against common sense and the most flagrant evidence, to pretend he was serving his country. This is, indeed, Hutchinson like, affronting to our understandings. I have never seen him; I never wish to again. You know I hate an apostate, I hate a traitor. How he is to receive an adequate punishment is I suppose a question for your determination. I am sensible of the deficiencies in your code of laws, and the objections to post facto laws; but something must be done, and he made an example of, or the people will suppose us all traitors, and lose their confidence in what we say or do. Our House are adjusting the ceremonies of proceeding in order of expulsion, and then will end our tether.1

I believe it is time to think of concluding this letter, or never expecting you to wish for another; but before I do, I must and do thank you heartily and fervently for your several letters received by Major Bayard, the gentlemen of your committee, and yesterday by Mr. Mifflin. Tho' you communicate no secrets, I can see and taste the traces of that extensive system of policy which always marks your way, and which I hope will be adopted. Your last has led me into a sea so extensive and deep, that my small abilities have not yet been able either to fathom the bottom or descry the shore. However, I shall rally them, and if I have vanity enough to suppose I can strike out one particle of light on so grand and important a subject, shall certainly attempt it in my next, which will soon follow this, if opportunity presents. In the mean time your maxim "God helps those who help themselves" recurs to mind. We are in a storm and must make a port. We must exert ourselves in some of the ways you mention. I think we must have trade and commerce. I see no difficulty in admitting it in our own bottoms consistently with the association, if individuals will hazard their interest, and opening our ports to foreigners, one or more. If you could see me at this instant, you would think that the embarrassments and hurry of business on hand would by no means admit of discussions of this kind. The great objects some of us would wish to confine our House to are, the manufacturing salt petre and fire arms, the regulating the militia and fixing out

I Dr. Church was examined by the House October 27 and the order of expulsion was passed November 2.

armed Vessels. The first is in a good way in Connecticut. We have sent Doctor Whiting 1 there to learn the process and art, and since his return have directed him to try the experiment here. I am not able to inform you of his success. The next I think we shall succeed in. The two others are under consideration, and a bill for the last in great forwardness, so far as relates to individuals. We have a difficulty with regard to the militia from a construction in our House of your resolve, giving them a power to appoint officers. I wish it could be explained.

The 22d. We have just heard that the pirates on the Eastern shore have destroyed two-thirds of Falmouth burnt down, and have orders to destroy every sea port from Boston to Pemmaquid. This is savage and barbarous in the highest stage. What can we wait for now? What more can we want to justifie any step to take, kill and destroy, to refuse them any refreshments, to apprehend our enemies, to confiscate their goods and estates, to open our ports to foreigners, and if practicable to form alliances, etc., etc.

Hitchburne was to see me last evening. He seems distressed to approve his conduct to us relative to the letters. Very little of a publick kind can I learn from him more than we have from others. He says they dread and apprehend the erecting batteries on Dorchester Hill and Noddle's Island. The first will drive them from their lines on the Neck, and the other make it impossible for ships to lay in the harbour, I mean above the Castle. I wish and hope we may be able to effect it. One piece of good news I had like to have forgot. A Vessel is arrived at Sheepscot with a very considerable quantity of powder, cannon, and arms. I believe she belongs to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

I shall endeavour to see and form a judgment of your plan as soon as I can procure the chart. The row gallies you have at Philadelphia may be very serviceable in smooth water, but if I am rightly informed would not do in a sea. No doubt such might be constructed as would, but I am inclined to think that our cannon armed Vessels, especially as we can be so superiour in men, and are more used to them, will answer the purpose better, if we choose such as sail well.

I William Whiting.

I am sensible of the importance of the question you propose about the government of Canada. It is indeed a curious problem, and I am glad it is in such good hands. I never expected you would derive any advantages from the committees you mention. The spirit of indolence is too prevalent. There is in the western parts of this Province a lead mine of three miles in length which affords one half pure lead. It is said the country abounds with sulphur; we want nothing but salt petre. I trust Providence will give us that. I cannot inclose you any of Mother Draper's papers, they are very scarce. I think I have not seen one since that I inclosed you. I shall endeavour, however, to procure you one or two curiosities of a like kind, and inclose without any comment, tho' I feel somewhat inclined to it. . . .

