thomas McKean, August 29th
Return of John Laurens--Peace and the Fishery--Executive Appointments.
To Thomas McKean, September 19th
Recommending Major Brown--Need of Strong Navy.
To Horatio Gates, October 11th
Proposed Court of Inquiry--The Southern Campaign.
To William Heath, November 21st
Relations of Canada and Vermont.
To Selectmen of Other Towns, December 14th
Letter of Boston on the Fishery--Instructions to Representatives.
To John Adams, December 18th
Local Politics.
To John Adams, December 19th
Proposed Revision of Statutes--Education--Public Manners --Action of Boston on
the Fishery.
1782.
To Alexander McDougall, May 13th
Purpose of Patriots.
To John Lowell, May 15th
Legislative Procedure--Election of Representatives.
To John Lowell, June 4th
Controversy with Governor as to Legislative Procedure.
To Arthur Lee, November 21st
Petition of William Burgess.
To Arthur Lee, December 2nd
Affairs in Canada.
1783.
To Arthur Lee, February 10th
Case of Landais--The Fishery.
To the Selectmen of Boston, March 10th
Election as Moderator.
To Arthur Lee, April 21st
Political Fictions--Journals of Congress.
To Benjamin Lincoln, May 1st
Case of John Allan--Recommendations.
To Horatio Gates, May 2nd
Case of John Allan--The Saratoga Campaign.
To Elbridge Gerry, September 9th
Committee of Correspondence--Relation of Congress to the People.
To John Adams, November 4th
Need of Public Jealousy--Foreign Influences--Negotiation with Holland.
1784.
To John Adams, February 4th
Commending Appleton.
To Elbridge Gerry, February 25th
Work of the Committee of Correspondence--Financial Legislation--Case of
Gridley.
To John Adams, April 16th
Action on Treaty--Treatment of Aliens--Need of Commercial Treaty--Danger of
Popular Conventions--The Cincinnati.
To John Adams, April 17th
Cases of Noyes and Dashwood.
To Elbridge Gerry, April 19th
The Cincinnati--Gerry's Proposed Retirement.
To Elbridge Gerry, April 23rd
The Court of Appeals--The Cincinnati--Foreign Influence.
To Noah Webster, April 30th
Commutation of Pay of Officers--Popular Committees and Constitutional
Government.
To John Adams, June 20th
Personal Greeting.
To John Adams, December 2nd
Case of Dashwood.
To Richard Henry Lee, December 23rd
Conditions in Congress--Effects of Peace--Foreign Relations --National
Policy--Attitude of England.
1785.
To Richard Henry Lee, March 24th
The Six Nations--Case of John Allan.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 14th
Introducing Macauley Graham.
To John Adams, July 2nd
Conditions of Trade--Massachusetts Election.
To John Adams, August 16th
Case of Captain Stanhope.
To Richard Henry Lee, December 17th
Case of Captain Landais.
1786.
To John Adams, April 13th
William Gordon--Relations with England.
To John Adams, July 21st
Political Liberty and National Faith--The Tories.
1787.
To Richard Henry Lee, December 3rd
The National Constitution.
1789.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 22nd
Powers of Congress--Commending Leonard Jarvis.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 27th
Accepting Election as Lieutenant-Governor.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 14th
The State Governments--Political Applications.
To Elbridge Gerry, August 22nd
Congressional Control of Lighthouses--Constitutional Amendments.
To Richard Henry Lee, August 24th
Nature of the Constitution--Importance of Amendments.
To Richard Henry Lee, August 29th
Power of Removal--Relations with Washington--The Eastern Boundary.
1790.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 28th
Accepting Election as Lieutenant-Governor.
To John Adams, September 2nd
Application of Captain Lyde.
To John Adams, October 4th
Political Reflections.
To John Adams, November 25th
Nature of the Constitution--The American Legislatures--Succession in
Office--Effects and Nature of Good Government --Universal Education and
Liberty.
1794.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 17th .
Death of Governor Hancock--The Federal Constitution--The Massachusetts
Constitution--Essential Principles of Government--Public Education.
Proclamation, February 19th
Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 31st
General Election--European War--Object of the Constitution.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 4th
Use of Castle Island.
Proclamation, November 3rd
Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
1795.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 16th
Object of Frequent Sessions--Purity of Elections--European
Affairs--Fortifications--Pennsylvania Insurrection--Amendment of State
Constitution.
To Jeremy Belknap, March 30th
Action of Continental Congress with Reference to Captain Cook.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, June 3rd.
Re-election as Governor--Duty of Public Officers--Justification of Colonial
Settlers--Foreign Relations--Public Education --Amendment of State
Constitution--The Judicial System--Public Credit.
To the Public, July 4th
Address at Laying of Corner-stone of State House.
Proclamation, October 14th
Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
1796.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 19th
Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures--The National and State
Constitutions--Treaty-making Power--The Treaty with England.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 31st
Duty to the Union--Duty of the Legislators.
Proclamation, October 6th
Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, November 17th
Choice of Presidential Electors.
To the Senate of Massachusetts, November 23rd
Vacancies in Electoral College.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, November 24th
Vacancies in Electoral College.
1797.
To the Legislature of Massachusetts, January 27th
Retirement of Washington--General Elections--Public Education--The
Militia--Determination to Retire from Public Life.
Proclamation, March 20th
Appointing Day of Thanksgiving.
To John Adams, April 17th
Introducing Mr. Wyllys.
1801.
To Thomas Jefferson, April 24th
Congratulations on Election--Political Comments.
To Thomas Jefferson, November 18th
Congratulations on Peace.
1802.
To Thomas Paine, November 30th
Defence of Infidelity--Effect of Proposed Age of Reason.
1778
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Jany 1 1778
MY DEAR SIR
I had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter dated at York the 23d of
Novr last, which mentions your having before written to me by a young
Gentn Capt Romane who was to pass through this Place in his Return to
France. That Letter has not yet come to Hand. I shall regard all your
Recommendations with the utmost Respect.
