- 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE LATE 
 
 J 
 
 HON. GEORGE BANCROFT 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE HISTORICAL 
 MANUSCRIPTS : 
 
 MEMORANDA CONCERNING THE 
 BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS 
 
 Prepared, by Jos. Fl 
 
 
ADDENDA. 
 
 AMERICA. PAPERS RELATING TO. A Series of 42 
 vols. 4to, averaging 300 pages per vol. A mass of historical 
 papers in manuscript from all sources ; official documents, jour 
 nals, magazines, books, tracts, old newspapers, laws, letters and 
 copies of papers sent to Bancroft by correspondents, etc., etc., 
 arranged in a chronological order. A considerable part in the 
 handwriting of Bancroft. Numerous printed slips and cuttings 
 are added. First volume lettered "To 1769," last volume, 
 " 1783." 42 vols. 4to, half dark morocco, each volume lettered 
 as to dates, and stamped " G. Bancroft." A very important 
 item : an arrangement of material for the history of the United 
 States to the end of the Revolution. 
 
 INDEX TO AMERICAN CORRESPONDENCE. See 
 
 page 89 and correct title to. 22 vols. 4to, half dark morocco, 
 stamped G. Bancroft, lettered 1744 to 1783. A chronological 
 arrangement of titles of letters, with reference initials locating 
 the letters. 
 
 ERRATA. Manduit for Mauduit, p. 3; Thompson for Thomson, pp. 19, 25 ; 
 1 7th Jany., 1784, for 17 Jany., 1794, p. 42; April 17, 79, for April 17, 97, p. 
 43; prinkled for sprinkled, p. 48; follows for follow, p. 61; ditto, p. 62; Aug. 
 21, 1775, for 1778, p. 66; nation for national, p. 70; casualities, for casualties, p. 
 70 ; Scots s for Scots, p. 97; omit " of the treaty," paragraph 7, p. 100. 
 
GEORGE BANCROFT S LIBRARY. 
 
 THE HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 COLLECTED BY THE LATE 
 
 HON. GEO. BANCROFT. 
 
 i st. Original Autograph Letters, Documents and Papers generally, 
 relating to the Genesis of the American Revolution, Establish 
 ment of Colonial Union and of a Congress, Progress of the 
 War, Foreign Assistance, Peace and Confederation, 1765-1801. 
 
 2d. Transcribed Documents collected into bound volumes, 
 embracing copies of a vast number of papers in foreign archives, 
 and in American collections, both public and private, and 
 Personal and Private Papers communicated to Bancroft. 
 
 Section i covers in a general way the dates 1764-1801, the 
 Stamp Act to Jefferson, with occasional items of other dates. 
 
 Section 2 covers the entire Colonial and Revolutionary period, 
 and the establishment of peace ; with considerable material of 
 later dates, notably the unpublished Diary of Jas. K. Polk, in 
 eighteen 4to volumes. 
 
 With little time and limited space, not more than an out 
 line can be given, with a dip here and there into the text of the 
 papers. To read the Original Autograph Letters alone would be a 
 work of months. To print them would be to publish many 
 volumes. What is below is an abridgment of a sketch. 
 
 The Transcribed Documents represent a considerable expen 
 diture of labour as well as the knowledge of Bancroft in dis 
 covery and selection. The papers are bound in a chronological 
 arrangement and are frequently indexed, and in shape most 
 available for reference. 
 
 . 
 
Bancroft himself, in speaking of the sources of his informa 
 tion, says: 
 
 " Still greater instruction was derived from Manuscript. The 
 records of the State Paper Office of Great Britain best illustrate 
 the Colonial system ; they include the correspondence (volumin 
 ous) of all military and civil officers and Indian Agents employed 
 in America; Memorials of the American Commissioners of 
 Customs ; Narratives, Affidavits, Informations in answer to 
 witnesses, illustrating the most important occurrences. The 
 journals of the Board of Trade; its representations to the King; 
 its intercourse with the Secretary of State ; the instructions and 
 letters sent to America whether from the King, the Secretary of 
 State, or the Board of Trade ; the elaborate extracts of doc 
 uments prepared for the Council; Opinions of the Attorney and 
 Solicitor General ; and occasionally private letters. I examined 
 these masses of documents slowly and carefully; I had access to 
 everything that is preserved ; and of no paper, however secret it 
 may have been in its day, or whatever its complexion, was a 
 copy refused me. The proceedings in Parliament until 17 74 had 
 something of a confidential character: from sources the most 
 various, private letters, journals, and reports preserved in 
 France or England, or in America, I have obtained full and 
 trustworthy accounts of the debates on the days most nearly 
 affecting America." 
 
 Mr. Bancroft says Mr. Disney imparted to him two Volumes 
 of familiar notes that passed between Chatham and Hollis, ful 
 of allusions to America. The Marquis of Lansdowne allowed 
 him to go through the papers of his father, the Earl of Shel- 
 burne, during the three periods of his connection with American 
 affairs. " My thanks are due to the Duke of Grafton for having 
 communicated to me unreservedly the autobiography of the 
 third Duke of that name." 
 
 "Of all persons in England, it was most desirable to have a 
 just conception of the character of the King. Mr. Everett 
 . . . obtained for me from Lady Charlotte Lindsay, copies 
 of several hundred notes, or abstracts of notes, from George III. 
 to her father, Lord North. Afterwards I received from Lady 
 Charlotte herself, communications of great interest and her 
 sanction to make such use of the letters as I might desire. The 
 controversy between Great Britain and her colonies attracted 
 the attention of all Europe, till at length it became universally 
 the subject of leading interest. To give completeness to this 
 
branch of my inquiries, in so far as Great Britain was concerned, 
 either as a party or an observer, the necessary documents, after 
 the most thorough and extensive search, were selected from the 
 correspondence with ministers, agents and others in France, 
 Spain, Holland, Russia, Austria, Prussia and several of the 
 smaller German Courts, especially Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick. 
 The volumes examined for this purpose were very numerous, 
 and the copies for my use reached to all questions directly or 
 indirectly affecting America. Relations of France to America 
 were of paramount importance." 
 
 Mr. Bancroft was furnished with every facility by Guizot, 
 Mignet, Lamartine, De Tocqueville and by Mr. Dumont, the 
 keeper of the archives. Besides the French archives, the Min 
 istry of the Marine and that of War, furnished him papers. 
 
 " Accounts of the differences between America and England 
 are to be sought . . . specially in the correspondence of 
 the Colony agents, resident in London, with their respective 
 constituents ... I succeeded in securing the letters, official 
 private, or from Bollan, Jasper and Manduit, Richard Jackson 
 . . . Arthur Lee, several unpublished ones of Franklin; the 
 copious and most interesting official and private correspondence 
 of W. S. Johnson, Agent for Connecticut. Many and exceed 
 ingly valuable letters of Garth, Agent for South Carolina, and 
 specimens of the correspondence of Knox and Franklin as 
 Agents of Georgia ; analogous to these are the confidential 
 communications which passed between Hutchinson and Israel 
 Manduit and Thomas Whateley ; between one of the proprietaries 
 of Pennsylvania and Deputy-Governor Hamilton ; between 
 Cecil Calvert and Hugh Hammersley, successive Secretaries of 
 Maryland, and Lieutenant-Governor Sharp ; between ex-Gover 
 nor Pownall and Dr. Cooper, of Boston ; between Hollis and 
 Mayhew, and Andrew Eliot, of Boston. Of all these I have 
 copies." 
 
 Mr. Bancroft says further: 
 
 "Long-continued pursuit, favored by a general good-will, has 
 brought into my possession papers or copies of papers from 
 many of the distinguished men of the country in every colony." 
 
 He then refers to the loaning of the manuscripts of Governor 
 Colden, covering a period of nearly a quarter of a century in 
 New York history. The papers of Mr. Johnson, of Stratford, 
 Connecticut. Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania, furnished him 
 
papers, illustrating New York history. Mr. J. F. Eliot, of 
 Boston ; William B. Reed ; Langdon Elwyn ; Edward D. Ingra- 
 ham, of Philadelphia; Mr. Tefft, of Georgia; Mr. Swayne, of 
 North Carolina; Mr. William C. Preston ; officers of Yale College, 
 and the Connecticut Historical Society are among those who 
 furnished copies of papers in his manuscript collection. 
 
 " The most valuable acquisition of all was the collection of 
 the papers of Samuel Adams which came to me through the late 
 Samuel Adams Wells; they contain the manuscripts of Samuel 
 Adams, especially drafts of his letters to his many correspond 
 ents; they contain, also, the complete journals of the Boston 
 Committee of Correspondence; drafts of the letters it sent out, 
 and the letters it received, so far as they have been preserved. 
 The papers are very numerous ; taken together, they unfold the 
 manner in which resistance to Great Britain grew into assist 
 ance, and they perfectly represent the sentiments and the reason 
 ings of the times. They are more to be prized, as much of the 
 correspondence was secret, and has remained so to this day." 
 
 " The abundance of my collection has enabled me in some 
 measure to reproduce the very language of everyone of the prin 
 cipal actors in the scenes which I describe." 
 
 The Nation is the most fitting conservator of its own annals, 
 and its late historian has, by his last will and testament, provided 
 for it the opportunity to acquire both the original papers, docu 
 ments and letters which a great good fortune at the beginning of 
 a long life, threw into his hands, and also the vast quantity of 
 transcribed letters, documents and papers which knowledge, in 
 dustry, friendship and means had enabled him to procure in the 
 course of his studies. The original papers from the collection of 
 S. Adams, the " Father of the Revolution," are of immense inter 
 est, both sentimentally and historically; they are the intimate 
 and virile inter-communications of the founders of the Republic- 
 The letters are copious, fervid and confidential ; they are beyond 
 mere relics as bits of writing, or autographic scraps of illustri 
 ous names. They are the autographs, with the expressions of 
 the thoughts and account of the motives and actions of the Revo 
 lutionary patriots. A fact of added interest is that they have 
 been hidden in Mr. Bancroft s library. He has explored them 
 for his own purposes; such a mass of unpublished matter may 
 
furnish discoveries and surprises. By all means this collection 
 should be secure from risks of dispersion or destruction. 
 Wealthy men abound, eager to place such treasures upon the 
 shelves of private libraries. How soon they might be scattered, 
 burned, destroyed, or even become the property of foreign 
 museums, none can say. They merit such certainty of perma 
 nent preservation and use to Americans as would be assured by 
 the National possession in a fire-proof repository. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS PAPERS. MS. papers originally in S. 
 Adams possession, then in his grandson s, S. A. Wells, from whom 
 they passed to Bancroft. Consisting of ADAMS CORRESPONDENCE, 
 9 VOLS. FOLIO, HALF RED MOROCCO, over 1300 pieces chronologically 
 arranged. Papers of the COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE, 1772- 
 1775, IN 3 VOLS. FOLIO (arranged as described below). MINUTES 
 OF THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE, 1772-1774, 13 VOLS. 
 THIN FOLIO, original paper binding. VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS 
 OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY, 1773-1774, 2 VOLS. FOLIO. 
 (Connected with these are the following MSS. of S. A. Wells: 
 Life of Adams, 216 leaves, folio; Papers of Samuel Adams, 
 1489 pp., and S. Adams and the American Revolution, about 
 1,000 pp. Together 9 vols.) 
 
 The volumes of the above collection will be referred to in 
 detail. The importance of the subjects may perhaps best be 
 illustrated by recalling a few facts concerning Adams. 
 
 Samuel Adams was born in Boston, 1722. Died in 1803. 
 Member of the Old Continental Congress, 1774-1781. Clerk 
 to the Massachusetts Assembly for nearly ten years. Lieut. - 
 Governor, 1789-1794, and Governor of Mass., 1794-1797. His 
 father was an important man of the town, and possessed of 
 means. In his day, the Boston people were largely engaged in 
 shipping, and the Caulkers Club was an important organiza 
 tion, of which the elder Adams was President. From Caulkers 
 we have the word "caucus." Adams was graduated at Har 
 vard and his Thesis, read before Governor Shirley, bore the 
 portentous title of "Whether it be lawful to resist the Supreme 
 Magistrate if the Commonwealth cannot otherwise be pre 
 served." His business career was alike uninteresting and unsuc- 
 
6 
 
 cessful. He speedily lost money which his father gave him. 
 Finally settled himself in the brewing business. He soon 
 became active in the Town Meetings, and his first appearance, 
 as connected with these manuscripts, is at the time of the 
 Stamp Act, where he makes a memorable draft containing the 
 germ of independence, as the expression of the Town of Boston. 
 
 Adams, as compared with his contemporaries, appears pre 
 eminent in the elements of consistency, inflexibility, industry and 
 adroitness. He had to contend with able men on the other side; 
 to smooth and harmonize differences among men on his own. 
 
 He was always in the van. We find him in advance of 
 Franklin in his attitude toward the Stamp Act. When enacted 
 it was practically acquiesced in by the latter. 
 
 Professor James K. Hosmer has skilfully painted a picture of 
 Adams and his times. He brings into high light his actions as a 
 duellist with the successive provincial governors. One can do 
 no better in expressing an estimation of the papers of the "Com 
 mittee of Correspondence " than to quote from Professor Hos 
 mer. There is also a delightful freedom from prejudice in Mr. 
 Hosmer s presentation of the characters of his loyal opponents. 
 
 Referring to a volume of papers of the " Committee of Cor 
 respondence." Prof. Hosmer says: 
 
 " In the library of Bancroft is a volume of manuscripts, worn 
 and stained by time, which have an interest scarcely inferior to 
 that possessed by the Declaration of Independence itself, as the 
 fading page hangs against its pillar in the library of the State 
 Department at Washington. They are original replies sent by 
 the Massachusetts towns to Samuel Adams committee, sitting 
 in Fanueil Hall, during those first months of 1773. One may 
 well read them with bated breath, for it is the touch of the elbow 
 as the stout little democracies dress up into line, just before they 
 plunge into actual fight at Concord and Bunker Hill. There is 
 sometimes a noble scorn of the restraints of orthography, as of 
 the despotism of Great Britain, in the work of the old town 
 clerks, for they generally were secretaries of the committees ; 
 and once in a while a touch of Dogberry s quaintness, as the 
 punctilious officials, though not always putting God first, yet 
 take pains that there shall be no mistake as to their piety by 
 making every letter in the name of the Deity a rounded capital. 
 Yet the documents ought to inspire the deepest reverence. They 
 
constitute the highest mark the town-meeting has ever touched. 
 Never before and never since have Anglo-Saxon men, in lawful 
 folk-mote assembled, given utterance to thoughts and feelings 
 so fine in themselves and so pregnant with great events. To each 
 letter stand affixed the names of the committee in autograph. 
 This awkward scrawl was made by the rough fist of a Cape Ann 
 Fisherman, on shore for the day to do at town-meeting the duty 
 his fellows had laid upon him ; the hand that wrote this other 
 was cramped from the scythe-handle, as its possessor mowed an 
 intervale on the Connecticut; this blotted signature, where 
 smutted fingers have left a black stain, was written by a black 
 smith of Middlesex, turning aside a moment from forging a 
 barrel that was to do duty at Lexington. They were men of the 
 plainest; but as the documents, containing statements of the 
 most generous principles and the most courageous determina 
 tion, were read in the town-houses, the committees who pro 
 duced them, and the constituents for whom the committees 
 stood, were lifted above the ordinary level. They had in view 
 not simply themselves, but the welfare of the continent; not 
 solely their own generation, but remote posterity." 
 
 The protest of the Town of Boston, May, 1764, is the first 
 document of which we have any distinct trace as coming from 
 the pen of Adams. It is in the collection of Bancroft. Mr. 
 Hosmer says: 
 
 " One may well have a feeling of awe as he reads from the 
 yellowing paper, in a hand-writing delicate but very firm, the 
 protests and recommendations in which America begins to voice 
 her aspirations as to Freedom." 
 
 What still increases our apprehensions is, that these unexpected 
 Proceedings may be preparatory to more extensive taxations upon us. 
 For if our Trade may be taxed, why not our Lands, the Produce of 
 our lands \ and in short everything we possess or make use of ? This, 
 we apprehend, annihilates our Charter Rights to govern and tax our 
 selves. If Taxes are laid upon us in any shape without our 
 having a legal representation, where they are laid, are we not reduced 
 from the Character of free subjects to the miserable state of tributary 
 Slaves ? " [Copy from Autograph.] 
 
 Mr. Hosmer further remarks in regard to this historic pro 
 test: 
 
 " There are in fact few documents in the whole course of 
 American History so pregnant with great events." 
 
8 
 
 Adams was always a poor man ; he could not worship Patri 
 otism and Mammon. When delegated to the First Congress in 
 1774 he was not possessed of decent clothing. The deficiency, 
 however, was supplied by willing friends. To him may, more 
 than to any other man, be attributed, if not the origin, cer 
 tainly the operation, of the Committee of Correspondence, the 
 engine of a union of the colonies which developed what Lord 
 North once called " a rope of sand " into a coil which crushed 
 the army of Britain at Yorktown. 
 
 Adams appeared to be devoid of vanity ; when a speech would 
 be more effective from a more golden mouth than his own, he 
 would write it for the other to speak it. This was sometimes 
 discovered by his enemies. 
 
 It had been proposed to buy off Adams opposition. The 
 attempt resulted in utter failure (see Hutchinson s report to the 
 King): 
 
 They have for their head one of the members from Boston, who 
 was the first person that openly, in any public assembly, declared for 
 absolute independence, and who, from a natural obstinacy of temper, 
 and from many years practice in politics, is, perhaps, as well qualified 
 to excite the people to any extravagance in theory or practice as any 
 person in America. 
 
 The enemy felt the wounds of his words. Governor Bernard 
 said: " Every dip of his pen stings like a horned snake." The 
 title of " Father of the Revolution " is justly his. Adams super 
 intended the planting of its seed, and fed its growth till it 
 acquired its majority under the sword of Washington. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS Papers: a collection of original letters, 
 papers and documents which were saved from the house of Samuel 
 Adams, passing into the possession of his grandson, Samuel 
 Adams Wells, and from him, in the beginning of this century, 
 to George Bancroft. They have been mounted on guards, 
 arranged in chronological order, and bound in nine volumes, 
 folio, half red morocco. A glance will be taken at the collec 
 tion, mentioning a few of the items with brief extracts. One 
 volume is lettered 
 
 "ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 1772 TO 1781," and consists 
 of about 120 letters. In the beginning are placed a number of 
 
letters written to his wife Betsy, with two or three other family 
 letters. As to Washington and to other patriots, a time 
 came when he was the subject of attack by his countrymen. 
 He writes a letter to his wife, Philadelphia, October 2oth, 78: 
 
 " The man who acts an honest part in public life must often 
 counteract passions &c., ... of weak and wicked men and this 
 must create him enemies. I am therefore not disappointed or 
 
 mortified I know there are many who can serve our 
 
 Country with greater capacity though none more honestly the 
 sooner therefore another is elected in my room, the better. I 
 shall the sooner retire to the sweet enjoyment of domestick life 
 but, my dear, I thank God I have many friends." 
 
 October 3d, 1780, he sends his wife news that General Arnold: 
 " after having committed the blackest treason against his 
 Country, has thrown himself into the Arms of his Enemies. 
 
 You know that I have had my Suspicions of this 
 
 Traitor and therefore it is not wonderful that I am not so aston 
 ished as if some other officer had been detected of the treason. 
 He has been gibbeted in the Streets by the Populace." 
 
 The rest of the volume is occupied by the correspondence of 
 James Warren, of Plymouth ; and Samuel Adams. The letters 
 of Adams and Warren are nearly all lengthy and very important 
 communications, chiefly during the continuance of the Revolu 
 tionary War. They are almost without exception, in a most 
 excellent state of preservation. The opening letters are from 
 Plymouth, in 1772, exhibiting the state of feeling there, 
 intrigues of the Tories, &c. On May i4th, 1774, Adams com 
 municates the arrival of the edict to close the Port of Boston 
 he says the inhabitants in general abhor the thought of paying 
 for the tea. He thinks that the heroes who first trod on your 
 shore (Plymouth), and fed themselves with clams and muscles 
 (sic), and have extended their provisions even for luxury, would 
 be eternally disgraced if now surrendered to men more con 
 temptible than locusts and caterpillars. James Warren, June 
 2ist, 1775, writes of the Battle of Bunker Hill, deploring the 
 death of Warren ; thinks the British have paid very dearly for 
 their acquisition ; believes that their killed and wounded are not 
 much less than one thousand, and our own loss not to greatly 
 exceed one hundred. He adds that : 
 
10 
 
 4 You would tremble to be possessed of the true state of our 
 Army The humanity of the good General Gage .... has 
 reduced Charlestown to ashes." 
 
 July Qth, 1775, Warren writes from Watertown : 
 
 " Every one appears perfectly satisfied with the appointment 
 of Washington and Lee I dined yesterday with General Wash 
 ington ; he is an amiable man and fully answers the high char 
 acter you and my friend Adams (John Adams) have given of 
 
 him I know not what to say of your friend Lee he 
 
 is a soldier he came in just before dinner, drank some 
 
 punch, said he wanted no dinner, took no notice of the com 
 pany, mounted his horse and went off again to the lines. I 
 admire the soldier but think civility or even politeness not 
 incompatible with his character, but this inter nos. I shall take 
 care to speak of him highly on all occasions. If the policy or 
 rather folly of Britain should last a little longer, we may be a 
 grand and a happy people. I now fear the repeal of the acts 
 which I have heretofor wished for." 
 
 The Statesmen of the day rode to Congress on horseback. 
 Warren writes to Adams, September 28, 1775: 
 
 " I had the pleasure of hearing of your arrival 
 
 in Philadelphia and of your performing the journey in a man 
 ner that contributed much to your health to the sociability on 
 the way and to the character of the Statesman, as it is said that 
 horsemanship and dexterity in rideing on the saddle are neces 
 sary to compleat that character." 
 
 Several letters are written from the Congress in Philadelphia 
 narrating the civil and military occurrences. On November 
 i2th, 1775, Warren writes a letter to be carried by Paul Revere, 
 stating the sorry condition of the Bostonians, their continued 
 fortitude and patriotism; speaks of the King s " silly Proclama 
 tion " : 
 
 " I shall expect some movement worthy of so august a body 
 (Congress) a Declaration of Independency, treaties with foreign 
 powers, a test between Whiggs and Tories," &c. 
 
 We may read, in his own hand, a Signer s talk about the 
 Declaration of Independence. Adams in the draft of his letter 
 of July i6th, 1776 : 
 
 " Our Declaration of Independence has already been attended 
 
11 
 
 with good Effects; it is fortunate beyond our expectations to 
 have the voice of every colony in favor of so important a ques 
 tion." 
 
 Warren regrets to hear of Samuel Adams ill health in Phila 
 delphia: 
 
 " Long and intense application must be too much for a firmer 
 constitution than yours. You must therefore relax your mind." 
 
 Boston, December 2d, 1776, Warren advises Adams that 
 " General Howe is on his march to make you a visit at Phila 
 delphia I wish he may break his neck on the way." 
 
 On December 25th, 1776, Adams writes from Baltimore, 
 speaking of the flight of Congress on the approach of the Bri 
 tish. December 29, 1776, Colonel Warren condoles on the loss 
 of General Lee : 
 
 " This misfortune is greatly lamented here. How could he 
 be so improvident as to suffer himself to be so exposed to the 
 treachery of rascals about him or to be taken in such a manner 
 by a few light horse." 
 
 Samuel Adams writes a very interesting letter in Baltimore, 
 February zoth, 1777, referring to the account of his expenses 
 from April 26th, 1775, to the 27th of August, 1776, he says, in 
 explanation of some of his charges : 
 
 " When I set off from Lexington after the memorable battle 
 there, I had with me only the cloaths on my back which were 
 very much worn, those which I had provided for myself being 
 then in Boston and it was out of my power at that time to 
 recover them. I was therefore under the necessity of being at an 
 extraordinary expense to appear with any kind of decency for 
 clothing and linen after my arrival in this city, which I think 
 makes a reasonable charge." 
 
 Warren writes, Boston, May 8th, 1778, of the arrival of the 
 fleet from France: 
 
 " Your own beloved Harbor looks quite brilliant. I want you 
 should enjoy the prospects from your own windows. The pub 
 lic and private persons are treating the French Men of War with 
 every mark of respect. " 
 
 Boston, July 5th, 1778, he writes along letter as to the charac 
 ters of different officers of the Navy. July i7th, 1778, congratu- 
 
lates Adams on his return (with Congress) to Philadelphia; 
 hears that the French fleet has arrived at the Delaware ; thinks 
 it is high time to hear of their arrival somewhere. Warren writes, 
 August 2yth: 
 
 " General Hancock returned last evening to this town it is 
 reported and believed I suppose that he has come to order back 
 the French Squadron, if it was reported that he came to arrest 
 the course of Nature or reverse the decrees of Providence, there 
 were enough to believe it practicable." 
 
 Warren, in a three-paged folio letter of September 3oth, gives 
 an account of Hancock s magnificent entertainment of the French 
 Officers. He names the toasts given and is evidently displeased 
 that the toast to Congress is not saluted with cannon ; he asked 
 the General why, and was informed that the Congress was in 
 cluded in the United States Toast, which had been saluted with 
 thirteen cannon : 
 
 " I told him I thought Geneial Washington and the Army 
 were. That I had as great a respect for General W. and the 
 army as any man but if they were not included also in the 
 United States I wished they were disbanded." 
 
 In 1780, Adams learns that the town of Boston has voted for 
 Hancock ; he expresses his chagrin and submission in a letter of 
 October 6th. On November 2d, 1780, Warren writes to Adams: 
 
 "Neither your beloved town, the County, the State, or the 
 two houses have shown any gratitude for your many and great 
 services." 
 
 Warren s letter, December 4th, 1780, referring to Washington, 
 says he is 
 
 " A great and good man I love and reverence him, but he is 
 only a man and therefore should not be invested with such 
 powers, and besides we do not know that his successor will be 
 either great or good." 
 
