Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 7, May 1 1777-September 18 1777
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John Adams to To: Joseph Palmer


Dear Sir
Philadelphia May 6. 1777

   I had a few days ago the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 16 ult.(1)

   The Subject of Finances is the most important of any that can come under our Consideration. If We can Support these We can carry on the War with Vigour and probably with Success. But if We go on as We have We must suffer extream Distress. The Science of a Financier is to be learned only from Books or from Travels. I have Scarce a Moment to look into a Book and I never travelled. Some of our Bostonian Genius's who understand the Nature of Commerce and of Money must turn their Thoughts to those Subjects.

   I think with you that We ought to negotiate with some foreign Power Loans of Cash; But this is at:tended with great Difficulty. We might possibly borrow, but there is a vast Risque in transporting the Money across the Sea.(2)

   I know not what to say of the Lottery you say is in Contemplation. I dread the Effects of the Gambling Spirit that is abroad. Salt, Lead, Sulphur, Allum and Copperas are Articles of great Importance, but whether you cannot import them cheaper than you can make them (under all the Risques) I know not.

   I wish you had informed me, how many Men of our Quota are raised and how many marched. We are suffering much for Want of Men. The surprises at Bound Brook, Peeks Kill and Danbury were all owing to this Cause. I hope and pray that our State will not fall a Man short of its Quota and that every Man will be sent to Ti and Morristown.

   I Sincerely condole with you under Mrs Palmers Indisposition. Be pleased to make my Compliments to her and all the Family. I hope she will recover beyond your apprehensions.


I am &c,

John Adams


Note: RC (PHC).

1 Palmer's April 16 letter to Adams is in the Adams Papers, MHi.

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2 A committee appointed on May 15 to devise means to meet expenses proposed to avoid this danger by writing bills of exchange on the commissioners at Paris who would redeem them with funds raised through foreign loans and the sale of American supplies. Adams was one of a minority on September 10, 1777 voting against paying interest on loan office certificates in bills of exchange drawn on the commissioners at Paris. JCC, 7:362, 8:453-57, and 725. See also William Duer to Robert R. Livingston, May 28, 1777, note 3.