CONTENTS OF VOLUME III.
1773.
To James Otis, March 19th . . .
Political Activity of Mr. Bacon.
To the Town of Boston, March 23rd . . .
Report of Resolutions in Reply to Governor—Legality of Town
Meetings—Right of Petition—Supremacy of Parliament.
To John Dickinson, March 27th . . .
Controversy with Governor.
To Committee of Correspondence of Littleton, March 31st . . .
Acknowledgment of Co-operation.
To Nathan Sparhawk, March 31st . . .
Political Activity of Rutland.
To Thomas Mighill, April 7th . . .
Political Activity of Rowley.
To Arthur Lee, April 9th . . .
Election to Society of Bill of Rights—Effects of November Town-
Meeting—Controversy with Governor—Attitude of Lord Dartmouth—
Position of Hancock.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 10th . . .
Position of Colonies—Activity of Friends of Liberty—Resolves of
Virginia—Courts in Rhode Island.
Article Signed "Candidus," April 12th . . .
November Town-Meeting—Controversy with Governor.
To John Wadsworth, April 13th . . .
Action of Duxbury.
To Ezra Whitmarsh, April 13th . . .
Political Activity of Weymouth.
To Joseph North, April 13th . . .
Votes of Gardnerstown.
To Josiah Stone, April 13th . . .
Political Activity of Framingham.
To Arthur Lee, April 22nd . . .
Position of Hancock and of Otis.
To Arthur Lee, May 6th . . .
Practice of Instructing Representatives—Controversy with
Governor.
To Selectmen of Boston, May 14th . . .
Declining Election as Moderator.
To Arthur Lee, May 17th . . .
Meeting of General Assembly—Letters of Hutchinson.
To Arthur Lee, June 14th . . .
Letters of Hutchinson and Oliver.
To Elijah Morton, June 19th . . .
Resolves of Harfield—Unity of Colonists.
To Arthur Lee, June 21st . . .
Letters of Hutchinson—Action of House of Representatives.
To the King, June 23rd . . .
Petition for Removal of Hutchinson and Oliver.
To Arthur Lee, June 28th . . .
Action of House of Representatives on Letters—Attitude of
Public—Independence of Judiciary.
To Committee of Correspondence of Worcester, September 11th . . .
Activity of Committees of Correspondence—Independence of
Judiciary.
To Joseph Hawley, October 4th . . .
Disposition of Administration—Controversy with Governor—
Grievances of Colonists.
To Joseph Hawley, October 13th . . .
Character of Lord Dartmouth—Plans of Administration.
To Committees of Correspondence, October 21st . . .
Circular of Massachusetts Committee—Attitude of Ministry and
Parliament—Rights of Colonists.
Resolutions of Town of Boston, November 5th . . .
Duty upon Tea.
To Committee of Correspondence of Roxbury, November 9th . . .
Activity of Troops—Call for Conference.
To Arthur Lee, November 9th . . .
Political Situation.
To Selectmen of Boston, November 17th . . .
Petition for Town-Meeting for Action upon Tea.
To Committee of Plymouth, December 17th . . .
Report on Tea.
To Committees of Correspondence, December 17th . . .
Report on Disposal of Tea.
To Arthur Lee, December 25th . . .
Recommending John Scollay.
To Arthur Lee, December 31st . . .
Boston Town-Meeting—Action on Tea.
1774.
To John Pickering, January 8th . . .
Petition of Negroes.
To Arthur Lee, January 25th . . .
Destruction of Tea.
Resolution of House of Representatives, March 1st . . .
Refusing Grant to Peter Oliver.
To Committee of Correspondence of Marblehead, March 24th . . .
Proposal of Continental Post.
To Elbridge Gerry, March 25th . . .
Political Disorders in Marblehead.
To Benjamin Franklin, March 31st . . .
Independence of Judiciary—Controversy with Governor—Rights of
Colonists.
To James Warren, March 31st . . .
Political Comments—Continental Post.
To Committee of Correspondence of Marblehead, April 2nd . . .
Local Politics in Marblehead—Effect of Committee's Resignation.
To Arthur Lee, April 4th . . .
Independence of Judiciary—Attitude of Governor—Relations with
England.