 This related to the proposals of the Hartford Convention of 
 1780, to vest the military with civil powers. 
 
 Together about 120 letters, drafts of letters, and copies of let 
 ters in Samuel Adams hand. 
 
 ADAMS ORIGINAL PAPERS, i Volume, folio, half red mo 
 rocco, Lettered " To 1769." This volume opens with some mis- 
 
13 
 
 cellaneous papers relating to an earlier period. One of the most 
 important papers at an early stage of American opposition to 
 British taxation is the instruction of the freeholders of the town 
 of Boston to their delegates to the Assembly. Here is Samuel 
 Adams draft of the instructions to resist the Stamp Act: " But 
 what still increases our apprehension," &c. (See quotation 
 above.) There is a paper of the same character in the town 
 records of Boston. The date of this paper is about May, 1764. 
 Following this is another draft of instructions of three pages, 
 folio, comprising matter relating to the appointment of a bishop, 
 which is said not to be in the Boston town records. It is 
 endorsed as follows : 
 
 " Supposed to have been written about the year 1762 or 3, 
 being previous to the appointment of Israel Mauduit, Esq., as 
 the agent for the Massachusetts." 
 
 It is a general exhortation to secure virtue and liberty, with 
 some special recommendations as to the Courts of Justice and a 
 resistance to the tax on the trade of the Colonies, as a matter 
 of principle. A long letter of Adams to the Agent of the Colony 
 in England respecting compensation to the sufferers in the Stamp 
 Act Riot. An account in the shape of a broadside, of the 
 threats to Andrew Oliver, Stamp Distributor, made by the Sons 
 of Liberty ; Oliver s resignation of his office and the satisfaction 
 of the people, Boston, December i8th, 1765. Other letters relat 
 ing to the Stamp Trouble letters written to London by Adams 
 expressing the feeling of the country. Included are letters 
 written by Peter Oliver to Gov. Hutchinson. It is strange that 
 they should be found among the papers of his most powerful 
 enemy. 
 
 Long letter of Adams, eleven pages, folio, of March, 1767, 
 Written to the Agent of the Colonies, Mr. De Berdt, relating 
 the disputes between the Assembly and the Governor. 
 
 Letter of January 3oth, 1768, written by Adams to De Berdt, 
 respecting taxation without representation. The year 1768 was 
 an important one as bringing nearer to a head differences of the 
 Colonies with the British Parliament, and the papers here eluci 
 date the condition of affairs. 
 
14 
 
 A letter from Governor Pownall to the town clerk of Boston 
 cautioning the Colonies as to their errors. In the papers, under 
 date of 1769, is a very fine letter of John Wilkes, written to the 
 Committee of the Sons of Liberty in Boston. He says: 
 
 " I have read with grief and indignation the proceedings of 
 
 the ministry with regard to the troops ordered to Boston 
 
 I admire exceedingly your prudence and temper main 
 taining at the same time your own dignity and the true spirit of 
 liberty." 
 
 A printed pamphlet copy of the complaint of the House of 
 Representatives of Massachusetts Bay against Sir Francis 
 Bernard, with Sir Francis Bernard s answer, fifteen pages, 
 4to, uncut, printed in double columns. This is a very inter 
 esting piece, as Samuel Adams has traversed the first four 
 pages, writing in a very close hand his notes and criticisms. 
 Adams says that he makes his remarks with "freedom, with 
 decency and truth." Page 13 also bears some of his writing. 
 A MS. petition of the Merchants of the town of Boston to the 
 Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of Parliament occupies ten 
 folio pages, written in a large open hand. 
 
 The number of pieces contained in this volume is about 70. 
 
 ADAMS PAPERS, Volume for 1770 to 1773. Adams receives 
 an attack on the character of Ben. Franklin. The volume open 
 ing with an anonymous letter from London, in which the 
 Philosopher is handled without gloves. 
 
 RESOLVES of the Town of Boston to visit the houses of hold 
 ers of unsold Tea, declaring that certain persons are obstinate 
 and inveterate enemies of their country ; that it is our indispen 
 sable duty to ourselves and posterity forever hereafter to treat 
 them as such. Then follows a determination to treat them 
 in the manner now known as the Boycott. Four pages, 4to. 
 Marked " To be printed." 
 
 LIEUT. -GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON S REPLY to the Remonstrance 
 of the Council on the proposed removal of the Court to Cam 
 bridge, March, 1770. J. Neufville, of Charlestown, South Caro 
 lina, in a two-and-a-half page folio letter to the Sons of Liberty 
 in Boston, says that the people of this Province have bound 
 
15 
 
 themselves to the general cause of American Liberty. Several 
 pages relating to the Boston Massacre and its details in the auto 
 graph of Sam. Adams. 
 
 OFFICIAL COPY of a long Document, being an appeal to Cap 
 tain Preston (of the Boston Massacre) to disclose the authorship 
 of the case of Captain Preston, as published in the Public Adver 
 tiser, in England, April 28th, 1770. It is regarded as a state 
 ment harmful and libelous to the Town of Boston ; followed by 
 a long letter of Adams, expressing satisfaction that the narra 
 tive of the Massacre transmitted to London has had the desired 
 effect . . . preventing the odium being cast on the inhab 
 itants as the aggressors in it; announces the appointment of a 
 Committee to acquaint friends on your side the water with the 
 true state of the circumstances of the town. This letter was 
 probably sent to Dr. Franklin, July i3th, 1770. 
 
 A LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS to the Trade in Boston from New 
 York ; refers to the New Haven Resolves, suggesting means of 
 coercing purchasers of importers, New York, August 6th, 1770. 
 
 A LETTER from Charlestown, September 22d, 1770, by Peter 
 Timothy: 
 
 4 We adhere most strictly to every resolution we enter into, 
 as Georgia and Rhode Island feel: but we are also surprised 
 that the Northern Colonies have not likewise declined to trade," 
 &c. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS LETTER to London, announcing the acquittal 
 of Preston. In November, 1770, he informs the London Cor 
 respondent, among other things, that, 
 
 "Our young men seem of late very ambitious of making 
 themselves perfect masters of the art military." 
 
 DECEMBER 27TH, 1770, he opens a correspondence with John 
 Wilkes. 
 
 THE MANUSCRIPT of a paper on the Boston Massacre, prepared 
 by Samuel Adams, addressed to the printer. He traverses the 
 evidence, and is by no means satisfied with the findings. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT of the Separatists, 17 pages, i6mo, MS. Letter 
 from Arthur Lee, London, March 28th, 1771, referring to the 
 
Boston Massacre, and referring to some very sensible letters by 
 Vindex, in your papers, evidently not aware that he was writing 
 to their author. 
 
 A MESSAGE to the House of Representatives, signed by Thomas 
 Hutchinson a firm and business-like communication. 
 
 A MESSAGE of the House of Representatives, drafted by Adams, 
 carried by him and others to Governor Hutchinson, to compel 
 him to disclose whether he was to receive his pay from the King 
 or the Province. Other papers follow between the Committee 
 and the Governor, with some bold resolves of the House. 
 
 A LETTER of 4 pages, folio, full of information as to politics 
 and intrigue, relating to the colonies, with much unfavorable 
 comment of Ben. Franklin, says he is the instrument, not -the 
 dupe, of Lord Hillsborough. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE, April yth, 1772, writes a six-page letter as to 
 affairs in England ; pays his respects to the ministry in declaring 
 that there never lived a set of more mean and rapacious wretches 
 than His Majesty s Ministers of State. 
 
 GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON S MESSAGE to the Council at Cam 
 bridge, April 8th, 1772, with an adverse comment endorsed in 
 the writing of Adams. Other papers referring to the removal 
 of the General Court to Cambridge, including draft of a petition 
 to the king. Samuel Adams writes upon it that this petition 
 was passed in a full house almost unanimously, there being only 
 one negative voice. Part of the document is missing. 
 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY, October 27th, 1772, writes, voicing the con 
 sequences of removing the independency of the superior Judges. 
 He writes another letter, November 2d, 1772, in opposition to 
 the plan of paying the Judges from any source but the people. 
 
 There are several other of his letters. He speaks of how the 
 people are to be stirred to action ; how the papers are animating 
 them to resistance and watchfulness. 
 
 " If the Judges should refuse ye salaries they will immortalize 
 their names in the annals of history ; if they accept, I fear their 
 constitutions will hardly be able to grapple with ye pill pro 
 viding for them." 
 
17 
 
 A LETTER of the highest importance, written to Mr. Samuel 
 Adams, from a committee of Rhode Island, asking his advice 
 and expressing their sentiments in regard to the destruction of the 
 SCHOONER GASPEE and the measures likely to follow, communi 
 cating a copy of Lord Dartmouth s letter. The committee fear 
 the manner of trial that will make an inroad upon the liberties 
 of America beginning upon the smallest and weakest colony in 
 it. This letter is handsomely written, two pages, folio, dated 
 December 25th, 1772, Providence. Among the signers is Stephen 
 Hopkins, who, four years later, signed the Declaration of Inde 
 pendence; other signers are D. Sessions, John Cole. Adams 
 promptly acknowledges and answers this letter in a communica 
 tion of two pages, folio, December 28th, 1772. He follows this 
 by another letter on the same subject of four pages, folio, and 
 still another of one page, folio. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE writes, January 25th, 1773, that 
 
 "My Lord Chatham and my Lord Shelburne remain faithful 
 to the cause of this country, but I would wish my countrymen to 
 remember that salvation cometh not from the East nor from the 
 West, but from themselves." 
 
 Another letter comes from Providence acknowledging the 
 letters received from Boston, likewise signed by Stephen Hopkins 
 and others. 
 
 A PRINTED CIRCULAR LETTER to be sent to the various towns 
 publishing the resolves of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 
 of March, 1773. 
 
 NUMEROUS LETTERS OF ARTHUR LEE, with the London talk, 
 mentioning Wilkes and others interested in America, with an 
 occasional dig at Franklin. 
 
 JULY 26th, 1773, the Committee of Cambridge express them 
 selves on the discovery of the famous Hutchinson letters so 
 adroitly rung in at this time. 
 
 ADAMS writes three pages, folio, to Arthur Lee, December 
 2ist, 1773. Letter of particular interest, as it gives an account 
 of the destruction of the tea. 
 
 " In less than four hours every chest of tea on board of three 
 
18 
 
 ships, which had by this time arrived, three hundred and forty- 
 two chests, or rather the contents of them, were thrown into the 
 sea without the least injury to the vessels or any other pro 
 perty." 
 
 It is also accompanied by a narrative of the famous meeting of 
 five thousand people at the Old South Meeting House. 
 
 A LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA signed by George Clymer and 
 Thomas Mifflin, advising of the action of Philadelphia in regard 
 to tea ships. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS PAPERS, Volume for 1774 to 1775. Opens 
 with letters about the destruction of the tea and its consequen 
 ces in England, written by Arthur Lee. Refers to the insolent 
 abuse which Wedderburne poured forth against Dr. Franklin 
 at the hearing of your petition. 
 
 "Dr. Franklin bore it all with a firmness and equanimity 
 which conscious integrity alone can inspire, I mentioned that 
 they threatened to take away Dr. Franklin s place; that threat 
 they have now executed. The same cause which renders him 
 obnoxious to them, must endear him to you." 
 
 A COPY OF A PETITION to the King, with thirty names of friends 
 of America in England (May, 1774). 
 
 RICHARD HENRY LEE introduces General Lee to Samuel Adams 
 (8th of May, 1774). 
 
 SEVERAL LETTERS of Samuel Adams. Adams constantly gives 
 prominence to the fact that an attack on Boston is an attack 
 on the Liberties of the Colonies; calls them sisters, etc. In 
 May, 1774, he writes of the Boston Port Bill. Mifflin sends a 
 letter by the hand of Paul Revere from Philadelphia, May 2ist, 
 
 1774- 
 
 "The flame is kindling fast." 
 
 Conveys assurances that Philadelphia feels for Boston. 
 
 The Philadelphians were prompt; the day after Paul Revere 
 arrived about three hundred citizens convened. MifHin, in a 
 letter from Philadelphia, says ; 
 
 "All ranks with us agree to the proposal of a General Con 
 gress previous to fixing on any plar of reconciliation or opposi 
 tion." 
 
19 
 
 On May 3oth, Paul Revere, the Mercury of the Revolution, 
 has returned to Boston with a letter from Charles Thompson, as 
 on that date Adams writes a long letter to Thompson. He says 
 a Congress is of absolute necessity. 
 
 June 13, 1774, a MS. DOCUMENT. Sketch of a plan for a 
 Non-Importation Agreement. 
 
 THE OFFICIAL SUBSCRIPTION DOCUMENT sent to Boston by the 
 County of Fairfax "for the relief of our brethren in our sister 
 province of the Massachusetts Bay," dated August ist, 1774. 
 The document is carefully made all in one hand. The name of 
 George Washington heads the list with a cash subscription of 
 fifty pounds, over-topping all other subscribers in amount. 
 There are fifty-two names; some contributors send flour and 
 wheat. 
 
 A MS. LIST of the Committee of Landholders and Planters, 
 consisting of the most wealthy gentlemen in South Carolina. 
 The list is headed by the name of Thomas Lynch, Esq., Chair 
 man. All written in one hand. 
 
 LETTERS FROM BOSTON are sent to Philadelphia and downwards. 
 Mr. Gadsden receives a long letter from Adams, also Peter 
 Timothy, William Williams (Signer), writes over two pages, folio, 
 Lebanon, July 3oth. He warns Adams against Mr. D. ; Mifflin 
 ^writes of Mr. Dickinson s fixed opinion for a petition. 
 
 LETTERS from London Correspondents. 
 
 THOMAS YOUNG writes from Boston that the illustrious Putnam 
 with his friends in the little Parish of Brooklyn, collected about 
 130 sheep, which generous present was sent to the Town of 
 Boston. 
 
 A DRAFT OF REMONSTRANCE, addressed to General Gage, as 
 offered to the Committee of Congress, to be reported. 
 
 Two-page, folio LETTER of Benj. Church to Adams. 
 
 FOLIO LETTER of THOMAS YOUNG, 2 pages. 
 
 " BOSTON, September 4th, 1774. 
 
 " By the enclosed Papers you will perceive the temper of your 
 countrymen in the condition of your every wish, your every 
 
20 
 
 sigh for years past, panted to find it; that treacherous sneaking 
 and cowardly action of seizing our Province powder set all the 
 country in a flame. When Dr. Warren and I arrived at Cam 
 bridge, Judge Danfourth was addressing perhaps four thousand 
 people in the open air and such was the order of that great 
 Assembly that not a whisper interrupted the low voice of that 
 feeble old man." 
 
 ADAMS wife, Betsy, writes describing the situation at Boston, 
 September i2th, 1774. Adams has lately gone to the First Con 
 gress in Philadelphia. She says she has never heard one word 
 from him since he got to Philadelphia. 
 
 LETTER by Benjamin Church, three pages, folio. 
 
 LETTERS of Gerry, John Pitts, Thomas Young and Silas 
 Deane; good examples. 
 
 JANUARY 29th, 1775, Adams has returned from Philadelphia; 
 looks with favor on the gathering of arms by the people. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS in England, reported by Arthur Lee, February 
 3d, 1775. A significant Question signed only in initials, R. H. 
 L " How many soldiers in town ? .... And does the busi 
 ness of discipline go on well ? " He thinks a certain Mr. Rug- 
 gles should hang on the Liberty Tree. It may be noted that 
 some letters are left unsigned from motives of caution. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE, London, 24th February, 1775, advises Adams 
 that the Boston Troops are to be sent to New York. 
 
 JOHN BROWN, of Providence, February 27th, 1775, writes a 
 letter accompanying money sent to the assistance of Boston, 
 anxious to know of anything which tends to the salvation of the 
 Common Cause. 
 
 ADAMS says, Boston, March 4th, 1775: 
 
 " We have almost every Tory of note in the Province in this 
 town; they have fled for the general protection." 
 
 He states the condition of the British Troops in Boston. 
 
 PRINTED BROADSIDE. Letter of Governor Trumbull to Gen 
 eral Gage, 3 pages, folio, Hartford, April 28th, 1775, with General 
 Gage s answer. One wants to know why the Town of Boston 
 is shut up, and the other wants to know why he shouldn t fortify 
 
21 
 
 Boston when the Resolves of Congress breathed nothing but 
 War. Gage declares the intelligence, relative to the late excur 
 sion of a body of troops (to Lexington), is injurious and contrary 
 to truth. 
 
 J. HOWE, of Hartford, writes June 7th, 1775: 
 
 " Never, Sir, have I seen anything so extraordinary as the 
 Resolution and Firmness which the late Battles of Concord and 
 the Islands and the taking of the fort have inspired in all orders 
 of men." 
 
 A BROADSIDE. The Historic Proclamation of General Gage 
 promising pardon to the Americans if they laid down their 
 arms, excepting only " Samuel Adams and John Hancock^ whose 
 offences are of too flagitious a nature to admit any other Con 
 sideration than that of condign punishment. " This is the issue 
 by the Americans, printed for them, with these words: 
 
 " The following is a copy of an infamous thing handed about 
 here yesterday. . . . It is replete with consummate impu 
 dence, the most abominable lies, and stuffed with daring ex 
 pressions of tyranny, as well as rebellion against . 
 authority of the AMERICAN STATES," &c. Cambridge, June 
 i 4 th, 1775. 
 
 MINUTES OF A CONFERENCE of the Delegates of the Continental 
 Congress, Deputy-Governor of Connecticut and Rhode Island, 
 Committee of Council of Massachusetts, with General Washing 
 ton, Cambridge, October i8th, 1775, continued till the 22d. 
 A number of pages in 4to MS. 
 
 SEVERAL LETTERS from Gerry, a few from Benj. Church. A 
 letter from Arthur Lee, July 8th, 1775: 
 
 " How shall I express my joy to you at the beaming of the 
 Light of Liberty ? " 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, June 28th, 1775. Adams writes a letter to his 
 wife, 3 pages, 4to. He has just heard of the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill ; he asks his wife to favor him with an account of her ap 
 prehension during the Battle so near her. 
 
 "The death of our truly amiable and worthy friend, Dr. 
 Warren, is greatly afflicting. Gage has made me reputable by 
 naming me first among those who are to receive no favors from 
 
him. I thoroughly despise him and his proclamation. It is 
 the subject of ridicule here." 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS PAPERS, Volume for 1776. Sam. Adams 
 writes to Gerry, January 2d, 1776: 
 
 " I hope our country will never see the time when either 
 riches or the want of them shall be made the leading considera 
 tions in the choice of public offices." 
 
 He is glad to hear of the success of the people in making salt 
 petre, lately sent by Mr. Revere a plan of a powder-mill. 
 
 A LETTER from Camp, by General John Sullivan, with the 
 details of an intended attack on Bunker Hill. It didn t occur; 
 the ice was too thin. January 3d, 1776. 
 
 HUGH HUGHES writes, January 8th, 1776, against putting 
 captured slaves to death ; although their numbers may endanger 
 their captors ; speaks of his advising the requisition from Suffolk 
 County, Long Island, for assistance to disarm the Tories there. 
 He finds the people averse to the action through fear of having 
 their houses burned. 
 
 LETTER of W. Lee, of London, February 5th, 1776, inform 
 ing the Americans, through Adams, of the probable plans of 
 Great Britain, mentioning the number of troops to be sent, to 
 what colonies, with information about ships. 
 
 " Col. James is sent with orders to burn every town he can 
 command. Charlestown, South Carolina, is to be the first." 
 
 He says, "there is no alternative but an instant Declaration 
 of Independence a consequent negotiation at least for Naval 
 assistance, or an humble submission to be slaves to Scotchmen " 
 (referring to the Scotch in Parliament). 
 
 A LETTER by Richard Henry Lee, condoles on the ill-fortune 
 in Canada; makes suggestions for securing the Hudson and 
 reducing Canada. 2 pages, folio, February 7th, 1776. 
 
 SAMUEL CHASE, April 29th, 1776, in a letter, 2 pages, 4to, gives 
 an account of the military situation of Boston and is pleased to 
 find that a country surgeon, an obscure man in our Army until 
 now, has proved himself a genius in rendering the guns spiked 
 by the British serviceable as ever. 
 
A PETITION of a number of the Episcopal Clergy of the Col 
 onies of New York and Connecticut, refers to the changed state 
 of affairs made by the Declaration of Independence (not signed). 
 
 LETTER OF SAMUEL CHASE, June 3d, 1776: 
 
 " Every nerve must be exerted to return this blow " (referring 
 to the defeat at Quebec). "The coming of the Germans seems 
 now past a doubt. Ought we not to look out immediately for 
 foreign assistance? The natural enemies to Britain, France and 
 Spain, are the most likely to aid us, depriving her of the col 
 onies is a darling object to them." 
 
 ANOTHER LETTER, by the same hand, June 6th, 1776; refers 
 to the traitor Benjamin Church. 
 
 " I am told he sees the necessity of being confined for his 
 own safety; gives evidence of his duplicity that he wrote and 
 acted on both sides ; that he pronounced the Boston Massacre 
 Oration with Hutchinson s allowance." 
 
 A FINE LETTER OF GENERAL GATES, New York, June 8th, 
 1776. Speaks of General Mifflin : 
 
 I am willing though reluctantly to relinquish him and I 
 know not where the officer is to be found in America so fit for 
 that important service." 
 
 He evidently desires to have Mifflin with him at Boston. He 
 thinks the General (Washington) is unduly influenced by a be 
 lief that the enemy will not make their attacks upon Massachu 
 setts. 
 
 " Where the enemy will not come is too mighty for my judg 
 ment." 
 
 A LETTER OF PETER OLIVER, June, 1776. Account of his 
 voyage to England and reports what he has heard of American 
 news in England. 
 
 A LETTER of four pages, 4to, of SAMUEL CHASE, June 3oth, 
 1776. Letter of the highest interest referring to defeats at 
 Quebec; necessity of obtaining alliances. Wonders why some 
 are backward in going into the only measures for making this 
 step successful. 
 
 A LETTER FROM JOHN RUTLEDGE, July 4th, 1776. A letter to 
 Samuel Adams, 2. pages, folio, chiefly respecting General Lee. 
 
Congress having indemnified him by agreement against any loss 
 he might sustain by joining the American service, he appears 
 now to need their help. He purchased an estate in Virginia, 
 borrowing the money to pay for it; drew bills for three thousand 
 pounds on his agent in England. They were protested and he 
 has no doubt his property in England is confiscated. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF DEVICE to be engraved on the New Great 
 Seal of Virginia. 
 
 WILLIAMSBURG, July 6th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee writes: 
 " Our Devil Dunmore is as he was, but we are shortly to make 
 him move his quarters." 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS copy of his letter to J. Pitts, July, 1776, 
 Philadelphia: 
 
 " You was informed by the last post that CONGRESS HAD DE 
 CLARED THE THIRTEEN UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT 
 
 STATES. It must be allowed by the impartial world that this 
 Declaration has not been made rashly. . . . The delegates 
 of every colony were present and concurred in this important 
 act, except those of New York, who were not authorized to give 
 their voice on the question, but they have since publicly said 
 that a new convention was soon to meet in that Colony." 
 
 R. H. LEE, Chantilly, July 2pth, 1776, writes he hopes no 
 time will be lost in dispatching ambassadors. . . especially 
 to France whose interest it so clearly is to support the new Con 
 federacy. The storm thickens at New York. May it burst with 
 destructive powers on the guilty foes of human rights. What 
 mean the Jersey Convention by the last clause of their new 
 charter. Shall we never cease to be teased with the Bug-bear 
 reconciliation. This clause is really detestable now that the 
 Declaration of Congress is published. 
 
 A REVIEW of the military and naval situation of the country, 
 &c. , written by Adams, August, 1776. 
 
 A LONG AND INTERESTING LETTER signed by Benjamin 
 Palmer. 
 
 THE RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS, December 23d, 1776, that the 
 Commissioners of Congress at the Port of France be authorized 
 
to borrow a sum not exceeding two millions sterling, written 
 and signed by Charles Thompson and also signed by John Han 
 cock. 
 
 A LETTER OF CONGRATULATION from Dr. John Morgan to S. 
 Adams: 
 
 " I sincerely give you joy on General Washington s victory 
 over the enemy at Trenton." 
 
 Refers to the flight of the American Army from New York, 
 written from Bethlehem, December 3oth, 1776. 
 
 STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE for procuring cannon for Gen 
 eral Schuyler, in autograph of Sam. Adams. 
 
 A LETTER FROM JOHN ADAMS, Boston, September 3 ist, 1776: 
 
 " Hears that Congress has removed to Baltimore or to Lan 
 caster; doesn t know which to believe. The Post Office has done 
 us no service. This, as intelligence is the soul of War, is a 
 great misfortune. My dear sir, our salvation under God de 
 pends on the expedition with which the Army is raised and 
 disciplined." 
 
 ADAMS ORIGINAL PAPERS, Volume for 1777. K letter 
 of Samuel Adams, Jr., written to Mrs. Adams, rejoicing over a 
 victory obtained by Washington over a body of Hessians. The 
 Commander of the Hessians, expecting instantaneous death, fel. 
 upon his knees to the General. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE writes from Paris, January 2ist, a letter of 4 
 pages, 4to : 
 
 "The peace of Europe hangs upon a cobweb . . . 
 Twelve hundred light horse are raising in Germany . 
 You must have three or four thousand light horse for the next 
 campaign. They will be of infinite use when the enemy ad 
 vances into the country. Both our men and horses are accus 
 tomed in Virginia to gallop through the woods. General Wash 
 ington has a far more arduous part to perform than General 
 Howe." 
 
 He quotes Montecuculi s observations as to defensive actions, 
 that they require more address, more firmness and intrepidity. 
 " If anyone should be dissatisfied with the campaign, this great 
 man s opinion should correct them." 
 
In a FOLIO LETTER from Baltimore, Samuel Adams remarks 
 upon the King s defeat; the contest with America is now con 
 fessed by the British monarch to be arduous. 
 
