Adams, Samuel, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Massachusetts

Letter signed ("Saml. Adams Chairman"), text in a neat clerical hand, 1 page (12 7/8 x 8 in.; 326 x 202 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Britannia | gr), Philadelphia, 10 February 1779, to Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut, address panel with reception docket on integral blank; seal tear and repair, folds reinforced, skilfully backed with tissue, some light stains. Half blue morocco folding-case gilt. 

Letters of Delegates, ed. Smith, 12:49–50 (text from the letterbook copy, with many variations in wording and incidentals)

The Marine Committee authorizes an expedition against British privateers. In a letter to the Eastern Navy Board, Governor Trumbull had proposed an attack on British shipping at Huntington Harbor, Long Island. Samuel Adams, Chairman of the Marine Committee, Continental Congress, here gives his assent.

"By an Express from the Navy Board of the Eastern Department the Marine Committee had the honor of receiving your letter to them of the 22 January respecting the enemys armed Vessels in the western Sound, and the probabillity of taking or destroying them by joining the force of the Confederacy to the two State Ships. They were very anxious of adding the Confederacy to the Number of these Ships destined for an other service; But the Object you have in veiw is so very desireable, and the accomplishment of it from your representation attended with so little danger or delay, that they have fallen into the measure and consented to join the Confederacy to the State Ships. You suppose a few days will be sufficient to answer the ends you have in veiw, and it is under this State of the case that I am by the direction of this Committee to inform your Excellency that Captain Harding will receive orders to Obey you, and take your directions for the Government of his Conduct in the proposed expedition, but not to exceed ten days after the sailing of his Ship from New London in the said expedition, tho should the service be performed in a Shorter time the Captain must proceed to sea with the utmost dispatch agreeable to our Instruction."

The 36-gun frigate Confederacy, commanded by Seth Harding, had been launched from the Norwich shipyard barely three months previous to this letter. She never was put under Trumbull's authority, being instead sent to patrol the Atlantic seaboard in company with the Boston, commanded by Captain Samuel Tucker.