The Writings of Samuel Adams Volume III Part 38

TO JAMES WARREN.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADA June 18 1777

MY DEAR SIR/

This Letter will be deliverd to you by my worthy Friend Colo Whipple a Delegate of the State of New Hamps.h.i.+re. He is a Gentleman of Candor, and wishes he could have the opportunity of conversing freely with some one of Influence in the Ma.s.sachusetts Bay upon Matters concerning that State particularly. To whom could I recommend him on this Occasion with more Propriety than to your self. He will be able to give you such Information of Persons and Things as one would not chuse to throw on Paper in this precarious Time when an Accident might turn the Intelligence into a wrong Channel.

I observe by the Boston Papers last brought to us, that you are again placed in the Chair of the House of Representatives, with which I am well pleasd. Mr Paine Speaker pro Temp. Mr Hanc.o.c.k first Member of the Boston Seat and Mr T. Cus.h.i.+ng a Councellor AT LARGE--I have the Honor of knowing but few of the Members of the House. I hope my Countrymen have been wise in their Elections and I pray G.o.d to bless their Endeavors for the establishment of publick Liberty Virtue & Happiness.

You will hear before this will reach you of the Motions of the Enemy. It has been the general Opinion for many Months past that this City is the Object. Should they gain this Point what will it avail them unless they beat our Army. This I am fully perswaded they will not do. My Wish is that our Army may beat them, because it would put a glorious End to the present Campaign & very probably the War. I confess I have always been so very wrong headed as not to be over well pleasd with what is called the Fabian War in America. I conceive a great Difference between the Situation of the Carthaginian & the British Generals. But I have no Judgment in military Affairs, and therefore will leave the Subject to be discussd, as it certainly will be, by those who are Masters of it. I can not conclude this Epistle without thanking you for your Care in carrying a Matter in which I was interrested through the General a.s.semby of which I have been informd by our Friend Mr______.

I wish to hear from you. Adieu my Friend,

TO JAMES WARREN.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADA June 23 1777

DEAR SIR

I wrote to you a few days ago by Colo Whipple with whom I hope you will have free Conversation. As he must have been not far from the Spot, he can give you a more particular Accot than has yet been handed to us, of the late Scituation & Movements of the two Armies. The main Body of our Army was encampd at Middle Brook, and a considerable Force consisting of Continental Troops and Militia lay at a place called Sourland Hills within 6 Miles of the Enemy who were posted at Somersett Court House 9 miles on this Side of Brunswick. The Right of the Enemy was at Brunswick & their Left at Somersett. They were well fortified on the Right and had the Raritan River in front and Millstone on the left. In this Situation General W. tho't an Attack upon them would be attended with bad Consequences. His Design was to collect all the forces that cd possibly be drawn from other Quarters so as to reduce the Security of his Army to the greatest Certainty & to be in a Condition to embrace any fair oppty that mt offer to make an Attack on advantageous terms. In the mean time by light bodies of Militia seconded & encouragd by a few Continental Troops to harra.s.s & diminish their Numbers by continual Skirmishes. But the Enemy made a sudden Retreat to Brunswick and from thence with great Precipitation towds Amboy. All the Continental Troops at Peeks Kill except the number necessary for the Security of the Post were orderd to hasten on to the Army in Jersey & a part of them had joynd. I am not disposd to ascribe great military Skill to Genl Howe, but if he designd to draw the whole of our Forces from the East to the West Side of Hudsons River, in order to gain advantage by suddenly crossing the River with his own Army I cannot but hope they will be cut off & his Design frustrated.

Great Credit is due to the Jersey Militia who have turnd out with spirit & alacrity. I congratulate you on the Success of our State Vessels of War.

Will you be so kind as to call on Mrs A & let her know that you have recd this Letter, for she charges me with not writing to my Friends so often as she thinks I ought.

The Watchman tells me 'tis past 12 o'Clock.

Adieu my dear friend

TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

[MS., Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society; portions are printed in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. ii., pp. 470, 471, 475.]

PHILADA June 26 1777

MY DEAR SIR

I intended to have written to you by the last Post, but being under a Necessity of dispatching some Letters to Boston by the Eastern Post which went off the same day I was prevented. When you left this City you may remember the Enemy was at Brunswick and our Army at a place called Middlebrook about 9 Miles North of Brunswick Since which General Howe who had joyned his Army marchd suddenly from thence with Design as it was generally believd to make a rapid Push for Philadelphia, but he disappointed the Hopes of some and the fears of others by halting at Somerset Court House about 9 Miles on the Road leading to Caryels Ferry. General Sullivan who you know had been at Princeton made a quick March to cover our Boats at the Ferry and by r.e.t.a.r.ding Howe's March to give an opportunity to our Army to come up & attack them. But the Enemy continuing at Somerset Sullivan advancd with a considerable Force--consisting of Continental Troops and Militia & posted himself at a place called Sourland hills within six Miles of Somerset Court house. The Enemy were very strongly posted, their Right at Brunswick & their Left at Somerset well fortified on the Right and having the Raritan in front and Millstone on the Left.