To Arthur Lee, April . . .
Disposition of Lord Dartmouth.
To John Dickinson, April 21st . . .
Oration of Hancock—Course of Massachusetts.
To Elbridge Gerry, May 12th . . .
Duty of Political Service.
To Committee of Correspondence of Portsmouth, May 12th . . .
Action of Boston on Port Bill.
To the Colonies, May 13th . . .
Appeal of Boston—The Port Act—Arrival of Gage.
To Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia, May 13th . . .
Port Act.
To James Warren, May 14th . . .
Port Act—Attitude of Public—Action of Boston.
To Silas Deane, May 18th . . .
Response to Connecticut Committee—Co-operation of Colonists.
To Stephen Hopkins, May 18th . . .
Port Act—Need of Co-operation.
To Arthur Lee, May 18th . . .
Port Act.
To Elbridge Gerry, May 20th . . .
Port Act—Attitude of New York.
To Committee of Correspondence of Marblehead, May 22nd . . .
Attitude of New York.
To Charles Thomson, May 30th . . .
Function of Committee of Correspondence—Dependence upon
Merchants—Address to Hutchinson.
To Silas Deane, May 31st . . .
Political Plans—Adjournment of Legislature.
To William Checkley, June 1st . . .
Birth of Daughter—Position of Boston.
Resolution of House of Representatives, June 17th . . .
Need of Relief of Boston and Charlestown.
To Elbridge Gerry, June 22nd . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
Article Signed "Candidus," June 27th . . .
Trade Policy.
To Charles Thomson, June 30th . . .
Disposal of Donations.
To Committee of Correspondence of Norwich, July 11th . . .
Acknowledgment of Support.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 13th . . .
Port Act—Policy of Lord North—Attitude of Public.
To Noble Wymberly Jones, July 16th . . .
Acknowledgment of Co-operation.
To Christopher Gadsen, July 18th . . .
To Christopher Gadsen and L. Clarkson, July 18th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance—Efforts of Colonists.
To Committee of Correspondence of Colrain, July 18th . . .
Non-Consumption Agreement.
To Andrew Elton Wells, July 25th . . .
Condition of Boston.
To Peter Timothy, July 27th . . .
Boston Circular Letter—Shipment of Axes.
To Fisher Gay, July 29th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Ezekiel Williams, July 29th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Committee of Correspondence of Marblehead, August 2nd . . .
Attitude of Colonists to Boston.
To Joseph Gilbert, August 3rd . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Fisher Gay, August 4th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Committee of Correspondence of Boston, September 14th . . .
Proceedings of Continental Congress—Middlesex Resolves—
Opposition to Administration—Position of Committee.
To Charles Chauncy, September 19th . . .
Suffolk Resolves.
To Joseph Warren, September . . .
Government in Massachusetts.
To Joseph Warren, September 25th. . .
Need of Co-operation—Action of Continental Congress.
To General Gage, October . . .
Petition of Continental Congress—Acts of Parliament—
Fortifications at Boston—Indignities to Citizens.
To Thomas Young, October 17th . . .
Military Preparation—Resolves of Continental Congress.
To Peter V. Livingston, November 21st . . .
Shipment from South Carolina.
To Union Club, December 16th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
1775.
To Peter T. Curtenius, January 9th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To the Public, January 13th . . .
Statement of Donations Committee—Reply to Criticisms.
To Arthur Lee, January 29th . . . Port Act—Massachusetts Act—Effects of Military Force—Attitude of Colonists.
To Stephen Collins, January 31st . . .
Report of Personal Disagreements—Religious Liberty.
To Edward Archer, February 1st . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Richard Randolph, February 1st . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance—Virginia Resolves of 1765.
To Benjamin Watkins and Archibald Cary, February 1st . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Jonathan Tabb, February 7th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance—Attitude of Colonists to Boston.
To Arthur Lee, February 14th . . .
English Politics—Attitude of Colonists.
To Joseph Nye, February 21st . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To John Brown, February 21st . . .
Enclosing letter to Quebec.
To Inhabitants of Quebec, February 21st . . .