Our military Affairs in the middle Department are in such a Situation
as to afford us too much Reason to be chagrind. We have indeed sufferd
no shameful Defeats, but a promising Campaign has however ended
ingloriously. To what are we to attribute it? I believe to a miserable
Set of General Officers. I mean to make some Exceptions. For the Sake
of our Country, my dear Friend, let me ask, Is our Army perpetually to
be an unanimated one; because there is not Fortitude enough to remove
those bad Men. I remember the Factions in Carthage which prevented her
making herself the Mistress of the World. We may avoid Factions and yet
rid our Army of idle cowardly or drunken officers. HOW was Victory
snatchd out of our Hands at German Town! Was not this owing to the same
Cause? And Why was only one General officer dischargd? Was it because
there were just Grounds to suspect only one? Is there not Reason to
fear that our Commander in Chief may one day suffer in his own
Character by Means of these worthless Creatures? May he not suffer
under the Reputation of an unfortunate Commander, than which I think he
cannot suffer a greater Evil. It is difficult to seperate from the
Minds of the People the Idea of unfortunate from that of the Want of
some necessary soldierly Quality. At best the unfortunate General has
Pity only as the Reward of his Services; and how soon does Pity
degenerate into Contempt. Cicero if I mistake not some where tells us,
that when a General is fortunate it matters not whether it is ascribd
to his being a Favorite of the Immortal Gods, or to certain good
Qualities in him which others are incapable of observing. His Soldiers
will encounter every Danger under his Conduct. His Enemies will be
confounded at his Approach. His Country will revere him. The Reverse is
equally just. As therefore we regard the Reputation of the Comdr in
Chief of our Armies, which is of the greatest Importance to our
Affairs, let us promote this Winter a strict Scrutiny into the Causes
of this unfortunate Campaign. Our Affairs are far from wearing a
desperate Aspect. Our Successes at the Northward must give us
Reputation abroad; and Reputation is a Kind of real Strength. That our
Men are brave, Brandy Wine & German-town can witness. Let us then give
them officers worthy of them, and Heaven will prosper our righteous
Cause. There is indeed one thing which to me appears threatning. It is
absolutely necessary that the Commissarial Departmt should be restored
to a better State, or the Army will soon suffer. This my dear Sir
requires your speedy Return to Congress. Did the Army suffer or was it
in Danger of suffering before the Alterations in that Department the
last Summer, why then should we not put it upon its old Footing &
prevail upon the former Commissary, who is the fittest Man I know, to
act again in that office.1 I have been favord with a Letter from Dr Lee
since his Return to Paris from Berlin.2 The Powers of Europe I
perceive, are too timid, or too intent upon enslaving others, to
espouse the Cause of Liberty in America. No Matter, my Friend. We shall
not be obligd to them; and they will hereafter be more sensible of our
Importance when they find that we have struggled thro our Difficulties
without them. We shall do greater Honor to our Selves and our Cause;
and those Liberties for which we pay so dear a Price will be more
justly & more highly valued by our selves and our Posterity. France, in
my Opinion, misses the Sight of her true Interest in delaying to take a
decisive Part. She runs a great Risque; for if Britain should be so
politick as to recognize our Independence which she sees us determind
at all Hazzards to maintain, and should propose to us a Treaty of
Alliance offensive & defensive, would not the flattering Expectations
of France be cut off? I mention this, not because I expect or wish for
it. But should such Recognition & such Proposals be made the next
Spring, which may happen, would France have any Reason to fault America
for acceeding to it? We are independent. The Nations of Europe may
acknowledge it when they dare to do it. We have Fortitude enough to
maintain it. This is our Business. The Nations may reap honest
Advantages from it. If they have not Wisdom enough to discern in
Season, they will regret their own Blindness hereafter. We will dispose
our Favors as we please.
The Letter from Congress to the Assembly of this State, inclosing the
Articles of Confederation, came to Hand the Day of its Adjournment,
which is to a shorter Day than was intended that the weighty Matters
recommended might be considerd with all possible Speed. The Assembly
will meet on the 7th Instant. It will be difficult for the Members to
prevail upon themselves to make a new Law after having been
necessitated so late to repeal one framed for the same purpose. A Comt
however I am inclind to think will be appointed to meet those of the
other States mentiond in the recommendation. The Articles of
Confederation seem to be well liked. I suppose you will have the Sense
of this Assembly soon.
I am much pleasd with a spirited Act lately made by your Assembly for
the Supply of our Troops and the beneficial Effects it has had. I am
not in much Pain about Cloathing for this year. A large Quantity has
been lately brought here by the Agent of the Clothier General--Part of
which has been made & I suppose by this time arrivd at Camp. The
Taylors and others are busily employd. Every Method should nevertheless
be tryed for further Supplys. A Superabundance will not be amiss. Laws
in other States similar to yours will eventually facilitate this Part
of our Work.
I understand that our Army is gone or going into Winter Quarters at the
Distance of 18 Miles from Philadelphia. Why could not Barracks have
been as well erected near enough to have.... the Enemy all the Winter.
Our Army was within three or four miles of them the whole Winter when
they were in this Town. I hope the Campaign will be opend by us very
early the next Spring.
I should have written to you before this time, but on my Arrival here I
found the Gen1 Assembly sitting, unluckily for me as it engagd me in
publick Business; and I have been obligd to spend a Fortnight in the
Country.
Adieu my friend & believe me to be affectionately,
Your,
1 Cf., vol. iii., page 317.
2 Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, vol. i., p. 517.
TO --------------.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Jany 10 1778
MY DEAR SIR/
The General Assembly of this State having sat the greatest part of the
Time since I arrivd here & the Council constantly has prevented my
writing so often to my Friends, and when I have wrote, so fully as I
have an Inclination to do. The Assembly is now sitting, and have made
Choice of Mr Cushing Mr Pain and a Country Gentleman1 whose Name I do
not now recollect, to join Committees of other States at New Haven
agreable to a late Recommendation of Congress. But having been obligd
so lately to repeal an Act of a similar Nature to that which is now
proposd, I am doubtful whether they will be prevaild upon to pass a new
one. It will however have its due Consideration if the joynt Comtes
should propose such a Measure. I expect every Day to have the Articles
of Confederation brot forward, and have good Reason to think it will be
agreed to, even those parts which it may be wishd had been different,
for the Sake of that Union which is so necessary for the Support of the
great Cause.
The Resolutions of Congress recommending passing a Law similar to that
lately passed in Virginia &c were yesterday read at the Council Board.
