[dateline] Boston June 5th: 1777
[salute] My dear Sir
You will perhaps wonder that you have not heard from me for so long a time. I have
had so little time at home of late, and found so much to do there, that I did not
Attend Election, and returned to this town not before Yesterday. On my way I had the
pleasure to find Mrs. Adams and family well. I left Mrs. Warren to spend this week
with her friends at Braintree. I dare say every hour of it will be Improved, and Enjoyed.
1 While at Home I had the pleasure of your several favours of April 29. May 2. 3. and
6d. I have now the pleasure of Informing you that the draft on the several towns to
Compleat our quota has succeeded beyond my Expectations, and I hope soon to have our
whole Number in Camp. Some of them however will not be for three Years. When I came
to Town it was with a full determination not to Act as Speaker, but I was forced to
Accept for A few days so that I have not had time to make such Enquiry into the state
of this matter as I could wish. I will Inform you more perticularly in my next. In
the mean time I hope the result of our Exertions will rescue you from the pain of
Endureing more reflections on your Constitu•
{ 219 } ents. We always meant well, and if our policy had been equal to the goodness of our
Intentions we should have done better than we have, but as it is have we not done
better than those who Abuse us for not doing more. I should be glad to know the state
of the Quota in the southern states. If I have A right Notion of them, and don't flatter
myself too much with the present state of our own, you may revenge yourself at pleasure.
I am told now that Genl. Washingtons Army is in A good state. I think there cant be
less than 7,000 of our Men gone and most of them in Camp. We had however Yesterday
an Extract of A Letter from Poor at Ti. forwarded by Govr. Trumbull leting us know
that the Enemy were Approaching and the Garrison weak, which is to me Unaccountable.
However the Hampshire Militia was in soon After, and with Other Troops I hope will
be An Effectual relief. The Letter is Committed and perhaps something more will be
done. I Intended to have Enlarged a Little but have been Interrupted. I can now only
Express my Obligations for the late Instance of your Friendship.
2 I have had yet no other Notice of the Appointment you Mention but from Common report.
It Appears to me to be A Business of some Magnitude, and I have taken such a Lurch
lately for a more private way of Life that I am Undetermined what I shall do. I am
told here that An Actual residence in Boston is required.
3 If so I must of Course Excuse myself as I should be loath to move from, and loose
my Interest in my Native Town and County. I am however very glad there is A Board
Established. Never such A thing was wanted more. It gives Universal satisfaction.
Every Body Applauds the measure. If I Undertake it I shall Exert myself to do as much
honour to your Nomination as I am Able. We have A House of one half new Members: the
upper Counties are largely represented more than 60 Already returned from the County
of Worcester. They come high charged and Yesterday moved for A repeal of the Act for
A more equal representation.
4 They did not however Carry it. Some of them had patience to wait till a Constitution
was formed. Adeu