Col. Thomas Crafts

Letters Concerning Col. Thomas Crafts

John Adams to To: Thomas Crafts, Jr.

Dear sir
Philadelphia Feb. 18.1776

Since my Arrival in this City and not before, I received your Favour of December the sixteenth.

I am very sorry to learn that you ever was even for a Moment in a State of Scepticism concerning the Existence and Reality of sincere Friendship. Surely there is sincerity, surely there is Friendship among Men,

altho it must be confessed that too Many Persons ground it on improper Principles and too easily forget its Feelings. I rejoice, however, that your Faith returned so soon.

You was not forgotten, my dear sir, by any of your Friends here, but alass, it was not in their Power to do more than they did. It was the Wish of your Friends here, that you and Mr Trott should have all those Rewards from your Country which you can desire and it [is] still their earnest Desire, that you and Mr Revere should be provided for.(1)But it is not in their Power to affect it, and whether it ever will be is uncertain. You know the State of Coll Brewer's Case(2)-an experienced and a brave officer, removed from a Regiment and the General Officers thought (3)

Note: FC (MHi).

1 Thomas Crafts, Jr., had informed Adams of his decision to turn down the offer of a majority in the artillery regiment. See Thomas Crafts, Jr., to John Adams December 16, 1775, Adams Papers, MHi; and George Washington to John Hancock, December 14, 1775, Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 4:161. For Adams' previous efforts to aid Crafts, see John Adams to James Warren, December 3, 1775, note 2.

2 Apparently Col. David Brewer of the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment, who had been court-martialed and dismissed from the service on October 23, 1775. Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 4:39 40.

3 Remainder of MS missing.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

Cambridge, December 14, 1775.

Sir: I received your favor of the 2d instant with the several Resolves of Congress therein inclosed.52--The Resolves relative to Captures made by Continental Armed Vessels only want a Court Established for Trial to make them complete. This I hope will be soon done, as I have taken the Liberty to urge it often to Congress.

[Note 52: "A letter from General Washington dated 14th December being delivered by two strangers was read. Resolved that the same be committed to the Secret Committee, who are directed to confer with the bearers, and pursue such measures as they may think proper for the interest of the United Colonies." (SeeJournals of the Continental Congress, Dec. 30, 1775,)]

I am some what at a loss to know whether I am to raise the two Battalions of Marines here or not, as the delay can be attended with little Inconvenience, I will wait a further explanation from Congress before I take any Steps thereon.

I am much pleased that the money will be forwarded with all possible expedition, as it is much wanted, also that Conolly and his Associates are taken. It has been a very fortunate Discovery. I make no doubt, but that the Congress will take every necessary measure to disposses Lord Dunmore of his hold in Virginia, the sooner steps are taken for that purpose, the more probability there will be of their being effectual.53

[Note 53: Congress had determined (December 2) to assemble a small squadron of armed vessels to proceed against Lord Dunmore. Captain Stone and his vessel were engaged for the venture; Benjamin Harrison was directed to proceed to Maryland and procure two or three armed vessels to operate in Chesapeake Bay; and Capt. Abraham Whipple, as soon as he arrived in Philadelphia, was to be sent to that bay to cooperate. Ford notes that Richard Henry Lee wrote to Arthur Lee (July 6, 1783) his recollection that the appearance of two British ships in the bay put an end to the attempt.]

Mr. Wm. Aspinwall and Mr. Lemuel Haywood were appointed Surgeons at Roxbury in the first formation of the Army, they were confirmed by Doctor Church, who promised to write to Congress in their behalf, they applied to me during his confinement here, at a time that I had notice of Doctor Morgan's appointment, I referred them to

his arrival, and inclosed you have his Sentiments relative to them, also of Doctor Rand, Surgeon to the Small Pox Hospital, and his Mate; I have to remark to you, that when we had some time past, got the better of the small pox, Doctor Rand applied to me for a continuance of him in that Department, which from a principle of not multiplying Offices I declined; he is at present wanted and says that by only attending occasionally, he looses his country practice, of course his Livelyhood. You will please to lay these matters before Congress for their consideration. I was happy enough to anticipate the desire of Congress respecting Mr. Crafts and Mr. Trot,54 they both declined; the latter did not chuse to serve, the former's ambition was not fully gratified by the offer made him of a Majority. I hope Col. Knox will soon finish the Business he is upon and appear here to take the Honorable command conferred on him by Congress.55

[Note 54: Thomas Crafts, jr., and George Trott. (SeeJournals of the Continental Congress, Dec. 2, 1775.)]

[Note 55: Henry Knox was elected colonel of the regiment of artillery by Congress on November 17.]

I will make application to Genl. Howe and propose an Exchange for Mr. Ethan Allen. I am much afraid I shall have a like proposal to make for Captain Martindale of the Armed Brigantine Washington and his Men, who it is reported was taken a few days past by a Man of War and carried into Boston. We cannot expect to be allways successfull.

You will doubtless here of the Barbarity of Capt. Wallace on Cananicut Island, 'ere this reaches your hands.56

[Note 56: Connanicut is a small island opposite Newport, in Narragansett Bay, Capt. Hugh Wallace, with a body of British sailors and marines, landed on the island, burned several houses, plundered the people, and drove off their cattle.]

About 150 more of the poor Inhabitants are come out of Boston, the small pox rages all over the Town, such of the Military as had it not before, are now under inoculation. This I apprehend is a weapon of defence, they are using against us, what confirms me in this Opinion is, that I have Information that they are tearing up the pavements, to be provided against a Bombardment. I wrote you this day by Messieurs Pennet and De Plierne, who will lay before the Congress or a Committee thereof, proposals for furnishing the Continent with Arms and Ammunition, I refer you to themselves for further particulars. I have the Honor, etc.

This is from a letter by Abigail Adams, in Boston, to John Adams, who was in Philadelphia with the Continental Congress; July 21, 1776.

Last Thursday after hearing a very Good Sermon I went with the multitude into King's Street to hear the proclamation for independence read and proclaimed. Some Field pieces with the Train were brought there, the troops appeared under Arms and all the inhabitants assembled there (the small pox prevented many thousands from the country).
When Col. Crafts read from the Belcona [balcony] of the State House the Proclamation, great attention was paid to every word. As soon as he ended, the cry from the Belcona, was God Save our American States and then 3 cheers which rended the air, the Bells rang, the privateers fired, the forts and Batteries, the cannon were discharged, the platoons followed and every face appeard joyful. Mr Bowdoin then gave a Sentiment, Stability and perpetuity to American independence. After dinner the kings arms were taken down from the State House and every vestige of him from every place in which it appeard and burnt in King Street. Thus ends royall Authority in this State, and all the people shall say Amen.