I had the Oppty of hearing them read once, so that I cannot yet form my
Judgment of them. Indeed I think it is easy to see the Necessity of
such a Law as that of Virginia, but whether it would be practicable to
put into Execution a Law prohibiting the Sale of Goods without Licence
requires Consideration for Nothing more betrays the Weakness of
Government than to make Laws wch cannot be executed. I am sensible it
is nearly of as much Importance to suppress the Monopolizers as to
provide for our Army, but the blow must be levelled at them only. If
the Popular Indignation can once be raisd to a suitable Pitch as I
think it can it will become dangerous for them to withhold their Goods
or demand an exorbitant Price for them and the Evil will be cured. I
think every Step should be taken for the Downfall of such Wretches, and
shall be ready to joyn in any Measure within Doors or without which
shall be well adapted to this Effect.
It is the general Observation of those who are in the way of observing
that the sinking our State bills for Notes & thereby lessening the
Quantity in Circulation & the Taxes we have laid has already reduced
the price of Goods.
This was mentioned to me by Mr S A Otis with whom I have just dined.
I have written to Bro Gerry by the Baron De Steuben whom I strongly
recommend to the Notice of my worthy Colleagues & others. Mr Gerry will
shew you my Letter, which makes it needless for me to add further than
that from the recommendatory Letters of Dr Franklin & other papers wch
I have seen & the Conversation I have had with the Baron, I really
esteem him a modest candid & sensible Gentn. The Dr says he is spoken
highly of to him by two of the best Judges of military merit in France,
tho he is not him self a Frenchman but a Prussian.
Since I last wrote to you I am favord with yours of 27 Decr inclosing
among other papers Copy of a Letter from your Correspondent in Holland.
Before you knew the Contents I bolted out your Letter in the presense &
hearing of Madam & other good Ladies. I cannot promise you that
Mischief is not done. I am endeavoring (and Mr Gerry will say it is
just like him) to turn the torrent toward Braintree; for I really think
my Namesake is full as suspectable as I am. I thank Mrs Clymer for her
good opinion of me, and I can assure her, the Hint you gave me of this
in your Letter to me was very timely & is likely to make Matters easy
with me.
I might have dated this Letter at the Council table where I am writing
in Haste.
My best Regards to all who love our Country in Sincerity. Colo Chase
tells me your Son behaves well & that he is very clever.
Your Family is well provided for as I am informd. You will never I am
perswaded think your self under an obligation to baulk your publick
Sentiments from an Idea of Gratitude to private Friends. Sat Verbum. I
may explain my self more fully in another Letter. Adieu my friend. Burn
this.
1 Elisha Porter of Hadley.
TO ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.1
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Jany 14 1778
SIR
Your Letter of the 10th Instant came to my hand on the 12, and I should
instantly have returnd an Answer upon an Affair, in the Dispatch of
which you must feel yourself so nearly interrested, had an opportunity
presented.
Colo Allens Exchange, it is probable, may not so easily be negotiated
as that of Colo Webb; But this Gentleman has been much longer in
Captivity than the other. And although I have no personal Acquaintance
with him, yet I am well assured that he is a brave Soldier. Such a
Character, you, Sir, must esteem; and this is also the Character of
Colo Webb. I have not been insensible of the Obstruction which may have
hitherto prevented the Exchange of Colo Allen, and the true Source of
it. If private or partial Motives have prevaild in the Mind of any
Gentleman in New York, to the Prejudice of a Man of distinguishd Merit,
I can only observe, that it is totally inconsistent with those pure
Principles, which you will allow me to say, have, and I trust ever will
actuate Americans in the present Contest. You will excuse my saying any
more to you on so delicate a Point.
I sincerely wish the Release of every man in Captivity; and shall for
my own part be well pleasd with your availing your self of an Exchange
with either of the above mentiond Gentlemen, if it may be consistent
with the Sentiments of Congress.
My first Concern is for the Honor & Safety of my Country. Having
premised this, I can readily subscribe with due Respect,
Yr very hbl Servt,
1 An officer in the English army.
TO HORATIO GATES.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Jan 14 1778
DEAR SIR
Yesterday I took the Liberty of writing to you by the Baron De Steuben
a Native of Prussia who I doubt not will deliver the Letter into your
Hand. He will previously wait on Gen1 Washington to whom he has Letters
of warm Recommendation from the Commissioners of America in France. He
has also Letters to Mr President Laurens and other Members of Congress
from gentlemen of Note in that Country. He offers his Services to
America as a Volunteer; wishing to give no Offence by interfering in
Command. He appears to me to be a modest, candid & sensible Gentleman;
and, I have Reason to think, from the Letters I have seen, he has great
military Merit. Of this you will be able to form a decisive Judgment.
There is a certain Canadian Officer, by the Name of Laurens Olivier, a
Captain, whose Character and warm Attachment to our Cause while he was
an Inhabt of Canada, my Friend Mr Thos Walker a Gentn well known to Mr
Gerry, speaks highly of. This Officer will make known certain
Difficulties he is under to you. I am told he is a deserving Man; Such
a Character I may with Confidence recommend to your patronage. You may
rely upon it I will never willingly trouble my self or you with persons
of a different sort.
I am &c,
VOTE OF TOWN OF BOSTON.
[MS., Boston City Clerk's Office; the text, with variations, is in
Boston Record Commissioners' Report, vol. xviii., p. 298.]
[January 21, 1778.]
The Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the several
States now represented in the Continental Congress, having been laid
before this Town, were distinctly and repeatedly read and maturely
considerd, Whereupon; Resolvd, as the opinion of this Town, that the
said Articles appear to be well adapted to cement the Union of the said
States, to confirm their mutual Friendship, establish their Freedom and
Independence, and promote their general Welfare: And the
Representatives of the Town are hereby instructed, to give their Votes
in the General Assembly, that the Delegates of this State may be
authorizd to ratify the said Articles of Confederation in order that
the same may become conclusive.
TO JOHN BURGOYNE.1
[MS., Public Record Office, London; a draft is in the Samuel Adams
Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON Febry 6th, 1778.
SIR
I should not have failed yesterday to have returned an Answer to your
Letter, which was brought to me the preceding Evening, had it not been
for the violence of a Disorder which had seized me near a Week before.
That Disorder still continues to afflict me much, and prevents my
seeing any one but my physician, or doing any business even of the most
trifling Nature.
Under such Circumstances, you will excuse me if I decline to engage
with you in Conversation, upon a subject in which you think the general
Cause of Humanity and possibly the essential Interests of both our
Countries are concerned.
