Congress have left it, but we know not what place they have retired to, and consequently I can't tell how to direct this but to the old place. We have a fine Army in high spirits and well supplyed in the Northern department, but no decisive action has yet taken place there. I believe they will prevent Burgoyne advanceing, but I think that will be the ultimatum. He will for any thing I can see retire when he pleases. Our Troops have not yet landed on Rhode Island. There appears in that quarter a want of vigour, and I think of judgment. Things were not provided for the descent as soon as the Militia arrived and their spirit and genius you know does not admit of delays. When the expedition was formed General Spencer informed us every thing was prepared; he had occasion for nothing but two Howitzers which he desired us to supply - a very moderate demand. You can't suppose we did not comply. From the very circumstance of this delay my sanguine expectations are much abated. My next will tell you more of this matter which is important to us, and I dare say occasions anxiety to you. We have men enough there, I believe not less than 10,000.

We have no news. This will be handed you by Capt. Palmes,1 who was Captain of Marines on board the Boston. I am not acquainted with his perticular business. I suppose he intends some application to Congress relative to that Ship. Her affairs are indeed in a curious situation. The quarrels between the Captain and his officers have already occasioned great delays, and when we shall be able to get her to sea or if ever under her present circumstances I am unable to say. You will be able to learn something of the matter from him. I dont wish to be vested with more powers, if the good of the service dont require it, but I plainly foresee that we never can answer your expectations unless we have at least a power of suspending, if we are not to be intrusted with a power of appointing. As the matter now stands we are little better than a Board of Agency or factorage and tho' we are ordered to do many expensive things are not supplyed with a shilling to do it with. This is as bad as makeing bricks without straw. We have

I Richard Palmes.

2

2 Journals of the Continental Congress, Ix. 833; Out-Letters of the Continental Marine Committee, 1. 165.

wrote repeatedly to the Marine Committee and have tryed to borrow of the Loan Office. He dont like to supply without orders. We lost many advantages, and indeed the business in all its parts laggs in such a manner as mortifies me, and will affect our reputation. The Marine Committee have given Capt. McNeil their own orders for his next cruise.1 Dont you intend there shall be an enquiry into the conduct of the last? There is indeed a contrast between bringing in the Fox and Flora if not the Rainbow, and the looseing the Hancock and the Fox. I don't pretend to say who was to blame, but I think Congress should know, if they intend officers should do their duty in future. I love to see officers regard discipline and keep a proper command; but overbearing haughtiness and unlimited conceit, especially if joined with unbounded expence, will never promote the good of your service at sea or ashore. It is our business to correct the last in the Navy of this department as much as possible, and I think we should be impowered to controul the first. I wish you every happiness and am Yours, etc. [No signature.]

Monday the 13th. We have just received the agreable news of a victory in the Northern department. I am not able to give you the perticulars but the action was general, and the defeat compleat. Our Army was still in the pursuit when the account came away. Arnold and Lincoln are wounded, on our side, and Frazier 2 killed on theirs. Our day however is a little damaged by hearing that fort Montgomery is taken.

MY DEAR SIR,

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

YORK TOWN, Octr. 24, 1777

We have got to a Part of the World, where We

are scarcely able to procure any Intelligence.

We have as yet no certain Information, concerning the events at the Northward, on the 14. and 15th. of this Month, the whole of which I dare say before this Time are familiar to you. We have had Rumours, which lifted us up to the Stars.

I He was ordered to sail to France. 2 Simon Fraser (1729–1777).

3 October 6.

We are now upon Confederation, and have nearly compleated it. I really expect it will be finished by the Middle of next Week. We dispatched some Affairs, last Evening for your Board which Dr. Linn1 I suppose will convey to you.

We shall consider immediately a Plan of Taxes for all the States. This is our Resource. I rejoice with Joy unspeakable that your Assembly, have adopted a Plan of such consummate Wisdom. I am, JOHN ADAMS

SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

YORK TOWN IN PENNSYLVA., Oct. 26, 1777 7 MY DEAR SIR, - We have just now receivd a satisfactory Account of the great Success of our Arms on the 14th Inst. under General Gates. The Express is expected every Hour. I have Time only to congratulate you on this and also on a successful Engagment on the Delaware, an account of which is containd in a Letter, Copy of which I inclose.

I hope our Countrymen will render the just Tribute of Praise to the Supreme Ruler for these signal Instances of his Interposition in favor of a People struggling for their Liberties. Congress will, I suppose recommend the setting apart one Day of publick Thanksgiving to be observd throughout the united States. If Burgoin is allowd to reside in Boston, will he not by his Arts, confound if not seduce the Minds of inconsiderate Persons? Verbum Sapienti. Adieu my Friend.

