The Writings of Samuel Adams Volume IV Part 17

1 Endorsed as "forwarded by Majr Braddish to Messrs Saml or Enoch Freeman at Falmo. Duplicate by Spy Boat."

TO JOHN FROST.1

[MS., Ma.s.sachusetts Archives.]

STATE OF Ma.s.sACHUSETTS BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER Augt 17 1779

SIR

The Council have receivd your Letter dated the 16th. It is the opinion of the Board that it would have been prudent in you to have acquainted Brigr General Lovel with the Circ.u.mstances of the remaining Part of the Men detachd from your Brigade for the Expedition to Pen.o.bscot; and it is the Direction of the Board that you immediately on the Receipt of this Letter dispatch an Express to the General informing him of the Number of Men now ready, agreable to the Representation you have made in your Letter, and requesting him, if he shall think it necessary and proper, to forward a Vessel from Pen.o.bscot with a suitable Convoy to transport them.

1 Brigadier General of the York County militia.

TO _______ _______.

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

BOSTON Aug. 17, 1779

MY DEAR SIR

I did not write by the last Post, because I was at Providence upon Business with General Gates. He, with his usual Readiness to serve the Common Cause, has spared Colo Jacksons Regt to joyn our Forces at Pen.o.bscot. They were marchd to this place with the greatest Dispatch & have sailed with a fair Wind, under Convoy of two Vessels of Force. It needs not to be mentiond to you, how necessary it is to remove the Enemy from their Lodgment there. I cannot but hope the Business is by this Time effected; but should any untoward Accident happen, a Regiment of regular Troops will support our Militia, and animate that Part of the Country. Our last Accounts from General Lovel were of the 6th Instant. There was then no unpromising Circ.u.mstance, but the Want of a few disciplind Soldiers. We had a Letter from Mr Freeman of Falmouth, dated I think the 12th, by which we were informd that one Pote, a fisherman... While I am writing, an Express arrives from Pen.o.bscot with Letters of the 13th--a Reinforcement to the Enemy consisting of 1 Ship of 64 Guns 3 Frigates...

TO HENRY JACKSON.1

[MS., Ma.s.sachusetts Archives.]

STATE OF Ma.s.s. BAY COUNCIL CHAMBER BOSTON Augt 21 1779

SIR

This Board have recd your Letter dated the 19th at Portsmouth and are happy in your safe Arrival there with the whole Fleet under your Command. They approve of your Resolution to march to Falmouth, and make no doubt but upon your Application to the People of Portsmouth, or as it appears to the Council most effectual, to the Selectmen of the Towns Eastward of Portsmouth, you will be amply provided with Waggons &c for the Transportation of your Baggage Provisions & military Stores. By the time of your Arrival at Falmouth, you will probably receive Directions for your further Conduct from Brigr Gen1 Lovel who is authorizd, if he shall judge it necessary, to call in the Militia of the Counties of York c.u.mberland & Lincoln. It is expected that so spirited, experiencd and well Disciplind a Regiment as yours is, will add Vigor to the Inhabitants of that Part of the State, upon whose Attachment to the Cause of their Country great Dependence is to be had. A single Disappointment though attended with LOSS should by no means be a Discouragement to us. It is hoped that a respectable Body of the Militia will be again collected, at such place as Gen1 Lovel if necessary shall think most convenient, and that by the Smiles of Heaven our Enemies in that Quarter will yet be subdued. We pray G.o.d to protect & prosper you.

1 Colonel of militia. This letter was addressed to Jackson at Portsmouth.

TO HORATIO GATES.