Statement of Situation by Committee of Correspondence—Design and
Conduct of Ministry—Acts of Parliament—Letters of Bernard and
Hutchinson—Quebec Act—Attitude of Jamaica—King's Speech.
To George Read, February 24th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Isaac Van Dam, February 28th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To William Black,. . .
Shipment from Virginia—Advice concerning Captain Hatch.
To Charles Dick, March . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Arthur Lee, March 4th. . .
Conduct of Military Force—Action of Marshfield—Disaffection in
New York—Correspondence with Canada—Tories.
To —————, March 12th . . .
Attitude of South Carolina—Spirit in Boston—Massacre Oration.
To Jonathan Upshaw, March 14th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance—Attitude of Virginia.
To Samuel Purviance, March 14th . . .
Acknowledgment of Remittance.
To Jonathan Hanson, March 15th . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance.
To Jonathan Veazey, March 15th . . .
Directions as to Donations.
To Richard Henry Lee, March 21st . . .
Military Force in Boston—Massacre Oration—Conduct of Troops—
Course of Administration.
To Jonathan Augustine Washington, March 21st . . .
Acknowledgment of Assistance—Purpose of Boston.
To the Mohawk Indians, March . . .
Address of Massachusetts Delegates.
To Mrs. Adams, May 7th . . .
Reception in New York.
To Mrs. Adams, June 10th . . .
Family Affairs.
To Mrs. Adams, June 16th . . .
Personal Comments—Family Affairs.
To Elbridge Gerry, June 22nd . . .
Recommendations to Washington.
To James Warren, June 22nd . . .
Recommendations to Washington.
To Mrs. Adams, June 28th . . . Engagement at Bunker Hill—Death of Joseph Warren—Proclamation of Gage.
To Mrs. Adams, July 30th . . .
Recess of Congress—Election to Legislature.
From Moses Gill, September 4th . . .
Receipt of Amounts paid to Adams.
To Elbridge Gerry, September 26th . . .
Journey to Philadelphia—Need of Information—Character of
Officers.
To Mrs. Adams, October 20th . . .
Affairs of the Country—Schuler and Arnold.
To Elbridge Gerry, October 29th . . .
Militia Bill—Continental Army—Need of Legislation.
To James Warren, November 4th . . .
Need of Powder—Military Affairs—Governments of New Hampshire
and South Carolina—Trade Regulations—Government of
Massachusetts.
To Mrs. Adams, November 7th . . .
Conduct of Enemy.
To James Bowdoin, November 16th . . .
Petition of Congress—Plans of Administration.
To James Otis, November 23rd . . .
Opinion of Delegates as to Militia Legislation.
To James Warren, December 26th . . .
Government of Massachusetts—Character of the People.
1776.
To Elbridge Gerry, January 2nd . . .
Legislative Control of Military Force—Character of
Representatives.
Resolutions of Continental Congress, January 5th . . .
Imprisonment of James Lovell.
To James Warren, January 7th . . .
Establishment of Militia—Powder—Confederation—Attack on
Norfolk.
To James Warren, January 10th . . .
Trade Regulations—Imprisonment of Lovell.
To John Pitts, January 12th . . .
To James Sullivan, January 12th . . .
King's Speech.
To John Adams, January 15th . . .
Portsmouth Instructions—Independence—Pay of Massachusetts
Troops.
Article Signed "Candidus," February 3rd . . .
Dependence of the Colonies.
To Mrs. Adams, February 26th . . .
Duty in Congress—Oration on Montgomery.
To James Warren, March 8th . . .
Political Comments on Colleague.
To Mrs. Adams, March 10th . . .
Personal Affairs.
To Joseph Palmer, April 2nd . . . Effect of Adopting New England Army—Military Affairs—Evacuation of Boston.
To Samuel Cooper, April 3rd . . .
Plans of Administration—Evacuation of Boston—Foreign Affairs—
Independence.
To Joseph Hawley, April 15th . . .
Military Affairs—Necessity for Declaration of Independence.
To Samuel Cooper, April 30th . . .
Views of Independence—Formation of State Governments.
To John Scollay, April 30th . . .
Evacuation of Boston—Public Morals—Defenceless Condition of New
England.
To James Warren, May 12th . . .