 "I think he greatly deceives himself if he does not expect it 
 will be more so. Indeed, he sees it, for we must, says he, at 
 all events, be prepared for another campaign." 
 
 In a letter to J. Pitts, Baltimore, February, 1777, Adams ex 
 presses the opinion that conspirators against the State are 
 worthy of death. He desires the suppression of the Tories. 
 
 SAM. ADAMS SON writes that General Washington has ordered 
 him to "inoculate the New York forces ordered to this post" 
 Fishkills. 
 
 FOLIO LETTER OF SAMUEL HEWES, March 25th, 1777, intro 
 ducing Major Ward. 
 
 A LETTER OF SAM. ADAMS, which is particularly interesting as 
 it shows his dissatisfaction at the military policy of Washington 
 at that time. Though Europe and America are applauding the 
 imitation of Fabius, Adams goes on to express his views of the 
 unfitness of the comparison. The letter is written to General 
 Greene, May i2th, 1777. 
 
 LETTER, July nth, 1777, Roger Sherman writes of military 
 news. 
 
 RICHARD HENRY LEE, July 27th, 1777, speaks with considerable 
 foresight of the result of Burgoyne s plans ; he eulogizes General 
 Gates. 
 
 LETTER OF SAMUEL ADAMS. Eulogizes Gates. 
 
 ROGER SHERMAN writes a letter of two pages, folio, New 
 Haven, August 25th, 1777; refers to late successes of Stark; 
 says much regarding Gates. 
 
 A LETTER signed by General Heath, 4 pages, folio, Boston, 
 August 27th, 1777, is devoted to a description of the quality of 
 the soldiers and the number in the seven regiments sent to join 
 the Northern Army ; admits that there were some lads and a 
 number of negroes, but claims they went through in official 
 muster. Many particulars as to supplies. 
 
RICHARD HENRY LEE, York, i5th November, 1777: 
 " We have at length finished the confederation and shall send 
 it to the different States in a few days." 
 
 A LETTER, with signature purposely blotted, Lancaster, No 
 vember 2oth, 1777, announcing that the writer is superintend 
 ing the printing of the articles of confederation. It appears to 
 be slow work, for he says: "I had rather be a hogg-driver than 
 attend his press. " The latter part of the letter is occupied in 
 decrying the inability of Washington. He suggests to Adams 
 to communicate the first part of his letter to Mr. Duane, but as 
 to the latter part, "all I can say is, you are a man of prudence." 
 
 A LETTER OF 7 pages, folio, of R. H. Lee from York, Novem 
 ber, 1777. Relates that he, two days ago, moved the recall of Mr. 
 Deane. He palliates Mr. Deane s conduct, however, in some 
 points. Various matters concerning Politics and Military Mat 
 ters; refers to John Adams, General Gates and others. 
 
 DRAFT of a proposed arrangement for the exchange of Prison 
 ers, in the autograph of Arthur Lee. Address to Lord North 
 by Franklin, Deane, and Lee. 
 
 MINUTES of the Committee of Correspondence, November 
 24th, 1777, to March 2d, 1779, in handwriting of William Cooper. 
 32 pages, 4to. 
 
 A BROADSIDE, printed at Yorktown, 1777, containing extracts 
 from letters of Gates and others ; a military letter from Williams- 
 burg, Va. 2 pages, folio. 
 
 A LETTER OF FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, two and a half pages, 
 4to. Yorktown, December 22d, 1777. He writes in a state of 
 almost profane excitement as to the prices exacted by Clothing 
 Agents. 
 
 A LETTER OF GENERAL GATES. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS, ORIGINAL PAPERS, Volume for 
 1778-1779. A 2-pp. folio letter, January, 1778, to R. H. Lee. 
 Referring to campaign of 1778, expressing loss of confidence in 
 the officers. Hoping that the Commander-in-Chief may not, 
 through inferiority of inefficient officers, become an unfortunate 
 
general. Throws out the hint that if France delays she might 
 regret the consequences of an acknowledgment of the Inde 
 pendence of the United States by Great Britain, with an alliance 
 against France. Commends the action of the Virginia Assem 
 bly as to supplying troops. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE, January, 1778, writes that the King of Prussia s 
 secretary assures him that his master will not be the last to 
 acknowledge "our independence," but he cannot take the lead. 
 
 January i4th, 1778, Adams sends a letter to General Gates by 
 the hand of Baron Steuben, who is to wait on General Wash 
 ington first. He expresses favorable opinions of Steuben, and 
 states that Steuben offers himself as a volunteer, "wishing to 
 give no offence by interfering in command." 
 
 IMPORTANT LETTER OF E. GERRY. Long letter of William 
 Williams, the signer, February, 1778, 3^ pp., folio, as to how 
 the " Articles of Confederation were received by the Towns." 
 
 LETTERS OF ARTHUR LEE, speaking of the effect of the victory 
 over Burgoyne, a 6-pp. letter, detailing differences between the 
 Commissioners, . . . Franklin, " otherwise certainly a great 
 man," possessed of a weakness as to dinners, even when public 
 business is on hand. 
 
 LETTER OF R. H. LEE, Chantilly, March, 1778, writes that he 
 is engaged in raising men under a very important act a draft 
 of single men to fill up regiments. 
 
 EXPENSES OF S. ADAMS, April 27th, 1778; August i6th, 1779. 
 
 A LONG LETTER OF PETER THACHER, May ipth, 1778, a par 
 ticular account of the firing on American privateers by Conti 
 nental ships in Boston Harbor, for hoisting the pennant without 
 permission . . . does not think the life of any innocent 
 man should be subject to the caprice or the petulance or the in 
 solence of every " puppy of an officer who shall please to send 
 shot about the harbor. " 
 
 JOHN TRUMBULL, June 4th, 1778, expatiates on the currency 
 troubles. 
 
 "At present all the money the Congress have emitted is, as 
 
29 
 
 far as possible, thrown into constant circulation because the 
 owners are fearful that it may die in their hands." 
 
 S. COOPER, July 6, 1778: 
 
 " Most people think Clinton will be surrounded and taken I 
 suspect he will make his way to Amboy in either case the war 
 seems drawing to a close." 
 
 GEN L PARSONS, fine letter, July 9, 1778. -Is mystified as to 
 army movements in late battle. June 28, 1778: 
 
 " Tis said Gen l Lee for some misconduct was arrested on 
 the field of battle . . . been tried by the opinions of the 
 court and dismissed the service." 
 
 He is in doubt as to what is a wise course towards Lee, and 
 suggests a removal to a command where he can do no injury. 
 Refers to jealousies of the military chiefs : 
 
 " I believe Gen. Gates to be as honest a man, as true a friend 
 to the liberties of mankind as any person in America and a wise 
 and prudent officer. . . . I have reason to believe most offi 
 cers of distinction have taken a part in a real or imaginary con 
 test between the commander-in-chief and General Gates." 
 
 General Parsons is desirous of having a separate command 
 that he may avoid the unhappiness of taking a part, or the alter 
 native of standing in a suspicious light with all. 3-^- pages, 
 folio. 
 
 ED. BANCROFT writes a 6-j-page letter, defending Silas Deane, 
 endorsed by S. Adams, July 13, 1778 "The above was deliv 
 ered to me this day by Silas Dean, Esq re, just arrived from 
 Paris." 
 
 A SUMMARY of matters, extracts of letters, and relating to acts, 
 charges, recriminations, &c., of Deane, Lee and Franklin, men 
 tioning Vergennes, C. J. Fox, Shelburne. 2 pages, folio, by J. 
 Lovell. The writer calls it " Fire coals." 
 
 MALACHY SALTER, Aug. 15, 1778. From Cork, in Ireland. 
 Speaks of the kindness of friends in Ireland to Col. Ethan Allen, 
 a prisoner. 
 
 A VALUABLE LETTER, 2% pages, 4to. Philada., Sept. 7, 1778. 
 Written by Gen l B. Arnold to Henry Laurens, President of 
 
30 
 
 Congress, to whom he announces the formation of a secret plan 
 which will be " attended with honor to the arms of the U. S." 
 
 OCT. 24, 1778. Sam l Adams, Oct. 24: a eulogistic charac 
 terization of the bearer the Marquis Lafayette. 
 
 STATEMENT of a loan to be made by Holland to the U. S., in 
 writing of Arthur Lee. 
 
 INTERESTING LETTERS respecting the breach of friendship 
 between Adams and Hancock. 
 
 LIST OF SUPPLIES of money from Spain and France, in the auto 
 graph of Arthur Lee, with names of ships carrying them from 
 France, 3,000,000 livres, one (million) to be paid for in tobacco 
 
 LETTER from James Lovell, speaking of a late battle, the 
 wounding of General Erving, &c. : 
 
 " By the indiscretion of some one in Congress parts of Bing- 
 ham s letter are printed which should never have seen the 
 light." 
 
 LETTER about the currency. Letters relating to Berkenhout, 
 considering him a spy. 
 
 It was hard times with patriot James Lovell, Jan y, 1779. He 
 wonders how he 
 
 " hangs together, having bought one suit and one hat in 
 3 years, this latter Hessian cheat being gone beyond decency. 
 I am asked 300 dollars fora pr of leather breeches, 125 for 
 shoes, a suit of cloaths 1600." 
 
 JOHN WINTHROP, 5th Feb y, 1779, is glad to find that Con 
 gress have taken up the affairs of the Continental currency : 
 
 "The Depreciation of the bills has of late been astonishingly 
 rapid. They will not now purchase half so much as they would 
 a year ago, and the prices of all the necessaries of life are rising 
 every week." 
 
 LONG LETTER OF JOHN ADAMS. Passy, Feb. 14, 1779. Has 
 just met Lafayette. Deplores differences between the Ameri 
 can Commissioners: 
 
 " This Ct (court) has confidence in him (Franklin) alone. 
 
 We may have further Trouble, and tryals of patience 
 
 but trouble is to you and me familiar and I begin to think it 
 
31 
 
 necessary for my health, for without it I should soon grow so 
 fat as to go off in apoplexy." 
 
 CONTEMPORARY COPIES of letters between John Adams and 
 Count Vergennes. 
 
 LETTERS touching on the Nova Scotia fisheries. 
 
 A LETTER with acrimonious reference to Franklin, using a 
 number of words to say that the Dr. lies sometimes. 
 
 R. H. LEE gives account of a raid of Tories from New York, 
 men who came up the Potomac in small vessels. Writes of 
 General Lincoln s victory at Charlestown; asks for ships to clear 
 the enemy out of Chesapeake Bay. 
 
 LETTER OF GATES, July, 1779, contemplating a probable early 
 end of the war. General Gates communicates to Adams account 
 of damage done to New Haven and the coast generally, July, 
 1779. 
 
 SEPT. 3, 1779. Gen. Gates suggests that Steuben be wiser 
 than to interfere in Party ; wants to know what he is to depend 
 on from the Council for the Defence of this Town (Providence) 
 and State. 
 
 " GERRY will not have a tooth or a nail left if several whimsi 
 cal financiers do not go home soon. We are struggling hard 
 about our money. " J. Lovell, Sept., 1779. 
 
 MOSES HAZEN. Long letter, advocating the taking of Canada. 
 5 pages, folio. To Gen. Gates. 
 
 JONATHAN TRUMBULL transmits to Gen. Gates news from Lau- 
 rens, from South Carolina, the arrival of Count d Estaing with 
 ships, &c. , off the coasts of Georgia and Carolina. (Copy, sent 
 to Adams.) 
 
 CONCERNING the children of Gen. Joseph Warren. 4 pages, 
 folio. MS. of S. Adams. 
 
 NEW YORK and Massachusetts boundary: a MS. of 14 pages, 
 traversing the matter from 1654. Some part in handwriting of 
 John Adams. 
 
32 
 
 SAM. ADAMS ORIGINAL PAPERS, Volume for 1780 to 
 1782- Letter, January 4th, 1780: " I am sensible it is much 
 easier to find fault with a constitution than to propose good 
 amendments." 
 
 He discusses the danger of giving the first magistrate a nega 
 tive on all the laws. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL MINUTES of the Committee of Correspondence 
 of Boston, from March i3th, 1779, to March 6th, 1781, 42 pages, 
 in the handwriting of Town Clerk Cooper. 
 
 January 3d, 1780, Letter of Adams to the Governor of Rhode 
 Island urging expulsion of persons inimical to our cause. 
 
 A long and confidential letter, 5 pages, 4to, by Richard Henry 
 Lee, Chantilly, January i8th, 1780. S. Deane "has avoided 
 the consequences of a suit bro t by Dr. Lee and has fled to 
 France." 
 
 He explains how he was deceived by Berkenhout, "the art 
 ful knave." Connects Paul Wentworth and Deane in a fac 
 tion unfavorable to America. Though suffering from a fit of 
 the gout, he will commune with Adams. "As did the Stoic 
 philosopher when disregarding the gouty pain, he conversed 
 
 with a great man of antiquity I seem as it were to 
 
 be present with you and giving free scope to my mind. 
 I restrain none of its operations. ... I expect that the hard win 
 ter has saved us the trouble and expense of meeting General 
 Clinton in the field. ... P. S. My little son of five months 
 old, whom I have christened Cassius, grows apace, and seems 
 already to look as if he would be no Lover of Tyrants." 
 
 Carlisle, February 3d, 1781, John Armstrong writes confiden 
 tially of his sympathy and favor for General Gates. 
 
 JAMES LOVELL, February 8th, 1780, writes: 
 
 " I do not know that we can possibly get an army unless Mas 
 sachusetts perseveres in furnishing what I know she has judged 
 her disproportion." 
 
 He then gives the number expected from each State. 
 
 " We must cut throats another year at least, and we ought to 
 do it vigorously. France and Spain will persist in strenuous 
 co-operation for the purpose of securing our independence and 
 indemnifying themselves." 
 
33 
 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY expresses his happiness as the children of 
 General Warren are in better circumstances than as represented 
 in "ye proposed subscription." Is desirous that something 
 may be done for their support by Congress. 
 
 LOVELL says, February i6th, 1780: 
 
 "Congress has taken so much notice of George Walton s 
 complaints of Brig. Mclntosh as to inform him his service in 
 the Southern Department is dispensed with." 
 
 REPORT of the Committee of Ways and Means for lessening 
 expenses of Government, signed S. Adams, in Senate, Septem 
 ber 24th, 1782. 25 pages, folio. 
 
 August 6th, 1782, ARTHUR LEE writes: 
 
 " Everything from England seems to announce a real disposi 
 tion to Peace." 
 
 He writes some reflections on Mr. Morris. Says : 
 " I am of the Committee appointed to inspect the Depart 
 ment of Mr. Morris ; Mr. Deane is the Chairman ; such a choice 
 seemed to point out that Congress did not mean the inspection 
 should be productive of public good nor have I any reason to 
 think it will." 
 
 His opinions of Dr. Franklin and rapacious men in France 
 are strong. 
 
 THOMAS McKEAN, Signer of the Declaration, writes, 3 pages, 
 folio, Philadelphia, August 6th, 1782: 
 
 " Congress is at present composed of virtuous men 
 
 If it were not for the fisheries and Western lands, there would 
 be more harmony in that body." 
 
 He thinks the British Nation is prepared for a Peace; that the 
 success of Rodney in the West Indies will accelerate the minis 
 try in laying hold of their opportunities; he advises that prelim 
 inaries be adjusted ; if not, Gibraltar and the late conquests may 
 change masters. 
 
 Samuel Adams seems to forget his hatred of Royalty in 
 expressing his own happy feelings and the joy of the country on 
 the birth of a Dauphin of France in a letter to the Chevalier 
 de la Lucerne, June, 1782. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE, with a fine signature of John Han- 
 
cock; he declines to admit that a bill has become a law, owing 
 
 to the lapse of time 
 
 " Unless a circumstance should be urg d. which I would not 
 presume could take place that the Representatives of this Com 
 monwealth would ever bring into contemplation the Sabbath as 
 a day of secular business with me." 
 
 Philadelphia, April 2ist, Arthur Lee writes a three-page let 
 ter, in which he refers to the Assembly: "An infatuated ma 
 jority in the bondage of folly and private interest." Speaks 
 severely of a prominent man, who, with a petition on the table 
 of Congress, declaring himself insolvent, not only sits and votes, 
 but treats the members with magnificent dinners ; he is alarmed 
 at the proposed admission of Vermont ; thinks the small States 
 are already combining to dismember the large ones, but your 
 delegates do not think with me. Sure I am that, with the ad 
 mission of this little State, the Confederation will end. 
 
 J. LOVELL writes, February 24th, 1780, sending pamphlets 
 containing treaties between us and France, in the language of 
 both countries. When the sheets were partly struck off, order 
 was given that they should not go into the Journals for other 
 reasons than because they were badly printed owing to the 
 want of accents. I made the printer complete a few of the 
 treaties, as he had got the last proof corrected before the decision 
 to leave the sheets out of the Journal. 
 
 " The tickling story of the Stripes hoisted in Holland may 
 have its run but I have some proof that matters have been con 
 ducted more agreeably to Dutch politics; and in a way that will 
 produce more solid good than the pleasure of indulging the 
 proud affectations of our rising Navy." 
 
 March iyth, 1780, Lovell writes that Mr. Temple is coming 
 out with the following proposals to Congress : 
 
 " G. Britain will acknowledge the independence of all the 
 states except Sth. Carolina and Georgia and the province of 
 Maine . . . The following were offered by the British King 
 and rejected by Mr. T. The U. S. to join their arms with G. B. 
 against Spain, &c. In regard to Continental Money, nobody 
 can tell what value common consent will from day to day 
 put upon it. Three hundred for one may be demanded next 
 week." 
 
35 
 
 GENERAL B. LINCOLN writes from Charlestown, February 23d, 
 1780. Believing that Clinton cannot take the town, giving 
 reasons. 
 
 March 28th, 1780, writes: 
 
 "Our public horses have been starved for want of forage; 
 though there has been given to the transportation department 
 almost paper (money) enough to litter the whole number. 
 Mutton is $13 to 15 per pound. If I could do without any 
 cloathing myself, will my whole income give food alone to my 
 dependents ? " 
 
 " The paragraph in the paper respecting Clinton s mishaps is 
 
 from good authority, though General W n desired it might 
 
 not be authenticated here in print." 
 
 ARTHUR LEE writes a long letter as to the doings of the 
 French, &c. , with a dig at Franklin, L Orient, March 3oth, 
 1780, 5 pages, 4to. 
 
 Here is an authentic record of the price of clothing in 1780, 
 and the success of a patriot in trying to buy breeches cheap : 
 
 t I sent for cheapness sake to Lancaster for a pr. of leathern 
 breeches. They are arrived, at first Cost two hundred 200 the 
 skip, 130 the making 330 dollars, and yet this is called cheap 
 because Mr. Ned Livermore, a youth now with his father in this 
 family, paid for a pair much inferior in size and quality, $320." 
 
 This is part of a letter of April 4th, 1780, referring to the 
 matter of money. 
 
 PROPOSITIONS OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS for raising 
 money, four pages, 4to, copied and sent to Adams by James 
 Lovell, 22d of May, 1780: 
 
 " The middle and eastern States must comply fully and almost 
 immediately with all if not more than all the requisitions of 
 Congress, or sudden destruction will probably come upon the 
 whole Confederacy." " I promised myself that General Wash 
 ington s letter to Colonel Harrison, published by Rivington, will 
 make the enemy heedless and rash." 
 
 A. SHIPPEN, Philadelphia, June i7th, 1780, writes that the 
 British are making sad havoc in Virginia; they have taken six 
 members of their Assembly. He despairs of 
 
 "Assistance while a certain person is our Minister; he has 
 sent his resignation to Congress ; this is probably no more than 
 
a State trick to fix him more firmly in his saddle; he says per 
 haps he is too old, but he does not perceive anything like it him 
 self, and then gives a strong proof of it by recommending his 
 grandson as the person who will, in a year or two, be most fit 
 for our Plenipotentiary ; from this recommendation one or the 
 other of these two things is clear; either Mr. Franklin s facul 
 ties are impaired or he thinks ours are ; this same gentleman is 
 now blackening the character of Mr. John Adams in Congress 
 more than he did Mr. Lee, and he has got the French Minister 
 to join him." 
 
 LETTERS REGARDING MILITARY AFFAIRS. The Defense of the 
 Hudson, &c. Copies by Adams and Letter of General Robert 
 Howe, June, 1780. 
 
 A FOLIO, closely written on both sides by Samuel Adams, in 
 cluding copy of two letters of Vergennes, July 3oth and 3ist, 
 1780, to Franklin, and extract of a long letter written by 
 Franklin to the President of Congress, August 9th, 1780, refer 
 ring to the conduct of John Adams, stating he has given offense 
 to the French Court, detailing his movements, &c. Chantilly, 
 September loth, 1780. 
 
 A LONG LETTER referring to the Land Claims between Vir 
 ginia and Maryland. 
 
 Again Lee criticises Franklin ; wishes to know how long the 
 dignity, honor and interest of these United States be sacrificed 
 to the bad passion of that old man under the idea of his being 
 a philosopher; he is immediately referring to proceedings of 
 Franklin and others over the case of a French privateer. 
 
 ACCOUNT of the Proceedings of Vermont, New Hampshire, 
 &c., Philadelphia, September 17, 1780, written by Samuel 
 Adams. 
 
 A LONG LETTER of advice as to American Affairs, written by 
 Samuel Adams, December 17, 1780, to John Adams at Paris. 
 Great exertions have been made in the year past to give our 
 invaders a decisive blow, but the second division of the French 
 Squadron being blocked up in Brest and a re-inforcementto the 
 enemy arriving from the West Indies, they have had the 
 supremacy at sea. He refers to Cornwallis s boasting; speaks 
 of the brave Southern army checking his progress, and the aid 
 
37 
 
 of the militia in disconcerting his plans. " Arnold s conspiracy 
 was to have wrought wonders, but gracious Heaven defeated 
 it." Tells him of the building of a new ship to be called the 
 Oceana. 
 
 COPY OF AN ARTICLE from Rivington s Gazette in abuse of 
 Adams, referring to his enemy Hancock, and Adams alleged 
 preference of a Yankee General to the Surveyor of the Woods of 
 the Dominion of Virginia. This is copied by Adams own 
 hand. 
 
 LETTER of ten pages, written January, 1781, to Samuel Adams 
 by Elbridge Gerry, criticising the Governor and politics in a 
 severe manner, January 7th, 1781. Signature has been pur 
 posely obliterated. 
 
 A PETITION OF THOMAS CHASE, Boston, January 26th, 1781: 
 You cannot be sensible of the distressed situation of the 
 officers who have served under me, many of them and their 
 families are suffering extream hunger and cold for the want of 
 the money due to them from the Public, having had no pay since 
 the i March last and that at the depreciated value." 
 
 RICHARD HENRY LEE writes of a military situation in the 
 South ; refers to General Greene s movements : 
 
 " I am at present lamed by my horse falling with me in a late 
 engagement." 
 
 MINUTES of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and 
 Safety of Boston in autograph of W. Cooper. 43 pages, 8vo, 
 March i2th, 1781, to March 2d, 1784. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE, Philadelphia, August 7th, 1781. Not pleased 
 that Chancellor Livingston was elected Minister of Foreign 
 Affairs, though, after some splenetic expressions, he thinks the 
 event is fortunate as if he had been elected it would have dis 
 appointed the wishes of his own friends. 
 
 "Having now finish d my business with Congress, I shall 
 retire and whenever I have reason to think that the ratification 
 of a Treaty of Peace will come on, I shall endeavor to get into 
 Congress." 
 
 A LETTER OF GENERAL HEATH. Thinks the people of Ver 
 mont are warmly attached to the American cause as any in the 
 
38 
 
 Thirteen States, but I fear there are some designing men among 
 them. December, 1781. 
 
 A LETTER OF CONGRATULATION on the capture of Cornwallis, 
 by Alex. M Dougall, October 17, 1781. 
 
 A LONG DOCUMENT relating to Indian Affairs under John 
 Allan, Commissioner. Relations with the Indians during the 
 Revolution. Presented to the State of Massachusetts. 
 
 SAM. ADAMS, ORIGINAL PAPERS, Volume for 1783-1801. 
 John Hancock s Message to the Senate and Assembly, respect 
 ing the quartering of Rochambeau s Troops, M ch, 1783. 
 Act for the Settlement of Public Accounts of the United States 
 (An Act of the State of Pennsylvania). 9 pp. folio, M ch, 1783. 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY, M ch 4, 1784, writes a 15-page folio letter: 
 " Our adjournment to Annapolis has certainly had a good 
 effect; the object of the inhabitants here is altogether pleasure. 
 Congress are free from external influence. ... I am clearly 
 convinced in my own mind of the rectitude of the officers in 
 general respecting the [order of] the Cincinnati. I have a 
 great opinion of these virtuous men." 
 
 He goes on, however, to oppose the plan: 
 
 " G W n has to my great astonishment written a 
 
 circular letter directing a meeting of the representative officers 
 of the State Cincinnati s in May next at Philadelphia, which will 
 be the first meeting of the Cincinnati Congress in God s name may 
 
 it be the last. The G -1, in his last address to the Army. . . . 
 
 urged them to use their influence to increase the powers of 
 Congress, or in other words to alter the Federal Government." 
 
 The fears of patriotic men were excited; the newly established 
 Republic might be endangered by the establishment of an aris 
 tocratic order, and there are a number of letters in this volume, 
 relating to the possible malign results of the establishment of 
 the " Order of the Cincinnati." 
 
 April, 1783. ADAMS thinks the sooner the secret Journals of 
 Congress are published the better. Let the debates of Congress 
 be open and the whole of their transactions published weekly. 
 
 S. ADAMS writes to GEN. GATES, May 2, 1783: 
 
 " I most heartily congratulate you on the return or" peace with 
 
39 
 
 Liberty and Independence. Blessings for which patriots have 
 toiled and heroes fought and bled. Future generations can never 
 curse the present for carelessly surrendering their rights." 
 