I have the Honor to be
Sir
Your most humble Servt
1 Lieutenant General in the English army.
TO DANIEL ROBERDEAU.1
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
Feb 9 1778
SIR
I have not been unmindful of the favor you did me in writing to me some
time ago. My not having returnd an Answer has been owing, I do assure
you, altogether to many Avocations, and at last to a bodily disorder by
which I have been confind to my House and great part of the time upon
my bed for near a fortnight. I am now about my Room and gladly take the
Opportunity to drop from my Pen an Expression of the honest Friendship
which I feel for your self and your agreable Connections.
I find by the Letters I receive from Mr Lovell who is kind enough to
write to me often, that Congress is reduced to a small Number present.
This has not been unusual in the Winter Season. But you have a great
Deal of Business and that of the arduous Kind. It would be a strong
Inducement to me to leave domestick Enjoymt, that I might take as great
a Share of the Burthen with you as my Shoulders would bear. It is no
Satisfaction to me, you may rely upon it, to be able to plead the Want
of Health sufficient to go through so long a Journey at this rigorous
Season. My Brother Gerry can recollect with how much pleasure the few
who were at Baltimore passed through the Fatigues of Business the last
Winter, when our Affairs wore a more gloomy Aspect than they have ever
yet done. We did it with Alacrity, because there was a Spirit of Union
which leads to wise & happy Decisions. I hope the same Spirit now
prevails and that Measures are taking to collect & support an Army and
to introduce (Economy & Discipline among officers of Rank as well as
private Soldiers, so as by Gods Blessing to insure us a successful
Campaign. Your Resolution respecting Burgoyne I think must have nettled
him. I have long with Pain suspected a perfidious Design. This
Resolution must have crossd it. It will cause much Speculation in
Europe. No Matter. The Powers there seem more inclind to speculate than
to espouse the Rights of Man. Let them speculate. Our Business is to
secure America against the Arts & the Arms of a treacherous Enemy. The
former we have more to apprehend from than the latter.
Please to pay my due Regard to your Sisters & Family in which Mrs A
desires to be joynd & be assured that I am
Yr unfeigned friend
1 Cf., Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON March 12th 1778
MY DEAR FRIEND
This Letter will be deliverd to you by Captn Romanet a young French
Gentleman Nephew to General Grobouval Commander of the french
Artillery. He is a modest well behaved youth, and is one of Monsr du
Coudrays Corps many of whom I suppose are returnd to France
dissatisfied with the Determination of Congress against ratifying Mr
Dean's Compact. The Necessity of doing this was disagreable to the
Members, but it could not have been otherwise, without causing a great
Uneasiness in our Army at a very critical Juncture. I hope no ill
Consequences will result to our Country and Cause from the Complaints
of these Gentlemen. Mr Romanet ingenuously acknowledges to me that Mr
Du Coudrays Disappointment appears to him to have been necessary, and
possibly his Connections in France may give Weight to his opinion.
I have been favord with your acceptable Letter of the 31 July from
Paris. From your not having noticed several Letters which I have
written to you, I suspect they have miscarried. I know not that they
would have servd any other good Purpose, than to have shown how
desirous I was of reviving a Correspondence which heretofore.....
TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
[MS., Massachusetts Archives; a text is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel
Adams, vol. iii., pp. 7, 8,]
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY BOSTON Mar 19 1778
SIR/
I am to acquaint your Excellency in the Name & by order of the Council
of this State, that your Letter of the 16th Instant directed to the
President, relative to the Defence of Hudsons River has been receivd &
read at that Board. The General Assembly is now under a short
Adjournment, and the Council are not authorizd in their Executive
Capacity & seperate from the House of Repts to order any Part of the
Militia of this State beyond its Limits. The Assembly will meet on the
first Day of the next Month. Your Excellencys Letter, together with
another receivd this Day from Govr Clinton upon the same Subject, will
then be laid before that Body; and altho the Government of this State
are now under the Necessity of keeping up more than fifteen hundred of
the Militia to guard the Troops of Convention & for other extraordinary
Service in and about the Town of Boston, yet there can be no Doubt but
a due Attention will be given to so interesting & important a Concern
as the Defence of Hudsons river.
I have the Honor to be with the most cordial Esteem
Yr Excys most Humble Servt
TO JAMES LOVELL.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON March 27 1778
MY DEAR SIR
You cannot imagine how much I feel my self obligd to you for writing to
me frequently. Your Letters however do not come to me in regular Order.
HOW is it that I did not receive those of the 10th & 16th of Feby by
the Post till yesterday? I am affraid there is some Deficiency in the
Post office Department; but as I would fain hope our Friend Mr Hastings
is not in Fault, I will beg you in his Behalf, to move to the Post
Master General for an Addition to his Salary, for he assures me he
cannot live upon what he now receives.
I am very sorry your Letter of the 10th did not come in Season, for I
should have gladly interrested my self for so valueable a Citizen as Mr
Leach at the late annual Meeting. I have long wishd that for the
Reputation as well as substantial Advantage of this Town a military
Academy was instituted. When I was in Philadelphia more than two years
ago I mentiond the Importance I conceivd it to be of, in Letters to my
Friends here. At least we might set up a publick School for military
Mathematicks, and I know of no one better qualified for an Instructor
than Mr Leach. I wish he had mentiond it to me. Perhaps he may have had
Promises of Attention to him from some other Person upon whom he
relies. I will consult with such Men of Influence in the Town as I am
acquainted with, and will not be wanting in Endeavors to improve your
Hints for the mutual Benefit of the Publick & Mr Leach.
I am pleasd to observe in your Letter of 28 Feby that Mr Burgoyne seems
to be alterd in his Ideas of Congress. The Gentleman to whom you
request me to communicate the Contents of that Letter, I am not in the
least acquainted with, but shall comply with your Request whenever I
shall find an opportunity of doing it.
I fear from what you mention in your Letter of the 7th of March that
the Expectations of the People with Regard to Ty. & Independence will
be baulkd. If they are, the Cause in my opinion will be injurd & the
Confidence of the People in those who have the Mannagement of our
Affairs civil & military lessend, which I should be very sorry to see.