Safety of Boston—State of the Eastern District.
To George Washington, May 15th . . .
Proposed Road to Montreal—Defences of Boston.
To Horatio Gates, June 10th . . .
Military Affairs at Boston—Purposes of the Enemy.
To Perez Morton, June . . .
Allowance for Services.
To Joseph Hawley, July 9th . . .
Reverses in Canada—New Jersey Campaign—Declaration of
Independence.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 15th . . .
Schuyler and Gates—Arrival of Howe—Declaration of Independence-
-Confederation.
To James Warren, July 16th . . .
Effect of Declaration of Independence—Constitution of Virginia.
To James Warren, July 17th . . .
Urgent Need of Troops.
To John Pitts, July 17th . . .
Declaration of Independence.
To Samuel Cooper, July 20th . . .
South Carolina Campaign—Howe's Circular Letter.
To Benjamin Kent, July 27th . . .
Work of Congress—Declaration of Independence—New State
Governments.
To Joseph Trumbull, August 3rd . . .
Affairs of the Northern Department—Legislation on Commissary
Department.
To John Adams, August 13th . . .
Military Affairs.
To John Adams, August 16th . . .
Military Affairs—The Northern Campaign.
To John Adams, September 16th . . .
Form of Government of Massachusetts—Military Affairs—
Negotiations with Howe.
To John Adams, September 30th . . .
Conference with Howe—Public Attitude toward Independence.
To Samuel Mather, October 26th . . .
Military Affairs at New York.
To Mrs. Adams, November 14th . . . Northern Campaign—Military Affairs—Application of Brother-in- law—Exchange of Lovell.
To Mrs. Adams, November 29th . . .
Character of Americans—Howe's Proclamation.
To James Warren, November 29th . . .
Supply of Clothing—New York Campaign.
To James Warren, December 4th . . . Massachusetts Legislature—Conduct of the Colonists—Conditions in Pennsylvania.
To Mrs. Adams, December 9th . . .
Personal Reflections.
To George Washington, December 12th . . .
Rhode Island Campaign.
To Mrs. Adams, December 19th . . .
Adjournment of Congress to Baltimore—Inaction of the Population-
-New Jersy Campaign.
To James Warren, December 25th . . .
Military Operations.
To Mrs. Adams, December 26th . . .
Aid of Samuel Purviance—Attitude of New Jersey.
To Council of Massachussetts, December 30th . . .
Need of Ordnance.
To Walter Stewart, December 30th . . .
Instructions as to Ordnance.
To James Warren, December 31st . . .
Foreign Relations—Military Affairs.
1777.
To Arthur Lee, January 2nd . . .
Resumption of Correspondence—Political Situation.
To James Warren, January 8th . . .
Military Operations.
To John Adams, January 9th . . .
Removal of Congress—Military Operations.
To James Warren, January 16th . . .
Representation in Congress—Attitude of Massachusetts
Legislature.
To Mrs. Adams, January 29th . . .
Correspondence—Effect of War News—Charity—Death of Mr.
Checkley.
To James Warren, February 1st . . .
Conference of New England Committees—Management of War Supplies.
To Samuel Cooper, February 4th . . .
King's Speech.
To James Warren, February 10th . . .
Account of Expenses.
To Walter Stewart, February 12th . . .
Price of Ordnance.
To Jonathan Trumbull, February 12th . . .
Use of Connecticut Ordnance.
To John Pitts, February 15th . . .
Activity of Tories.
To James Warren, February 16th . . .
Activity of Tories—Case of General Lee.
To Mrs. Adams, March 19th . . .
News from France—Attitude toward Son—Effect of Trade
Legislation.
To John Scollay, March 20th . . .
Regulating Act.
To Mrs. Adams, April 1st . . .
Assistance from France—Arrest of Spy.
To Nathaniel Greene, May 12th . . .
Military Policy.
To Mrs. Adams, June 17th . . .
Military Operations.
To James Warren, June 18th . . .
Introducing William Whipple—Massachusetts Election-Military
Affairs.
To James Warren, June 23rd . . .
New Jersey Campaign.
To Richard Henry Lee, June 26th . . .
New Jersey Campaign—Progress in Congress.
