Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06657.01

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

Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts

Type: Letter signed

Date: 29 July 1774

Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 31.6 x 19.5 cm.

Summary of Content: Written by Adams as a member of the Massachusetts General Court (he would join the First Continental Congress on 5 September 1774) to Williams as Deputy Commissioner of Prisoners in Connecticut and a Sheriff for Hartford County. References Williams’s letter of 25 July 1774. Says the letter was referred to a committee in Boston that was appointed to receive donations for the relief of the poor. Thanks him for the town of Wetherfield, Connecticut’s donation of 34 3/4 bushels of wheat, 248 of rye, and 390 of Indian Corn. The donation was made because of the closing of Boston Harbor. Claims ”This town is now suffering the stroke of ministerial vengeance as they apprehend, for the Liberties of America.” Says Boston rejoices over the approaching general Congress.

People: Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: Boston July 29th 1774, , Sir, , Your very obliging Letter of the 25th: Inst. directed ”to the Selectmen or Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Boston” has been by them communicated to a Committee of this Town appointed to receive the Donations made for the Employment or Relief of such Inhabitants as are or may be more immediate Sufferers by the cruel Act of Parliament for shutting up our Harbour. At the desire and in the Name of this Committee, I am very gratefully to acknowledge the Generosity of the Town of Wethersfield in the Donation made by them for the purpose above mentioned consisting of 34 ¾ bushels of Wheat 248 ½ of Rye and 390 of Indian Corn, which your Letter informs is forwarded by Capt. Israel Williams; and for their kind Intentions still further ~ They may be assured that their Beneficence will be applied to the Purpose for which they have designed it. This Town is now suffering the Stroke of Ministerial Vengeance as they apprehend, for the Liberties of America; and it affords them abundant Satisfaction to find that they have the concurrent Sentiments of their Brethren in the Sister Colonies in their favor, evidenced by the most liberal Acts of Munificence for their Support. While they are thus encouragd and supported, I trust they will never be so ungrateful to their Friends as well as lost to a Sense of Virtue as to ”give up the Glorious Cause” They have need of Wisdom and fortitude to confound the Devices of their Enemies and to endure the hard Conflict with Dignity. They rejoyce in the approaching general American Congress; and trust that by the Divine Direction and [2] Blessing such measures will be taken as will ”bring about a happy Issue of the present glorious Struggle” and secure the Rights of America upon the permanent Principles of equal Liberty and Truth - I am very great , Regard to the Gentlemen of your Committee, Sir, your Friend & Fellow Countryman, Samuel Adams, , Ezekiel Williams Esqr, , [address leaf], To, Ezekiel Williams Esqr, at, favord by}, Mr Cole } Wethersfield, , [docket], Mr Sam: Adams, Letter July 29th. 1774, de: given sent to Boston

Sub Era: Road to Revolution

Background: Published in the ”Writings of Samuel Adams: Volume 3 1773-1777” edited by Harry Alonzo Cushing.