Papers of John Adams, volume 3

To William Sever, 2 October 1775 JA Sever, William Massachusetts Council, President To William Sever, 2 October 1775 Adams, John Sever, William Massachusetts Council, President

To William Sever

Philadelphia Octr. 2. 1775 Dr sir1

I do myself the Honour of writing to you for the sake of introducing to you Three Gentlemen, whose Characters and Embassy will render 181any private Introductions unnecessary. Dr. Franklyn, Mr. Lynch and Coll. Harrison, are a Committee from this Congress to consult, the General and the Council of the Massachusetts, the Governers of Connecticutt and Rhode Island, and the President of the Congress of New Hampshire, upon Points of great Consequence, concerning the Army, which they will open to you.

We are in Hopes of News, every Day, from Genl. Schuyler and from Cambridge. The last Advices from England, are rather alarming. But We expected no better. If Powder can be imported or Petre made, We need not dread their Malice. I am sir, with great Respect and Esteem, your very hml sert,

John Adams

RC (MHi: Adams Papers, Fourth Generation); addressed: “The Hon. William Sever Esqr Watertown Pr Favour of Mr. Lynch.”

Sever was president of the Council at this time.

To James Warren, 2 October 1775 JA Warren, James To James Warren, 2 October 1775 Adams, John Warren, James

To James Warren

Philadelphia Octr. 2. 1775 Dr sir

I believe you will have a surfeit of Letters from me, for they will be as inane, as they are numerous.

The Bearer of this is Major Bayard a Gentleman of this City of the Presbyterian Perswasion of the best Character and the clearest Affections for his Country.1 I have received so many Civilities from him, that I could not refuse myself the Pleasure of introducing him to you.

Our obligations of Secrecy, are so braced up, that I must deny myself the Pleasure of Writing Particulars. Not because some Letters have been intercepted, for notwithstanding the Versification of them, they have done good, tho they have made some People grin.

This I can Say with Confidence, that the Propriety and Necessity of the Plan of Politicks so hastily delineated in them is every day, more and more confessed, even by those Gentlemen who disapproved it at the Time when they were written.

Be assured, I never Saw, So Serious and determined a Spirit as I see now every day.

The high Spirited Measures you call for, will assuredly come. Languid and disastrous Campaigns are agreable to Nobody.

Young Mr. Lux desires his Compliments to you and your Lady. He is vastly pleased with his Treatment both from you and her.

Remember me to her. I have Shocking Letters from her Friend at Braintree, such as have put my Phylosophy to the Tryal. I wait only for another Letter to determine, whether I shall come home.

182

RC (MHi:Warren-Adams Coll.); addressed: “To the Hon. James Warren Esqr Speaker of the House Watertown favoured by Major Bayard”; docketed: “Mr. J: A: Lettr Octr. 2. 1775.”

John Bayard (1738–1807), who carried back to Massachusetts several of the letters written by JA during this period, was a Philadelphia merchant at this time, an ardent whig, and a major in the second battalion of the Philadelphia Associators ( DAB ).