Papers of John Adams, volume 5

55 To the Speaker of the Massachusetts House, 28 November 1776 JA Massachusetts House of Representatives, Speaker of Warren, James

1776-11-28

To the Speaker of the Massachusetts House, 28 November 1776 Adams, John Massachusetts House of Representatives, Speaker of Warren, James

To the Speaker of the Massachusetts House

Sir1 Braintree Novr 28. 1776

I had this Moment, between two and Three o'Clock, the Honour of your Letter of this Days Date,2 requiring my Attendance, on the Hon. House of Representatives. Some particular Circumstances, render it inconvenient for me to Sett off this Afternoon, but tomorrow Morning I will do myself the Honour of waiting on the Honourable House. Mean Time I am, your humble Servant

John Adams

RC (NN:Emmet Coll.).

James Warren was the Speaker.

Not found. On 28 Nov. the House voted to request JA to appear before it, but the records give no explanation for the request. Probably the legislature wanted firsthand information from a recently returned delegate, for it was in process of drafting a letter to the delegation (Mass., House Jour. , 1776–1777, 2d sess., p. 176, 169, 175). The Journal does not record what JA said when he appeared.

Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates, 10 December 1776 Massachusetts Council JA

1776-12-10

Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates, 10 December 1776 Massachusetts Council Adams, John

Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates

In Council Decr: 10th: 1776

Whereas, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, Francis Dana, and James Lovell Esqrs. have been chosen by joint Ballot of the two Houses of Assembly to represent the State of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in the American Congress until the first day of January Anno Domini 1778.

Resolved, That they, or any three1 or more of them are hereby fully impowerd with the Delegates from the Other American States to concert, direct and Order such other further Measures as shall to them appear best calculated for the Establishment of right, and Liberty to the American States upon a Basis permanent and secure against the Power and Art of the British Administration for prosecuting the present War, concluding Peace, contracting Alliance, Establishing Commerce, and guarding against any future Encroachments and Machinations of their Enemies with power to adjourn to such times and places as shall appear most conducive to the public safety and advantage.

And the Secretary is hereby directed as soon as may be to signify to each of those Gentlemen their appointment with an attested Copy of this Resolve.

sent down for Concurrence

John Avery Dy Secy 56 In the House of Representatives Decr. 10. 1776

Read and Concurred

Saml. Freeman Spr. P. T.

Consented to by the Major Part of the Council

a true Copy attest Jno. Avery Dpy Scy

MS (PCC, Misc. Papers, Reel No. 8), signed attested copy; docketed (only the date is in JA's hand): “Credentials of the Delegates of Massachusetts Bay, Per Decr: 10: 1776”; “Read 9 Jany. 1777.”

See Amended Credentials of Massachusetts Delegates, 4 Feb. 1777 (below).