Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00568

Author/Creator: Adams, Samuel (1722-1803)

Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: August 1781

Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 20.4 x 16.5 cm.

Summary of Content: Written by Adams as President of the Massachusetts Senate. References a letter received 31 July 1781 enclosing a Congressional resolution of support for South Carolina and Georgia. Says humanity should induce them to reply, but when you consider their patience and fortitude as patriots to their country’s cause, they especially deserve recognition. Says that even though there are so many applications for funds to this body, that this one has weight because of the affliction the people of the south suffer and because of their early support of the Revolution in Boston. Signed note at bottom asks another official if this draft is acceptable. If it is asks that a better copy be made because ”my trembling hand will not admit of my making a fair Copy.” Docket on verso says this draft was ”submitted to my father by S. Adams.”

People: Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: Gentlemen, A few Days ago we had the Pleasure of receiving your Letter of [struck: July] [inserted: the] 31st of July, inclosing Copy of a Resolution of Congress, in favor of our Brethren [struck: who have] of S Carolina & Georgia who have [struck: felt as] partook so largely in that Cruelty which has markd the Character of our British Enemies, Humanity should induce us [struck: to] with the utmost Cheerfulness to take a part with you in procuring Relief for those oppressed Men - But when we consider them, as having endured so severe a Conflict, with Patience & fortitude, as Patriots, and in Support of the Common Cause of our Country, we feel the additional Obligation of Fellow Citizens. Indeed the People of this Common Wealth have been & are still called upon for extraordinary Advances of Money & for various Purposes; but we are fully persuaded that this Application will have its due Weight, more especially as we think [strikeout] [inserted: it] cannot but instantly awaken a Recollection, that those very gentlemen who are now drinking so deeply of the Cup of affliction, were among the earliest to administer comfort to the Inhabitants of this Metropolis, when they were suffering for the same [glorious] Cause, under the cruel oppression of the memorable Port Bill., We shall write to you as Occasion shall require and are with Sincerity , your affectionate fellow Citizens, Sir , If the foregoing is agreeable, you will please to get it transcribed - If otherwise, alter it to your liking- my trembling hand will not admit of my making a fair Copy., Your friend, S. Adams , [docket], S. Adams II, Sketch of as reply to an applica, :tion to aid So Carolina &, Georgia submitted to my , father by S. Adams -

Keywords/Subjects: Government & Civics, Charity & Philanthropy, Finance, Economics, Revolutionary War

Sub Era: The War for Independence