In the same Letter you tell me that Lt Colo Anstruthers Request to seek
his own Release on Condition of his getting Colo Allens is granted. I
now inclose a Letter which I had mislayed & omitted to send, relating
to Lt Colo Campbells who I wish might be exchanged for Friend Ethan.1
I do not wonder that you have been mortified upon the Delay of a
certain Affair to which you refer in your Letter of the 10th Instant. I
wrote you the Opinion of this Town respecting that Affair above a Month
ago. I shall only observe that in my opinion, every one who is
intrusted with the Affairs of the Publick does not feel so sensibly for
its Reputation as I think you do. I have inclosd the Instructions of
the General Assembly to their Delegates in Congress upon the
Confederation, and when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you I may
perhaps give you the Causes why that important Matter was not determind
sooner. I immediately after reading your last mentiond Letter
communicated to the Council that part of it which relates to the
Propriety & Necessity of making regular Returns of what is done here in
Consequence of the Recommendations of Congress; and a Committee of that
Board is now looking over the Journals & Papers for that Purpose. In
the same Letter you mention your having receivd a Letter from Mr John
Amory, with his Request that you wd put a memorial into Congress for
him. In what Manner could Congress interpose for him if you should
comply with his Request? His Residence in this State was deemd by the
Gen1 Assembly to be dangerous to the State. Will Congress order or
recommend that He should reside in it notwithstanding? "He was surprizd
into an Oath of Allegiance!" He said upon his Examination here that he
was not compelled to take the Oath. He did not recollect the Form or
Tenor of the Oath he had taken--but desired to live peaceably in his
Native town but could not in Conscience take up Arms against the
British King. I will desire Mr Appleton to write to you on the Subject.
1 Allen. Cf. page 9.
TO FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
[BOSTON, ----, 1778.]
MY DEAR SIR
It was much longer than the usual time before your very acceptable
Letter of the 22 Decr came to my hand. I receivd it as a singular Favor
and felt the more thankful for it, because I knew that hardly anything
could induce you to write a Letter but the urgent Affairs of our
Country or the powerful feelings of private Friendship. I should have
written you an Answer sooner but the peevish nominal Saint who scrap'd
an Acquaintance with me at Baltimore the last Winter, has followd me
even to this place. I think he is the most impertinent & troublesome
Visitant I ever had. I am so thoroughly disgusted at the Creature that
I have taken every Method that could be devisd to prevent my being ever
plagud with him again. He seems at length to be about leaving me & he
may depend upon it I shall deny all his Visits for the future.
The Spirit of Avarice, I am sorry to be obligd to say it, prevails too
much in this Town; but it rages only among the few, because perhaps,
the few only are concernd at present in trade. The old substantial
Merchants have generally laid aside trade & left it to Strangers or
those who from nothing have raisd fortunes by privateering. The Body of
this Community suffer proportionably as much as the great continental
Publick. It must be confessd that the Charges of Trade are enormous,
and it is natural for men when they have at great Risque & Expence
imported Commodities which are wanted by every body, if they must
receive in payment for them what is valued by no body, to demand as
much of it as they please, especially if it is growing daily into less
Repute. This you know has been the Case. There is but one effectual
Remedy; & that is to lessen the Quantity of circulating paper Money.
This is now doing here. Our Assembly have laid on a very heavy Tax, &
are determind to repeat it again and again. Besides which they have
called in a large Quantity of their bills, for which they have issued
Notes payble with Interest. The Effects are already felt & the prices
of Goods have been for some time past gradually sinking.
You tell me we have a great many men now inlisted & that you hope Means
will be found to collect them. I joyn with you in these hopes, and that
we may keep them together when they are collected and make a good Use
of them. Howe I understand has fortified himself by a Line of Redoubts
from River to River. Has he more than 13 or 14 [sic] Men in America? If
not why should we wait till he is reinforced before we make an
Enterprize somewhere.
Your Resolution to stop the Embarkation here I fancy has nettled
Burgoyne. He has since been soliciting Interviews with A & B & wishes
for private Conversations upon a Matter in which "he thinks the General
Cause of Humanity and possibly the essential Interests of both our
Countries are concernd."1 He has not prevaild upon A to comply with his
Request; for more Reasons than one which I think must be obvious upon a
short Review of our History. The Resolutions of Congress will afford
Matter of Speculation for the Politicians in Europe. But must they not
all acknowledge that Burgoyne himself had made it necessary? After a
solemn Declaration made to the very Officer with whom he had enterd
into the Convention that it was broken on our Part, Does he, if he
believes his own Declaration hold him self bound by it on his part?
Would he not, if sufferd to go to Sea, most probably carry a
Reinforcement to Gen1 Howe & laugh at us for puting it in his Power?
I have twenty things to say to you, but my ill state of Health prevents
my adding more than that I am, with sincere Regards to Mrs Lee in which
Mrs A very cordially joyns
Yr affectione
1 Cf. page 12.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
[MS., American Philosophical Society.]
BOSTON April 20 1778
MY DEAR SIR----
I most heartily congratulate you on the happy and important News from
Europe which will be conveyd to Congress by Mr Dean the Brother of our
late Commissioner who will be so kind as to deliver you this Letter.
France has acted with Magnanimity; while Britain continues to discover
that Meanness and Poverty of Spirit, which renders her still more than
ever contemptible in the Eyes of all sensible People. The Moderation of
France is such as becomes a great and powerful Nation. Britain
forgetfull of her former Character, sinks into Baseness in the Extreme.
The one is generously holding out the Arm of Protection to a People
most cruelly oppressd while the other is practicing the Arts of
Treachery and Deceit to subjugate and enslave them. This is a Contrast
which an ancient Britain would have blushd to have had predicted to
him. It is a true Contrast, and we will blush for them.
Commissioners we are again told are coming out to treat with us. This
is what we had Reason to expect. Her only Design is to amuse us &
thereby to retard our operations, till she can land her utmost Force in
America. We see plainly what Part we are to take; to be before hand of
her; and by an early Stroke to give her a mortal Wound. If we delay our
vigorous Exertions till the Commissioners arrive, the People abroad
may, many of them will be amusd with the flattering Prospect of Peace,
and will think it strange if we do not consent to a Cessation of Arms
till propositions can be made and digested. This carries with it an Air
of Plausibility; but from the Moment we are brought into the Snare, we
may tremble for the Consequence. As there [are] every where awful
Tories enough, to distract the Minds of the People, would it not be
wise for the Congress by a Publication of their own to set this
important Intelligence in a clear Light before them, and fix in their
Minds the first Impressions in favor of Truth? For I do assure you, it
begins to be whisperd by the Tories & as soon as they dare to do it
they will speak aloud, that this is but a french Finesse and that
Britain is the only real Friend of America. Should not the People be
informd with the Authority of Congress that Britain persists in
claiming a Right to tax them and that the new or intended Act of
Parliament, expressly declares her Intention to be only a Suspension of
the Exercise of the Right till she shall please again to exercise it?