In this Scituation Genl W. did not think it prudent to attack them as it did not appear to him to be warranted by a sufficient prospect of Success and he thought it might be attended with ruinous Consequences. The Design then was to reduce the Security of his Army to the greatest Certainty by collecting all the Forces that could be drawn from other Quarters, so as to be in a Condition of embracing any fair opportunity that mt offer to make an Attack on Advantageous Terms, and in the mean time by light Bodies of Militia seconded & encouragd by a few continental Troops to harra.s.s & diminish their Numbers by continual Skirmishes--But the Enemy made an unexpected Retreat to Brunswick, and afterwards with great Precipitation to Amboy.

June 29 ---- On Wednesday last the Enemy reinforcd, as it is said, with Marines, marchd from Amboy, through a Road between Brunswick and Elizabeth Town to a place called Westfield about 10 Miles, with Design as it is supposd to cut off our Light Troops and bring on a General Battle, or to take Possession of the High Land back of Middlebrook, for which last purpose Westfield was the most convenient Route and it was also a well chosen Spot from whence to make a safe Retreat in Case he should fail of gaining his Point. On this march they fell in with General Maxwell who thought it prudent to retreat to our main Army then at Quibbletown from whence Genl W. made a hasty march to his former Station and frustrated the supposd Design of the Enemy. I have given you a very general Narrative of the different Situation & Movements of the two Armies, without descending to the particulars, because we have not as yet an Authentick Account, and one cannot depend upon the many stories that are told. I think I may a.s.sure you that our Army is in high Spirits and is daily growing more respectable in point of Numbers.

We are going on within Doors with Tardiness enough. A Thousand and [one] little Matters too often throw out greater ones. A kind of Fatality still prevents our proceeding a Step in the important affair of Confederation--Yesterday and the day before was wholly spent in pa.s.sing Resolutions to gratify N. Y. or as they say to prevent a civil War between that State and the Green Mountain Men--A Matter which it is not worth your while to have explaind to you. Monsr D Coudrays affair is still unsettled. The four french Engineers are arrivd. They are said to be very clever but disdain to be commanded by Coudray. Mr Comr D________ continuing to send us french German & Prussian officers with authenticated Conventions and strong recommendations. The military Science, for your Comfort, will make rapid Progress in America. Our Sons and Nephews will be provided for in the Army and a long and moderate War will be their happy Portion. But who my Friend, would not wish for peace. May I live to see the publick Liberty restored and the Safety of our dear Country secured. I should then think I had enjoyd enough and bid this World Adieu.

Your,

TO JAMES WARREN.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADE June 30 1777

MY DEAR FRIEND

I have the Pleasure of receiving your friendly Letter of the 16 Instant, and have little more than time enough barely to acknowledge the favor. There is an unaccountable Uncertainty in the Conduct of the Post office. About a month ago I remonstrated to the Post Master General that the time allowd the Eastern Delegates to answer the Letters they receivd by the post (being on the Monday between 9 & 2) was altogether spent in Congress, and requested that we might have one Evening for the purpose. He granted it and the Post has been since detaind till tuesday Morning, but I am now informd that the former Regulation is revivd, for what Reason I know not, and our Letters must be ready at two o'Clock. I do a.s.sure you I should hardly forgive my self, could I reflect upon my having once neglected to write to so valueable a Friend as you.

You wish to hear "how our Confederation goes on." I do not wonder at your Anxiety to have it completed, for it appears to me to be a Matter of very great Importance. We every now and then take it into Consideration, but such a Variety of Affairs have continually demanded the Attention of Congress that it has been impracticable hitherto to get thro it. There are but two or three things which in my opinion will be the Subjects of much further Debate, and upon these I believe most if not all the Members have already made up their Minds. One is what Share of Votes each of the States, which differ so much in Wealth & Numbers, shall have in determining all Questions. Much has been said upon this weighty Question upon the decision of which depends the Union of the States and the Security of the Liberty of the whole. Perhaps it would be more easy for a disinterrested Foreigner to see, than for the united States to fix upon, the Principles upon which this Question ought in Equity to be decided. The Sentiments in Congress are not various, but as you will easily conceive opposite. The Question was very largely debated a few days ago, and I am apt to think it will tomorrow be determind that each State shall have one Vote, but that certain great & very interresting Questions, shall have the concurrent Votes of nine States for a Decision. Whether this Composition will go near towards the Preservation of a due Ballance I wish you would consider, for if your Life & Health is spared to your Country, you will have a great Share in the Determination of it hereafter.