 GERRY writes: 
 
 " If it be said that G - 1 W - n has given us too strong proof 
 of his patriotism to admit of a jealousy that he would permit 
 such an event [loss of Republican Independence] the answer is 
 easy and natural. It may be in his power to put such a machine 
 in motion, but not to stop its progress. The military should 
 not suppose they have all the merit of effecting the Revolution. 
 The militia is not to be overlooked. If a monarch loses his 
 Army he is undone, but the loss of a Republican Army pro 
 duces exertions that furnish double or treble the number." 
 
 He voices alarms as to the possible effect of a union of mili 
 tary men after a successful war. 
 
 ADAMS writes a strong democratic letter in reference to the 
 above. He also requests attention of Congress to Naval officers. 
 They appear to him injured, or, at least, neglected men. 
 
 LETTER signed by a " Minister of the Gospel ": 
 
 " The best men . . . ask where is the Honorable Samuel 
 Adams ... to whom all the States used to look up for devices 
 and measures of procedure in arduous cases. " (Refers to the 
 Cincinnati.) 
 
 GERRY writes, May 7, 1784: 
 
 "Congress have completed this morning . . . instructions to 
 their ministers for negociating Treaties of Commerce ... to 
 be signed by Adams, Franklin and Jefferson. G. W -- n 
 passed through this place and I am informed that he is opposed 
 to the plan." (Confidential.) 
 
 GERRY says of the " Cincinnati ": 
 
 " This political wolf has been presented in sheep s clothing 
 to recommend the harmless creature they have christened it 
 with the venerable name of Cincinnatus. He thinks the com 
 plexion of Congress is good." 
 
 Again, 14 May, 1784, Gerry reports that "Congress nega 
 tived the Hereditary Titles." (Order of Cincinnati.) 
 
 JAMES BOWDOIN, respecting a bill for regulating price of 
 coins. 
 
40 
 
 LETTERS, 1784, ADAMS to R. H. LEE, congratulating the 
 country on his (Lee s) election as PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 R. H. LEE communicates his objections to the New Constitu 
 tion. Several very long, earnest letters, October, 1787 (inci 
 dentally relating proceedings of Congress). Full of matter of 
 serious import for the success of democracy and considerations 
 against dangerous centralization. 
 
 LETTER of S. OSGOOD, Jany. 5, 1788. Establishment of the 
 Government with special references to the judiciary . . . represen 
 tation, &c. , &c. Believes if the new Government should take place, 
 the first rebellion against it would break out in the town of Boston. 
 Thinks the Philadelphians are deluded in offering 10 square 
 miles so near the City for the General Government a few years 
 would empty the city drawing away the people. Wishes the 
 Government of the U. S. to have 10 miles square, but let the 
 people settled there know they are freemen. 
 
 Resolutions of the Mass, delegates respecting THE CONSTITU 
 TION (about Jan y, 1788) with proposals of Eight Amendments. 
 Including, among others, 
 
 " That there shall be a representative for every 30,000 inhabi 
 tants. That it be explicitly declared that all powers not dele 
 gated to Congress are reserved to the several States to be by 
 them exercised. That Congress erect no Company of Mer 
 chants with exclusive advantages of Commerce. In civil actions 
 between citizens of different states every issue of fact arising 
 may be tried by a jury if the parties or either of them desire." 
 
 N. DANE, a letter, 2^ pp., folio. N. Y., May 10, 1788: 
 
 " Eight States have now determined relative to the consti 
 tution proposed. ... I mentioned in my last the application 
 of Kentucky for an admission into the Union. I am just in 
 formed . . . Vermont enquires respecting her admission into 
 the Union. ... I am persuaded if these States do not unite in 
 their infancy and cement the Union, they will not do it here 
 after." 
 
 GERRY, E., July 7, 1789, congratulates Adams on his election 
 as Lieutenant-Gov. of Mass., writes about repealing the act 
 against secular amusements ; thinks 
 "That if a theatre could be well regulated it would afford not 
 
41 
 
 only the most rational and elegant amusement, but also a school 
 of morality." 
 
 Refers to Mr. Henry s company, and makes a strong plea for 
 the theatre. Uncertain as to Gov. Adams views. 
 
 GERRY informs Adams of the amount of compensation for 
 members of the House and Senate as fixed at $6.00 a day. 
 Doorkeepers, $750 a year. To the Secretary of the Senate and 
 Clerk of the House, $1,500 each year, and $2 a day for every 
 day of the session of Congress. 
 
 " Who ever supposed that a Senator or Representative would 
 be so debased as to receive as a compensation less than a door 
 keeper. " 
 
 He mentions that he moved to strike out all provision for 
 members of the house, . . . but believes the establishment 
 should be just enough to make it reputable. 
 
 R. H. LEE is astonished that Roger Sherman opposed a motion 
 for introducing into a bill of rights an idea that the military 
 should be subordinate to the civil power. His reason was that 
 it would "make the people insolent." Expresses thoughts about 
 State Government, accounts of constitutional discussions, &c. 
 
 ADAMS, a letter of Aug., 1789, discusses the power of remov 
 ing Federal officers at the pleasure of the President. Particularly 
 interesting, Adams takes pains to say, 
 
 " I now most sincerely believe that while President Washing 
 ton continues in the chair he will be able to give to all good men 
 a satisfactory reason for every instance of his publick conduct. " 
 
 Adams says, contrary to his usual manner, he feels himself 
 constrained to make profession of sincerity on this question, 
 because in Gordon s history it is stated 
 
 " I was concerned in an attempt to remove General Washing 
 ton from command, and mentions an anonymous letter to your 
 late Gov. Henry, which I never saw nor heard of till lately . . . 
 reading the history." 
 
 Ten pages, folio, by GEORGE MORGAN. The account of the 
 State of Indian affairs. How to wage successful warfare, &c. 
 Some rather revolting suggestions as to the speediest method of 
 
ending troubles with the Western Indian, offering rewards for 
 scalps, ears and right hands of an enemy; mitigated, however, 
 by making the reward double for each male prisoner and 300 
 dollars for a female. If the war were carried on and continued 
 by giving a thousand dollars for each scalp, it would be ten 
 times cheaper than to do as hitherto. Gen. Harmon s expedi 
 tion cost say, $300,000; but suppose 100,000 only, he took ten 
 scalps, which then cost $10,000 each. 
 
 LETTER FROM JOHN HANCOCK to Adams, August 1793. 
 
 "As to myself, infirm as I am, you will find me prompt to 
 plan and ready to execute when necessity calls. I feel for my 
 country, and will not give up the liberties of the people to the 
 last drop of my blood." 
 
 SOME MSS. relating to Citizen Genet and the French Republic. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER of the Commonwealth of Mass., relating to 
 speech of Hancock and resolves of the Commonwealth, opposing 
 the claim of a federal judiciary over a state sovereignty, refers to 
 the death of Hancock, and signed by S. Adams, Lieutenant- 
 Governor. 
 
 PROTESTS. Papers relating to the demission of the French 
 Vice-Consul at Boston, Citizen Duplaine denying the right of 
 the President of the U. S. to effect it. 
 
 THE MESSAGE OF ADAMS, 17 Jany.,i784, to the Mass. Legislature 
 on assuming the Governorship on the death of Hancock. 
 
 " His fellow citizens while they drop a tear, may certainly 
 profit by the recollection of his virtuous and patriotic career." 
 
 He limits his rights as Governor to stating objections and 
 entreats the Legislature to dispatch the weightier business so 
 early in the session as to afford him opportunity to perform his 
 duty with due consideration and care. Page i not in his writing. 
 
 DANNERY. Communication of the description of the French 
 Flag as adopted by the Convention, 1794. 
 
 OPINIONS on international and other matters of law by James 
 Sullivan. 
 
 H. KNOX S COMMUNICATION from the War Department, of 
 
43 
 
 John Jay s letter deciding on the statu quo regarding the 
 position of Massachusetts according to the peace of 1783. 
 Encroachments are to be abandoned. 1794. 
 
 LETTER TO ADAMS from the Sierra Leone Society, with copies 
 of statements of the Governor and Council of Sierra Leone, 
 giving names (and other particulars) of ships from Boston, 
 Salem, engaged in slave trading. 
 
 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION. 
 INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF ADAMS. 
 
 ADAMS MESSAGE regarding the mode of filling vacancies occur 
 ring by reason of death among the Presidential Electors. He 
 had signed the resolve giving power to the Electors themselves 
 to fill vacancies, had delivered the same to the Secretary to be 
 filed, but afterwards erased his name. Raises a technical ques 
 tion ; and if it has become a law desires its repeal. 
 
 S. ADAMS (copy by his Secretary) writes John Adams, April 
 
 i7, 79: 
 
 "I congratulate you as the first citizen of the U. S., I may 
 add of the world, I am my dear sir notwithstanding. . . .party 
 papers your old and unvaried friend " 
 
 CITIZEN DANNERY, some time since representing the French 
 Republic at Boston, then a fervid Republican, writes a long 
 letter advising the Americans to settle their difficulties with 
 France rather than exhibit partiality for England. He descants 
 upon the glorious projects of Buonaparte, and presents a dazzling 
 picture of his present and prospective successes including the 
 conquest of India, of England and Ireland. He has named his 
 son Samuel Adams. Paris, 1798. 
 
 THE last piece in the collection signed by Adams, with the 
 trembling fingers of age, is a recommendation of a descendant 
 of Gov. Winthrop. to the favor of Thos. McKean, Gov. of 
 Pennsylvania. A warm answer is received from McKean. 
 
 " The public mind has for a few years past been very different 
 from that which prevailed during our American Revolution and 
 at the time our acquaintance commenced. . . .but now. . . .our 
 old time Republican principles are once more fashionable," 
 
44 
 
 LETTER TO JEFFERSON, on his election, May 24, 1801 (Adams, by 
 his Secretary) : 
 
 I sincerely congratulate our Country on the arrival of the day 
 of glory which has called you to the first office in the Administration of 
 Federal Government. If I have at any time been avoided or 
 frowned on your kind exhortation in the language of the most 
 perfect friend of man surpasses every injury. The storm is now 
 over and we are in port." 
 
 He follows in ardent strain on Jeffersonian principles, ending 
 with, 
 
 "Though an old man cannot advise you, he can give you his 
 blessing; you have devoutly my blessing and my prayers." 
 
 Then follows a copy of Jefferson s letter to which this is a 
 reply. (The original letter is among the unbound pieces in Ban 
 croft s collection.) It is after Jefferson s election, March 29, 
 1801. 
 
 " It would have been a day of glory which should have called 
 
 you to the first office there exists not in the heart of man 
 
 a more faithful esteem than mine to you I shall ever bear 
 
 you the most affectionate veneration and respect." 
 
 THOS. McKEAN, May, 1801, writes that, 
 
 "We have lived to a good old age the Counter Revolution 
 meditated and attempted in the United States during the last 
 four years appears to be nearly defeated." 
 
 He reflects on the conduct of John Adams in the last part of 
 his administration, assails Tories, and quotes Livingston s, 
 saying, 
 
 " He did not believe it possible to convert a Tory to a Whig, 
 nay that the Almighty Himself could not effect the change with 
 out a miracle." 
 
 The collection ends with a letter to a friend predicting the 
 advance of democratic republicanism, the breaking down of 
 oppressors, with reason to believe that with the efforts of men 
 of virtue and science the spirit of war will cease. 
 
 ADAMS. The life of Samuel Adams, by Samuel Adams Wells. 
 The original manuscript, 216 leaves, folio, written in a very neat, 
 close hand. The revision and completion of this work was pre* 
 vented by the death of the author, after which the MS. passed 
 into the hands of Mr. Bancroft. Folio, half red morocco. 
 
PAPERS BY SAMUEL ADAMS. 5 Vols., folio. Let 
 ters and papers chronologically arranged and with an index in 
 the Autograph of George Bancroft, comprising Adams Contri 
 butions to the Boston Gazette, published under a variety of 
 assumed names, including the establishment of their identity, 
 matters of the hot controversies of Whig and Tory ; Copies of 
 letters to the Agent of the Provinces in England, as well as 
 communications to Public Bodies, together with copies of letters 
 and answers. The names of Arthur and Richard Henry Lee, of 
 Franklin, Warren, Jefferson, Elbridge Gerry, Washington, &c. , 
 are of frequent recurrence. The bulk of material is of the period 
 of 1768 to 1781, but the dates from 1768 to 1801 are covered. 
 Included are Resolves of Public Bodies of the various Provinces ; 
 1489 numbered folio pages, written on one side. Loosely inserted 
 are some pages of related matter in the Autograph of Bancroft. 
 5 vols. folio, old half calf binding. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. The 
 original MS. in the hand of Samuel Adams Wells. About 
 1,000 leaves of finely written MS. on one side of the 
 paper. The author here presents Samuel Adams through his 
 own writings, which he has industriously transcribed, connect 
 ing them with biographical and narrative material. The Letters 
 and papers of his correspondence, friends and opponents. The 
 work is preceded by a table of contents of chapters and then 
 commence at page 67, in the year 1776. The first 66 pages 
 apparently missing. They relate to the early period of Adams 
 life, and perhaps the matter is given elsewhere. Three Volumes, 
 folio, half dark morocco. This Manuscript was prepared partly 
 as early as 1815; a few chapters had been printed when the 
 death of the writer ended the publication. 
 
 REVOLUTIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. Inter-Colonial 
 Committees, 1773-1774. This is a printed title of one of the Volumes 
 comprising the collection of the original letters, drafts of 
 letters, and documents of the Committee of Correspondence." 
 A few of the items will be mentioned, with now and then a brief 
 extract. 
 
46 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, Boston, May i3th, 1774, announcing the 
 Act of Parliament shutting up the Port of Boston. 
 
 "The people receive the edict with indignation, it is expected 
 by their enemies and feared by their friends, that this town 
 singly will not be able to support the calls under so severe a 
 Tryal. As the very being of every colony, considered as a free 
 People, bends upon the Event, a Thought so dishonorable to 
 our Brethren cannot be entertained, as that this Town will now 
 be left to struggle alone General Gage has just arrived . . . ." 
 
 Following is a memorandum of the Colonies to which this 
 letter was sent, carried "by Mr. Revere, who also took with him 
 to Philadelphia the vote of the town to be forwarded to the Col 
 onies Southward, together with the sentiments of Philadelphia." 
 
 A LETTER of Benjamin Church relating to the importation of 
 tea, December 3d, 1773. 
 
 A BROADSIDE, the "Resolves of Portsmouth" to prevent the 
 landing of tea in its Harbor, December i6th, 1773. 
 
 A BROADSIDE for the town of Newport, January i2th, 1774, 
 being various Resolves, including "the duty of every American 
 to oppose the landing of tea." Not only the printed broadside 
 but the manuscript, attested by the Town Clerk. 
 
 May 2oth, 1774. Record of the Vote of the town meeting 
 Newport: 
 
 "We will unite with the other Colonies . . . to procure the 
 
 establishment of the rights of the colonies, particularly 
 
 to put a stop to trade with Great Britain." 
 
 March 1774. Original letter from Providence, declaring op 
 position to the Post Office Scheme. 
 
 SEVERAL LETTERS from Providence. 
 
 A DOCUMENT announcing the sudden adjournment of the 
 Court, to the town of Salem. "We have a right to call it 
 USURPATION" (each letter a carefully formed capital). 
 
 Mr. Revere reports helpful offers of the merchants of Phila 
 delphia, December i2th, 1774. Letter to the Committee at 
 Newport, advising the departure of a British Transport with 
 soldiers believed to be destined for Newport, 
 
47 
 
 " Our enemies doubt not the bravery of our Countrymen, but 
 if they can get our fortresses, our arms and ammunition, they 
 will despise all our attempts to shake off their fetters." 
 
 RESOLVES OF THE HARTFORD HOUSE, May 1774. 
 
 A FOLIO LETTER in the hand of Israel Putnam. Signed by him 
 and others. "We have in this parish as high a Sence of our 
 Liberties as an} town on earth," Brooklyne June 3oth, 1774. 
 Also another of Putnam s ill-spelled letters, offering to make an 
 "exceptable present to the Town of Brooklyne for the poor of 
 Boston." 
 
 RESOLVES of the House of Assembly of Hartford, June 3d, 
 1774: 
 
 " In our opinion a Congress is absolutely necessary previous to 
 almost every other measure, suggesting the earliest date which 
 will allow time to communicate with the other colonies. " Signed 
 Silas Deane. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS at Brooklyne, June 28th, 1774, Protesting that 
 nothing shall be bought from Great Britain and the East Indies 
 excepting bibles, pins, needles, gun powder, lead, flints (and 
 some other items), and that they will "maintain their liberties at 
 the risque of their lives and fortunes in spite of the united com 
 binations of Earth and Hell." Israel Putnam presides. 
 
 A LETTER from Pomfret at Col. Putnam s, Sept. 4th, 1774, in 
 flation to a false dispatch relating that the British had fired on 
 Boston. The people, eager for a fray, evidently regret that it 
 was not true. " Can Great Britain enslave three millions of bold 
 undaunted and desperate freemen? God forbid! We are resolved 
 to die, or be free." 
 
 In regard to the robbery of powder, "Make diligent search 
 for all dasterdly villians .... Keep a strict watch over your 
 powder, for that must be the great means under God of the sal 
 vation of our Country," with signature of Putnam and others. 
 As the conflict is nearing, Gage is erecting a fortification at the 
 South end of the Town. In a letter to Putnam, we read: 
 
 " The hour of vengence comes lowering on ... demands . . 
 if not answering in any other way, must be thundered from the 
 tongue of Mars, which shall penetrate the ears of Monarchs." 
 
48 
 
 June 1 6th, 1774. Letter to Silas Deane approving the Re 
 solve for a General Congress. 
 
 "We are in expectation of hearing from Salem that our 
 Assembly have appointed a Committee for that purpose." 
 
 STONINGTON S ADVICE as to the forming of a General Congress. 
 SEVERAL pieces signed by Deane. 
 
 DENUNCIATION OF SAMUEL PETERS, with copy of a letter of 
 Peters wherein he says "the Church will fall very soon to the 
 Rage of the Puritan Mobility." 
 
 " For my telling the Church people not to take up arms, the 
 Sons of Liberty have almost killed one of my Church tarred 
 and feathered two and destroyed my gown and cassock, crying 
 out Damn the Church ." 
 
 In another letter intercepted and copied Peters expresses 
 himself in high spirits and says, "on the arrival of more troups, 
 hanging work will go on," &c. " The lintel prinkled on the side 
 posts will preserve the faithfull. " Also copies of letters opened 
 and read by messengers disclosing Peters views, &c. 
 
 "The professors of the Church of England in this Colony 
 (Connecticut) are generally true sons of Liberty." Extract of 
 Letter signed by Gray, Wales, Bissell, &c., October 1774. The 
 use of Peters letters was considered of great advantage to the 
 cause. 
 
 May 1 3th, 1774, Samuel Adams draft for the Committee of 
 Correspondence announces receipt of the Act of Parliament 
 closing the Port of Boston, exclaims upon its cruelty, ignominy, 
 and powerfully exhorts the Colonists to regard it as an attack 
 upon the liberties of the whole people and asks if "we may rely upon 
 you suspending your trade with Great Britain. " i-J- pages, folio 
 in the handwriting of Adams, signed by a member and certified 
 by W. C. (Cooper) the town clerk. The letter addressed to 
 Committees of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Rhode 
 Island, Connecticut, Richmond, &c. 
 
 The first information in New York as to Gage s being on the 
 way to Boston, a letter dated New York, May i5th, 1774, say 
 ing that they had received news by an English Ship. They think, 
 however, that, owing to the winds, Boston will have already re- 
 
49 
 
 ceived Gage. It is a fine letter, full of sympathy, and ardent as 
 to measures in opposition; announcing a meeting to adopt a 
 non-importation and non-exportation agreement, signed Isaac 
 Sears and Alex. McDougall. 
 
 New York proposes a Congress and the proposition is approved 
 by a Boston Committee in a letter of May soth, 1774. Several 
 letters expressive of the distress of the Poor in Boston. Letters 
 between New York and Boston relative to suspension of Trade. 
 New York leaves the matter to Congress. New Jersey Letters on 
 the same things. Letters from Philadelphia, signed by George 
 Clymer, Charles Thomson, Thomas Mifflin and many others, 
 referring to a non-exportation agreement, considering a Gen 
 eral Congress of the different Colonies, &c. 
 
 A LETTER from Newcastle, August 2d, 17,74, referring to the 
 Boston Port Bill, signed by Thomas McKean, George Read and 
 several others, with the answer from Boston, June 26th, 1774. 
 Letter from Annapolis proposing a Congress at Philadelphia, 
 September 2oth, 1774. 
 
 ADDRESS to the Committee of Virginia not signed. 
 
 A LETTER from Annapolis, 26th of June, 1774, proposing a Con 
 gress in Philadelphia and offering help to Boston, with the origi 
 nal signatures of William Parker, Samuel Chase (Signer of the 
 Declaration), Robert Goldsboro and others. 
 
 PRINTED BROADSIDE. Resolve of the Inhabitants of Balti 
 more County on the Boston Port Bill, printed by Enoch Story, 
 May 3ist, 1774. Resolve of the House of Burgesses of Vir 
 ginia, signed copy, George Wise, Clerk of the House. 
 
 May 1 4th, 1774, setting apart a day of Fasting and Prayer, 
 the ist of June, date of the taking effect of the Boston Port 
 Bill. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON appears as Chairman at a meeting of 
 the inhabitants of the County of Fairfax, the i8th of July, 1774, 
 in the town of Alexandria. They passed twenty-six resolutions. 
 Resolution 24 is that George Washington, Esq., and Charles 
 Broad water, Gent., lately elected our Representatives to serve 
 in general Assembly, attend the Convention at Williamsburg on 
 
50 
 
 the first day of August next, and present these resolves as the 
 sense of the people of this County upon the measures proper to 
 be taken in the present and alarming and dangerous situation of 
 America. Resolved, that George Washington and several others 
 named, be a Committee. This is a paper of 12 folio pages, and 
 is signed by Robert Harrison, Clerk of the Meeting. Indorsed 
 by the Town Clerk of Boston. Its connection of General Wash- 
 ingtoji with pre- Revolutionary movements raises it to a paper high 
 in interest. 
 
 A LETTER signed by Charles Washington and others relating to 
 the aid given by Virginia to the Boston sufferers, July 6th, 1775. 
 
 LETTERS from Norfolk and other Virginia towns, followed by 
 letters from Charlestown by Gadsden, Timothy and others with a 
 draft of a letter to Georgia and part of a Document referring to 
 Florida. 
 
 The papers in this Volume are numbered. Total of pages, 
 541. Of course, the documents and letters vary in number of 
 pages. A number of letters are signed by the individuals of the 
 Committee of Correspondence and others are the official attested 
 copies sent by the Committees and signed by the Clerks. The 
 examination of the Volume and taking the extracts of the 
 letters has been rapid and many items equally interesting have 
 necessarily been passed over. The letters are generally in the 
 most excellent state of preservation, having passed into Mr. 
 Bancroft s hands at an early date. The arrangement is in Colo 
 nies from the North downwards. It has been possible to give 
 but a few hours attention where days might be employed in ex 
 amining and collating these yellowing relics of the Fathers of the 
 Revolution. It may be noted that among the signatures are 
 several names afterwards appearing upon the "Declaration of 
 Independence." i vol. folio, ^ dark morocco, uniform with the 
 two following. 
 
 REVOLUTIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. The Papers of 
 the Committees of Massachusetts in two Volumes, 1772 to 1773 
 and 1774 to 1775. The first Volume opens with a Notification 
 printed by William Cooper, Town Clerk of Boston, November 1 6th, 
 
51 
 
 i77 2 > stating that the town having appointed a Committee of Cor 
 respondence to state the rights of the Colonists as men, 
 
 as Christians and as subjects ; and to communicate and publish 
 the same to the several towns in this Province and to the world 
 as the sense of this town with the infringements and violations 
 thereof, that have been, or from time to time may be made; 
 also requesting of each town a free communication of their sen 
 timents on this subject. The free-holders and inhabitants are 
 notified to meet at Faneuil Hall the 2oth of November, to act 
 upon the reports of the Committee of Correspondence. En 
 dorsed in the Autograph of William Cooper. Accompanied by 
 the original MS. draft written and signed by Cooper, together 
 with the returns of the twelve constables who served the paper 
 (warning) with their signatures. In view of the work performed 
 by the Committee of Correspondence, the above pieces must be 
 regarded as relics of very great interest. Then follow the rough 
 minutes of the meeting just called. The Honorable John Han 
 cock presided. It was here voted that the "Rights of the Col" 
 onists" &c. , be printed in a pamphlet and that the Committee be 
 desired to disperse six hundred among select men of the several 
 towns and such other gentlemen as the Committee think fit. 
 Following is the draft in the hand of Samuel Adams, of fifteen 
 pages, folio, being the "Rights of the Colonists," as Men, as 
 Christians and as Subjects. This document is in perfect con 
 dition and legibly written in a hand rather larger than usual 
 with Adams. Considering the all-permeating effect of this 
 powerful statement of rights, the interest and value of this 
 original document can scarcely be estimated. 
 
 Then follows in MS. the statement of the "Infringements," 
 &c., occupying thirteen pages, folio, amended here and there 
 and with two insets. The Document comprising the Infringe 
 ment, &c., consists of twelve sections (Section i2th with cancel 
 lation marks). 
 
 A REPORT of the Town Meeting of November 2oth, 1772, 6 
 pages, folio, in the handwriting of Cooper, the Town Clerk, 
 forming a letter of correspondence asking from other towns a 
 communication of their sentiments, with postscript in Auto- 
 
graph of Samuel Adams describing the contents of the foregoing 
 papers. 
 
 This last paper was aimed to collect the wisdom of the whole 
 people in a deliberation, * of such great and lasting moment as to in 
 volve in it the fate of all our posterity. " 
 
 A BROADSIDE, Boston, September 2ist, 1773, announcing that: 
 
 Our enemies are alarmed at the union which they see 
 
 already established in this Province and the Confederacy into which 
 
 they expect the whole Continent of America will soon be drawn for the 
 
 recovery of their violated rights." 
 
