Boston, the first for three year twenty dollar Bounty, the others for one year with ten dollars. I won't tell you the present state of Boston till my next. The long experience of the people here, the intelligence they have from the Southward of the enmity and conspiracies of the Tories, and the expectation of an attack here have wrought them up to such a pitch that a seperation seems necessary. We have passed a Bill for that purpose. Each Town are to meet and in public meeting form a List of such as are Inimical, and supposed dangerous to choose thirteen of a Committee to Try them, and if that is the Judgment send them to the Board of War who are to provide Vessels and transport them Immediately. If they return they are to be hanged. This Bill is before the Council. If it passes there and the business is not done, it will not be the fault of the Court, the people must blame themselves. My regards to all friends. I am, Yours Assuredly.

[No signature.]

The Post in last evening and no letters from my friends.

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADams.

ADAMS MSS.

BOSTON, June 5th, 1777

MY DEAR SIR, You will perhaps wonder that you have not heard from me for so long a time. I have had so little time at home of late, and found so much to do there, that I did not attend Election, and returned to this town not before yesterday. On my way I had the pleasure to find Mrs. Adams and family well. I left Mrs. Warren to spend this week with her friends at Braintree. I dare say every hour of it will be improved and enjoyed. While at home I had the pleasure of your several favours of April 29, May 2, 3, and 6. I have now the pleasure of informing you that the draft on the several towns to compleat our quota has succeeded beyond my expectations, and I hope soon to have our whole number in Camp, some of them however will not be for three years. When I came to Town it was with a full determination not to act as Speaker; but I was forced to accept for a few days, so that I have not had time to make such enquiry into the state of this matter as I could wish. I will inform you more perticularly in my next. In

the mean time I hope the result of our exertions will rescue you from the pain of enduring more reflections on your Constituents. We always meant well, and if our policy had been equal to the goodness of our intentions, we should have done better than we have; but as it is have we not done better than those who abuse us for not doing more. I should be glad to know the state of the Quotas in the southern states. If I have a right notion of them, and don't flatter myself too much with the present state of our own, you may revenge yourself at pleasure. I am told now that General Washington's Army is in a good state. I think there can't be less than 7,000 of our men gone and most of them in Camp. We had however yesterday an extract of a letter from Poor at Ti., forwarded by Gov. Trumbull, letting us know that the Enemy were approaching and the Garrison weak, which is to me unaccountable. However the Hampshire Militia was in soon after, and with other Troops I hope will be an effectual relief. The letter is committed and perhaps something more will be done. I intended to have enlarged a little but have been interrupted. I can now only express my obligations for the late instance of your friendship. I have had yet no other notice of the appointment you mention but from common report. It appears to me to be a business of some magnitude, and I have taken such a lurch lately for a more private way of life that I am undetermined what I shall do. I am told here that an actual residence in Boston is required. If so I must of course excuse myself, as I should be loath to move from and loose my interest in my native Town and County. I am however very glad there is a Board established; never such a thing was wanted more. It gives universal Satisfaction; every body applauds the measure. If I undertake it, I shall exert myself to do as much honour to your Nomination as I am able. We have a House of one-half new Members: the upper Counties are largely represented, more than 60 already returned from the County of Worcester. They come high charged and yesterday moved for a repeal of the Act for a more equal representation. They did not however carry it. Some of them had patience to wait till a Constitution was formed. Adew.

[No signature.]

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

PHILADELPHIA, June 11, 1777

MY DEAR SIR,-The honourable Samuel [Joseph] Hewes, Esqr,1 a Delegate in Congress from North Carolina from 1774 to 1777, being bound on a Journey, to Boston for the Recovery of his Health, I do myself the Honour to introduce him to you.

He has a large share in the Conduct of our naval and commercial affairs, having been a member of the naval and marine Committees, and of the Secret Committee from the first.

I wish you would be kind enough to introduce him to some of our best Company, and give him a line to Dr. Winthrop, that he may have an opportunity of seeing the curiosities of Harvard Colledge. I have not time to write the Doctor.

What Mr. Howe's present Plan is no Conjurer can discover. He is moving and maneuvring with his Fleet and Army, as if he had some Design, or other, but what it may be no Astrologer can divine. It is disputed among the Writers, upon military Science, whether a Faculty of penetrating the Intentions of an Enemy, or that of acquiring the Love of his Soldiers is the first Quality of a General. But whether this Penetration holds the first or second Place, it cannot discover Designs that are not, and Schemes that were never laid. Howe's behaviour Strongly indicates a Want of System.