You have later Advices from abroad than we. Our last Intelligence I gave you pretty minutely in a Letter which I sent & suppose was deliverd to you by Capt Collins.

I find by the News papers that the Genl a.s.sembly under the Denomination of a Convention are forming a new Const.i.tution.1 This is a momentous Business, I pray G.o.d to direct you. Shall I be favord with your own & others Sentiments upon it. I am greatly afflicted to hear that angry Disputes have arisen among my dear Countrymen, at a time especially when perfect good Humour should subsist and every Heart and Tongue & Hand should be united in promoting the Establishment of publick Liberty & securing the future Safety & Happiness of our Country. I am sure you will cultivate Harmony among those who Love the Country in Sincerity.

With regard to OTHERS I will say in the apostolick Language "I would they were all cut off" (banishd at least) "that trouble you."

Will it too much infringe upon your precious time to acquaint Mrs A that I am in good health & Spirits, and have not opportunity to write to her by this post. I am with the most friendly regards to your Lady & Family very affectionately your Friend,

_________________________________________________________________ 1Columbia University Studies in History, Economics, and Public Law, vol. vii., pp. 194-226.

TO ARTHUR LEE.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADE July 4 1777

MY DEAR FRIEND

I did myself the Honor to write to you on the 2d of Jany last since which your favor of the 21st of the same month from Paris came to my Hand. You have supposd that this Campaign would put General Howe, after the Junction with Burgoyne in Possession of the States of New York, New Jersey Pennsylvania & the Delaware with Rhode Island as his Center of Attack upon the States of New England; you have even considerd such a situation of things as almost certain. But I have now the Satisfaction of informing you that General Howe has found it neces- sary to withdraw all his Troops from New Jersey, and I am of Opinion that it is impracticable for him to distribute his Troops among the States you have mentiond in sufficient Numbers to keep possession of them and afford enough to attack the New England States with the least Prospect of subduing them. I have thought that the Impression which the Enemy made the last Winter on the State of New Jersey was owing to favorable Circ.u.mstances which then took place, and was not in pursuance of the original Plan. The Time for which our Troops were inlisted had expired--our Army was reducd to a mere handful and General Howe had flatterd himself that the middle States were so generally disaffected to our Cause as to render their total Submission practicable & easy. He therefore made a vigorous push in the Depth of Winter as far as Trenton upon Delaware, and there cantond his Troops with a Design probably of availing himself of this City early in the Spring before we should be able to collect a force sufficient to prevent it. But General Was.h.i.+ngton, having gaind a signal Advantage by an Attack as you have heard obligd him to retreat and make his remaining Winter Quarters in Brunswick, since which the Vigilance & Activity of the people of Jersey who by frequent Skirmishes have lessend his Army, has given him reason to alter his opinion of their Disposition & his removing from thence has I think afforded sufficient Proof that he has not been able by Arts or Arms to conquer even one of our smallest States. What his next Step will be is uncertain, perhaps he may embark his Troops for Philadelphia, or more probably he may attempt a Junction with Burgoyne. If the first, has he to expect more Laurels or better Success than he gaind in Jersey? Or, if the latter should be his Choice judge what must be his Prospect. Burgoyne who it is said cannot muster more than 7 or 8 thousand will be opposd by our Northern Army & I hope overwhelmd before they can reach Albany.

Howe will be followd close by the Army under the immediate Command of G W, at present more than equal it in number, in high Spirits, full of the Idea of Victory and daily increasing. Under these unpromising Circ.u.mstances should he even complete a Junction, he will then have to begin an attempt of the most arduous Business of conquering the whole Army of the united States together with the numerous, hardy & stubborn Militia of New England. These are my Views of the present State of our military affairs, and I am perswaded, when I reflect on the Spirit & Valor discoverd in my Countrymen of Georgia So & No Carolina Virginia & Jersey to say nothing of Lexington & Bunker Hill in my own dear native State, Great Britain will ever show her self feeble in her Efforts to conquer America. I beg you to write to me full as often as you may find Leisure, and for my own part I feel a Disposition almost to persecute you with my Letters but I must conclude with congratulating you on this first Anniversary of American Independence, and a.s.suring you that I am unfeignedly and very affectionately,

Your Friend,

TO SAMUEL HEWES.

[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILADA July 7 1777