"If it were possible for one to be forgetful of our all important cause for
a moment, my particular friendship _for you_ would be a prevailing
inducement with me, to make my utmost feeble exertions to prevent your
disappointment after the great pains you have taken to serve us. I have
endeavored, and shall continue those endeavors while I stay here, to
brighten the dark side of the picture which your imagination has painted in
one part of your letter before me--God forbid that we should be obliged to
tell our friends when they arrive, that we have not a sufficient army to
co-operate with them, nor provisions to feed the few soldiers that are
left. I think I may venture to predict that this state will comply with the
requisition upon her to give the utmost respectability to our army on so
promising an occasion. I was in the Council Chamber when I received your
letter, and took the liberty to read some parts of it to the members
present. I will communicate other parts of it to some leading members of
the House of Representatives as prudence may dictate, particularly what you
mention of the officers' want of clothing.

"I thank you my dear sir for the friendly remembrance you had of the hint I
gave you when you was here. Be pleased to pay my most respectful
compliments to the Commander in Chief, his family, &c. and be assured of
the warm affection of your obliged friend and very humble servant,

"SAMUEL ADAMS."

Marquis De Lafayette.


The Legislature of Massachusetts did immediately, viz, on June 5, 1780,
pass a resolve for raising four thousand men as a reinforcement of the
continental army. The preamble to the resolve was as follows;--"Whereas a