 This was a circular letter sent to various towns to stiffen their 
 patriotism and exhort continued watchfulness. Added is a MS. 
 notice in the Autograph of Cooper that Tea is to be shipped 
 to this place October 4th, 1773. It is a copy of a Boston Ship 
 owner s orders to his Captain to refuse to take any tea on board. 
 
 A BROADSIDE, Boston, November 23d, 1773, signed by Wil 
 liam Cooper, issued by order of the Committee, exhorting the 
 people to refuse the tea and explaining the consequences of re 
 ceiving it, as related to maintaining their liberties. Following 
 are the minutes of a Meeting of November 24th, 1773, present, 
 John Hancock and others. 
 
 A REPORT of a Conference with Jonathan Clark and I. W. 
 Clark, consignees of the tea. It did not end satisfactorily. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER referring to the arrival of the Tea, also a 
 Broadside, stating that there "was five thousand persons at the 
 Old South Meeting House, who made votes and resolves relat 
 ing to the tea." The Town Clerk s MS. Copy of the Questions 
 between Rotch and Hall and Consignees of the Tea at Castle 
 William, December 7th, 1773. 
 
 LETTER OF SAMUEL ADAMS sent to the Committee of Plymouth 
 and Sandwich ; the draft in his own hand endorsed by the Town 
 Clerk, Boston, December i7th, 1773. 
 
 "Gentlemen: We inform you in great haste that 
 
 every chest of tea on board the three ships in this town was de 
 stroyed the last evening without the leas (written in great haste 
 intending the word least) injury to the vessels or any other prop 
 erty. Our enemies must acknowledge that this people have 
 
53 
 
 acted on pure and upright principles. The people at the Cape 
 will, we hope, behave with propriety and as becomes men re 
 solve to save their country." 
 
 As to the interest of this bit of paper, comment is unnecessary. 
 
 Following the Documents relating to the Tea, are the numer 
 ous letters from the Committees of Correspondence of the towns 
 to the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston. 
 These letters are carefully endorsed in the handwriting of Town 
 Clerk Cooper. Among the names of chairmen, clerks, num 
 bers of Committees, &c., are those of men known to fame as 
 well as many of those who, perhaps village Hampdens in their 
 day, are now lost in obscurity. 
 
 The town of Leicester is urged not to submit to what is un 
 worthy of an AMERICAN. 
 
 The town of Lenox describes itself as situated in a remote 
 wilderness, corner of the earth and almost the remotest and 
 youngest in the Province. The town confesses ignorance 
 respecting the infringement upon our rights, &c. 
 
 Therefore as we are children about five years old, we depend 
 on you, our fathers, to dispose of things we know so little 
 about." 
 
 The letter is signed by seven members of the Committee. 
 
 The resolves of the Freeholders of the town of Marblehead of 
 the yth day of December, 1773, declare: 
 
 That Americans have a right to be as free as any inhabi 
 tants of the earth 2d. That taxes on Americans without their 
 
 consent is a measure destruct : ve of their freedom. ..." 
 
 They support the attitude of the Town of Boston to the Tea 
 and denounce the East India Company for daring attacks 
 upon the liberties of America, so long and resolutely supported 
 by the Colonies. 
 
 This volume contains ten hundred and thirty pages, chiefly 
 folios, often written on both sides. 
 
54 
 REVOLUTIONARY CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEES, 1774 to 1775. Letter of the 
 Committee of Correspondence of Massachusetts to their agent in 
 London, in the handwriting of Samuel Adams. Five and a half 
 pages, folio. A strong letter referring to the grievance in the 
 matter of grants of the Crown to the Governor and the Judges. 
 
 ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT of High Crimes and Misdemeanors 
 against Peter Oliver, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the 
 House of Representatives assembled February 24th, 1774. A 
 document of 12 pages, folio; in perfect condition. Oliver was 
 impeached for receiving a Grant from the Crown, thereby 
 approving of the taxation of the colonies, by which the money 
 was "extorted." 
 
 A BROADSIDE. The text of a non-importation agreement 
 issued in June, 1774, to take effect October next ensuing. 
 Accompanying this form, which is to be used for subscribers, is 
 a circular letter of the Committee of Correspondence expressing 
 in patriotic terms the reasons for the measure of resistance and 
 displaying the consequences of a subjection to Britain. 
 
 "We look upon this, the last and only method of preserving 
 our land from slavery without drenching it in blood, may God 
 prosper every undertaking which tends to the salvation of his 
 people." Two pages, folio, signed by the Town Clerk. 
 
 It is evident that some of the neighboring towns criticised 
 the form of the covenant sent to them. There are three circu 
 lar letters of June loth, 1774, informing them that it is enough 
 to keep to the spirit of that covenant. 
 
 A CIRCULAR LETTER to the Colonies signed by Sam. Adams 
 enclosing the Act of the British Parliament (Boston Port Bill) : 
 
 "Wherein it appears that the inhabitants of this town have 
 been tryed, condemd and are to be punish d by the shutting of 
 the harbor. The Town of Boston is now suffering the stroke of 
 vengeance in the common cause of America. I hope they will 
 sustain the blow with a becoming fortitude and that the effects 
 of this cruel act, intended to intimidate and subdue the spirits of all 
 
55 
 
 America, will, by the joint efforts of all, be frustrated. General Gage 
 has just arrived here." 
 
 PRINTED BROADSIDE. The Votes and Resolves of several 
 Towns of Massachusetts not to furnish the troops in Boston with 
 labor or material. 
 
 A LETTER OF JOHN HANCOCK, signed as President of the Pro 
 vincial Congress calling on the selectmen of Boston for consul 
 tation. In January, 1775, are letters announcing the arrival of 
 London papers containing the King s speech. Sam. Adams 
 thinks it contains such sentiments with regard to America that 
 it must be communicated to the colonies as early as possible. 
 
 DRAFT OF LETTER in writing of Sam. Adams sent to Quebec 
 and Montreal, 6 pages, folio, soliciting the assistance of Cana 
 dians. A little before the Battle of Lexington, March soth, 
 1775, is a call for a meeting to determine upon measures of 
 safety. 
 
 * The alarming manoeuvre of a large detachment of the Army 
 is the reason of our desiring your attendance. " 
 
 Signed by the Town Clerk. 
 
 Several of the letters exhibit glimpses of the privations and 
 sufferings of the people of Boston. The Committee of Corre 
 spondence is active in suggesting retaliation in the manner now 
 pretty generally described as the boycott. 
 
 A PRINTED BROADSIDE of February 25th, 1775, being a 
 letter of the Committees of several towns urging that supplies 
 be kept from the troops. The people, as represented by the 
 Committees of several towns, have reached the last stage of 
 endurance. In the draft of their letter to the Concord Congress, 
 March 3ist, 1775, they name the various outrages they have 
 submitted to, and relate the acts of the soldiery, and are deter 
 mined to be secured from the inroads of these murther- breath 
 ing enemies." 
 
 RESOLUTIONS of the Town of Gorham. A list of about two 
 hundred names of the inhabitants signing the non-importa 
 tion agreement, June, 1774. Signatures not autographic. 
 Elbridge Gerry, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
 
56 
 
 writes a letter from Marblehead sympathizing with Boston, 
 March 22d, 1774. In this letter Gerry and others announce 
 the resignation of their several offices ; the " savage mobility " 
 have committed lawless outrages, "and there must be material 
 alteration in ye conduct of ye inhabitants." This is followed by 
 Samuel Adams draft of an answer, in which he mildly criticises 
 the action of the Marblehead Committee. This is followed by a 
 long and important letter of Elbridge Gerry, 5 pages, folio, pro 
 posing measures for the improvement of the militia of the pro 
 vince. He says, "that enemies have taught Americans to hold 
 the most exalted ideas of British troops and ye most diminutive 
 opinion of their own power ": 
 
 " With ten thousand regulars (say they are creatures) we can 
 march through ye continent. May America have a fair oppor 
 tunity improved for introducing her sons to the art of war, and 
 then be marked a cowardice if fearful to meet any of her ene 
 mies with equal numbers!! " 
 
 Throughout the letter he urges the instruction of raw militia 
 men with a view to their coping with disciplined troops. Let 
 ter signed and written by Gerry, 4th of April, 1774. He sug 
 gests that the Committee be supplied with a book on Military 
 Exercises, called the Norfolk Exercise, with plates. " For that 
 I suppose is the best." There are other important letters of 
 Elbridge Gerry, not signed. Signatures were not always desir 
 able. 
 
 On June 7th, 1774, citizens offer the use of their stores to their 
 oppressed brethren of Boston. Here is the original paper with 
 the autograph signatures of the generous patriots of Marblehead, 
 including several of the Gerry family, Joshua Orne, Richard 
 Harris, Samuel Collyer and many others. Gerry writes July 
 23d, 1774, urging that the request of Mr. Dickinson and Mr. 
 Reed of Philadelphia, in relation to an attendance at ye 
 Congress, will be not neglected. Though the writing of 
 Elbridge Gerry, the letter is signed by John Gerry in behalf of 
 the Committee of Marblehead. The letters of Gerry and those 
 drafted by him are of the highest interest in connection with the 
 progress of the Revolution, preparation of the military, &c. 
 
 The arrangement of the letters in this volume is a general 
 
alphabet of the names of the towns, commencing after the Boston 
 papers, with the town of Abington and ending with the town of 
 York. Together 834 pages, folio, half dark morocco. 
 
 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COM 
 MITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE which met at the Rep 
 resentatives Chamber, Boston, from November 3d, 1772, to 
 Sunday noon, May 22d, 1774. Of one paging 721, of the other 
 876. This is a series of the most extraordinary importance in 
 studying the growth and development of the union of the Colonies. 
 It is remarkable that the series has been preserved and in its com 
 pleteness. The collection comprises thirteen folio books in the 
 original marble paper cover, (the thirteenth being the alphabet 
 or index), almost entirely in the handwriting of William Cooper, 
 the Town Clerk. These volumes are in wonderfully good con 
 dition. 
 
 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS of the General Assembly of 
 Massachusetts at a Session, beginning January 6, 1773, and the 
 General Assembly of the following year, beginning January 
 26th, 1774. 2 books, folio, bound in old marbled paper. With 
 the exception of a few pages these volumes are in the handwrit 
 ing of Samuel Adams. The first volume includes January 6th, 
 I 773> to February 2oth, 1773. Second volume includes January 
 26th, 1774, to March 5th, 1774. 
 
 It is needless to enlarge upon the important proceedings of 
 this period further than to state they immediately preceded the 
 Revolution, and represent the extremities of political conflict 
 between the Governor, representing Great Britain, and the 
 people represented in this Assembly. Opposite the page for 
 February 24th, 1774, loosely inserted, is the Order of Impeach 
 ment of Chief-Justice Oliver, signed by T. Gushing, Speaker. 
 
58 
 
 ORIGINAL LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS. 
 
 BOUND. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. AUTOGRAPH LETTERS OF BEN. FRANKLIN. 
 
 BOUND IN ONE VOLUME, FOLIO, RED MOROCCO, HS follows. 
 
 Included in this volume are 12 portraits of Franklin. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. A. L. S. 2% pp. folio. Lond., Feb. 2, 1774. 
 To Gushing, Adams, Hancock, Phillips. A MOST IMPORTANT 
 PIECE. Acknowledging receipt of the account [from Boston] 
 of the proceedings relative to the DESTRUCTION OF THE 
 TEA. He expresses his opinions at length, his view of what 
 is prudent for the colony to do in respect to the matter, and 
 hopes that he will not give offence to any. A splendid speci 
 men, in the most perfect state of preservation. Endorsed 
 by Sam l Adams. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. A. L. S. Lond., March 9, 1773. To Wm. 
 Cooper, Town Clerk of Boston, acknowledging his favor of 
 Dec. 8 [1772], with a copy of "the proceedings of your town 
 meeting." "I have also reprinted your pamphlet to make 
 your grievance more generally known here." i p., folio, 
 fine specimen. Endorsed in autograph of Cooper. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. Contemporary Copy of a letter. 2^ pp., 4to. 
 London, Sept. 3, 1774. To Thos. Cushing. " Conduct of 
 Americans has surprised and disappointed our enemies." 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. A. L. S. London, Oct. 6, 1774. 2^ pp., 
 folio. Speaks of the good effects a non-importation resolve 
 by Congress will have; perhaps turn out the ministerial 
 party; discourages violent acts, injury to private property, 
 etc. ; prays God to govern everything for the best. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. London, Oct. 10, 1774. 2 pp., 4to. To 
 Cushing. Announces the election of Wilkes ; suggests that 
 if America would save the money for three or four years she 
 spends in the fashions and fineries and fopperies of this 
 country, she might buy the whole Parliament, ministers 
 and all. 
 
 FRANKLIN, B. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4to. Passy, March 2, 1778. 
 To Sam. Adams. Announcing the conclusion and remit 
 tance of the treaty with France. "America at present 
 stands in the highest light of esteem and respect through 
 out Europe. A return to dependence on England would 
 sink her into eternal contempt." 
 
59 
 
 WARREN, Dr. JOSEPH. Killed at Bunker Hill. A volume 
 
 of Letters, as follow, bound in dark green morocco, gilt: 
 A. L. S. Boston, June 15, 1774. 4 pp., 4to. Regarding a 
 meeting; referring to Tea troubles. "The Mistress we 
 court is LIBERTY, and it is better to die than not to obtain 
 her." 
 
 A. L. S. 4 pp., folio. Aug. 15, 1774 (written to Adams). 
 Gage has told the selectmen that Town meetings are prohibited. 
 Urges spirited resolutions to encourage the faint-hearted. 
 "The famous General Putnam is now in my house 
 with a generous donation of sheep." 
 
 A. L. S. 4pp., folio. Aug. 21 [1774]. "A non-importation 
 and non-exportation to Britain, Ireland and the West Indies 
 is now the most moderate measure talked of. It is my 
 opinion that nothing less will prevent bloodshed two months 
 longer." He makes calculations of the effect on members 
 of Parliament of a decrease from Irish revenue on account 
 of a non-exportation of flax. Signed J. W. 
 
 A. L. S. Boston, Aug. 29, 1774. r 2 pp., folio. "Nothing will 
 satisfy the people but a resolve of non-intercourse with 
 Great Britain or her officials." 
 
 A. L. S. [Sept., 1774.] 8pp., 4to. To Adams at Philada. 
 Tells about the mighty expedition to the arsenal at Cam 
 bridge. "A billet was brought asking me to ... prevent 
 the people from coming to immediate acts of violence, as 
 incredible numbers were in Arms from Tuxbury to Cam 
 bridge. " Goes on to give accounts of affairs in Boston, and 
 of the spirit and doings of the people in the country. " But 
 a few months longer," etc. 
 
 A. L. S. Sept. 12,1774. " I wrote yesterday by Mr. Revere ask 
 ing advice ; the people are discussing a form of government ; 
 they say they have a right to take what form of government 
 they please; the king has dissolved his connection by break 
 ing the compact." This letter is signed "your known 
 Friend " going by the post it was subject to inquisition. 
 
 ADAMS, S. Phila. , Sept. 1774. Acknowledges the above in a 
 2 pp., 4to, unsigned letter. Thinks, as there is difference 
 between the East and West sections, it is perhaps best to 
 stick to fair government under the present charter; sugges 
 tions, etc. 
 
 ADAMS, S. Autograph Letter. Phil. Sept. 25, 1774. Advice; re 
 fers to a suspicion of some that Massachusetts may be aim- 
 
60 
 
 ing at a total independence, not only of the mother country 
 but of the colonies too ; that as we are a hardy and brave 
 people we shall in time overrun them all; this "must be 
 attended to in your deliberations. " Dickinson thinks "if 
 Boston can safely remain on the defensive the liberties of 
 America .... will be preserved. Congress in their 
 resolve of the iyth instance have given their sanction to the 
 Resolutions of the County of Suffolk "... The sense 
 of Congress is that if it is necessary for defence of their lives 
 and liberty they should act and would be supported. Un 
 signed. 2^ pp., 4to. 
 
 WARREN, JOS. Letter of 4 pp. Boston, Sept. 29, 1774. 
 Information as to the fortifying, and other acts, carried on 
 by Gage; private insults from the soldiery, who treat us "as 
 enemies rather than fellow subjects." He says, except for 
 the cautions of Congress there would have been bloodshed. 
 " Made us tremblingly alive all over." The High Sons of 
 Liberty of Roxbury gave to the flames a load of straw- 
 intended for the soldiers. Excuse the want of form in the 
 letter as Mr. Revere waits for it. 
 
 WARREN, JOS. A. L. S. Feb. 10, 1775. 4 pp., 4 to. Is 
 evidently eager for action ; speaks of a rumour of trouble, 
 and that he went to the Ferry to share any probable danger; 
 the Colonists are misrepresented in England, and he ap 
 proves of sending a schooner to inform Englishmen of the 
 truth. 
 
 WARREN, JOS. Cambridge, May 14, 1775. 4pp,.4to. Along 
 and important letter, discussing matters of government, 
 doings at Boston, propositions as to the appointment of a 
 generalissimo, statement of the strength of the Patriot 
 Army. " If the proposed army of 30,000 men can be 
 quickly got together I believe this summer will bring our 
 disputes with Great Britain to a happy end." 
 
 WARREN. JOS. A. L. S. 2 pp., folio. Cambridge, May 26, 
 1775. The l ast letter in the book, and written less than a 
 month before his death on Bunker Hill. Craving for a civil 
 government; irregularities of the soldiers are becoming 
 troublesome; yet he admires them their errors are natural. 
 "They left their homes, their families, with nothing but the 
 cloaths on their backs, without a days provision and many 
 without a farthing in their pockets their country was in 
 danger, their brethren were slaughtered their arms alone 
 engrossed their attention as they passed thro the country 
 the inhabitants gladly opened their hospitable doors." 
 
61 
 
 JANET MONTGOMERY AND HORATIO GATES. 8vo, 
 bound in dark blue morocco, stamped " George Bancroft." 
 
 " SIR: I have dropt a tear over your billet without being 
 able to make the request you wish . . . sensible of your merits 
 I shall ever be flattered by being assured of your friendship, 
 and that in ceasing to love me my unaffected candour may 
 always entitle me to your esteem . . . JANET MONT 
 GOMERY." A. L. S. 2 pp., 8vo, no date. 
 
 DRAFT of Gates answer in his autograph. "Nothing 
 could have enhanced the value of the Jewell I have lost as 
 the politeness and elegant sensibility of your answer to my 
 billet. Suffer me to weep over it ... may heaven s 
 choicest blessing constantly await you in this, and may the 
 joys of immortality in the bosom of our departed friend be 
 yours in the world to come." i^ pp. 
 
 PITT, WM., AND GEORGE WASHINGTON. A folio volume 
 of letters and autographs in blue morocco, so lettered, and 
 stamped "George Bancroft." Contains: 
 
 WILLIAM PENN. A. L. S. LOND., 1703. 2 pp., 4to. Re 
 specting the "affaire of ye Pedlers and coynage " ; states 
 that he is related by marriage to Lord Fairfax (portrait). 
 Others as follows : 
 
 W. PITT. Letter of 12 folio pages, signed by Pitt. A docu 
 ment of great interest and importance as it is the secret in 
 formation and instructions addressed to the Governor and 
 Company of Connecticut as to the plan for conquering 
 Canada; arrangement for troops, &c. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4 to. Cambridge, 
 March 22d, 1776. To Samuel Adams, referring to a pro 
 posed road from Connecticut River to Montreal; his own 
 knowledge of that country only derived from maps. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. LETTER SIGNED. [A letter 
 in writing of another] Fine condition, folio. To Samuel 
 Adams. Headquarters, loth August, 1783. The acknowl 
 edgment of his receipt of the address of the Senate and 
 House of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. A. L. S. Mount Vernon, 3 ist 
 March, 1784. 2 pp., 4to. To E. Gerry. Declines to certify 
 matters respecting a claim of Mr. Gridley ; and invites Gerry 
 and any of his brother delegates to visit him " at this re 
 treat. " Fac-simile of a letter of Mary Washington; other 
 fac-similes (Newton, &c.), used only for padding. 
 
PRESCOTT, WM., Commanded at Bunker Hill. A. L. S. i 
 page, folio, bound, with a number of blank leaves, in one 
 volume, folio, red morocco. The letter is the communica 
 tion of the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of 
 Pepperell, Aug. 9, 1774, breathing the highest sentiments 
 of patriotism. " Is a glorious death in defence of our Lib 
 erties better than a short infamous life, and our memories 
 to be held in detestation." 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN, AND JOHN QUINCY. A 4 to volume, bound 
 in dark green morocco, gilt top, stamped "Geo. Bancroft." 
 Includes an A. L. S. on political and military matters, ques 
 tions of importance to the army, &c., by John Adams, Aug. 
 18, 1776, 2^ pp. The first letter written by John to Sam l 
 Adams after the arrival of the former in Europe. Passy, 
 May 21, 1778. The situation of Europe; movement of 
 fleets. " Chatham the great is no more. " States that there 
 are three Commissioners of the United States living at an ex 
 pense of 3, ooo pounds a year, or, I fear a greater. Can see no 
 way of retrenching, though few men in this world are capable 
 of living at a less expense than I am." Suggests one man, a 
 plenipotentiary. He finds accounts in a great state of confu 
 sion. 
 
 November 27, 1778. 2 pp., 4to. A. L. S. He writes of a 
 secret arrangement between France and Russia and France 
 and Prussia: "We are contending for as great an object as 
 ever men had in view, and great difficulties and danger 
 will lay the foundation of a free and flourishing people, 
 broad and deep, great in virtues and abilities. " 
 
 Braintree, August, 1779. i p., 4to. J. Adams has returned 
 from France, and mentions that he has sent his papers to Mr. 
 Lovell, submitting them to his discretion to lay them before 
 Congress. Others as follows : 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. A letter signed. Paris, Feb y 23, 1780. Your 
 Committee of Correspondence is making greater progress 
 in the political world, and doing greater things 
 than the electrical rod in the physical. Speakers in England 
 are openly applauding the Americans, and others even ap 
 plauding France and Spain for stepping to our assistance. 
 . . . I assure you it is more comfortable making constitutions 
 in the dead of winter at Cambridge than sailing in a leaky 
 ship or climbing . . . mountains of Gallicia and the 
 Pyrenees." 2^ pp., 4to, 
 
63 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. L. S. Paris, Feb. 28, 1780. Announcingin- 
 tended meeting of French and English in the West Indies: 
 "Above all let me beg of you to encourage privateering." 
 " Oh, that Spain could be persuaded that Gibraltar is to be 
 conquered in America." 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. A. L. S. March 18, 1780. 2^ pp. Giving a 
 list of French officers, rank, &c. Particulars of troops and 
 ships, &c., destined for America. Of privateering he says: 
 This is our part of the war. I suppose General Washing 
 ton, in the course of things, will be called to co-operate, 
 and he will, no doubt, be supported. " 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. Amsterdam, Sept. 20, 1780. A. L. S. ip., 4 to 
 is happy to learn that " the people of Massachusetts have 
 accepted the constitution. The English are now all drunk ; 
 the run of elections indicate continuance of war and the 
 most desperate obstinancy." He still urges attacks on their 
 commerce. 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. Leyden, March n, 1781. "The nation with 
 whom I reside is in a critical situation." i p., 4to. 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN. The Hague, June 15, 1782. A. L. S. 3 pp., 4 to. 
 
 Speaks hopefully of Dutch alliance. * I have often been to that 
 church in Leyden, where the Planters of Plymouth wor 
 shipped so many years, and felt a kind of veneration for the 
 bricks and timbers. " Has just received an invitation to dine 
 with the Prince and Princess of Orange. " The Sons of 
 Liberty have the best right of any people under heaven to 
 dine and sup with this family. ... I always think of 
 you when I see any of the portraits of this family. The 
 portrait of William the first looks like you. [S. ADAMS.] " 
 
 ADAMS, J. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4 to. The Hague, Aug. 19, 1782. 
 Talks of Peace; is disgusted with Lord North; " Charles 
 J . Fo . x j? as snown himself the greatest Statesman in Great 
 Britain "; speaks of his health: "has been on the threshold 
 of succumbing under this Dutch Mission"; congratulates 
 himself on its happy termination, looking upon " it as the 
 very critical pivot on which our system turned in Europe." 
 
 ADAMS, J. 2 pp., 4 to. The Hague, Aug. 29, 1782. "The 
 King of England has sent Mr. Fitzherbert to Paris ... to 
 treat of peace with his dear Brother the King of France . 
 Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay are to inform me of what passes. 
 The success will depend upon Events, the Fate of Gibraltar 
 
64 
 
 the East Indies, New York, &c. ; Mr. Laurens declines act 
 ing . . for which I am very sorry as well as that Mr. Jeffer 
 son is not arrived . . . The English are humbled and op 
 pressed, but not unanimously so." 
 
 ADAMS, J. Paris, April 5, 1783. Waiting for the definite 
 treaty of peace. " I want to come home for many Reasons, 
 one of which lies with great weight upon my mind ; it is to 
 persuade you to make a collection of your [S. Adams] 
 writings in which I think the New World deeply interested 
 and the old one too." 
 
 ADAMS, J. A long letter. 4pp., 4to. May i, 1784. Review 
 ing the treaty of Peace ; does not know whether the Histor 
 ian will do him justice or not with regard to " my negotia 
 tions with Holland." Wishes that Jay, Dana, Izard and 
 Lee may be faithful in a record of their own negotiations. 
 Important thoughts as to future of America, &c. 
 
 ADAMS, J. A. L. (not signed). The Hague, May 4, 1784. 
 A letter from his heart pouring out the strong feel 
 ing of a man worn with labour in the Cause, conscious 
 of success, becoming the object of detraction and envy. 
 "There is one certain way of getting rid of envy and that is 
 getting out of envy s place. This is now I thank God and 
 ever shall be in my power, but I will never make use of this 
 power from the fear of envy . . . for my own gratification 
 I declare to you I had rather be a selectman of Braintree 
 than embassador to any court in the world." 
 