To James Warren, June 30th . . .
Postal Facilities—Confederation—Massachusetts Constitutional
Convention.
To Arthur Lee, July 4th . . .
New Jersey Campaign.
To Samuel Hewes, July 7th . . .
Major Ward—New Jersey Campaign.
To John Pitts, July 8th . . .
Interruption of Correspondence.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 15th . . .
New Jersey Campaign—Schuyler and Gates.
To Samuel Cooper, July 15th . . .
Northern Campaign.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 22nd . . .
Confederation—Northern Campaign—Distribution of Forces.
To Paul Revere, July 28th . . .
Ranking of Artillery Regiments.
To James Warren, July 31st . . .
Attitude of Congress to Schuyler—Northern Campaign—
Participation of New England—Hostile Fleet.
To James Warren, August 1st . . .
Northern Campaign.
To Mrs. Adams, August 2nd . . .
Course of Hostile Fleet.
To Samuel Freeman, August 5th . . .
Foreign Relations—Northern Campaign.
To John Langdon, August 7th . . .
Course of Hostile Fleet—Northern Campaign.
To Mrs. Adams, August 8th . . .
Appointment of Gates.
To Roger Sherman, August 11th . . .
Northern Campaign—Letters of Schuyler.
To James Warren, August 12th . . .
Letter of Schuyler.
To William Heath, August 13th . . .
Northern Campaign.
To Mrs. Adams, August 19th . . .
Course of a Hostile Fleet.
To Henry Bromfield, September 2nd . . .
Introducing Henry Crouch—Howe's Army.
To Mrs. Adams, September 17th . . .
Northern Campaign.
To Arthur Lee, October 26th . . .
Resumption of Correspondence—LaFayette.
To Horatio Gates, . . . . . .
Surrender of Burgoyne.
Resolution of Continental Congress, November 1st . . .
Thanksgiving.
To John Adams, December 8th . . .
Re-election to Congress—Conduct of Colleagues—Work of
Massachusetts Legislature.
To Henry Laurens, December . . .
Articles of Confederation.
______
THE WRITINGS OF
SAMUEL ADAMS.
______
TO JAMES OTIS.
[MS., copy in Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BOSTON, March 19th 1773
SIR
I have the honor of joining with my brethren the Committee of Correspondence for the town in a letter to you, which the bearer of this is chargd with & will deliver to you.
The occasion is somewhat singular. Our Brother Mr William Molineux, a few days ago receiv'd an ANONYMOUS letter dated Barnstable &.c, in which mention is made of some rude Aspersions cast upon the characters of himself and several others of our Committee by your Representative Mr Bacon in a public meeting of your Town. As the intelligence was thus uncertain the Committee would fain hope that it was impossible for one of Mr Bacon's station in life to act so unjustifiable a part; especially after the handsome things which he had the credit of saying of every one of Committee upon a late occasion in the House of Representatives. Admitting however, that this might be the case, they thought it prudent to address you, as the Moderator of your meeting, and it is their desire, if you judge there is a proper foundation for this letter AND NOT OTHERWISE, to obtain the consent of the Town that it should be openly read in the meeting at the ensuing adjournment. This the Committee refer to your known discretion, as they cannot place a full dependence upon an anonymous letter, although there are some circumstances that may seem to corroborate it.
As there is no measure which tends more to disconcert the Designs of the enemies of the public liberty, than the raising Committees of Correspondence in the several towns throughout the Province, it is not to be wondered at that the whole strength of their opposition is aim'd against it. Whether Mr B. is of this character is a question in which his Constituents ought certainly to satisfy themselves beyond a reasonable doubt. A man's professions may be as he pleases; but I honestly confess I cannot easily believe him to be a sincere friend to his Country, who can upon any consideration be prevail'd upon to associate with so detestable an enemy to it as I take a BOSTON BORN (I cannot say educated) Commissioner of Customs to be.
I am with great regard for your family and conexions in
B[arnstable.]
Sir your assured Friend & most humble servant
P. S. If there is not foundation for what is asserted in the anonymous letter, we desire that you will not only not read our letter in your meeting but also not let the original or a copy of it go out of your hands, but return it by the first opportunity.
ut supra