that is till she shall have lulled them into a State of Security. That
her Commissioners are not to be vested with full Powers to finish any
Treatys, nor even to promise a Ratification of them. This will be left
in great Uncertainty, till it shall be considerd in Parliament. They
are allowed, as one of our Friends expresses it, to proclaim a
Cessation of Hostilities, and revoke their Proclamation, as soon as in
Confidence of it our Militia are allowd to go home. They may suspend
the Operation of prohibitory Acts of Trade; and take off that
Suspension where our Merchants in Consequence of it shall have been
indued to send their Ships to Sea. In short they may do every thing
that may tend to distract and divide us, but Nothing that can afford us
Security. The British Court have Nothing in View but to divide by Means
of their Commissioners. Of this they entertain sanguine Expectations;
for I am well assured, that they say they have certain Advice, that
they have a large Party in Congress, almost a Majority, who are for
returning to their Dependency! This cannot be true--Dr Franklin in a
Letter of the 2d of March informs me that America at present stands in
the highest Light of Esteem thro' out Europe, and he adds, A Return to
Dependence on England would sink her into Eternal Contempt.
Be pleasd to present my due Regards to all Friends, and acquaint my
worthy Colleagues that Mr Deans great Haste prevents my writing to
them. I intend to set out on my Journy to York Town next Week where I
hope for the Pleasure of seeing you. In the mean time be assured that I
am
Your affectionate,
I thank you for your
Favor of Mar 1st which
I recd three days ago--
TO MRS. ADAMS.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PALMER 84 Miles from Boston
May 5th 1778
MY DEAR BETSY
I wrote to you by my kind Host Mr Greenleafe. Yesterday I left his
House and slept the last Night at Colo Henshaws. He and his Lady
treated me with great Hospitality & Friendship. This day I dined at
Brookfield with Mr Ward a Minister in that Town. He married Miss
Coleman Mr Pembertons Niece. I am much obligd to them for their kind
Treatment of me. I made them promise to visit you when they go to
Boston. This Afternoon I met my Son on the Road. I was sorry I could
not have the Pleasure of conversing with him. I parted with him with
great Regret. May Heaven bless him! Tell him I shall never think him
too old to hearken to the Advice of his Father. Indeed I never had
Reason to complain of him on that Account. He has hitherto made me a
glad Father. This implys that I esteem him a wise Son. I have been the
more sparing of Advice to him because I have thought he did not need
it; but in these critical Times when Principles & Manners as well as
the Liberties of his Country are in Danger he has need to be on his
Guard. My Children cannot imagine how much Comfort I have in believing
they are virtuous. I am not willing to admit of a Fear that they will
ever deprive me of this Comfort. My warm Affections are due to my
Family and Friends. Adieu my dear Betsy.
Your affectionate,
"AN AMERICAN" TO THE EARL OF CARLISLE AND OTHERS.
[W. V. Wells,1 Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 18-26; printed in
the Massachusetts Spy, July 16, 1778.]
To the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Viscount Howe, Sir William Howe (or, in
his absence, Sir Henry Clinton), William Eden, and George Johnstone.
Trusty and well-beloved servants of your sacred master, in whom he is
well pleased.
As you are sent to America for the express purpose of treating with
anybody and anything, you will pardon an address from one who disdains
to flatter those whom he loves. Should you therefore deign to read this
address, your chaste ears will not be offended with the language of
adulation,--a language you despise.
I have seen your most elegant and most excellent letter "to his
Excellency, Henry Laurens, the President, and other members of the
Congress." As that body have thought your propositions unworthy their
particular regard, it may be some satisfaction to your curiosity, and
tend to appease the offended spirit of negotiation, if one out of the
many individuals on this great continent should speak to you the
sentiments of America,--sentiments which your own good sense hath
doubtless suggested, and which are repeated only to convince you that,
notwithstanding the narrow ground of private information on which we
stand in this distant region, still a knowledge of our own rights, and
attention to our own interests and a sacred respect for the dignity of
human nature, have given us to understand the true principles which
ought, and which therefore shall, sway our conduct.
You begin with the amiable expressions of humanity, the earnest desire
of tranquillity and peace. A better introduction to Americans could not
be devised. For the sake of the latter, we once laid our liberties at
the feet of your Prince, and even your armies have not eradicated the
former from our bosoms.
You tell us you have powers unprecedented in the annals of your
history. And England, unhappy England, will remember with deep
contrition that these powers have been rendered of no avail by a
conduct unprecedented in the annals of mankind. Had your royal master
condescended to listen to the prayer of millions, he had not thus have
sent you. Had moderation swayed what we were proud to call "mother
country" her full-blown dignity would not have broken down under her.
You tell us that all "parties may draw some degree of consolation, and
even auspicious hope, from recollection." We wish this most sincerely
for the sake of all parties. America, in the moment of subjugation,
would have been consoled by conscious virtue, and her hope was, and is,
in the justice of her cause and the justice of the Almighty. These are
sources of hope and of consolation which neither time nor chance can
alter or take away.
You mention "the mutual benefits and consideration of evils that may
naturally contribute to determine our resolutions." As to the former,
you know too well that we could derive no benefit from a union with
you, nor will I, by deducing the reasons to evince this, put an insult
upon your understandings. As to the latter, it were to be wished you
had preserved a line of conduct equal to the delicacy of your feelings.
You could not but know that men who sincerely love freedom disdain the
consideration of all evils necessary to attain it. Had not your own
hearts borne testimony to this truth, you might have learned it from
the annals of your own history; for in those annals instances of this
kind at least are not unprecedented. But should those instances be
insufficient, we pray you to read the unconquered mind of America.
That the acts of Parliament you transmitted were passed with singular
unanimity, we pretend not to doubt. You will pardon me, gentlemen, for
observing that the reasons of that unanimity are strongly marked in the
report of a committee of Congress agreed to on the 22d of April last,
and referred to in a late letter from Congress to Lord Viscount Howe
and Sir Henry Clinton.
