Papers of John Adams, volume 3
Resolved that it be and hereby it is recommended to the Inhabitants of the united Colonies in America of all Denominations That Thursday the 20th day of July next be set apart as a day of public humiliation fasting and prayer, that a total Abstinence from servile labor and recreation be observed and all their religious Assemblies solemnly convened to humble themselves before God under the heavy Judgments felt and threatened, to confess those manifold our manifold1 sins that have brought them upon us, to implore the forgiveness of Heaven, that a sincere repentance and reformation may influence our future Conduct, that the and that a2 Blessing of Heaven may descend on the husbandry, Manufactures and other lawful Employments of this people and especially that the Union of these American Colonies in defence of their Just Rights and priviledges (for which hitherto we thank God) may be preserved, confirmed and prospered, that the Continental and Provincial Congresses may be inspired with Wisdom and prudence Concord and firmness, that Great Britain 10and its Rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that shall make for the peace and Happiness of the Nation and all its Connections And that America may soon behold a Gracious interposition of Heaven for the redress of her many Grievances, the restoration of her invaded Liberties, a reconciliation with the parent State upon terms Constitutional and Honourable to them both and the Security of them to the latest posterity.3
The words “our manifold” are interlined, possibly in JA's hand.
The words “and that a” are interlined, possibly in JA's hand.
This draft lacks the preamble of the congressional resolution as adopted, and the wording is different except for the passage beginning “and that America ... to the latest posterity,” which was copied into the final version almost verbatim. The last paragraph of the congressional resolution is modeled on the first three clauses of the draft's first sentence (
JCC
, 2:87–88).
Having wrote fully upon several Subjects to Mr. Hancock and Mr. Adams, upon several Matters which they will communicate to you,1 I can only add here that I Yesterday heard from your Family at Braintree were all in Health. A person having brought me a Letter from your Lady to me recommending one of your Brothers to be a Major in one of the Regiments, I am sorry the Letter did not arrive sooner, but I shall do all in my Power to obtain such a place for him yet, as he is the Brother of my Friend, and I hear is a worthy Man.2 I am Dear Sir most sincerely, Your Friend & Humble Servt.
In all likelihood Warren wrote in his capacity as president pro tempore of the Second Provincial Congress, an office which he assumed on 2 May (Mass. Provincial Congress, Jours.
, p. 178). He probably wrote about a Massachusetts letter of 16 May, in which the Provincial Congress requested advice from the Continental Congress on constituting government for Massachusetts and urged the congress to take over control of the military forces.
See AA to Joseph Warren, 13 May (
Adams Family Correspondence
, 1:196).