DEAR SIR, Can the Inhabitants of North America live without foreign Trade?

There is Beef and Pork and Poultry, and Mutton and Venison and Veal, Milk, Butter, Cheese, Corn, Barley Rye, Wheat, in short, every Species of Eatables animal and Vegetable in a vast abundance, an immense Profusion. We raise about Eleven hundred Thousand Bushells of Corn, yearly more than We can possibly consume. The Country produces Provisions of all Kinds, enough for the sustenance of the Inhabitants, and an immense Surplusage.

We have Wood and Iron in plenty. We have a good Climate as well as a fertile Soil.

But Cloathing. If instead of raising [a] Million Bushells of Wheat for Exportation and Rice, Tobacco, naval stores Indigo, Flaxseed, Horses Cattle, etc., Fish, Oyl, Bone Potash etc., etc., etc., the Hands now employed in raising surplusages of these Articles for Exportation, were employed in raising Flax and Wool, and manufacturing them into Cloathing, We should be cloathed comfortably.

We must at first indeed Sacrifice some of our Appetites. Coffee, Wine, Punch, Sugar, Molasses, etc. and our Dress would not be so elegant. Silks and Velvets and Lace must be dispensed with. But these are Trifles in a Contest for Liberty.

But is there Temperance, Fortitude and Perseverance enough. among the People to endure Such a Mortification of their Appetites Passions and Fancies? Is not the Merchantile Interest comprehending Merchants Mechanicks, Labourers So numerous, and So complicated with the landed Interest, as to produce a general Impatience and Uneasiness, under Restrictions so severe?

By a total Cessation of Commerce sh[ould we drive] away our Mariners? Will they not go [to the other] maritime Nations, the French, the Spaniards, the Dutch? or, which is worse, will they not go to England, and on Board of British Men of War?

Shall We not lose a large Property in Navigation which will rot by the Wharves?

On the other Hand if We give Liberty Trade, will not most of our Vessells be seized? Perhaps all but those of the Tories who may be priviledged.

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JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

Octr. 20, 1775

DR. SIR,- The Bearer of this is John McPherson Esq. He is

a Genius- an old Sea Warriour, Nine or ten Times wounded in Sea Fights.

He has a son in the Service Aid de Camp to Schuyler- a very sensible Man.

Of Mr. McPherson's Errand to the Camp ask no Questions and I will tell you no false News. It will make a Noise in Time - but for the present for Gods sake let not a Word be said.1

I hope all our Friends who have Opportunity will shew him Respect.

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I Journals of the Continental Congress, III. 301.

-

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

Octr. 21, 1775

DEAR SIR, I believe I shall surfeit you with Letters, which contain nothing, but Recommendations of Gentlemen to your Attention, especially as you have so many important Affairs to take up all your Time and Thoughts.

But the Bearers are Gentlemen, who come so well recommended to me that I could not refuse myself the Pleasure of giving them an Opportunity of seeing my Friend Warren, of whom you must know I am very proud. The Name of one of them is John Folwell, the other Josiah Hart, each of them a Captain of a Company of Militia in the County of Bucks in this Province. Mr. Joseph Hart the Father of one of them has exerted himself with much Success in procuring Donations for Boston.

These Travellers visit the Camp from the best Motive that of gaining Knowledge in the military Art by Experience, that their Country may have the Use of it, whenever there shall be an Opportunity.

You will greatly oblige them by giving them a Letter to General Thomas, and by introducing them to such Persons and Places as will best answer the honest and usefull End they have in View.

I could wish them as well as other Strangers introduced to H. Knox and young Josiah Waters,' if they are anywhere about the Camp. These Young Fellows if I am not mistaken would give strangers no contemptible Idea of the military Knowledge of Massachusetts men] in the sublimest Chapters of the Art of War. Salt Petre is certainly making in considerable Quantities in several Places. I wish to know what success Dr. Whiting has. You wonder that certain Improprieties are not felt. Well you may. But I have done finding fault- I content myself with blushing alone, and mourning in Secret, the Loss of Reputation our Colony Suffers, by giving Such Samples of her Sons to the World. Myself, remember the worst Sample of all. Pray change it.

1 A surgeon's mate in the artillery.

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