SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENBT LEE.

Philadelphia, July 15, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: I must acknowledge that, when you left Congress, I gave you reason to expect a letter from me before this time. You will not, I am very certain, attribute my omission to the want of a most cordial esteem for you. The truth is, I hardly know how to write without saying something about our Canadian affairs; and this is a subject so thoroughly mortifying to me that I could wish totally to forget all that has passed in that country. Let me, however, just mention to you that Schuyler and Gates are to command the troops—the former while they are without, the latter while they are within, the bounds of Canada. Admitting these Generals to have the accomplishments of a Marlborough or an Eugene, I cannot conceive that such a disposition of them will be attended with any good effects, unless harmony subsists between them. Alas, I fear this is not the case. Already disputes have arisen, which they have referred to Congress; and, although they affect to treat each other with a politeness becoming their rank, in my mind, altercations between commanders, who have pretensions so nearly equal, (I mean in point of command,) forebode a repetition of misfortune. I sincerely wish my apprehensions may prove groundless.

General Howe, as you have heard, is arrived at New-York. He has brought with him from eight to ten thousand troops. Lord Howe arrived last week, and the whole fleet is hourly expected. The enemy landed on Staten-Island. Nothing has been done saving that last Friday, about three in the afternoon, a forty and a twenty-gun ship, with several tenders, taking the advantage of a fair and fresh gale and flowing tide, passed by our forts as far as King's Bridge. General Mifflin, who commanded there, in a letter of the 5th instant, informed us that he had twenty-one cannon planted, and hoped, in a week, to be formidable. Reinforcements have arrived from New-England, and our Army are in high spirits. I am exceedingly pleased with the calm and determined spirit which our Commander-in-Chief has discovered in all his letters to Congress. May Heaven guide and prosper him. The Militia of the Jerseys, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, are all in motion. General Mercer commands the Flying-Camp in the Jerseys. We have just now appointed a Committee to bring in a plan for the reinforcement, to complete the number of twenty thousand men, to be posted in that Colony.

Our Declaration of Independence has given vigour to the spirits of the people. Had this decisive measure been taken nine months ago, it is my opinion that Canada would by this time have been in our hands. But what does it avail to find fault with what is past? Let us do better for the future. We were more fortunate than we expected, in having twelve of the thirteen Colonies in favour of the all important question. The Delegates from New-York were not empowered to give their voice on either side. Their Convention has since acceded to the Declaration, and published it even before they received it from Congress. So mighty a change in so short a time! New-Jersey has finished her form of Government, a copy of which I enclose. They have sent five new Delegates, among whom are Dr. Witherspoon and Judge Stockton. All of them appear zealously attached to the American cause. A Convention is now meeting in this city to form a Constitution for this Colony. They are empowered by their constituents to appoint a new Committee of Safety to act for the present, and to choose new Delegates for Congress. I am told there will be a change of men, and, if so, I hope for the better.

A plan of Confederation has been brought into Congress, which I hope will be speedily digested, and be made ready to be laid before the several States for their approbation. A Committee has now under consideration a plan of foreign alliance. It is high time for us to have Ambassadors at foreign Courts. I fear we have already Suffered too much by delay. You know on whom our thoughts were turned when you were with us.

I am greatly obliged to you for favouring me with the form of Government agreed upon by your countrymen. I have not yet had time to peruse it, but I dare say it will be a feast to our little circle. The device on your great seal pleases me much.

Pray hasten your journey hither. Your country most pressingly solicits, or, will you allow me to say, demands your assistance here. I have written in great haste.

Adieu, my dear sir, and be assured that I am, very affectionately, your friend,

S. ADAMS.

JOSIAH BARTLETT TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, July 15, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the 1st instant is now before me, and I am obliged to you for your intelligence. The affair of the agency you have heard is settled, and in your favour, and I hope another Delegate will be appointed to attend Congress, as you have resigned.

The marine affairs I shall leave to brother Whipple, who will inform you from time to time what is to be done.

The Congress and people here are engaged in making preparation for the reception of the British fleet and army in the neighbourhood of New-York. Lord Howe, with the Germans, &c., is hourly expected. I pray God we may be able to give a good account of them. The Confederation is agreed to by the Committee, and is before Congress; when they will finish it is uncertain. Two of the frigates here are launched. There is a report in town that General Clinton endeavoured to land his men at South-Carolina, and was repulsed with loss; I know not the particulars, and mention it only as a report. I hope you will excuse my not writing every week, as brother Whipple has written you everything of importance.

Major Rogers was taken up by order of General Washington, and having your letters of recommendation to us, the General ordered him to Congress to be examined; and though no absolute proof was made of his ill designs, his conduct appeared so very suspicious that he was ordered to be sent to New-Hampshire, to be disposed of by our Legislature: but before he was sent off, he found means to make his escape, and has not been retaken yet.

The Colony of New-York have fully acceded to the Declaration of Independence, so that it now has the sanction of the Thirteen United States. The unparalleled conduct of our enemies have united the Colonies more firmly than ever.

The Convention of this Colony are to meet here this day, who will form a Constitution for the Colony, and take upon them its Government; in the mean time the Constitutions of Virginia and New-York are in this city. I shall send them forward, and the Constitutions of the other Colonies as they are formed, as possibly something may be taken from them to amend our own.

Please to give my best regards to all friends, and believe me to be your sincere friend, &c.,

JOSIAH BARTLETT.

P. S. Colonel Roberdeau is appointed a Provincial Brigadier-General; Colonel Dickinson, Colonel McKean, and Colonel Cadwalader, are gone with their regiments to the Jerseys; twelve hundred Maryland Militia are hourly expected in this city to join the Army in the Jerseys; Colonel Miles, with one thousand Provincial riflemen, and with him our friend Major Patton, have joined the Army in New-Jersey; in short, Maryland and Pennsylvania are all in motion. This day an Artillery company of Militia, consisting of fifty-seven men, with two brass field-pieces, and every necessary accoutrement, marched for the same place Mr. William Livingston, of New-Jersey, is appointed a Provincial Brigadier-General. Our friend, Mr. Deane, is appointed Captain of Marines to one of the frigates here. He desires to be remembered to you.

J. B.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN ADAMS, DATED PHILADELPHIA, JULY 15, 1776.

My very deserving friend, Mr. Gerry, sets off to-morrow for Boston, worn out of health by the fatigues of this station. He is an excellent man, and an active, able statesman. I hope he will soon return hither. I am sure I should be glad to return with him, but I cannot; I must wait to have the guard relieved.

There is a most amiable, laudable, and gallant spirit prevailing in these middle Colonies. The Militia turn out in great numbers, and in high spirits, in New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, so that we hope to resist Howe and his myrmidons.

Independence is at last unanimously agreed to in the