You tell us you are willing "to consent to a cessation of hostilities
both by sea and land." It is difficult for rude Americans to determine
whether you are serious in this proposition or whether you mean to jest
with their simplicity. Upon a supposition, however, that you have too
much magnanimity to divert yourselves on an occasion of so much
importance to America, and, perhaps, not very trivial in the eyes of
those who sent you, permit me to assure you, on the sacred word of a
gentleman, that if you shall transport your troops to England, where
before long your Prince will certainly want their assistance, we shall
never follow them thither. We are not so romantically fond of fighting,
neither have we such regard for the city of London, as to commence a
crusade for the possession of that holy land. Thus you may be certain
hostilities will cease by land. It would be doing singular injustice to
your national character to suppose you are desirous of a like cessation
by sea. The course of the war, and the very flourishing state of your
commerce, notwithstanding our weak efforts to interrupt it, daily show
that you can exclude us from the sea,--the sea, your kingdom!
You offer "to restore free intercourse, to revive mutual affection, and
renew the common benefits of naturalization." Whenever your countrymen
shall be taught wisdom by experience, and learn from past misfortunes
to pursue their true interests in the future we shall readily admit
every intercourse which is necessary for the purposes of commerce and
usual between different nations. To revive mutual affection is utterly
impossible. We freely forgive you, but it is not in nature that you
should forgive us. You have injured us too much. We might, on this
occasion, give you some instances of singular barbarity committed, as
well by the forces of his Britannic Majesty as by those of his generous
and faithful allies, the Senecas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras. But we
will not offend a courtly ear by the recital of those disgusting
scenes. Besides this, it might give pain to that humanity which hath,
as you observe, prompted your overtures, to dwell upon the splendid
victories obtained by a licentious soldiery over unarmed men in
defenceless villages, their wanton devastations, their deliberate
murders, or to inspect those scenes of carnage painted by the wild
excesses of savage rage. These amiable traits of national conduct
cannot but revive in our bosoms that partial affection we once felt for
everything which bore the name of Englishman. As to the common benefits
of naturalization, it is a matter we conceive to be of the most
sovereign indifference. A few of our wealthy citizens may hereafter
visit England and Rome to see the ruins of those august temples in
which the goddess of Liberty was once adored. These will hardly claim
naturalization in either of those places as a benefit. On the other
hand, such of your subjects as shall be driven by the iron hand of
Oppression to seek for refuge among those whom they now persecute will
certainly be admitted to the benefits of naturalization. We labor to
rear an asylum for mankind, and regret that circumstances will not
permit you, gentlemen, to contribute to a design so very agreeable to
your several tempers and dispositions.
But further, your Excellencies say, "We will concur to extend every
freedom to trade that our respective interests can require."
Unfortunately, there is a little difference in these interests which
you might not have found it very easy to reconcile, had the Congress
been disposed to risk their heads by listening to terms which I have
the honor to assure you are treated with ineffable contempt by every
honest Whig in America. The difference I allude to is, that it is your
interest to monopolize our commerce, and it is our interest to trade
with all the world. There is, indeed, a method of cutting this Gordian
knot which, perhaps, no statesman is acute enough to untie. By
reserving to the Parliament of Great Britain the right of determining
what our respective interests require, they might extend the freedom of
trade, or circumscribe it at their pleasure, for what they might call
our respective interests. But I trust it would not be for our mutual
satisfaction. Your "earnest desire to stop the effusion of blood and
the calamities of war" will therefore lead you, on maturer reflection,
to reprobate a plan teeming with discord, and which, in the space of
twenty years, would produce another wild expedition across the
Atlantic, and in a few years more some such commission as that "with
which his Majesty hath been pleased to honor you." We cannot but admire
the generosity of soul which prompts you "to agree that no military
force shall be kept up in the different States of North America without
the consent of the General Congress or particular Assemblies." The only
grateful return we can make for this exemplary condescension is, to
assure your Excellencies, and, on behalf of my countrymen, I do most
solemnly promise and assure you, that no military force shall be kept
up in the different States of North America without the consent of the
General Congress and that of the Legislatures of those States. You
will, therefore, cause the forces of your royal master to be removed;
for I can venture to assure you that the Congress have not consented,
and probably will not consent, that they be kept up.
You have also made the unsolicited offer of concurring "in measures
calculated to discharge the debts of America, and to raise the credit
and value of the paper circulation." If your Excellencies mean by this
to apply for offices in the department of our finance, I am to assure
you (which I do with "perfect respect") that it will be necessary to
procure very ample recommendations. For, as the English have not yet
pursued measures to discharge their own debt and raise the credit and
value of their own paper circulation, but, on the contrary, are in a
fair way to increase the one and absolutely destroy the other, you will
instantly perceive that financiers from that nation would present
themselves with the most awkward grace imaginable.
You propose to us a device to "perpetuate our union." It might not be
amiss previously to establish this union, which may be done by your
acceptance of the treaty of peace and commerce tendered to you by
Congress. And such treaty I can venture to say would continue as long
as your ministers could prevail upon themselves not to violate the
faith of nations.
You offer, to use your language, the inaccuracy of which, considering
the importance of the subject, is not to be wondered at, or at least
may be excused, "in short, to establish the powers of the respective
Legislatures in each particular State, to settle its revenue, its civil
and military establishment, and to exercise a perfect freedom of
legislation and internal government, so that the British States
throughout North America, acting with us in peace and war, under one
common sovereign, may have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privilege
that is short of a total separation of interests, or consistent with
that total union of force on which the safety of our common religion
and liberty depends." Let me assure you, gentlemen, that the power of
the respective Legislatures in each particular State is most fully
established, and on the most solid foundations. It is established on
the perfect freedom of legislation and a vigorous administration of
internal government. As to the settlement of the revenue and the civil
and military establishment, these are the work of the day, for which
the several Legislatures are fully competent. I have also the pleasure
to congratulate your Excellencies that the country for the settlement
of whose government, revenue, administration, and the like, you have
exposed yourselves to the fatigues and hazards of a disagreeable voyage
and more disagreeable negotiation, hath abundant resources wherewith to
defend her liberties now, and pour forth the rich stream of revenue
hereafter. As the States of North America mean to possess the
irrevocable enjoyment of their privileges, it is absolutely necessary
for them to decline all connection with a Parliament who, even in the
laws under which you act, reserve in express terms the power of
revoking every proposition which you may agree to. We have a due sense
of the kind offer you make to grant us a share in your sovereign; but
really, gentlemen, we have not the least inclination to accept of it.
