The famous Partisan Major Rogers came to our Lodgings to make Us a Visit.(1) He has been in Prison discharged by some insolvent or bankrupt Act. He thinks We shall have hot Work, next Spring. He told me an old half Pay Officer, such as himself, would sell well next Spring And when he went away, he said to S.A. and me, if you want me, next Spring for any Service, you know where I am, send for me. I am to be sold. He says the Scotch Men at home, say d n that Adams
In the Evening Mr. Jona. Dickinson Sergeant of Prince Town, made a Visit to the Sec.(2) and me. He says he is no Idolater of his Name Sake. That he was disappointed when he first saw him. Fame had given him an exalted Idea: but he came to N. Jersey upon a particular Cause, and made such a flimsy, effeminate, Piece of Work of it, that he sunk at once in his Opinion.
Serjeant is sorry to find a falling off in this City-not a third of the Battalion Men muster, who mustered at first.
D[ickinson] he says sinks here in the public opinion. That many Gentlemen chime in with a spirited Publication in the Paper of Wednesday, which blames the conduct of several Gentlemen of Fortune, D., Cad[walader], R[hoads], and J. Allen &c.(3)
MS (MHi) . Adams, Diary (Butterfield), 2:177.
1 See Richard Smith's Diary, September 20, 1775, note 3 . In a letter of October 10, 1775, to Lord Dartmouth, Governor Tryon of New York enclosed a manuscript captioned "Private Intelligence, Sep 1775," and endorsed "The above are the sentiments on an Eastern Delegate of the Continental Congress. (Received) Communicated by Mjr -- -R -- ." It is quite possible that the "Eastern Delegate" referred to was John, or more likely, Samuel Adams, whose "sentiments" were communicated to Rogers during the meeting described in this entry of Adams' diary. The complete text of the document reads: "They dont wish for independency but will not be Taxed at the Requisition of Parliament, but on Representation of the Minister they will Contribute, but at theyr own discretion and their own mode of Raising the Money. They have sent Home their last Proposal and are waiting for an answer, and if not settled this winter, they will open the Ports to all Europe.
"Other Powers will espouse their Cause when apply'd to with their Ships.
"That they are Confident they will be in possession of Montreal and Quebec this Year.
"If no settlement this winter, all the Ports in the interior Country will be seized and Privateers fitted out at such Ports that men of War cannot enter, and will seize the Homeward bound, West India Men or any others they can Master.
"They have laid Plans for plenty of ammunition this Winter.
"If Russians or [foreign] auxiliary's are sent over they will set up an Independency.
"If the Ice freezes over Boston Harbour this Winter they will burn the Ships of War and the Town. If affairs are settled an Act of Indemnity and free Pardon will be required for all the officers and all concern'd.
"No Regular Troops to be allowed to Remain in America as they have People enough to defend themselves, and assist his Majesty with Men against other Powers. Requisition in Money will be required for the burning of Charlestown and other Damages of the like Nature &cc &c." PRO: C.O. 5, 1106:565-70.
2 That is, Samuel Adams.
3 An article defending an attack on two Philadelphia loyalists September 6 and