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MERCY WARREN TO JAMES WARREN

PLIMOUTH, March 10, 1778

MY DEAREST FRIEND, — I am not out of spirits. Your Henry says I am not, and there is nothing he observes more or more ardently wishes than to support the spirits of his mamah. I hope this filial principle in him will ever coincide with the virtuous disposition heaven has bestowed to prevent his deviation from that line of conduct which can alone make him happy.

But we have here the most disagreeable reports. Faith, fortitude and courage are necessary to bear us up amidst the train of public evils even if the body was in health and the mind free from domestic anxiety.

War is likely to thicken upon us. Conspiracies at Cambridge, Traitors at Boston, among which it is said some very unexpected names appear, though we do not yet learn who.

Burgoyne's troops supplied with arms, our own army without clothes, without provisions and without tents, many of them deserting to the enemy and others on the borders of mutiny, General Washington under suspicions, about to be dismissed or to retire in disgust, the toast among the soldiers Washington or no army,1 and to complete the picture, the General Court laying on taxes and making regulations that the people are determined not to comply with. Yet I do not feel greatly terrified by these dismal accounts. We often see the clouds gather blackness and when big with the lowering storm they are suddenly dispersed by that almighty hand who sits at the helm and suffers no ill to befall his creatures but when necessary to promote the mighty designs of his providence; that providence has hitherto protected us. I strike out three fourths of this gloomy tale as only the vague rumours of the day and reverse the scene and view America finally triumphant though innumerable difficulties may rise up in her way.

We have two British transports now in this harbor. A number

I This refers to the Conway cabal and its design of placing Gates in command of the army.

2 For taking the Convention troops to England. The total number of 'transports was twenty-five, under the command of Hugh Dalrymple. A list, with the tonnage of vessels is in Heath Papers, VIII-177.

of our people went on board yesterday and returned mightily pleased with the civility and the presents they received. What a weakness! How easily are mankind duped by each other without either love confidence or esteem.

I have been better this day than any one since you left me. I know you pity me under this long confinement, were you to look in upon me and in your way "Come up spirits," and then paint some agreeable images as usual I know nothing that would have so ready a tendency to restore health; that cheerful voice has always a very happy effect on your

MARCIA

JAMES WARREN TO SAMUEL ADAMS1

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BOSTON, May 8th, 1778

MY DEAR SIR, I hope by this Time you have got over the greater part of your long and tedious Journey to York Town, and you will soon get through, and find all things to your Wishes. Nothing material has occurred here since your departure but what you will have an account of before this can reach you. We are now enjoying the first fruits of our New Connections, several of the fleet from France are arrived, with large quantities of Cloathing, etc., and a French Man of War of 36 Guns, so that your beloved Harbour looks quite Brilliant. I want you should enjoy the prospect from your Windows. The public, and private Persons are treating the officers of the French Man of War with every Mark of Respect, and I understand they are highly pleased with Your Town. Tomorrow the Council entertain them with a public Dinner at Marston'. I am to be one of the Guests. you will certainly see among the Toasts, the Congress, and the King of France. You will remember the Embarrassments of the Navy Board for want of Money, and our Embarrassments Increase with the great Accumulation of Business which grows on us every Day, with six Sail of Ships and Brigantines on hand in this Port and a number of other Demands we can't at this time command 500 I From the Samuel Adams Papers in the New York Public Library.

dollars. we have indeed some Warrants on the Loan Offices but can get no Money. You will also remember the provision for the Members of the Board, the Cloathers Otis & Andrews are in great difficulty for want of Money and should be supplied, to preserve any kind of Credit to the Continent.

I wish you every Happiness and am Your Sincere Friend

Mr. Hancock talks of going in a day or two.