He may suit you extremely well, but he is not to our taste. You are
solicitous to prevent a total separation of interests; and this, after
all, seems to be the gist of the business. To make you as easy as
possible on this subject, I have to observe, that it may, and probably
will, in some instances, be our interest to assist you, and then we
certainly shall. Where this is not the case, your Excellencies have
doubtless too much good sense as well as good nature to require it. We
cannot perceive that our liberty does in the least depend upon any
union of force with you; for we find that after you have exercised your
force against us for upwards of three years, we are now upon the point
of establishing our liberties in direct opposition to it. Neither can
we conceive that, after the experiment you have made, any nation in
Europe will embark in so unpromising a scheme as the subjugation of
America. It is not necessary that everybody should play the Quixote.
One is enough to entertain a generation at least. Your Excellencies
will, I hope, excuse me when I differ from you as to our having a
religion in common with you; the religion of America is the religion of
all mankind. Any person may worship in the manner he thinks most
agreeable to the Deity; and if he behaves as a good citizen, no one
concerns himself as to his faith or adorations, neither have we the
least solicitude to exalt any one sect or profession above another.
I am extremely sorry to find in your letter some sentences which
reflect upon the character of his most Christian Majesty. It certainly
is not kind, or consistent with the principles of philanthropy you
profess, to traduce a gentleman's character, without affording him an
opportunity of defending himself; and that, too, a near neighbor, and
not long since an intimate brother, who besides hath lately given you
the most solid additional proofs of his pacific disposition, and with
an unparalleled sincerity which would do honor to other princes,
declared to your Court, unasked, the nature and effect of a treaty he
had just entered into with these States. Neither is it quite according
to the rules of politeness to use such terms in addressing yourselves
to Congress, when you well knew that he was their good and faithful
ally. It is indeed true, as you justly observe, that he hath at times
been at enmity with his Britannic Majesty, by which we suffered some
inconveniences; but these flowed rather from our connection with you
than any ill-will towards us; at the same time it is a solemn truth,
worthy of your serious attention, that you did not commence the present
war,--a war in which we have suffered infinitely more than by any former
contest, a fierce, a bloody, I am sorry to add, an unprovoked and cruel
war,--that you did not commence this, I say, because of any connection
between us and our present ally; but, on the contrary, as soon as you
perceived that the treaty was in agitation, proposed terms of peace to
us in consequence of what you have been pleased to denominate an
insidious interposition. HOW, then, does the account stand between us?
America, being at peace with the world, was formerly drawn into a war
with France in consequence of her union with Great Britain. At present,
America being engaged in a war with Great Britain, will probably obtain
the most honorable terms of peace in consequence of her friendly
connection with France. For the truth of these positions, I appeal,
gentlemen, to your own knowledge. I know it is very hard for you to
part with what you have accustomed yourselves from your earliest
infancy to call your Colonies. I pity your situation, and therefore I
excuse the little aberrations from truth which your letter contains. At
the same time it is possible that you may have been misinformed. For I
will not suppose that your letter was intended to delude the people of
these States. Such unmanly, disingenuous artifices have of late been
exerted with so little effect, that prudence, if not probity, would
prevent a repetition. To undeceive you, therefore, I take the liberty
of assuring your Excellencies, from the very best intelligence, that
what you call "the present form of the French offers to America," in
other words, the treaties of alliance and commerce between his most
Christian Majesty and these States, were not made in consequence of any
plans of accommodation concerted in Great Britain, nor with a view to
prolong this destructive war. If you consider that these treaties were
actually concluded before the draft of the bills under which you act
was sent to America, and that much time must necessarily have been
consumed in adjusting compacts of such intricacy and importance, and
further, if you consider the early notification of this treaty by the
Court of France, and the assurance given that America had reserved a
right of admitting even you to a similar treaty, you must be convinced
of the truth of my assertions. The fact is, that when the British
minister perceived that we were treating with the greatest prince in
Europe, he applied himself immediately to counteract the effect of
these negotiations. And this leads me, with infinite regret, to make
some observations which may possibly be by you considered in an
offensive point of view.
It seems to me, gentlemen, there is something (excuse the word)
disingenuous in your procedure. I put the supposition that Congress had
acceded to your propositions, and then I ask two questions:-- Had you full
power from your commission to make these propositions? Possibly you did
not think it worth your while to consider your commission, but we
Americans are apt to compare things together and to reason. The second
question I ask is, What security could you give that the British
Parliament would ratify your compacts? You can give no such security;
and therefore we should, after forfeiting our reputation as a people,
after you had filched from us our good name, and persuaded us to give
to the common enemy of man the precious jewel of our liberties,--after all
this, I say, we should have been at the mercy of a Parliament which, to
say no more of it, has not treated us with too great tenderness. It is
quite needless to add that, even if that Parliament had ratified the
conditions you proposed, still poor America was to lie at the mercy of
any future Parliament, or to appeal to the sword, which certainly is
not the most pleasant business men can be engaged in.
For your use I subjoin the following creed of every good American:--I
believe that in every kingdom, state, or empire there must be, from the
necessity of the thing, one supreme legislative power, with authority
to bind every part in all cases the proper object of human laws. I
believe that to be bound by laws to which he does not consent by
himself, or by his representative, is the direct definition of a slave.
I do therefore believe that a dependence on Great Britain, however the
same may be limited or qualified, is utterly inconsistent with every
idea of liberty, for the defence of which I have solemnly pledged my
life and fortune to my countrymen; and this engagement I will sacredly
adhere to so long as I shall live. Amen.
Now, if you will take the poor advice of one who is really a friend to
England and Englishmen, and who hath even some Scotch blood in his
veins,--away with your fleets and your armies, acknowledge the
independence of America; and as ambassadors, and not commissioners,
solicit a treaty of peace, amity, commerce, and alliance with the
rising States of this Western world. Your nation totters on the brink
of a stupendous precipice, and even delay will ruin her.
You have told Congress, "if, after the time that may be necessary to
consider this communication and transmit your answer, the horrors and
devastations of war should continue, we call God and the world to
witness that the evils which must follow are not to be imputed to Great
Britain." I wish you had spared your protestation. Matters of this kind
may appear to you in a trivial light, as mere ornamental flowers of
rhetoric, but they are serious things, registered in the high chancery
of Heaven. Remember the awful abuse of words like those by General
Burgoyne, and remember his fate. There is One above us who will take
exemplary vengeance for every insult upon His majesty. You know that
the cause of America is just. You know that she contends for that
freedom to which all men are entitled,--that she contends against
oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity. The blood of the
innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not
wash it away. We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to
decide between you and us. And We pray that, in the doubtful scale of
battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that
the merciful Saviour of the world may forgive our oppressors.
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