Some conjecture he is bound to the West Indies, others to Europe; one Party to Hallifax, another to Rhode Island. This set sends him up the North River, that down the East River and the other up the Delaware. I am weary of Conjectures. Time will solve them.

One thing is certain, that in the Jersies his whole Army was seized with Terror and Amazement. The Jersey Militia, have done themselves, the highest Honour, by turning out in such great Numbers, and with such Determined Resolution. This was altogether unexpected to the British and Hessian Gentry. They were persuaded that the People, would be on their side, or at least inactive; but when they found Hundreds, who had taken their Protection, and their oaths of allegiance, in Arms, against them, I Joseph Hewes (1730–1779).

and with terrible Imprecations, vowing Vengeance, their Hearts sank within them and they sneaked away in a Panic. This Militia, was dismissed too soon, and they took advantage of it, to come out, again with their whole Army upon a predatory Expedition, but soon returned, and evacuated New Jersey altogether.

I am most apprehensive they will go to Rhode Island. If not, I think, unless they have prepared Reinforcements with such Secrecy that no Intimations of them have reached us, they will give us but a languishing and inactive Campaign.

I hope you proceed, in the Formation of a Constitution without any hurtfull Divisions, or Altercations. Whatev[er] the Majority determine, I hope the Minority will cheerfully concur in. The fatal Experience of Pennsylvania, has made me dread nothing so much as Disunion, upon this Point. God grant you may lay the Foundations of a great, wise, free and honourable People. [No signature.]

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADams.

ADAMS MSS. BOSTON, June 11th, 1777

MY DEAR SIR, It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of a line from you. I looked for one last post, and was disappointed. I wrote to you by the Thursday post, since which nothing of consequence has taken place here. A number of Men of War are cruiseing on our Coast and three or four of them in our Bay. I suppose their design is [to] get our frigates, and to intercept the prizes taken by the Privateers lately sailed. I fear they will succeed too well in the last, if not in the first. Where Manly and McNeil are we don't hear, but I am in some pain for them. I am sorry to hear there is any difficulty in Gates haveing the command of the Northern Army. Will not this produce a resignation and some confusion in our affairs. Besides I have no notion of a General who is not on the spot, and to fight if there be occasion. Our Expedition some time ago recommended by Congress has fallen through in a strange manner. I can give you no account of this event, but from a want of spirit and activity. When I left Boston I supposed it was to be executed in a short time, but now I hear nothing of it.

The whole matter was left with our Council and they were vested with powers accordingly. They perhaps can give a reason. The Enemy at this time have but a small force, and I think might with the greatest ease be driven off in the course of ten days from this moment; but there is no General sent as mentioned, and nothing can be done without a Continental General. Their holding this Post at a time when they so much want reinforcements to their main Army is the only circumstance that looks like an invasion of N. England. What their movements will be, seems to us very uncertain here. It is generally believed their reinforcements will fall much short of their expectations, but we want some fresh intelligence from Europe. Every thing we do hear looks like a French War. I never wish to be beholden to any other Power but that of Heaven, and to our own virtue and valour for our Liberties; but it seems to me a war between France and England will make a diversion very favourable to us. At least it will Gratifie my resentment and curiosity. I wish to see Britain distressed and reduced to circumstances that shall make her appear ridiculous and contemptible to herself, and I have a curiosity to see the operation and the event.

Your Loan Office in this State I am informed succeeds well. I hope our money has got to its lowest ebb. I think our regulating Act has among other evils injured our Currency by introducing barter, etc.; but our House have after a long debate and a torrent of eloquence and wisdom (for we have eloquent and wise folks among us who affect great sublimity in both without decision), determined against a repeal 122 to 31. We seem generally agreed on a large Tax - not less than 150. perhaps 200,000£. If the other N.E. states would tax in the same proportion, our money would soon be on a better footing: pray let me hear from you. I want to have intelligence from Europe, to hear how your Confederation, etc., go on, and how your health is. I wish you happiness and am, Yours, etc.

[No signature.]

Mrs. Warren desires compliments and best wishes to Mr. Adams. My regards to Mr. Adams. I will write him soon, tho he has almost dropped the correspondence.