I intended this for a short letter, but I always fill the paper when I write to you. I want to see some resentment shown to the Portuguees. It wont perhaps do to declare war against them or to make captures of their Ships, for they do only what they cant help; but an interdiction of commerce with them made in the stile of the high and mighty States of America might, as Carmichael1 hints, have an happy effect. JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN May 2, 1777 DEAR SIR, - Dr. Brownson 2 a Delegate from Georgia in Congress and a worthy spirited sensible Man, a Native of Connecticutt will deliver you this. He will be able to tell you much News, because he intends a circuitous Journey by Albany, and the New Hampshire Grants, who have lately made themselves a State, to Boston. The British Daemons have rec'd a little Chastisement in Connecticutt. JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN J. ADAMS PHILADELPHIA, April [May,] 3, 1777 MY DEAR SIR, Yours of April 3d I recd. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it: But if France engages Spain will, and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it I don't know. If We could have a free Trade with Europe I should rather run the Risque of fighting it out with George and his present Allies, provided he should get no other. I don't love to be intangled in the Quarrels of Europe. I don't wish to be under I William Carmichael ( -1795). His suggestion was made in a letter from Amsterdam to the Committee of Foreign Correspondence, November 2, 1776. Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence of the Revolution, 11. 189. 2 Nathan Brownson (1743-1796). See Dexter, Yale Biographies, 11. 690. Obligations to any of them, and I am very unwilling they should rob Us of the Glory of vindicating our own Liberties. It is a Cowardly Spirit in our Countrymen, which makes them pant with so much longing Expectation, after a French War. I have very often been ashamed to hear so many Whiggs groaning and Sighing with Despondency and whining out their Fears that We must be subdued unless France should step in. Are We to be beholden to France for our Liberties? France has done so much already that the Honour and Dignity and Reputation of Great Britain is concerned to resent it, and if she does not, France will trifle with her forever hereafter. She has recd. our Ambassadors, protected our Merchant Men, Privateers, Men of War and Prizes, admitted Us freely to trade, lent Us Money, and supplied Us with Arms, Ammunition and Warlike Stores of every Kind. This is notorious all over Europe, and she will do more, presently, if our dastardly Despondency, in the midst of the finest Prospects imaginable, does not discourage her. The surest and the only Way to secure her Arms in this Cause is for Us to exert our own. For God's sake then don't fail of a single Man of your Quota. Get them at any Rate, and by any Means rather than not have them. I am more concerned about our Revenue than the Aid of France. Pray let the Loan Offices do their Part, that We may not be compelled to make Paper Money as plenty and of Course as cheap as Oak Leaves. There is so much Injustice in carrying on a War with a depreciating Currency that We can hardly pray with Confidence for success. The Confederation has been delayed because the States were not fully represented. Congress is now full, and We are in the Midst of it. It will soon be passed. God prosper your new Constitution. But I am afraid you will meet the Disapprobation of your Constituents. It is a Pity you should be obliged to lay it before them; it will divide and distract them. However, their Will be done; if they suit themselves they will please me. Your Friend. [No signature.] JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS. ADAMS MSS. BOSTON, May 5, 1777 MY DEAR SIR,-We have no late arrivals, no foreign intelligence. the affair of Danbury has wholly engrossed the conversation here for a week past, and we were never able to determine whether what we heard was true or false, or even that there had been an expedition there till yesterday, when we were beyond a doubt ascertained of the loss of the stores there, and the indelible stigma fixed on the N. England Militia by the Cowardly conduct of the Connecticut men.' Had these men never the Lexington and Bunker Hill spirit, or have they been laughted out of it by our Continental regulars, and made to believe they can't fight? If they won't fight what have we to depend on here but Miracles, for we have nothing else, and here it is said is to be the campaign. My superiour officer in the Militia 2 you retain at the head of the Supreem Legislative; the next to me you have advanced to a more important station. I am therefore left alone, and find the misfortune of being ranked with important folks. The Militia is so despised, and I suppose is designed with all its officers to be directed by Continental Generals, that I intend to embrace the first opportunity to quit it, that shall offer without any imputation. The late intelligence alone has prevented. We have lately ordered 1,500 Militia from the County of Hampshire to