 ADAMS, J. Hague, May 13, 1784. i^ pp., 4to. Affairs in 
 Europe. Met Pownal in London. 
 
 ADAMS, J. A. L. S. The Hague, June 25, 1784. 3 pp. The 
 necessity of a Commercial Treaty with England ; urges that 
 Congress take necessary steps ; thought to go home, but 
 heard that a commission and F. &. J. were to be sent to 
 meet him ; sent for his wife, but neither the commission nor 
 the wife arrive; Jay is gone home; expecting that his wife 
 will arrive, he can t go home and must stay; waiting " the 
 moving of the waters, which are as slow and stagnant as 
 the Dutch Canals." 
 
 ADAMS, J. Auteuil, April 14, 1785. A. L. S. Introductory 
 only. 
 
65 
 
 ADAMS, J. Auteuil, April 14, 1785. A. L. S. 2% pp. A 
 letter delivered by his son (18 years). " The child whom 
 you used to lead out into the Common to see with detesta 
 tion the British Troops and with pleasure the Boston Mili 
 tia will deliver this letter. If you have in Boston a vir 
 tuous Clubb, such as we used to delight and inspire our 
 selves in, they will inspire him with such sentiments as a 
 young American ought to entertain." 
 
 ADAMS, J. A note signed (1785). " Massachusetts ought to 
 persevere in her Navigation Act." 
 
 ADAMS, J. A. L. S. 4 pp. Grosvenor Square, Jan. 26, 1786. 
 On Commercial Acts. 
 
 ADAMS, J. Grosvenor Square, June 2, 1786. A. L. S. Re 
 ferring to troubles of commercial matter; danger of another 
 war; position of the U. S. and course advised. 
 
 ADAMS, J. N. Y., Sept. 12, 1790. Expresses delight at the 
 sight of the Old Liberty Hall in Philada. ; asks if "Voltaire 
 and Rousseau are our Masters in the Principles of political 
 architecture." " Every thing will be pulled down what will 
 be built up." "Will the struggle in Europe be anything 
 more than a change of imposters and impositions." 
 
 ADAMS, J. A. L. S. N. Y., Oct. 18, 1790. In a letter of 6 
 closely written pages, 4to, to Samuel Adams, he advances 
 at length his opinion on the principles of governing society ; 
 feels that family pride is an element not to be stamped out; 
 there may be vulgar malignity and popular envy. 
 
 ADAMS, J. Philada., May n, 1797. A. L. S. (Damaged.) 
 Expressing indifference to party papers. 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. A. L. S. Minden, May, 1779. 
 Thanking Arther Lee for a French book on Jurisprudence. 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. A. L. S. Washington, Oct., 1834. 
 4 pp., 4to. Regarding the Anti-Masonic agitation in Mass. ; 
 expressing his own views in regard to the Masonic oath, &c. 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. A. L. S. TO BANCROFT. 
 4 pp. , 4to, closely written, on the Definition of Democracy : 
 " I heard Mr. Calhoun once give as a toast Universal 
 Education, and I had it on my lips to ask him to add 
 skin deep (referring to colored men). He refers to his 
 own political acts and motives: " In considering the causes 
 
of the hostility which has pursued me through my political 
 life, you will find much of it hereditary hatred of a tory 
 progeny against my Father"; speaks of the "mass of 
 obloquy under which I am staggering through the last 
 stage of life." 
 
 ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. A. L. S. TO BANCROFT. 
 
 4 pages, 4to. 31 Mch., 1838. A piece of very great interest. 
 It is written evidently in answer to a letter of Bancroft 
 desiring a sketch of his life; he gives it with added opinions 
 of politics and men; his attitude to Democracy; his opinions 
 as to affairs of the day, etc. 
 
 ORIGINAL LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS. 
 
 NOT BOUND. 
 
 EXPEDITION TO NEWPORT IN 1778. An account of the 
 details of the movements of troops, &c. ; cause of the 
 failure of the American forces. A most interesting series of 
 four folio letters, written from camp by the hand of John 
 Hancock, and with his signature ; fine, clean, and in the 
 best state of preservation ; as follow all to Jeremiah Powell 
 [addressed and franked] : 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. A. L. S. Aug. 21, 1775, Camp in Rhode 
 Island, Friday morning, 5 o clock, i p., folio. To J. 
 Powell. " The enemy continued a severe cannonade .... 
 yesterday, by noon, the French fleet appeared off and . . . 
 we learn that in the late storm the Admiral s ship, and a 74, 
 had lost some of their masts," &c. He closes his letter 
 with the sanguine hope of reducing "this Island in a few 
 days." 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. A. L. S. Aug. 22, 1778, from camp, Sat 
 urday morning, 4 o clock. Writes that the French fleet is 
 going to Boston, and will not co-operate; saw success 
 ahead, but is filled with mortification and chagrin ; eulo 
 gizes Gen. Sullivan ; he writes in full confidence that what 
 he says will by no means be suffered to go into the news 
 papers; does not want to offend France," &c. 2 pp., folio. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. Camp, Rhode Island, Aug. 23, 1778, 
 Sunday morning, 7 o clock. Announces that the fleet did 
 
67 
 
 depart: " it ought to excite the resentment of every good 
 man." He still hopes however, but the next letter shows 
 that the lack of co-operation settled the affair adversely. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. Camp in Rhode Island, Aug. 25, 1778. 
 i p., folio. It is absolutely necessary ... to retreat." 
 A very pretty series for the autograph collector or the his 
 torian alike. 
 
 QUINCY, JOSIAH, JR. A. L. S. 4 pp., 4 to. Boston, Aug., 
 1774. Advises Adams of his intention of going to London 
 secretly. 
 
 JEFFERSON, THOS. A. L. S. i p., 4to. Philadelphia, 
 Feb. 26, 1801. To S. Adams. " After three and twenty 
 years of separation . . . your principles have been tested 
 in the crucible of time and have come out pure." Refers 
 to elections by the people for short periods. He reads the 
 transfer of the republic under Buonaparte from the civil to 
 the Military Supremacy as a lesson against the danger of 
 standing armies. 
 
 JEFFERSON. Washington, March 29, 1801. Expresses a 
 feeling of indignation for the late treatment of his old friend. 
 " I hope we shall once more see harmony restored among 
 our citizens and an entire oblivion of past feuds ... I will 
 sacrifice everything but principle to secure it." He will not 
 protect those in office under his predecessor whose miscon 
 duct ought to have produced their removal. " It would 
 have been a day of Glory which should have called you 
 [S. Adams] to the first office of the administration." Of 
 this letter a copy is elsewhere noticed in the bound collec 
 tion. It is altogether a splendid specimen. 
 
 HAMILTON, ALEX. A. L. S. 4 pp., very large folio (prob 
 ably to Knox). The first part of this letter is lacking, but 
 it is, nevertheless, very interesting. He has commenced 
 with reflections on the loss of Ticonderoga and goes on to 
 state the desirable plan of campaign to meet Burgoyne ; 
 surmises course of General Howe; refers to Fall of Phila 
 delphia; wonders if Howe is fool enough to meditate a 
 Southern campaign. 
 
 LAFAYETTE. A. L. S. Bordeaux, March 3, 1783. Referring 
 to peace ; had hopes to enfranchise another State (Canada) 
 but better to insure a safe peace than to wait for uncertain 
 ties. 
 
68 
 
 ADAMS, S. Extract (contemporary) of a letter of S. Adams to 
 his wife, expressing sentiments of the purest patriotism. 
 " No man has a claim on his country upon the score of his 
 having rendered publick service. It is the duty of every 
 man to use his utmost exertion in promoting the cause of 
 liberty as a virtue .... You are witness that I have not 
 raised my fortune in the service of my country. I glory in 
 being what the world calls a poor man. If my mind has 
 ever been tinctured with envy, the rich and the great have 
 not been its object," &c. 
 
 HAMILTON, ALEXANDER, TO JOHN JAY. New York, 
 Nov. 26, 1775. A long letter. 3 pp., folio. In fine con 
 dition. Respecting the late raid of Capt. Sears on the 
 printing office of the Tory Rivington. Reprobates the act 
 on many grounds, " although sensible how dangerous and 
 pernicious Rivington s press is. It brings into being sec 
 tional feeling, excites a false view of the sentiments of New 
 York people," &c. 
 
 STEUBEN, BARON. Yorktown, Feb. 10. 1778. Letter to S. 
 Adams announcing that he will set off to Gen l Washing 
 ton s headquarters. Longs to serve the Nation. 2 pp., 
 4to. 
 
 STEUBEN, BARON, TO S. ADAMS. L. S. From Valley 
 Forge, 29 May, 1778. As to his movements, and expects 
 to visit Adams in Philadelphia. 
 
 LAFAYETTE, MARQUIS. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4to. In English. 
 New York, Dec. 19, 1784. To S. Adams. Expresses his 
 love for Adams; will ever remember Boston and its people; 
 regrets that he cannot see Adams before his departure. 
 
 LAFAYETTE. A 6-page folio letter. Morristown, May 30, 
 1780. A fine letter stating what France will do, what Con 
 gress should do, and urging Adams to use his whole 
 influence to forward supplies of men and clothing. " We 
 should exert ourselves to put the officers of the army in a 
 more decent situation" (clothing). 
 
 LAFAYETTE. Jones Tavern in the Jerseys, Aug. 7 [1784]- 
 " I am beginning my tour by a visit to General Washington 
 in Virginia, after which I will hasten to Boston." 
 
 LAFAYETTE. A. L. S. Without date or place. Friendly 
 and affectionate (to Adams). 
 
 THE LORDS OF TRADE. To the Governor and Company of 
 Connecticut, 2 pp., folio letter, signed by HALIFAX, GREN- 
 
69 
 
 VILLE and TOWNSHEND, in relation to the boundaries of 
 Connecticut, particularly on the French borders. White 
 hall, July 19, 1750. 
 
 DICKINSON, JOHN. Fairhill, near Philadelphia, April 16, 
 1773. Pleased at the course in Boston; is diffident as to 
 publication of his own sentiments ; doubting his abilities and 
 learning. 
 
 DICKINSON, J. May [1774]. Implores moderation, avoid 
 ance of bloodshed, &c. 
 
 MORRIS, ROBERT. Letter signed, to the Gov. of Massachu 
 setts, advising that unless "your State will give some aid 
 to the commissioner for settling accounts, it will be next to 
 impossible for him to perform the duties of his office. " May 
 20, 1783. i p., 4to. 
 
 ADAMS, S., to Arthur Lee, acknowledging " that he is honored 
 with Lee s confidential letters, but that to have answered 
 them severally would have led into subjects of great deli 
 cacy. . . . Miscarriages might have proved detrimental 
 to an important affair." Oct., 78. 2 pp. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA AND CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN. 
 
 GADSDEN, CHRISTOPHER. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4 to. States 
 that " ii out of the 29 who signed that spirited petition [in 
 London], while the horrid bill against Boston was machi 
 nating, are natives of this colony." " At home or abroad, 
 in good report or ill report, it give us the highest gratifica 
 tion to see that Carolina hearts beat unison to the common 
 cause." May 28, 1774. 
 
 GADSDEN, CHRISTOPHER. Chas. -Town, 230! May, 1774. 3^ 
 p., 4to. A. L. S. An account of acts, sentiments and pro 
 jects in relation to the importation of tea. 
 
 GADSDEN, CHRISTOPHER. A. L. S. 8 pages, folio. Chas.- 
 Town, 4th April, 1779. A long, earnest appeal for assis 
 tance from Congress, with reasons and advantages. "Our 
 State .... was the first, tho at the extreme end and one 
 of the weakest, as well externally as internally, to listen to 
 the call of our Northern Brethern in their distress. No 
 sooner their circular letter arrived here, but Carolina 
 immediately roused in unison with her of Massachusetts." 
 
 GADSDEN, CHRISTOPHER. Chas.-Town, 6th July, 1779. 
 2^- p., folio, " In the overflowing of an anxious heart . . . 
 
70 
 
 I let my pen run away with me the 4th of April (letter 
 above). . . . As to Charlestown, we have had a very nar- 
 now escape indeed." Urges that Congress send a few 
 frigates, as captures may be easily made off the coast." 
 
 ADAMS, S., AND BENJ. CHURCH, JR. Letter written by 
 Church, i p., folio. An interesting relic. Written from 
 Concord less than a month before the Battle of Lexington. 
 A resolution of a committee urging vigilance and activity. 
 To Jos. Warren, carried by the hand of Paul Revere "from 
 the Congress at Concord." Endorsed by the Town Clerk. 
 
 ADAMS, S. Draft of instructions of the General Council, ad 
 vising settlement of nation differences otherwise than by 
 war. i p., folio. No date. 
 
 ADAMS, S. Draft of a letter to a friend. No date or place. 
 " I had the unspeakable pleasure," &c. A reminiscent and 
 friendly letter. (Not signed.) 
 
 ADAMS, S. Philada., Oct. 26, 78. Allusions to enemies un 
 der initials. (Not signed.) Mentions that his supposed 
 enmity to G. Wn. was objected against him on a late occa 
 sion; does not wonder that those who believed it were dis 
 pleased with him. i p., folio. Unsigned. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURT HOUSE. 
 
 CAMPBELL, WM. A. L. S. 4 pp., folio. Aspen Ville, 2 8th 
 March, 1781. The particulars of the action, movements, 
 casualities, defeat of the Americans, accompanied by a cer 
 tified statement in autograph of H. Williams, of the killed, 
 wounded and missing at Battle, i5th Mch., 1781. A lengthy 
 account by a participant. Of great interest and value. 
 Tarleton was wounded in the hand. Represents it as a 
 costly advantage to the enemy. 
 
 SEARS, ISAAC, AND McDOUGALL, ALEX. Letter Signed. 
 4 pp., 4to. July 25, 1774. 
 
 GORDON, WM. A. L. S. Aug. 22, 1774. To Adams at 
 first Congress. 
 
 HAWLEY, JOS. Dec. 16, 1774. Takes Mr. Lee of Cam 
 bridge, spending the winter at Philadelphia, "as subtil a 
 tool as any of the friends of Government." Makes crafty 
 suggestion to Adams as to exciting jealousies between 
 Lord Percy and Gen l Gage. 
 
71 
 
 WYTHE, GEO. Signed G. W. A. L. S. 4to. Williams- 
 burg, Aug., 1778. Humorous. 
 
 THOMSON, CHAS., afterwards Secretary of Congress. A 
 secret, confidential letter. Philada., Dec. 19, 1773. 6 pp., 
 folio. It is a thorough discussion of relations between the 
 Colonies and Great Britain. Many of his .own thoughts: 
 wisely suggests that the eddy of war may draw the powers 
 of Europe in ; that a better time to push matters may come 
 soon; recommends keeping up a martial spirit in the people 
 by putting arms into their hands, &c. "Thus have I 
 thrown together some random thoughts on the plan of 
 American opposition." 
 
 S. ADAMS. A. L. S. (in initials) to Gen. Gates. Phil., June 
 10, 1776. Speaks of the "necessities of your taking com 
 mand in the Eastern district immediately." 
 
 GARDNER, THOS. Aug. 12, 74. " The time has come when 
 every one that has a tongue or an arm is called upon by 
 their country to stand forth in its behalf." 
 
 RESOLVES of the Town of Cambridge. 3 pp., folio. Signed 
 by the Committee, May, 1773. 
 
 PARSONS, SAM. H., of Providence. Mch. 3, 1773. I ^i PP-, 
 folio. 
 
 TWO PIECES by S. Adams. Suspension of Trade; Case of 
 Dashwood. 
 
 LIVINGSTON, JAS. A. L. S. 4 pp., folio. Saratoga, June, 
 1819. Account of the Expedition of Montgomery to Que 
 bec, 1775 (by a participant). Sketches, events, etc., to 
 death of Montgomery at Quebec. 
 
 DRAFT of a letter to y e Hon. the Minister for negotiating 
 peace, March 25, 1783. Contemporary copy. To Adams, 
 Franklyn, John Jay, Henry Lawrence (sic), in regard to 
 a Secret Clause. 
 
 RESOLVES of Congress on the subject of the payment of the 
 public debts, in MS., Sept. 27, 1785. 7 pp., folio. For 
 current year apportionment of $3,000,000 among the 13 
 States (Perm., $410,378); Mass., $448,854; New York, 
 $256,486; Virginia, $512,974. Neatly engrossed. (From 
 the Bingham papers. ) 
 
 FITZ SIMONS. Observations on funding debt due citizens of 
 Pennsylvania. 7 pp., folio. (Bingham papers.) 
 
PROPOSED RESOLUTION of Congress. Writing of W. 
 Bingham. As to fixing place of Congress (Philada.). 6pp., 
 4to. 
 
 REASONS OF DISSENT of the Minority against Resolutions 
 concerning the Interpretation of the States on the subiect 
 of the Federal excise. (From papers of Wm. Bingham.) 
 Contemporary copy. i4pp.,4to. 
 
 SWAN, JAMES. Respecting the establishment of a mint, pro 
 posal addressed to Lt. -Gov. Adams. 3 pp., folio. 
 
 BOWDOIN, GOV. JAMES. Attested copy of Grant of Land to 
 Arthur Lee, with Survey (6,000 acres east of Saco River). 
 2 pp., folio. 1780. 
 
 McNEIL, HECTOR. Reporting publication of Coast Surveys. 
 1785. A. L. S. 2 pp., 4to. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS LOT. 3 of Gerry (has a jealous eye on 
 Franklin) ; Danger of the Cincinnati, S. Adams ; On the 
 Cincinnati (10 of Adams), many long and on important pub 
 lic affairs; Letters of R. H. Lee, 1785, referring to insolence 
 of Captain Stanhope; A Ship from Canton, in China, after a 
 successful voyage of 14 months from this port is a proof of 
 American enterprise ; . . . 4 long letters (i of 9 pages, 
 L. S.); A. L. S. of S. Holten of N. J., of 1785; Lands and 
 Finances, Gov. Caswell, of Georgia, A. L. S., Dec., 1785; 
 Queries to Timothy Folger, of Nantucket, 3 pp., 4to, Anon 
 ymous; Samuel Shaw, A. L. S., Letter (contemporary copy) 
 of John Adams to John Jay (Review of European Mission) ; 
 Doc. of Geo. Clinton, 1790, Signatures of Madison ; A. L. 
 S. of W. Livingston; of Moultrie, W. 27 pieces in brown 
 cover. 
 
 THOMSON, CHAS. [afterwards Secretary of Congress]. A fine 
 letter. A.L.S. 3 pages, folio. In effect an expression of 
 the sentiments of a man desiring to be loyal, but sensible 
 of the oppressions of Great Britain, and giving a succinct 
 account of the acts and measures which aroused the indig 
 nation of Americans. He hears from several of the colonies 
 and believes they will be counted in one indissoluble bond. 
 Written to S. Adams (Philadelphia, June 3d, 1774). A fine 
 specimen. 
 
 BOWDOIN, JAMES. A.L.S. Sept. 21, 1778. 4 pp., 4to. To 
 S. Adams, respecting Mr. Temple, and as to the wisdom of 
 Congress allowing him to visit Philadelphia. Speaks of 
 failure of the Rhode Island Expedition. 
 
73 
 
 GATES, GEN. HORATIO. A. L. S. Robinson House, May 
 27, 1778. A letter of particular interest in the connecting of 
 Conway and Gates. It is claimed by Conway it is in further 
 ance of Conway s claim on the country. "Congress and the 
 General (G. W.) are sufficiently informed of the shameful 
 want of men and materials at this post. ... I want six 
 thousand men, horses, carriages, money," etc., etc., 2 pp., 
 4to. 
 
 LEE, R. H. June 23, 1774, Chantilly. An account of proceed 
 ings in Virginia on receiving the news of the Boston Port 
 Bill. A long letter. A. L. S. 4pp., 4to. 
 
 HUTCHINSON, T., Gov. Mass. A.D.S. A message to a Com 
 mittee of the House of Representatives of Mass, refusing to 
 communicate instructions of the Crown. March 21, 1770. 
 
 PITTS, J. (Signature blotted.) A long A.L.S. Watertown, 
 July, 20, 1775. A particular account of a late election to 
 the General Court, giving an account of the intrigues, jeal 
 ousies, etc. Speaking of the late battle at Charlestown, 
 4 there never was more confusion and less command, no 
 body seemed to have any but Col. Prescott whose bravery 
 can never be enough acknowledged. Gen. Putnam was em 
 ployed in collecting the men, but there were not officers to 
 lead them on." 
 
 BURGOYNE, SIR JOHN, and BARON RIEDESEL. A collec 
 tion of original letters, 1776-1777, being instructions with re 
 gard to military movements in the campaign on the way down 
 from Canada to Fort Edward and Ticonderoga, mostly in 
 French. Account of Madame Riedesel s Embarkation. Also, 
 a number of letters from B. Looz to Riedesel, from Mon 
 treal, etc., 1781-83. A number of original pieces relating 
 to Riedesel s German troops in Canada. General orders, 
 lists of Brunswick troops, names of officers killed and 
 wounded, a complete return of the killed, wounded and prison 
 ers of the British Army under Burgoyne in campaign of 1777. 
 (10 pieces of official military reports.) List of Convention 
 Troops. Of this lot there are 31 Burgoyne (all A.L.S. but 
 two), Looz 45, Reports 10. 
 
 R. H. LEE. 3 pp., 4to. Nov. 18, 1784. A.L.S. Referring to 
 Arnold and Deane in connection with British ministers. 
 
 CATHERINE MACAULAY GRAHAM. A.L.S. 6 pp., 4 to. 
 1791. Relating to French Revolution and Ed. Burke. 
 
COPLEY, J. S. A.L. S. 2 pp. 1795. Sending his son on a 
 visit to America. 
 
 PAINE, THOMAS. Paris, March 6, 1795. An intensely inter 
 esting letter of two pages, 4to. Relates his connection with 
 and danger in the French Revolution; names Robespierre; 
 refers indignantly to expressions in Jay s Treaty. Speaks of 
 the neglect of the U. S. Government. 
 
 PAINE, T. January, 1803. A.L.S. 7 pp., 4 to. To S. Adams. A 
 letter of immense interest. " I am obliged to you for your 
 affectionate remembrance of what you stile my services in 
 awakening the public mind to a Declaration of Independence, and 
 supporting it after it was declared. I also, like you, have often 
 looked back on those times and have thought that if Independence 
 had not been declared at the time it was the public mind could not 
 have been broughtup to it afterwards." He explains thoroughly 
 the principles of his creed. "In your letter you say let divines 
 and philosophers, statesmen and patriots unite their en 
 deavors to renovate the age by inoculating in the minds of 
 youth, the fear and love of the Deity and universal phil 
 anthropy. Why my dear friend, this is exactly my religion 
 and is the whole of it." He speaks of his publication of the 
 " Age of Reason " and says that it was finished earlier than 
 he intended as amid the dangers of the French Revolution, 
 " my friends were falling as fast as the guillotine could cut 
 their heads off, and as I every day expected the same fate 
 I resolved to begin my work. I appeared myself to be on 
 my death-bed, for death was on every side of me. The 
 man who is a friend to man and to his rights, let his 
 religious opinions be what they may, is a good citizen, to 
 whom I can give as I ought to and as every other ought, the 
 the right hand of fellowship. " Believes in the deity as the 
 first part of his creed. 
 
 EBELING, PROF. A.L.S. Nov., 1793. 4 pp. , 4to. Respecting 
 " Description of America" in German. 
 
 TEMPLE, J. Dec., 1778. Asks of S. Adams a loan of the 
 Treaty with France lately published. Endorsed with S. 
 Adams answer in denial. 2 pp., 4to. 
 
 PARSONS, THEOPH. A.L.S. June 9 th, 1783. 
 
 BURGOYNE, GEN. Letter to S. Adams, asking privilege of 
 visiting him for half an hour in Boston, with safe conduct to 
 come and go. February 4, 1778. 
 
75 
 
 GOLDEN, CADWALLADER. A.L.S. Regarding Parliament 
 of Ireland dependent on Parliament of Great Britain. Nov. 
 16, 1764. 
 
 GADSDEN, CHR. Charleston, Aug. 18, 1784. We are setting 
 matters to rights very fast. Speaks of riots against acts of 
 "our Assembly," hoping tis all over. 
 
 GREENE, NATH. 3 pp., folio. A.L.S. Middlebrook, May 2 8> 
 1777. Referring to the comparison of Fabius and Washing 
 ton; position of Congress in relation to the Army. Movements 
 of General Howe. 
 
 AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT relative to Sam l Adams trans 
 actions as tax-collector. A Petition of 2^ pages, folio, 
 written and signed by him, giving the whole position and 
 praying relief. (March, 1769.) 
 
 CATHARINE MACAULAY. 1773. Letter to the Committee of 
 Correspondence. 
 
 WILKES, JOHN. A.L.S. April 2, 1771. "All the active pow 
 ers of my soul shall be directed to liberty." He will serve 
 America with his utmost efforts. 
 
 MACDOUGAL, ALEX. June 25, 1774. A.L.S. 
 
 LEE, CHARLES. 3pp.,4to. A.L.S. Newport, July 2 ist, 1774. 
 Introducing himself to Sam. Adams. Commenting on 
 affairs, etc., Liberty. "Conspiracy of sceptred monsters," 
 " South Carolina resolves a cordial for those who grow faint 
 among you." 
 
 ORIGINAL PAPERS, &c. 
 
 MOSTLY BOUND VOLUMES. 
 
 ANSPACH PAPERS. Correspondence and other papers relat 
 ing to the Troops furnished by the Land-Grave of Anspach 
 Brandenburg to the King of Great Britain in the War of 
 the Revolution, from 1776 to 1784, being the papers of the 
 Secretary of the Margrave of Anspach as preserved by 
 himself. Particulars as to the affairs of the German mer 
 cenaries. A very extensive collection, containing not only 
 records of transactions in Germany, but Reports of Occur 
 rences in America. Journals of Clinton s Campaign, &c. 
 Together some thousands of pages, chronologically arranged 
 in four thick folio volumes. 
 