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

BOSTON Augt 22d 1779

MY DEAR SIR

Yesterday I recd your favor of Fryday last by Express. By the Councils Letter which you must have receivd, you will see that Events untoward have taken place at Pen.o.bscot. Our Troops were dispersd, and I fear our Ships are burnt. Better so, however, than to fall into the Enemies Hands. We could not command Success, but we have endeavord to deserve it. Disappointments are to be expected in so arduous a Conflict, and when they come fairly one can bear them with Patience & Fort.i.tude; but when they happen through Misconduct, they are vexatious. I suspect there has been bad Mannagement, but I will not make up my Judgment till I am fully informd. The Moment an authentick & explicit Account arrives, you shall have it from me. I will not yet despair of Success.

Witness Tyconderoga & Saratoga. An Instance which you and our Country will never forget. We have directed & authorizd Gen1 Lovel to call in the Militia & have sent him a Proclamation to disperse thro the Eastern Counties. Who knows but Laurels are yet ordaind for Level & Jackson. He arrivd on fryday last with the whole Fleet under his Command at Portsmouth, and is to march through a good Road to Falmouth where he will probably receive Lovels orders. The Selectmen & Committees of the Towns are directed to provide him with Waggons to transport his Baggage Provisions & military Stores. I flatter myself we shall yet subdue the Enemy at Pen.o.bscot. To alleviate our Misfortunes, some Ships taken from the Jamaica Fleet by the Providence Queen of France & Ranger are arrivd at this Harbor which added to one arrivd here a few Days ago & another at Cape Ann makes six out of ten which we know are taken. The Contents of all are fifteen or sixteen hundred hhds of Sugar, twelve hundred hhds of Rum, Piemento, Ginger, Fish &c. The richest of the Cargos are arrivd. We are told of a Vessel at Salem in thirty Days from Cadiz & Bilboa, which brings an Account of the Declaration of War in Spain against Britain. This corresponds with Accounts just recd from Havanna.

I believe they are true.

The Chevalier de la Luzerne has honord me with several private confidential Conversations, in which I have communicated to him my Sentiments with Freedom and Candor. I have conceivd an high opinion of him and of M. Marbois, who is a Member of the Parliament of Meitz. I want him to see you & Governor Trumbull. The Chevalier has not yet determind what Route to take. Should he go thro Springfield I wish to know whether you could furnish him with an Escort to General Washingtons Head Quarters. Your Answer to this speedily will oblige me.--G.o.d bless you my dear Friend. Believe me to be sincerely yours----

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[MS., Ma.s.sachusetts Archives; the text, dated November 12, 1779, is in W.V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp. 71, 72.]

STATE OF Ma.s.s BAY IN COUNCIL Octr 12 1779

SIR

Your Excellencys Letter of the 4th of October to the Council of this State was duly receivd, and immediately laid before the General a.s.sembly which fortunately happend to be then sitting. The a.s.sembly have chearfully complid with your Requisition and accordingly orderd two thousand Men to be raisd with all possible Dispatch for the Purpose mentiond. The Council have appointed Brigr General Fellows to take the Command. Inclosd is Copy of the Resolution of the General a.s.sembly.

Wishing that Success may ever attend the Arms of the United States & their Ally, I am in the Name & Behalf of the Council

yr Excellencys

most obedient

& humble Servant

TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.

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

BOSTON Oct 19, 1779

GENTLEMEN

Such are my Apprehensions of great Numbers of the Inhabitants of this Town perishing in the ensuing Winter for Want of Fuel unless Measures are taken to guard the Wood Coasters from the Eastward, that I cannot satisfy myself without once more applying to you and most earnestly requesting that the Queen of France may be employd a short time in that Service. I have vent.u.r.d to promise the People the Service of that Ship upon the a.s.surance given to me by your Honbl Board. I beg you would not think my Design is to be troublesome to you, but you will excuse me in pressing a Matter in which I think I am justified, by the Rules of Justice, & Mercy to a Community whose Constancy & Firmness as well as Sufferings in the great Cause ent.i.tle them to the Protection of the Continental Navy.

I am with every Sentiment of Regard

Gentn yr very hbl Servt

TO ELBRIDGE GERRY AND JAMES LOVELL.

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

Decr -- 1779