[ENCLOSURE.]

S. A

Sat.

Copy of a Letter from Colo. Jona. Mifflin, D. Q. M. G., dated Head Quarters,

Oct. 25, 1777, to Genl. Mifflin.

The day before yesterday at 4 o'Clock P M Count Donop with 1200 Hessian Grenadiers made their Appearance before the Garrison at Red Bank and by a Flag demanded a Surrender; which being refused, they made an immediate Attack, forcd over the Abbatis, crossd the Ditch, and some few had mounted the Picketts. They were so warmly receivd, that they retired with great Precipita

1 Dr. John Linn, appointed by General Wooster a director of the hospital in the district of Quebec. The resolution of Congress gave to the Navy Board of the Eastern Department power to suspend officers of the continental navy within its district. Dr. Linn also brought 100,000 dollars for the Board.

tion, leaving the Count and his Brigade Major, who are wounded and in the Fort. The killed and wounded, agreeable to the Letter are five hundred. Lt. Colo. Green, who commanded, played upon them a very good Deception. When the Flag came in, he concealed all his Men but 50, saying "With these brave Fellows this Fort shall be my Tomb." He had five killed and fifteen wounded.

Yesterday an Attack was made upon Fort Mifflin by Six Ships which were warpd thro the Chevaux de Frize at Billingsport in the Night. They began the Cannonade at Daybreak, which continued very hot till 10 o'Clock, when the Gallies forced them to give way. In retiring a 64 Gun Ship (said to be the Augusta) and a Frigate, the Liverpool, ran aground, and were set on Fire by their own People. Two Men were wounded in the Fort.

Colo. Green is one of the Rhode Island Batallions. Genl. Washington upon his Arrival at Camp honord him with the Command of the Fort at Red Bank.

Howe it is said has publishd a Hand bill in Philadelphia setting forth that Burgoyne has gaind a complete Victory having taken Gates and all his Army Prisoners, and that he is in full March with a victorious Army for Albany and New York.2

It needs no comment.

SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

YORK TOWN, PENNSYLVA., Oct. 29, 1777

MY DEAR SIR, I sent you a few days ago an Account of the Success we have had on the Delaware. The Honor of recovering Philadelphia seems to be intended for the brave Men who command there; for if the Enemy cannot get up with their Ships of War, Howe cannot long remain in the City. May Honor be given to whom Honor may be due.

Congress have applyd with Diligence to Confederation. Most of the important Articles are agreed to. Each State retains its Sovereignty and Independence with every Power, Jurisdiction, and Right, which is not by the Confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.

Each State is to have one Vote in Congress; but there must be a Concurrence of Nine States in all Matters of Importance. I John Green.

2 Evans (No. 15313) gives a folio of two pages, "Glorious authentic Intelligence," issued October 21, 1777, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by Francis Bailey, on the surrender of Burgoyne; but no issue such as is described in the text is known.

7

The Proportion of the publick Expence to be paid by Each State to be ascertaind by the Value of all the Lands granted to or surveyd for any Person, to be estimated according to such Mode as Congress shall from time to time direct.

All Disputes about Boundaries are to be decided by Judges appointed in the following Mode: The Representatives of Each State in Congress to be nominated, the contending States to strike off 13 each, and out of the remaining 13 not more than 9 nor less than 7 shall be drawn out by Lot, any five of them to hear and determine the Matter.

I hope we shall finish the Confederation in a few days when I intend to renew my Request for the Leave of Absence, and return home. I am determined by God's Assistance never to forsake the great Cause in which my Country is virtuously struggling; but there are others who have greater abilities and more adequate to this important Service, than I have. I hope therefore another will be appointed in my Room. It is the greatest Honor of my Life to have enjoyd the Confidence of my Country thus long; and I have the clear and full Testimony of my own Mind that I have at all Times endeavord to fill the Station they have thought fit to place me in to their Advantage.

This will be deliverd to you by Mr. Hancock, who has Leave of Absence till the first of January next.

I hope the Person to be elected in my Room will have understanding enough to know when the Arts of Flattery are played upon him, and Fortitude of mind sufficient to resist and dispise them. This I mention inter Nos nostipsos. In this evil World there are oftentimes large Doses prepared for those whose Stomachs will bear them. And it would be a Disgrace to human Nature to affirm there are some who can take the fullest Cup without nauseating. I suppose you have by this time finished a form of Government. I hope the greatest Care will be taken in the Choice of a Governor. He, whether a wise Man or a Fool, will in a great Measure form the Morals and Manners of the People. I beg Pardon for hinting the Possibility of one of the last Character being chosen: But alas! Is there not such a Possibility! But I assure my self of better things. I believe my Country will fix their Eyes and their Choice