76 
 
 HAWLEY, MAJOR JOSEPH, of Northampton. A COLLEC 
 TION OF ORIGINAL LETTERS AND PAPERS. Among the 
 items may be mentioned: Letter from Lake George, 
 X 755> giving particular matters of the campaign. The 
 resolution of Congress, May 15, 1776, to adopt Govern 
 ment of their own in certain conditions; printed by Dun- 
 lap, 1776. Letter of Joseph Warren. Reports of Commit 
 tees of Correspondence of the towns of Conway, Whately, 
 Bernard s Town. Letter to Gage. Resolve of Congress, 
 June 9th, 1775. A letter from Thomas Gushing, Philadel 
 phia, June zoth, 1775. "Where the Administration has ad 
 vice of ye battle at Lexinton (sic) and find that our people 
 are determined to fight . . . they will be for accommo 
 dating matters . . . The Congress. . . . will carry 
 the sword in one hand and the petition in the other." Very 
 interesting letter of Elbridge Gerry, in which he urges that 
 the Tories must be exported. " Bonds will not answer our 
 purpose. Prisons we have not a sufficiency, and they are 
 not worth hanging." He encloses and refers to a printed 
 letter of Gen. Washington (a broadside, which is here), giv 
 ing an account of the battle of Trenton, dated Baltimore, 
 December 3ist, 1776. A very long letter of President Ed 
 wards, begging a regular salary. A journal of the Crown 
 Point Expedition from June 26, to September 7, 1755, 13 pp. 
 Autograph letter of Gen. Gates, conveying orders to Gen. 
 Washington. This collection is bound in two vols., folio, 
 bds., and old half calf. 
 
 RIEDESEL, GENERAL. The Original Contemporary Papery 
 Letters, Journals and Drafts of letters to the Duke of Bruns 
 wick, and other papers and reports of German officers in the 
 English Service, from early in 1776 to September, 1783. In 
 cludes Memoir of Gen. Burgoyne; account of Phillips Ex 
 pedition, Idee d un Expedition to Canada, October, 1781; 
 General Orders of Riedesel, &c., &c. About 400 pp. folio, 
 blue cloth. 
 
 BRUNSWICK PAPERS. Account of the Troops of Bruns 
 wick, from the time of their embarkation for America in 
 1776, occupying 985 pp., folio, written on both sides; illus 
 trated with some carefully executed plans of battles, &c. ; 
 table of contents in English. 2 vols. folio, faded cloth 
 backs. 
 
 CHALMERS, GEORGE. Collection of his papers. Notes and 
 excerpts employed in writing the Revolt of the Colonies, 
 
77 
 
 &c., comprised in the following volumes: Papers relating to 
 Carolina, 1662 to 1691, 2 vols. Papers relating to Georgia, 
 1730 to 1798; folio; largely relating to trade and commerce! 
 The Georgia and Florida boundary. The Mississippi So 
 ciety. Papers relating to Rhode Island, 1637 to 1781. 
 Proclamation of Governor J. Wanton, of Rhode Island. A 
 fast on account of the Boston Port Bill, June 2oth, 1774. 
 History of the Revolt of the Colonies. Lettered " Volume 
 2." Folio, old calf, pages 461 to 812. Complete as to the 
 period of George II. The Chalmers Papers together, 5 vol 
 umes, uniformly bound in calf, folio. 
 
 EWALD, Feldzug der Hessen nach Amerika. 4to, half brown 
 morocco, about 50 pp. 
 
 GESCHICHTE, der Kurbussischen Jager im Amerikanischen 
 Kriege, 1776 to 1784. 410. Half brown morocco 06 DD 
 both sides filled. 
 
 HESSEN IN AMERICA. Diary of a Hessian officer, Wieder 
 hold. With full accounts of the capture of the Hessians at 
 Trenton. Particulars of the capture of Fort Washington, &c. 
 Letters from Henkelman and part of a Diary, relating 
 events at Princeton. Half brown morocco gilt top nc 
 pp. Marked by Bancroft. 
 
 A COLLECTION OF OLD GERMAN MSS. Relating to the 
 Services of the Hessians, &c., in 14 volumes, small 4to, bds., 
 including Tagebuch von Malzburg, 2 vols., 968 pp. , both 
 sides written, from February, 1776. Geschichte des Fusil 
 ier Regiments von Lossburg in form Eines Tagebuche. In 
 cludes accounts of the landing of the English in Long 
 Island; battles there; storming of Fort Washington, 177 
 pp. Journal des Lieutenant von Melsungen, from landing 
 of the Hessians in New York, 1776, to December, 1777, 57 
 pp., 4to, unbound. Journal of Frederick Julius von Pabet, 
 Jr., Campaign in America and Canada, 1776 to 1783; about 
 400 pp. Journal of Lieutenant Wiederfeld, October, 1776, 
 to December, 1780, 133 pp. -Journal of the Third Waldeck 
 
 Regiment, May, 1776, to November, 1780, 300 pp. The 
 
 Regiments of Waldeck, no pp., 1776 to 1783. Various 
 Incidents in the American War, including the Battle 
 of Trenton (pp. i to 59), 100 pp. Lotheissen Journal 
 of the Infantry Regiment of the Crown Prince, from 
 February, 1776, to May, 1784, about 150 pp. Tagebuch 
 von Reuber, 1776 to 1783. Hessian Grenadier Regi- 
 
78 
 
 ment, 213 pp. Geschichte des Fusilier Regiments von 
 Lossburg, by Lieutenant Piel, 1776 to 1783, 92 pp. Hes- 
 sischen Jager im Amerikanische Kriege, 1776 to 1784, 150 
 pp. Journal des Lieutenant Russer, March, 1776, to 1777, 
 176 pp. Doehla, Johan Conrad, Marsch Route und Be- 
 schreibung der Merkwurdigsten Begegenheiten nach und 
 aus Amerika. Journal of the Hessian Captain von Dink- 
 lage, 1776 to 1783, about 400 pages. 
 
 GERMAN MANUSCRIPT. Relating to the Revolution, 410, 
 paper, containing 6 pieces. Letters from Long Island, Lau- 
 zun s Narrative ; Instruction of Burgoyne at Bennington ; 
 Battle of Brandywine, etc. Unbound. 
 
 TRANSCRIBED LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS, 
 
 MOSTLY BOUND. 
 
 AMERICAN COLONIES. State Papers and others from 1689 
 to 1747. Some old American newspapers inserted and a 
 few pieces by Bancroft. 2 vols., folio, cloth back, about 
 1,000 pp. 
 
 AMERICA AND ENGLAND. Miscellaneous letters, state of 
 affairs in America, legislation, trade, 1783 to 1791. 2 vols. 
 folio, half red morocco, about 450 pp. 
 
 AMERICA AND ENGLAND. Official Correspondence. 1783 
 to 1790. 2 vols. folio, half morocco, gilt tops,about 450 
 pp. each. 
 
 AMERICA, FRANCE AND ENGLAND. Letters from the 
 State Paper Office and Landsdowne House, 1781 to 1783. 
 Includes correspondence of Earl Shelburne, Lord Gran- 
 tham, &c., with some MS. by Bancroft. 6 vols. folio, 
 finely bound, half green morocco, gilt edges. From 300 to 
 400 pp. to a volume. 
 
 AMERICA, SPAIN AND ENGLAND. State Papers, 1774 to 
 1781. 5 vols. folio, half red morocco extra, gilt edges, about 
 400 pp. each. 
 
 AMERICA, HOLLAND AND ENGLAND. State Papers, 
 1 7 74 to 1 783, including Plan of the Treaty of Commerce 
 
79 
 
 with the United States, with letters from the American 
 agent in Holland. 3 vols. , folio, half brown morocco, about 
 400 pp., generally filled on both sides. 
 
 AMERICA, RUSSIA AND ENGLAND. Correspondence of 
 Gunning, Suffolk, Harris, Agar, Sharp, Stormont and 
 others, chronologically arranged, 1774 to 1783. 2 vols. 
 folio, half russia, gilt edges. 
 
 AMERICAN PAPERS. A miscellaneous and very interesting 
 collection, covering the Colonial and Revolutionary periods, 
 as also interesting matter of later date, ending with a 
 type-written copy of a letter of James Buchanan, giving 
 views, &c., of the progress of secession, December 22d, 
 1860; with matter by Bancroft ; considerable material relat 
 ing to Washington. 3 vols. 4to, half green morocco, gilt 
 tops, about 2,100 pp. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCHISES ANGLETERRE, 1767 to 1783. 
 Papers chronologically arranged, with some matter added 
 by the hand of Bancroft, n vols. 4to, and i vol. folio, half 
 red morocco, gilt tops, about 300 pp. to a volume. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCAISES. ETATS UNIS, from 1776 to De 
 cember, 1789, with additions and insertions by Bancroft. 
 13 vols. 4to, red morocco, gilt tops, about 300 pp. each. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCAISES ESPAGNE. 10 vols. 4to, half red 
 morocco. From 1768 to 1783. 4,000 pp. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCAISES-HOLLANDE-PRUSSE. Largely 
 the correspondence of Vergennes and Vauguyon, chrono 
 logically arranged, with index and with numerous interleav- 
 ings in the MS. of Bancroft. 4to, half purple morocco. 
 1776 to 1782. 230 pp. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCAISES LOUISIANNE. 1754 to 1765, 
 4to, half red morocco, gilt tops, 210 leaves. 
 
 ARCHIVES FRANCAISES RUSSIE. Chiefly correspondence 
 between Vergennes, Juigne, Corberon and Verae, with ad 
 ditional autograph matter of G. Bancroft, 1775 to 1782. 
 461 pp., 4to, half russia. 
 
 AUSTRIAN CORRESPONDENCE. Copies of letters of Baron 
 Bertholff, Philadelphia, 1785 to 1788. Advertisement of 
 General Washington s Spanish jackass. 109 pp., folio, half 
 morocco. 
 
80 
 
 AUSTRIAN PAPERS. Largely papers of Kaunitz and Mercy, 
 copies of Diplomatic Correspondence. 673 pp., half russia, 
 1781 to 1783. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN. A farce. A MS. copy of 
 Rivington s Publication of 76. 47 pp., 4to, unbound. 
 
 BELCHER, the Apostate. " From the MS. left by Gouvern- 
 eur Morris, copied by C. W. Walsh, in 1843." G. Bancroft. 
 1728 to 1730. Half red morocco, extra gilt top. 
 
 BERNARD, FRANCIS, Governor of Massachusetts. Letters 
 chiefly to the Earl of Shelburne and Lord Hillsborough, re 
 lating to the conduct of the Boston leaders, &c. Some com 
 ments by Bancroft. 443 pp., 4to, half brown morocco. 
 
 BLAKE, F. R. Examination of the Constitutionalty ol the Em 
 bargo Laws: a View of the arguments before the Hon. John 
 Davis. Copy of the Publication at Worcester, 1808. 4to, half 
 roan, 89 pp. 
 
 BURKE, EDMUND. Correspondence relating to America. 
 Copies of letters to General Lee, &c., with an autograph 
 note of Edward Everett, "Committing them to Mr. Ban 
 croft s discreet and impartial use, March, 1843," about 30 
 pp. Laid in are two pamphlets, Taylor s California and 
 Bushnell s California. 4to, limp boards. 
 
 CALENDARS of the volumes relating to America and the West 
 Indies in the State Paper Office, London, including the 
 Board of Trade Papers. Folio. 
 
 CARLETON, BURGOYNE AND HOWE. Campaigns, 1774 
 to 1778. Copies of papers in the State Paper Office, Lon 
 don. Folio, half red morocco, gilt edges, 491 pp. Both 
 sides written. 
 
 CHASE, SAMUEL. Objections to the Federal Government, 
 from Papers loaned to Mr. Bancroft by Mrs. C. C. Oldfield, 
 grand-daughter of Samuel Chase. 4to, half morocco, 106 
 pp. 
 
 GOLDEN, GOVERNOR CADWALLADER. Includes an 
 original autograph letter signed of William Pepperell. Di 
 rections for attacking Lewisburg quaintly endorsed, "The 
 scheme yt was laid in Boston for ye Tacken of Louisbourgue 
 by a Storm." Laid in is the case of Forsey and Cunning 
 ham, printed by Holt, New York, 1764, containing very 
 
81 
 
 copious additions in the autograph of Bancroft; also in the 
 autograph of Bancroft, list of "Friends who have sent me 
 material." . . . "Governor of South Carolina wrote me from 
 his death-bed." Also mentions French Bureau of Marine and 
 many others, 1732-1775- 5 vols. 4to, half red morocco. 
 300 or 400 pages to each vol. 
 
 COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY PAPERS. Giving 
 title, number of the Volume, and dates covered by each 
 Volume. 
 
 COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. February, 1748, to May, 1774. 
 7 vols. folio, half green morocco, gilt tops. 500 to 600 pages 
 per volume. 
 
 CONNECTICUT PAPERS. Chiefly Revolutionary Corre 
 spondence. Narratives of Events, Matters of Communica 
 tion between Patriots and the Authorities, etc. Bancroft 
 has added many pages in his own hand. 4to, half morocco, 
 5oi PP- 
 
 THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. A Private Journal of 
 the Proceedings held at Philadelphia, from September 1 2th, 
 1775, to the 3oth of March, 1776, by Richard Smith, a dele 
 gate from New Jersey. 108 pp., 410, half red mor., gilt top. 
 
 COOPER, S. To Franklin and T. Pownall, 1770 to 1774, from 
 the King s Library. 4to, half calf, 262 pp. 
 
 COPIES of various papers, among others a correct certified copy 
 without change of a letter of Franklin s letter, London, nth 
 July, 1765, to Mr. Thompson. Folio (1764 to 1771), about 
 300 pages. 
 
 DEBATES ON AMERICA. With MS. Index chiefly in 
 the Autograph of Bancroft, 1774. 3 vols. 4to, dark red 
 morocco, gilt backs, 1200 pp. 
 
 DE VRIES, DAVID PIETERSON. From an History of Four 
 Voyages around the World by a Master of Artillery. Voy 
 age to New Netherlands and Coast of America. 4to, half 
 calf, 86 pp. 
 
 A DISCOURSE occasionally made on Burning the Effigy of the 
 S P. M N. (stamp man) in New London. Boston, 1765. 
 MS. copy of a rare pamphlet, 8vo, half red morocco, gilt top. 
 
 ELIOT, MR. JOHN, of Roxbury. The Christian Common 
 wealth. About 40 pp., folio, half dark blue morocco. 
 
ELLSWORTH, JUDGE, AND RUFUS KING. Ellsworth s 
 Papers, i4ipp.,MS. King s Papers, type-written copy of 8pp. 
 
 ENGLAND AND AMERICA. State Papers, 13 vols. folio, 
 1620 to 1782. Commences with Account of the Grant of 
 James I. to Calvert. The volume for 1780 contains many 
 papers relating to Andre and Arnold. Half olive morocco, 
 gilt edges. About 450 pp. a volume. 
 
 EUROPE AND AMERICA. Official Papers, chiefly in English, 
 relating to America, from July, 1775, to July, 1783. 5 vols. 
 folio, handsomely bound in half green morocco, gilt tops. 
 
 EXTRACTS from Notes and Letters of George III. to Lord 
 North, preceded by an autograph letter of Edward Everett, 
 giving the history of the papers, &c., with the statement 
 that " This interesting MSS. is now committed to Mr. Ban 
 croft; not to be published, but to be used fairly and con 
 scientiously as containing historical materials and authori 
 ties. " Mr. Everett s letter also conveys the information 
 that the original papers were burned, and that these are 
 copies from Sir James Mclntosh s copies and abstracts 
 preserved in the family of Lord North. 4to, half morocco, 
 162 pp. Both sides written. 
 
 FITCH, THOMAS. Reasons why the British Colonies should 
 not be charged with Internal Taxes. Offered in behalf of 
 Connecticut, New Haven, 1764. Half green morocco, gilt 
 top. About 100 pp. 
 
 FOLGER, PETER. A Looking Glass for the Times. Poem 
 written in 1676, and other Matter. Relates to the Quakers. 
 4to, limp brown board cover, 17 pp. 
 
 FRANCE AND ENGLAND. State Papers in Affairs relating 
 to America, 1774 to 1781. 6 vols. folio, half red morocco, 
 gilt top. About 350 pp. each. 
 
 GAYANGOS. Spanish Papers. Official Correspondence re 
 specting the Attitude of Spain to the United States, &c. 
 Conventions between France and Spain. Letters, &c., 1777 
 to 1779. Folio, half dark blue morocco extra. About 350 
 pp. Both sides written. 
 
 GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA PAPERS. Chiefly 
 Letters to the Committee of Correspondence, by Charles 
 Goff, 1768 to 1775. Lettered Volume 2. 410, half mo 
 rocco, 485 pp. 
 
GERMAN PAPERS. MSS. chiefly in German. Official Papers, 
 Records, &c., relating to the American Revolution. 8 vols. 
 4to, cloth backs. From 150 to 600 pp. each. 
 
 GLOVER, COL. JOHN. Papers, Military Orders, etc. Laid 
 in is an account of the assassination of Joseph Jewett, Flat- 
 bush, August, 1776, written by his son at the age of ninety. 
 1776 to 1781. 4to, half cloth. About 125 pp.. 
 
 GOURGUE. La Reprise de la Floride par le Capitaine Gour- 
 gue. Small folio, half calf, 54 pp. Written from the 
 original in Bordeaux. 
 
 GRAFTON S ( DUKE OF). Memoirs, 1753 to 1793. Some 
 Memoranda by Bancroft. 5 vols. 4to, half red morocco, 
 gilt top, about 150 pp. 
 
 GREENE, MAJOR-GENERAL. Letter Book, commencing 
 January i5th, 1781; ending April 8th, 1782. Comprising 
 military letters to Washington, Jefferson, Marion, Sumter, 
 Governor Burke and others, chronologically arranged. 2 
 vols., folio, 410 leaves. 
 
 HARTLEY PAPERS. Correspondence of David Hartley and 
 the Secretary of State, Charles James Fox, with other papers 
 relating to the Treaty with Great Britain and the United 
 States. Notes by Bancroft. 1783 to 84. 2 vols. 4to, half 
 russia, about 600 pp. 
 
 HARTFORD CONVENTION. Proceedings of the Commis 
 sioners from New England at Hartford in November, 1780. 
 Folio, cloth, 30 leaves. 
 
 HOLLAND. Correspondence of England and Holland relating 
 to American Affairs. State Papers, 1774 to 1782. Occa 
 sional insertion of MS. by Bancroft. 4 vols. folio, half red 
 morocco extra, gilt edges. About 500 pp. per volume. 
 
 HOLLAND AND THE UNITED STATES. Including Let 
 ters of Van Berckel and other coreespondents relating to 
 New York, &c., 1783 to 1789. 870 pp., 2 vols. folio, half 
 brown morocco. 
 
 HOLLIS (T.), MAYHEW, ELLIOT, ANDREW, HOLLIS 
 
 (T. B.) Papers, 1771 to 1776. Additions in the handwrit 
 ing of Bancroft. About 300 pp. 
 
 HUTCHINSON, GOVERNOR THOMAS. Letters to Israel 
 Williams, 1749 to 1774. Also Extracts from Journals of 
 
84 
 
 Hutchinson, 1774, with a certification : "Copied from the 
 original by Mr. Rives " Edward Everett. 4to, limp boards, 
 X 39 PP- 
 
 HUTCHINSON, THOMAS, Governor of Massachusetts. Cor 
 respondence, 1765. MSS. Copies, with considerable added 
 matter in the autograph of Bancroft. Laid in is a type 
 written article by Bancroft as to the celebrated Hutchinson 
 Letters how they were made public. 3 vols. 4to, half dark 
 morocco, 1200 pp. 
 
 JOHNSON, W. S. Correspondence of. Connecticut Papers. 
 Letters from 1765 to 1770, with added matter in autograph 
 of Bancroft. 2 vols. 4to, half morocco. Vol. i, 551 pp. ; 
 Vo!- 2 , 453 PP- 
 
 JOHNSON, REV. DR., AND W. S. JOHNSON. Letters, by 
 Franklin and others; Diary, &c. ; Papers from 1737 to 1789. 
 2 vols. 4to, half morocco. About 850 pp. 
 
 KRIEGE DER UNION. 2 vols. folio, 1815101865. Cloth. 1871. 
 
 THE LANGDON-ELWYN PAPERS. Letters of John Lang- 
 don, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, James Lovell, Will 
 iam Ellery and others. Papers from 1774 to 1790. 461 pp. 
 
 LEE, ARTHUR. Autobiography, 1777. 4to, half red morocco, 
 gilt tops, 325 pp. 
 
 LISTS OF PAPERS ON AMERICA. A thick 4 to volume, 
 almost entirely in the handwriting of Bancroft, consisting 
 of memorandum titles of Papers and Letters relating to the 
 History of America, as found in the British and other State 
 Paper offices, and various collections of MSS. and also 
 Printed Publications. About 500 pp., with additional mat 
 ter laid in. 
 
 LIVINGSTON, R. R. Papers relating to the Family of, 1775 
 to 1779. Includes letters from Washington, Jefferson, and 
 other eminent Revolutionary characters. 2 vols. 8vo, half 
 citron morocco, 1175 pp. 
 
 LOYALISTS LETTERS. Papers from Balch and others. 
 Proceedings connected with the Tories. 4to, cloth back. 
 
 MALSBURG, CAPTAIN VON. Journal. Account of the 
 Voyage of the Hessian Troops to New York, their stay at 
 Newport, February to December, 1776. Folio, about 300 
 pp., both sides covered. 
 
85 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. Resolves of the General Court of the 
 Commonwealth, held at Boston, 1785. Printed 1785. 
 Also the same for 1786. Fine uncut copies of these books^ 
 accompanied by about 150 pp. of MS., with some MS. by 
 Bancroft. Folio, half brown morocco. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PAPERS. A volume largely in the hand 
 writing of Bancroft, consisting of Abstracts and Papers 
 anterior to the Revolution, 1748 to 1755. About 200 pp. 
 4to, half dark green morocco. 
 
 MASON, GEORGE. Papers of. After my copies of the 
 papers of George Mason were made and the papers were 
 safely returned to their owner in Virginia, I believe they 
 were burnt up completely in a fire." BANCROFT. 4to, half 
 red morocco, 283 pp. 
 
 MARION, GENERAL FRANCIS. Copies of Letters, in a neat 
 MS., except 32 pp., which are printed. Papers from 177910 
 1811. 3 vols. 410, dark morocco extra, gilt tops 963 
 leaves. 
 
 MARTIN, DAVID. Trial of Jacob Gruber, Minister, of Fred 
 erick County, for a Misdemeanor (preaching that Slavery 
 was a National Sin). MS. Copy, 1819. 112 pp. 4 to, half 
 roan. 
 
 MARYLAND PAPERS. With Additions in the Autograph of 
 Bancroft. 2 vols. 410, half dark blue morocco, about 
 1000 pp. 
 
 NEW ENGLAND PAPERS. From 1607 to 1689, with some 
 few insertions by Bancroft. 2 vols. folio, 1050 pp., mostly 
 written on both sides. 
 
 NEW YORK AND MISCELLANEOUS. Including Remin 
 iscences of J. Pintard, Letters of Philip Cortland, 1779, &c. 
 4to, 200 pp. 
 
 NUEVO MEJICO. Diario de Don Antonio deOtermin goberna- 
 dor y Capitan General, Anode 1681. 4 to, half red morocco 
 gilt top, 268 pp. 
 
 NUEVO MEJICO. Documentos de la Insurreccion de las 
 Indios en Nuevo Mejico, Ano, 1693. Containing also Autos 
 de la guerra de la conquista de Nuevo Mejico. 4to, half 
 red morocco extra, gilt top, 142 leaves. 
 
 PATTERSON, WILLIAM. -Papers. Copies of Originals in 
 possession of William Patterson, of Perth Amboy, N J 
 (A few pp. type-written) 410, half roan. 
 
86 
 
 PENN, THOMAS. Letters to James Hamilton, 1748 to 1770. 
 4to, half brown morocco, gilt tops, 573 pp. 
 
 POLK, J. K. The Diary. Transmitted to Hon. Geo. Ban 
 croft, by Mrs. J. K. Polk. From Aug., 1845, to April, 1849. 
 A type-written copy, compared and corrected, 24 vols. 
 bound in 1 8 vols. 4to> half red morocco. 
 
 POLK, J. K. Correspondence, 1821-1849. 4 v l s - 4 to ? na ^ 
 dark blue morocco. With some notes by G. B. 
 
 POLK. Letters, including a number of pieces relating to Polk. 
 With Bancroft s correspondence in regard to getting the 
 Polk papers. Some Scraps. 
 
 POLK, J. K. 86 Type-written pages of a Sketch of Polk s Life. 
 Written by Bancroft. Also a type-written Index to the 
 Diary of Polk, Vols. i, 2, 3. 
 
 POWNALL TO REV. DR. S. COOPER. Letters from 1769 
 to 1774, from the MS. in the King s Library in the British 
 Museum. 4to, half calf, 383 pages. 
 
 PRUSSIA AND AMERICA. Being chiefly correspondence of 
 Suffolk, Elliot, Stormont, Harris, Eden, &c. , 1775 to 1783. 
 4to, half dark green morocco, with some inserted matter, 
 398 pp. 
 
 PRUSSIA AND FRANCE. Correspondence relating to Ameri 
 can Affairs. 3 vols., folio, half red morocco, gilt tops, un 
 cut, about 2,300 pages. 
 
 PRUSSIA AND HOLLAND. Papers in reference to America, 
 1778 to 1782, chronologically arranged. Folio, half green 
 morocco, 283 pp. Both sides written. 
 
