I thank you for the Intelligence you inclosd, and have made a prudent Use of it, by communicating it to some of the leading members of the Assembly who are my confidential Friends.  To others I have given it in my own way as Articles of my political Creed, and I think to good Effect.  What do you think of Penobscott?  The late Expedition,1 tho it turnd out very unfortunate, was perhaps as great an Exertion as has been made by any State since the War began.  Our State must demand a reimbursement.  It is more than probable that if we had succeeded we shd have had the Charge paid with thanks.  And we shd have richly deserved it.  Britain I doubt not considers that an important Post and so will.... if she regards her Navy.

You know that by our Charter the Crown reservd the Masts.  Another Circumstance I will.... remind you of, that part of our Eastern Country was held by the Crown & the People of the Province as it were in joynt Tenancy.  He could not originate the Sale of any Part of it, nor could they complete the sale without his Confirmation.  Will it not be her Policy to keep Possession of that part of our Territory till Terms of Peace are proposd, that she may take occasion to say she is in Possession of her own.  And will it not then be somewhat difficult for Mediator to find Arguments against her holding it?  Should not Congress assist us in endeavoring to recover possession?  We want Ships.  If a french Squadron should again visit these Seas it is natural for a Massachusetts Man to wish, that they should make Hallifax their capital object.  Probably America wd think it for her Interest if she.... that the Masts & the Fishing Ground must be the great Security of their Independence & Prosperity?  We must have the reach of our arms or we shall never be able even to defend ourselves....

I declare to you I shall not feel perfectly easy till those two provinces are annexed to the United States as Nature seems to have designd, and the unmolested Right to the Fishery is secured to us.  I believe my letter is become tedious to you.  I will conclude with mentioning that several Persons have hinted to me the Necessity of establishing an American Consul in France.  If it should be thought expedient to propose it to Congress & they should judge it proper, Mr Perez Moulton2 (whom you know) desires me to inform the Mass Delegates that he intends residing in that Country a few years & would gladly accept of that appointment.

1 Cf.  Pages 154, 158 et seq.

2 Cf.  Vol. iii., p. 293.

TO JOHN ADAMS.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

[May, 1780.]

MY DEAR SIR