Ticonderoga; one half of the County of Berkshire are gone to Albany at the desire of General Gates; two thousand men are ordered and most of them marched to reinforce the State of Rhode Island. We have voted the same bounty to the Regiments of Lee, Henley, and Jackson, before given to the 15 Battalions. We have ventured on a draft on such of our Towns as have not already inlisted a number aequal to 1/7th part of all their Male Inhabitants from sixteen and upwards, to be made on the 15th of this month, and now must raise some Regiments for the defence of this Harbour, or leave it defenceless. If we do all this, if our Board of War deals out the stores they collect as fast as they come in to the Army, if we strip our beds of blankets, and our backs of cloaths for them, if we suffer all our 1 Bailey, History of Danbury, 60. 2 John Hancock. provisions to be purchased for them, in short, if for the good of the whole we are contented to be naked, cold, hungry, and defenceless, will the Southern Gentry give us credit, and call us good fellows? Or will they say we are selfish and provideing for a Seperate Interest, which I have it hinted to me is the case? Some people employed here have done more hurt than good. I suppose the Court will rise tomorrow. You will next hear from me at Plymouth, where I long to be to set out a few trees, etc., to flourish in the age of peace and happiness. Since my last I am to thank you for yours of the 16th April. I have a great curiosity to know what operation the turn of our affairs last winter will have in Europe. I yesterday wrote to the General, and gave him a detail of the situation of things here, and the motives we have acted from. If he has any confidence in me he will entertain no prejudices against us.1 If N England is to be the scene of action, are no troops to be sent here? I am called and must conclude. Please to give my regards to my Friends, and inform Mr. Adams that his account is past, and a grant for his services up to August last. Perhaps he should send an order to receive it, if his Lady has not one. I am as usual your Sincere Friend, etc. [No signature.] JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN 2 Philadelphia, May 6, 1777 DEAR SIR, - About Ten Days ago I had the Boldness to make a Motion that a Navy Board should be established at Boston. Certain Gentlemen looked struck and surprised; however, it passed. I have moved I believe fifteen Times, that a Nomination should take Place; certain Gentlemen looked cold. Two or three Days ago, the Nomination came on. Langdon, Vernon, Deshon, Dalton, Orne, Henley, Smith, Cushing and Warren, were nominated. I Washington's reply, May 23, 1777, is in Writings of Washington (Ford), v. 379. The original letter, written by Hamilton, but signed by Washington, is in the Warren Papers. 2 Although this letter is printed in the Works of John Adams, 1x. 464, it is reprinted, as it gives the reasons for appointing Warren to the Navy Board. 3 Journals of the Continental Congress, vII. 281. The resolution was adopted April 19. This Day the Choice came on. At last Vernon, Warren, and Deshon were chosen. The Board are to appoint their own Clerk who is to have 500 Dollars a year. I hope you will engage in this Business and conduct it with Spirit. You cannot be Speaker and do this Duty too I believe. I think the Town of Boston will be offended. But I could not help it. This you will not mention. The Salary for the Commissioners is 1500 Dollars a Year. You will have the Building and fitting of all Ships, the appointment of Officers, the Establishment of Arsenals and Magazines, etc., which will take up your whole Time. But it will be honourable to be so capitally concerned in laying a Foundation of a great Navy. The profit to you will be nothing, But the Honour and the Virtue the greater. I almost envy you this Employment. I am weary of my own and almost with my Life. But I ought not to be weary in endeavoring to do well. [No signature.] JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADams. ADAMS MSS. BOSTON, May 8th, 1777 MY DEAR SIR, I wrote to you a letter which will accompany this with a design it should have gone by last Monday's post, but he gave me the slip. Nothing very material has occured since. We had yesterday very agreeable accounts of a late Action in the Jersies. If it proves true, it is a good beginning. Our Fleet is still in the harbour. We have had easterly winds and thick weather almost constantly for a fortnight past. They were to sail this day, if possible, but there is no alteration in the weather. Three Cruisers chased a Vessel between the Capes yesterday. The intelligence from Halifax is that eight sail of their Ships and some small Vessels are between that place and this, that the topic of conversation among the officers is the attack on Boston, and the manner how, etc. The Court is still setting but will rise to night or tomorrow. We have voted the Bounty, etc., to two Battalions of Lee and Jackson, the same as the other fifteen. This makes the Bounty to be given to eighteen Battalions. We have established or voted a Regiment of the Train, and two others for the defence of |