Papers of John Adams, volume 2
1774-04-09
How does the Impeachment set upon the stomachs at Middle borough?1 Cant you steal a Moment in an Evening or Morning to write me a Line, by Kent?
I asked Putnam, at Charlestown this Week, whether the Chief Justice would sit at Worcester.2 He says he would not advise him to attempt it, and that he has given that Answer, to all who have asked him about it, since he came down, of all Parties.
The grand Jury at Charlestown, had it sometime under Consideration, whether they should do any Thing as they were, Summoned by a Writ, tested by Peter Oliver Esqr. They determined to proceed but to tack to their Indictments, a Remonstrance expressing their full approbation of the Impeachment of the grand Inquest of the Province, and their full Reliance that, the said P. O. would not set upon the Tryal of them. This was subscribed by all but four. The grand Jury had a few Things said to them by the Court, with much Moderation but they answered with great Firmness, that they looked upon their Honours then present, in the same Light they always did—but they did not think him a constitutional Judge, and if he had been present they should not have taken the oaths.3
Had a Letter, last Week from Cohass, from Collonell Judge, Clerk, Captain Fenton. He says that the spirit runs like wild Fire, to the 82very Extremities of N. H
News, is the scarcest Commodity at Markett. Expectations are high. I want to hear how Things, are in your Quarter. Pray write me.
The home of Chief Justice Peter Oliver.
See Editorial Note, 24 Feb. 1774, above.
On 5 April the Superior Court of Judicature opened sessions for Middlesex County at Charlestown, Judge Trowbridge presiding. On 7 April the Charles town grand jury delivered its indictments, accompanying the bills with a Remonstrance and Petition printed in the Boston Gazette, 11 April.
No letter from John Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire, 1767–1775, Cambridge, 1921, p. 153–154. See also MHS, Colls.
, 6th ser., 9 [1897]:66–68 and 7th ser., 6 [1907]: 45.)