 PRUSSIA AND ENGLAND. Papers relating to America, in 
 cluding correspondence of Frederick the II., Count Malt- 
 zan, Finkelstein and others, 1774 to 1782. 3 vols., folio, 
 half maroon morocco, gilt top. About 500 pp. to a volume, 
 generally written on both sides. 
 
 PUBLIC GOOD WITHOUT PRIVATE INTEREST. A 
 Compendious Remembrance of the present State of the 
 English Colonie of Virginia, humbly presented to the Lord 
 Protector. A MS. copy of the London Publication of 1657, 
 with notes by Bancroft. 4to, half calf, 69 pages. 
 
 QUEBEC AND THE UNITED STATES. Papers from 1782 
 to 1791. 2 vols. folio, half red morocco, gilt top. 
 
REED, JOSEPH. Remarks and Short Address to the People 
 of Pennsylvania on Libels and Slanders. A MS. copy of 
 Bailey s Publication of 1783. 4to, half red cloth, 174 pp. 
 
 REVOLUTIONARY PAPERS. Political and Military. 2 vols. 
 in green cloth backs, i vol. in blue cloth back. Together 
 3 vols. 4to, 1753 pp. 
 
 RHODE ISLAND. Manuscripts, including matter from the 
 Rhode Island Republican, 1832 to 35, referring to theperiod 
 of 1638 to 1702. 4to, half calf. About 300 pp. 
 
 RUSH PAPERS. Mostly letters to Dr. Rush, including pieces 
 by Dickinson, Yeates, Charles Lee, Lafayette, Jefferson, 
 Wayne and others. Occasional additions in Autograph of 
 Bancroft. 4to, half calf, 160 leaves. 
 
 SCHUYLER, MAJOR-GENERAL PH. Revolutionary Papers 
 and Correspondence. 4to, cloth backs, 883 pp. 
 
 SEVIER, MONROE AND SHELBY. Letters, &c. ; Revolu 
 tionary Narrative, &c. About 100 pp., 4to, red morocco, 
 gilt top. 
 
 SHERMAN S CAVEAT. G. Morris, Oration on Washington, 
 1799. Algernon Sydney, Articles on the Lottery Deci 
 sion, Richmond, 1821. 3 pieces, 4to, half red morocco, 
 gilt top. The Roger Sherman piece is: A caveat against In 
 justice and Enquiry into the Evil Consequences of a fluctu 
 ating medium whether bills of credit . . . are money 
 . . by Philceunomos. The Hon. George F. Hoar 
 came into possession of the original in 1878 and this is 
 probably copied from his book. 
 
 GEORGE III. Letters to Shelburne, 1782 to 83. Preceded 
 by a Biographical Sketch of Lord George Sackville. Folio, 
 half brown morocco. About 100 pp. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA PAPERS, 1628 to 1698. With Descrip 
 tion of South Carolina, published by Force, laid in. With 
 the addition of some Autograph Letters of Mr. Rives. 4to, 
 half red morocco. About 350 pp. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA AND MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 
 
 Commencing with a Journal kept in Boston in 1775 and 
 1776, by Timothy Newell. Letters of Laurens, Jefferson, 
 Lee, &c. Letters relating to the Siege of Charlestown. An 
 article on the Battle of King s Mountain, from the Com 
 mentator, Frankfort, 1822. 4to, half blue cloth, 66 1 pages. 
 
88 
 
 SPANISH DOCUMENTS. Relating to California, from the 
 Archives of Seville. About 300 pp. Unbound. 
 
 SPOTSWOOD, HON. ALEXANDER, Governor of Virginia. 
 Letters respecting North Carolina. Address to the Ministry 
 of the late Queen Anne. Extracts from Letters and MSS. 
 in the Secretary s Office of North Carolina. 4to, half calf 
 108 pp. 
 
 STILES, EZRA. Papers of, from 1765 to 1776. 4to, dark 
 blue morocco, gilt tops, 579 pp. 
 
 STRACHEY, HENRY. Papers of. 4 to, half red morocco, 
 gilt top. 1776. 329 pp. 
 
 VIRGINIA PAPERS, from 1756 to 1781. 3 vols. 4to, half red 
 morocco. About 1800 pages. 
 
 VIRGINIA PAPERS. From the State Paper Office, 1585 to 
 1686. 9 vols. folio, cloth backs. From 500 to 700 pp. per 
 volume. Mostly written on both sides. 
 
 WARREN, J. C. Papers. After a Sketch of Paul Revere s 
 Ride, continues with Accounts of the Battle of Lexington. 
 Letters and Accounts of the Day, by witnesses and partici 
 pants. Proceedings of the Citizens. Governor Gage, &c. 
 Papers generally relating to the beginning of armed resist 
 ance. 1774 and 1775. 4to, half brown cloth. 
 
 WASHINGTON PAPERS. His Diary from October ist, 1789, 
 to March nth, 1790; and Washington s Order Book from 
 June 27, to August 6, 1779. 4 to > na ^ dark morocco, gilt 
 top. About 400 pp. 
 
 WASHINGTON, GEORGE. Diary from March i2th, 1790, to 
 June ist, 1791. 92 pp., 4to, half blue morocco. 
 
 WASHINGTON, GEORGE. Journal from May ist, 1781, to 
 November 5th, 1791, 197 pp., followed by Comments, &c., 
 of G. Bancroft. Journal of General Rufus Putnam, with 
 old copies of Papers of Arthur Campbell, relating to the 
 Battle of King s Mountain. Slips and Cuttings from 
 Charles Town, 1780; and others. 400 pages, folio, half 
 blue cloth. 
 
 WASHINGTON, Frederick the Great, and in Cassel. Papers, 
 containing much interesting matter regarding movements of 
 the Hessians in the American Campaigns, as well as Diplo 
 matic Correspondence. Folio, half maroon morocco. 
 About 300 pp. 
 
89 
 
 WAYNE, GENERAL ANTHONY. Correspondence, Letters 
 and Papers, including Letters from Washington, from 1775 
 to 1792. 3 vols. 4to, half red morocco, gilt top. 1750 pp. 
 
 INDEX to American Correspondence, 1752 to 1760, arranged 
 as a Journal, with captions of letters opposite the dates. 4to, 
 half dark green morocco. 
 
 BANCROFT S History of the United States. Original Drafts 
 in MS. 42 vols. 4to. Various volumes and editions roughly 
 bound (10 of the volumes type and MS.). 
 
 BANCROFT S Index Rerum. 4 to, MS., in old calf. Numerous 
 excerpts and references relating to American History. 
 
 BANCROFT S Life of Martin Van Buren. Type-written 
 copy, with amendments, in autograph of Bancroft. 4to, 
 half morocco. 
 
 THE SAME. An earlier draft. 
 
 - THE SAME. Another draft in two parts. 
 
 - Heeren s Ancient History ; Heeren s Ethnography ; 
 Eichhorn s Old and New Testament Studies and Trans 
 lations. 4 vols. folio. Paper covers. 
 
 LETTERS and Captions in the " Pennsylvania Gazette " and 
 " Virginia Gazette." In 7 4to books, numbered 1-7. 
 
 A BUNDLE of miscellaneous pieces, fragments, &c. 
 
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS 
 
93 
 
 LIBRARY OF HON. GEO. BANCROFT. 
 
 BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS. 
 
 The library of the late Hon. Geo. Bancroft is a very large 
 gathering of books, the materials for studying the History of the 
 United States being its prominent feature, inclusive of the collat 
 eral literature of general history in all languages; and, beyond 
 that, the reading of a man of many-sided culture and elegant 
 taste. It is rich in both ancient and modern literature, enlivened 
 with poetry and art, and well-furnished with standard authors. 
 Schooled under Heeren, Bancroft became familiar with German 
 literature. His interest in German philosophy, history and 
 poetry was strong and lasting, and is reflected in a fine and 
 large collection of the best authors of Germany. The classics 
 are abundantly represented in the original tongues and in trans 
 lations by a variety of editors. 
 
 Mr. Bancroft was the recipient of many books as gifts, and 
 he has generally inserted the autograph letter of the donor, and 
 numbers of books, not accompanied by letters, have the donor s 
 autograph inscription. Among these may be mentioned "Don 
 Juan," Cantos 3, 4 and 5, with this inscription in Lord Byron s 
 hand: To Mr. George Bancroft from the Author, Noel Byron. 
 May 22nd, 1822"; Dickens "American Notes," two volumes, 
 London, 1842, in which is written: "George Bancoft, from his 
 friend, Charles Dickens, i9th October, 1842." 
 
 The department of Americana is so full that no adequate 
 description can be given in brief. A few items will be named, 
 with the general statement that the library is intact, is as Ban 
 croft left it, with all that he collected bearing directly or indi 
 rectly on the history of America, including its discovery, settle 
 ment, colonial period, wars with the French and Indians, the 
 Revolutionary war, State and local history, pioneer history and 
 extension, military and naval histories and biographies, writings 
 
94 
 
 and speeches of American statesmen, formation of the Union 
 and the Constitution, treaties, archives, documents and laws, 
 researches among the aborigines, collections of historical socie 
 ties, magazines, maps, journals and pamphlets, monographs and 
 privately printed books. A number of books and pamphlets 
 relating to the Civil War, abolition of slavery, State rights, free 
 trade, currency and legal tender, the Supreme Court, colleges, 
 etc., etc. 
 
 A feature adding interest and uniqueness to Bancroft s library 
 is the amount of marginal and other annotation and comment 
 placed by his own hand in very many of the books, and these 
 comments can by no means be measured by their quantity; for 
 instance, a statement appended to a marked paragraph, such as 
 "This is not true." Of course, many books he has made use 
 of as working copies, sometimes interleaving as well as writing 
 upon the margins, and inserting cuttings and scraps and pieces 
 of publications, pertinent to statements of the text. For in 
 stance, he has interleaved and extended " Holmes s Annals" 
 in two volumes, to five, and this work seems to have received 
 his most particular attention, for he has filled up very many 
 interleaved pages by his own hand. 
 
 Among voyages and accounts of the New World are collec 
 tions of Purchas, of Hakluyt and Ramusio, Navarette, Labat, 
 La Potherie, Laval, Chabert, Barcia, Clavigero, Oviedo, De 
 Solis, Lafitau, Hennepin, several editions; the rare Jesuit Rela 
 tions, 1634, &c., original issues (about 15 vols.), and reprints; 
 Charlevoix, Sagard ; also, voyages of Captain Cooke, collections 
 of Pinkerton, voyages of Vancouver, &c. 
 
 COLUMBUS MEMORIALS, published by the decurions of Geneva. 
 Extra-illustrated by 26 portraits. 1823. 
 
 Syllacius de Insulis Meridiani. Lenox s privately printed 
 issue. 
 
 De Laet Novus Orbis, 1630-1633. 
 
 Father Hennepin s Discoveries. Rare edition of 1683. Note 
 by Bancroft: " I obtained this perfect copy March 19, 1864, after 
 30 years search." 
 
 Sagard s Canada. Paris, 1636. 
 
 Among the little books of great value are George Alsop s 
 
95 
 
 "Character of the Province of Maryland," printed in London, 
 1666, a book about the size of one s hand, worth more than its 
 weight in gold; Lederer s " Discoveries in Three Marches from 
 Virginia," a copy in matchless condition, printed in 1672; 
 Le Clercq s " Etablissement de la Foy," two little volumes, lately 
 priced in London at forty pounds; Scott s "Model of the Gov 
 ernment of East Jersey," with names of the early settlers, 1685. 
 
 Brief titles of a few other items of Americana are as fol 
 lows: 
 
 Byfield s Revolution in New England. 1689. 
 
 John Cotton on Ecclesiastes. 1654. 
 
 Bishop s New England Judged. 1703. 
 
 Hooker s Church Discipline. London, 1648. 
 
 Shepard s Parable of Ten Virgins. London, 1660. 
 
 Norton s Discourse on the Sufferings of Christ. London, 
 
 1653- 
 
 Speeches of the Governors of Massachusetts and Answers of 
 the House of Representatives. 1755-1778. Examined and anno 
 tated throughout by Bancroft. 
 
 Hutchinson s Massachusetts. 3 vols. 1795-1828. 
 
 Savage s Genealogical Dictionary. 4 vols. 8vo. 
 
 Mante s History of the Late War. 1762. 
 
 Knox s Journal of Campaign. 2 vols. 4to. 1769. 
 
 Rogers Journal. 1765. 
 
 Bollan s Acquest of Dominion. 1762. 
 
 Stiles Judges. 1794. 
 
 Acts of Parliament Relating to America. 1734-61. 
 
 Almon s Parliamentary Register. 63 vols. 1 775-1797. 
 
 Almon s Remembrancer. 
 
 Journals of Congress, 1774-1776; Congressional Globe from 
 1837, 86 vols. 
 
 Hazard s State Papers. 2 vols. 4to. 
 
 Annals of Congress. 31 vols. 
 
 American State Papers, 21 vols. ; American Archives. 9 vols. ; 
 Annual Register, 1758-1820, 89 vols. 
 
 Pownall s Description of America. 1776. 
 
 The Atlases of Jeffreys, Popple, &c. (Revolutionary period). 
 
 American Military Pocket Atlas ; Roque s Forts of America ; 
 
96 
 
 Coxe s Carolana. 1722. 
 
 Winthrop Sargent s Loyalist Poetry of the Revolution, and 
 The Loyal Verses of Stansbury and Odell. 
 Smith s Narrative of Major Andre. 
 
 Garden s Anecdotes of the American Revolution, both Series. 
 Original Editions. 
 
 Poems of Anne Bradstreet, of Freneau, and of Phillis Wheat- 
 ley. Rare editions. 
 
 Force s Tracts. Presentation copy. 
 Scots s Settlement at Darien. 
 
 Dr. Shea s American Linguistics and Cramoisy Press. 
 Captain John Smith s History of Virginia. Handsome copy, 
 with the maps. Folio, blue morocco. 1632. 
 Burk s Virginia; Beverly s Virginia. 
 Acrelius s New Sweden. 1759. 
 
 True State of Pennsylvania. Dunlap, printer, 1759. 
 Smith s Brief State of Pennsylvania. 
 Answer to Franklin s Protest. Bradford, 1764. 
 Proud s Pennsylvania. 2 vols. 
 Relation of Maryland. Very rare. 1635. 
 Reasons for Establishing a Colony in Georgia. 1763. 
 Bartram s Florida; Roberts Florida, 1763 ; Stevens Georgia, 
 1742; McCall s Georgia, 1811. 
 
 The French Memorial, containing Journal of Major Washing 
 ton. 1757. 
 
 Mirabeau s Advice " Aux Hessois." A very rare pie 
 advising the Hessians to aid America. 1777. 
 Boston Chronicle. 1767-1768. 
 
 Horsmanden s Account of the Negro Conspiracy to burn 1> 
 York The very rare large paper edition. 
 
 Jacob Leisler. Four rare broadsides relating to his case. 
 
 Haywood s Tennessee, both works, natural and political. 
 
 Filson s, Finlay s and Collins Kentucky. 
 
 Imlay s Western Territory, 1792- Pickett s Alabama. 
 
 Bayard, Nicholas. Trial. Lond. 1703. 
 
 Asher s Account of Dutch Books relating to New Nether 
 
 lands. 
 
 Valentine s Manual, including early volumes. 
 
97 
 
 Earl Stairs Bill in Chancery. Folio. 
 
 A Further Account of New Jersey in an abstract of letters 
 lately writ from thence by several inhabitants there resident. 
 1676. Of great rarity. 
 
 Smith s New Jersey. 1765. 
 
 Thomson s Voyage to New Jersey. 
 
 Learning & Spicer s Collection of New Jersey Laws. Printed 
 by Bradford. 3 vols. folio. 
 
 Narrative of the Excursion of the King s Troops under Gene 
 ral Gage. Printed by order of the Provincial Congress, 1775, 
 by Isaiah Thomas. 
 
 Tarleton s Campaigns. 4to. 1787. 
 
 Stedman s History of the War. 2 vols. 4to. 1794. Sir Henry 
 Clinton s copy, with his marginal notes in autograph, together 
 with notes in autograph of Bancroft. A prize for any collector. 
 
 Dray ton s Memoirs, Heath s Memoirs, Thatcher s Military 
 Journal ; Entick s, Murray s, Botta s, Andrews , and other 
 general histories of the war. 
 
 Trial of Major Andre. Rare edition printed by Bailey, 1780. 
 
 The Courts-Martial held by order of General Washington, on 
 Schuyler, on St. Clair and on Lee, the rare contemporary 
 editions, the three pieces bound in a volume; also containing 
 the Proceedings of the Assembly of New Jersey, 1780, and the 
 Acts of New Jersey in 1777. Among the leaves of the trials are 
 some notes in autograph of Bancroft. 
 
 The Court-Martial of Arnold, the edition of 1780; also, the 
 Cooperstown edition of the Court-Martial of Lee, interleaved 
 and annotated by Bancroft. 
 
 Several pieces relating to Clinton, Cornwallis, Howe and 
 Burgoyne. 
 
 Scores of small pieces and pamphlets separately bound, relat 
 ing to controversies between Great Britain and the colonies, and 
 the genesis of the American Revolution, as also a very large 
 number of pamphlets bound, several in a volume. 
 
 Many books relating to Canada and the West; Law s Missis 
 sippi Scheme; Laval, Voyage a La Louisiane, 1720; Venegas 
 California; French s Louisiana; Lewis and Clarke, 3 vols.; 
 Gayarre s Louisiana; E. G. Squier s Monuments of the Missis- 
 
sippi; and Squier s Documents relating to America, from the 
 Spanish Archives; Agassiz s Lake Superior. 
 
 Numerous books about the Indians ; Schoolcraft, 6 vols. 
 4to; Catlin, 2 vols. 8vo, colored plates; Heckewelder, Priest; 
 a few books on Aboriginal Languages. All general histories of 
 the United States. 
 
 Audubon s Birds of America is the best octavo edition. 7 vols. 
 handsomely bound. 
 
 Michaux and Nuttail s Sylva of North America. 6 vols. 8vo. 
 Colored plates. Finely bound. 
 
 Dunlap s Art of Design in America. 2 vols. 8vo. Author s 
 presentation. 
 
 Marban s Grammar of the Moxa Language. 
 
 Bamfylde Moore Carew s Adventures. 1779. 
 
 Works of American Statesmen, many large paper copies, with 
 Mr. Bancroft s marginal memoranda and annotations throughout, 
 such as Franklin s works: Washington s Writings; John Adams 
 and J. Q. Adams Works and Correspondence; Jefferson s Works 
 and Life; Alex. Hamilton s Works, and History of the United 
 States as traced in his writings ; the Madison Papers ; Webster s 
 Works; Sparks Diplomatic Correspondence of the Revolution, 
 10 vols. ; &c. 
 
 Numerous works relating to Washington, including a pre 
 sentation copy of Irving s Life, with an autograph letter of 
 Irving; Aaron Bancroft s Life, with autograph; Marshall s Life; 
 Everett s Life, with 6-page letter of Everett; Bradford Club 
 Diary of Washington ; W. C. Ford s Washington ; genuine and 
 spurious letters of Washington. 
 
 Biographies and works of American historical and literary 
 characters. 
 
 Bancroft s Poems, 1823. 
 
 A folio, in old calf binding, is rich in treasures; it contains 
 sixty-nine pieces, printed from 1657 to 1682. It originally came 
 from David Brearley, of New Jersey, and was finally presented 
 to Mr. Bancroft by J. W. Alexander. Some of these pieces 
 were printed for the Parliament of Oliver Cromwell. One in 
 black letter, a petition to which "the Lord Protector doth con- 
 
99 
 
 sent," is interesting as to the oaths to be taken by any person 
 who should be a member of Parliament. 
 
 There are eighteen pages of an interesting declaration of King 
 Charles II. concerning ecclesiastical affairs. These declarations, 
 with the life of the Merry Monarch in parallel columns, would 
 form some startling contrasts. Looking further in this volume 
 we find a rare broadside, "William Penn s speech to His Maj 
 esty, upon delivering the Quakers address, with His Majesty s 
 most gracious answer," a liberal and a noble one, and now em 
 bodied an important plank in the structure of American liberty. 
 Still further, there is William Penn s letter (ten pages), contain 
 ing a description of the Province of Pennsylvania and an ac 
 count of the City of Philadelphia, newly laid out, with a map; 
 London, 1683. 
 
 The Standard American authors and poets are well repre 
 sented. 
 
 Bancroft s life of Martin Van Buren, is a copy with the 
 author s marginal notes. 
 
 Quite a number of books on slavery, diplomacy, the constitu 
 tion, &c. , Elliott s Debates is a copy marked throughout by 
 Bancroft. 
 
 Copies of the Haro boundary memorials (Geo. Bancroft repre 
 senting the U. S. in the arbitration). 
 
 Collection of Historical Societies of various states. 
 
 Papers about Bunker Hill, Obituaries, the quakers, etc. 
 
 Minot s Insurrection ; Backus History of the Baptists. 
 
 Bancroft s taste for the fine arts is represented in the posses 
 sion of various grand books, descriptive and reproductive of the 
 Chief Galleries of Europe, as the Musee Francais and the Musee 
 Royal, The Orleans Gallery , The Florence Galley ; The Dresden 
 Gallery ; The Musee Napoleon ; Finden s Royal Gallery of British 
 Art, in proof state; The works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 3 folio 
 volumes of Mezzotint plates ; Ottley s Italian School, etc. 
 
 The series of Captain Batty s European Scenery is a particu 
 larly beautiful set, proof impressions. Lodge s Portrait Gallery 
 is a splendid set, 6 vols. 4to, crimson morocco, proof impres 
 sions. The Grand Musee of the Vatican in a series of folio 
 
100 
 
 volumes, is a copy particularly notable for a sumptuous binding 
 in Vellum. 
 
 A few books of Turner, Harding, Prout and David Roberts 
 are included. 
 
 Winkle s Cathedrals, and Neale s Westminster Abbey, are fine 
 copies. Also, Grose s Antiquities of England and Wales. Of 
 Bewick s British Birds, the library contains the edition of 1800. 
 
 The Standard Histories of England, and Works of English 
 Historians, lives and works of English Statesmen of the period 
 connected with American History. Best editions of Hume and 
 Smollett, Macaulay, Lord Mahon, Burke, Works of Burnet, 
 Clarendon, Pitt, Fox, North, Gibbon, Milman, Merivale, Evelyn, 
 Pepys, Walpole. Strickland s Lives of the Queens. 
 
 A section of Mr. Bancroft s library is rich in the works of 
 the most celebrated authors of Germany, in history, philosophy, 
 biography, etc., with a sprinkling of science. Nor has he neg 
 lected the literature of Italy. The best authors in the French 
 language are found on the shelves. 
 
 Of German authors may be mentioned Bunsen, Bluntschli, 
 Curtius, Eichhorn, Fichte, Fischer^ Goethe, Hegel, Heine, 
 Heeren, Herder, Humboldt, Kant, Lieber, Leibnitz, Niebuhr, 
 Ranke, Schiller, Schelling, Schoppenhauer, Schlosser, Scherer, 
 Schulteis, Von Raumer, Von Hoist, Virchow, Weber, etc., etc. 
 
 There are many nicely bound sets in this section, and some 
 autograph presentations. 
 
 Of the history of the treaty of the States of Europe in 
 German, there is a series of 60 vols. 
 
 The classics include the great collection of Lemaire, in 148 
 vols., 8vo, and any number of editions of originals and trans 
 lations in various languages and under various hands. Among 
 them is a good series of Thomas Taylor s translations. It is 
 scarcely worth while to mention the authors, as there. are about 
 all of the current names. 
 
 Bancroft was preparing a book upon Shakespeare, and col 
 lected a number of volumes, reading and marking several of 
 them. Among the dramatic authors, are the best editions of 
 Beaumont and Fletcher, Ben Johnson, Shirley, Massinger, Mid- 
 dleton, etc, Of books called "privately printed," of which a 
 
- >\ 
 
 !*** J*? ! 
 
 :.::.:: 
 
 101 
 
 few copies only were issued, naturally Mr. Bancroft has received 
 a number of gifts. In English literature and poetry, the 
 standard authors are well represented. 
 
 Of Bancroft s " History of the United States " there is one of 
 the large paper copies, now very scarce. But perhaps among 
 the most interesting books in the library are a large number of 
 volumes of various editions of the History as prepared for revis 
 ion. These are, of course, his working copies, filled with his 
 manuscript alterations and emendations, and are the evidence of 
 the labor and pains involved in bringing an historical work to a 
 satisfactory degree of perfection and finish. 
 
 In French literature, the historians are completely represented 
 and with a good collection of standard authors, works of Mon 
 taigne, Voltaire, Mirabeau, Martin, Chateaubriand, Corneille, 
 Racine, Lamartine, Guizot, Thiers, Thierry, Blanc, Mignet, 
 Biographic Universelle, 85 vols., Brunei s Manual, books relat 
 ing to the French Revolution, etc. 
 
 Of Italian and Spanish authors there is a sprinkling. 
 
 Some of the most useful books, from the student s point of 
 view, are among the unmentioned and lesser known pieces. 
 
 The catalogue of books and pamphlets with the brief descrip 
 tions, would occupy about 600 pages, say 6,000 lots. 
 
 A large collections of pamphlets and small pieces is contained 
 in bound volumes including from 5 to ?j items each. Including 
 the unbound pamphlets, a careful estimate places the number of 
 items at 18,000. Mr. Bancroft it is understood, regarded his 
 collection as about 20,000 pieces. As to quantity, compared to 
 the libraries of Barlow and Murphy, it is about double. 
 
 Of all histories the " History of the United States" has been 
 especially favored in so long-lived, industrious and polished a 
 recorder of its annals. In this library, in its abundance of 
 materials for history, and in its testimony to the various require 
 ments in the fields of language and of literature, and its sug 
 gestions of labor, there is enough to dismay all but the most 
 serious essayist in a general history of the United States. 
 

14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 LOAN DEPT. 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 General Library 
 University of Calif orma 
 
16176482 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY