Confidence in the several Appointments they have Conferred upon me. If anything could add to the Zeal with which I have served the publick in the present great Contest, and Excite me to greater diligence it would be the Gratitude I feel on these occasions. However Circumscribed my Abilities are I have Endeavoured to supply the want of greater by an honest and assiduous attention to my duty, and I flatter myself that my Exertions have produced some Advantages to the Common Cause. I Wish it was in my power to Continue at the Navy Board, and serve the publick in that Station in a way that would at once be honourable and advantageous to the public and myself. I have been Engaged many Years in public Service to the Injury of my small Fortune and the great disadvantage of my Family. The Business in this Department is very Extensive and requires Constant Attention to the total Exclusion of the private Business or relaxation of the Members, and under the present Circumstances of things Nothing but the Solicitations of Gentlemen well affected to our Cause, and my own Inclinations to serve it, has Induced me to Continue as a Member to this Time. As there are undoubtedly Many Gentlemen of greater Abilities, who in Addition to my Motives may have in Contemplation the honour and profitt of this Employment, and the public will receive no detriment by my retirement, I Beg the favour of Congress to permit me to resign, Assuring them that I shall Consider it my duty to attend to the Business here till they have had an Opportunity to make a new Appointment. As I feel greatly Interested in the Cause of America, I sincerely wish Success to every Department Constituted to promote it, and particularly to the Navy, which I flatter myself by a Judicious Management and proper Attention may soon be on a footing to rank America with the most distinguished Naval Powers.

I Beg Leave also to Inform Congress that by the Integrity and Honour of Coll. Laomi Baldwin (who Commanded a Regiment when I was Paymaster) I have discovered a considerable part of the deficiencies which I could not then account for. He has paid into my hands 576 dollars which after long Enquiry he has been Able to Account for no other way than by his receiving it from my office by mistake. This Money waits for the disposition of the

Honourable Congress. I shall be happy in being fortunate enough to discover the remainder.

I have the Honour to be with the Greatest Esteem and Respect Your Excellency's Most obed't Humble Serv't,

J. W.

This resignation was not accepted by Congress, but at their request and the urgency of many other Gentlemen the writer continued to serve in that department for two or three Years longer.1

JAMES WARREN TO SAMUEL ADAMS

2

BOSTON, Novr. 5th, 1778

MY DEAR SIR, I am to thank you for your favours of the 17th and 20th of October, which were received last Evening. I am not able at present to make any perticular reply to the Contents of them. can only say that your Advice has always great weight with me and your Entreaties still more; but whatever Influence they might have had in this Instance they came too late. my resignation was sent forward last week by Express and perhaps by this Time is handed to you. I had no reason to suppose it would be disagreable either to you or Mr. Gerry. I had hinted it to both of you and no Objection was made. however, when you are possessed of my reasons, I am Inclined to suppose you will think it best. the Business is Enormously great and serving on the Terms we do is Injurious to our Families, not to mention till I see you one or two other things.

Mr. Temple will hand you this. his Character, his Conduct and his Sufferings in Consequence of them are too well known to you to require anything said by me to Insure him a handsome reception from you. I have no doubt he deserves it. we have no news. I am yours affectionately

J. WARREN

I A letter from Samuel Adams to James Warren, November 3, 1778, is in Writings of Samuel Adams, IV. 88.