JAMES WARREN TO SAMUEL ADAMS1

J. WARREN

BOSTON, May 10th, 1778

MY DEAR SIR, I wrote to you two days ago since which nothing very material has occurr'd. I was yesterday at an Elegant Entertainment made at Marston's House by our Council for the Officers of the French Frigate and other Strangers. this was attended with fireing of cannon, etc. and seemd to give great Satisfaction, and if not quite Conformable to the rigid rules and Oeconomy of a Young Republic may under our Circumstances be good policy. the Representatives of your Town were all present Except Gen'l Hancock who did not honour us with his Company. why he did not is a subject of Conjecture for you and others without being able to assign a reason in any other way. had you been present you might not have appeared as the greatest Man in Company while the Council were there and at the head of the Feast, tho' you might Actually have been so. The Tories are very Industrious in Instilling prejudices into the minds of the people against our Connections with France. The danger of Popery is held up to them, and every other Art that Wickedness and weakness can devise is practised, but I hope with little Effect. this may be more Excusable in some People but what will you think of a Member of Congress who for the sake of Establishing his own popularity or for any other reason should Express his Apprehensions or rather his Opinion that this Connection will ruin America. when such an Opinion was given in the hearing of one I From the Samuel Adams Papers in the New York Public Library.

Tory Lady, you may easily conceive it is told to others, and quoted by the great Numbers with which your dear Town abounds. My regards to Mr's Gerry and Lovel.

Adieu. Yours etc.

J. WARREN

JAMES WARREN TO SAMUEL ADAMS 1

BOSTON, May 13th, 1778

MY DEAR SIR, - The Inclosed was designed to have gone by the Express which went two days ago and which I unluckily miss'd but the small Importance of it renders the loss of little Consequence. We had yesterday an Arrival from France in five weeks. there was no war declared at that Time, though other matters of Intelligence are Confirmed by her. I need not descend to any perticulars. you certainly have much better Intelligence than I can give or will have before this reaches you. I have had much Conversation with Mr. Carmichal. he laments your being gone, and wishes to be Acquainted with you. I remember the Letter you Communicated to me. I told him that Congress had made an Appointment for him if I remembered right. he seemed to be pleased with it. whether I did right or not I doubt. if I did you will approve it. if I did not you will not Expose a Friend who you know, never did any thing with a design to Injure the Cause. I have in some measure given him my opinion of Men and Measures. We hear Nothing of the Boston. Mrs. Warren goes this Afternoon to Visit your Good Lady. I suppose they will have a Little Chat on the Subject of Politics. I am Your Assured Friend J. WARREN

Your beloved Town have had their Meeting for Choice of Representatives this Forenoon the only Alteration they have made is to leave out Mr. [John] Brown and [David] Jeffries and put in their places Deacon [William] Phillips and Mr. [John] Lowel. whether the Alteration be good, or whether they might not have made as good a one in some other way you can Judge.

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

ADAMS MSS.

JAMES WARREN TO WILLIAM BINGHAM
PLYMOUTH, N. England, May 21, 1778

We have no late Intelligence from the Army. The Operations of the Campaign had not Commenced when we last heard. We flatter ourselves it will Open and Conclude to our Advantage and place American Independence out of the reach of British Tyranny. Your favour by the Brigt. Resistance with the Inclosures have been received by the Navy Board. Capt. Thompson 1is suspended and will be Tryed by a Court Martial. We wish for the return of Capt. Hinman 2 and his Officers. This is to be handed to you by Capt. Avery, whose principal Business at Martineco is to Claim, and Obtain possession of the Sloop America in Behalf of the owners. This Sloop has been Intrusted to the Command of Capt. Coit 1 who after a short Cruise Carried her to Martineco, and there by his Infamous Conduct lost his own Life and left her in a Situation that has occasioned the owners this Trouble and Expence Some of my Friends are Concerned in that Vessel; if you can Afford him any Assistance you will do an act of kindness to them, and oblige me. I am Sir with Respect Your Most Obed't Humble

Serv't

SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

J. WARREN

YORK TOWN, May 25, 1778

MY DEAR SIR,—- Your favor by Capt. Colter overtook me on the Road; agreably to your Request I immediately on my Arrival here mentioned to a Gentlemen of the Marine Committee

I Thomas Thompson.

2 Elisha Hinman.

3 Probably Samuel Avery of Milton. He had commanded the privateer Eagle in 1777 and the privateer America, the vessel of the text, in 1778.

4 William Coit. The owners of the America were of Plymouth, and their petition for a commission for Coit, dated September 20, 1777, is in the Massachusetts Archives.

5 Mr. Edmund C. Burnett has identified this name as that of Captain Harmon Courter, a bearer of despatches from Franklin.

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