Delegates to Congress: Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 1

Samuel Adams to Thomas Young

My dear Sir Philadelphia Octob [17?] 1774

I have receivd your (1) favors of 29th Sept and 11th Instant, the latter of which is just come to hand. The affidavit inclosed confirms the report in Boston about the begining of July, of a Mans being seizd by the Soldiery, put under Guard & finally sent to England. But what Remedy can the poor injurd Fellow obtain in his own Country where inter Arma silent Leges! I have written to our Friends to provide themselves without Delay with arms & Ammunition, get well instructed in the military Art, embody themselves & prepare a complete Set of Rules that they may be ready in Case they are called to defend themselves against the violent Attacks of Despotism. Surely the Laws of Self Preservation will warrant it in this Time of Danger & doubtful Expectation. One cannot be certain that a distracted Minister will yield to the Measures taken by the Congress, though they should operate the Ruin of the National Trade, until he shall have made further Efforts to lay America, as he impiously expressd it "prostrate at his Feet."

I believe you will have seen before this reaches you, some further Resolves of the Congress relative to my native Town & Province together with a Letter to Gage.(2) They were sent to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston by Mr Revere who left us a Week ago, and I Suppose are or will be publishd in the papers. You will therein see the sense of the Gentlemen here of the Conduct of the General and the "dignified Scoundrels," and of the opposition made to the tyrannical Acts. I think our Countrymen discover the Spirit of Rome or Sparta. I admire in them that Patience which you have often heard me say is characteristick of the Patriot. I regretted your Removal from Boston when you first informd me of it, but I trust it will be for the publick Advantage. Wherever you may be I am very sure you will improve your ten Talents for the publick Good. I pray God to direct and reward you.

I am with due regard to Mrs Young, affectionately yours

Saml Adams

Note:

FC (NN). Day blank in the MS, but dated the 17th in Adams, Writings (Cushing), 3: 162-63. Paul Revere, who according to Adams "left us a Week ago," departed Philadelphia October 11.

1 Thomas Young (1731-77), physician, moved to Boston in 1766, where he quickly became a political intimate of Samuel Adams. Fearing for his safety, Young left Boston for Rhode Island on September 13, 1774, and in the spring of 1775 he moved to Philadelphia. Henry D. Edes, "Memoir of Dr. Thomas Young, 1731-1777," Transactions of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 11 (1906 07): 2-54.

2 JCC, 1 :59-62.

Courtesy:

The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.

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