2 From the Samuel Adams Papers in the New York Public Library.

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES WARREN

PHILADELPHIA, Novr. 8th, 1778

MY DEAR SIR, I am a little apprehensive that some of my Friends will consider Silence to their Letters, which an indifferent State of Health and much Fatigue has for some Time rendered inevitable, as an abatement of Friendship, but conscious of the sincerest Esteem for my Friend General Warren and having long experienced his Candour, I flatter myself he will consider such omissions, as they really are, the Effects of Necessity. I shall trouble You with little, in Answer to your several Favours of the 13th May, 7th July, 4th Augt., and 3d Sep. last, as their early Dates render it unnecessary. The marine Commee I presume, have taken the proper Steps to do Justice to Capt. Manly; the bravery of this officer seems not to be questioned, but many appear to Want Confidence in his Abilities and Experience, and on that Ground oppose his being high in office: I presume not to judge of their Motives and Designs on this Occasion, or without further information, of his Character as an officer. I am much concerned to find, that You intend to quit the Business of the navy Board, as it will be soon an important and respectable Department. Under the present State of Affairs it is impossible to do Justice to the Commissioners, but Congress have increased their Salary to 3000 Dollars Per Year. perhaps you consider the Levity of the Times as an Argument for Quitting the Service, if so, I will readily acknowledge that the Vices of some and Follies of others are very displeasing; but in a Revolution like the present, necessarily producing an entire Change of the Governments and Constitutions of thirteen States, the Suspension of Law and Justice, the Want of necessary Arrangements for preventing Frauds, and the most favorable Oppertunities for Speculators and Ingrossers, it must reasonably be expected that the Morals of the people will be greatly injured, and for a while, present a gloomy prospect. but I trust, there is yet Wisdom and Vertue enough in America to recover her Citizens from their Errors, and lead a brave and deserving People into paths conducive to their Happiness. true it is the Work is arduous, And it is equally true, that

it is necessary; for should We exceed in Power and Wealth every Empire on Earth, and neglect the Morals of the People, is it not evident, that our Independance, instead of Freedom would produce a Slavery, far exceeding that of every other Nation? If the best and ablest Friends of America, who under providence have opposed the corrupt Arts, not less than the powerful Arms of G. Britain, will unite in checking the Career of Vanity, Vice and Folly, the Leaders of this feeble Train will vanish at the Appearance of Opposition, and leave the Way clear to the promotion of the opposite Virtues; but if on the other Hand, those on whom We have principally relied, should suffer themselves to be disgusted at the natural appearance of Bubbles on the mighty Ocean of our affairs, and withdraw from the Service, I fear that our Liberties, like such shortlived phaenomenons will burst, and leave not behind, a Trace of their former existence.

I know that You have had much Fatigue and Tryal, and met with many Things that are very disagreable. I assure You that We have had a full Share of these in Congress; I most ardently wish to return to my native Country, and co-operate with my Friends in their salutary Measures. pray confer with our Friend Mr. Dana, on these affairs, as I am persuaded he can inform You of many Things which will assist You in pursuing the necessary Measures. ...

E. GERRY

SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES Warren

MY DEAR SIR,- I have receivd your favor of the 7 October by Mr. Dod. I cannot say that I am by any Means pleasd with the inclosd Letter to [Congress].1 I am glad however that you allowd me the Perusal of it before its Presentation. I consider the Confidence you place in me in this Instance as sufficient to warrant me in delaying to deliver it, till I shall hear further from you, which I will accordingly do in hopes that you will alter your Determination.

I His letter of resignation, p. 61, supra.

We now begin to hope for Peace soon on our own Terms; or if the War should continue longer, that it will be conducted in such a Manner as will render a large Army less necessary, which will enable us to be at greater Expence for an American Navy; the building up of which is looked upon by all wise and good Men whom I converse with as necessary and highly important. General Whipple is again returnd to Congress; and as he is a Man of Sense and great Experience in Marine Affairs, and was formerly of the Marine Comtee. I was sollicitous that he should again be of the Number.1 Congress have added him to the Committee, and I hope he will act as Chairman during the Absence of Colo. Lee who is gone to Virginia. From several Hints which Genl. W. has dropd to me, I am in Hopes that Measures will be come into which may add Weight to your Board and facilitate the Business of it.

The Navy Boards, especially that in the Eastern Department where it is probable there will constantly be a great Resort of our Ships of War, will be standing Boards, and of the greatest Importance to the United States. The best Men must fill those Places.

I will not, least you should think me indelicate, add more on this Subject, than my earnest Request that you will for the present suspend your Resignation.

I am glad that you have discoverd the Mistake you mention,2 and will communicate it.

The Picture, my dear Friend, which you give me of my beloved Native town mortifies me greatly. I had the Vanity to think she would afford Examples of Industry, Frugality, Temperance and other publick Virtues. I fear with you that we have lost our Labour. When ambitious Men aim at establishing a Popularity by confounding the Distinction between Virtue and Vice and through the Degeneracy of Times they can effect it, the People will tamely submit to a Master. Adieu.

PHILADA., Noor. 9th, 1778.

[No signature.]

I He was appointed on the Committee November 6, in place of Josiah Bartlett, absent. 2 In his accounts.