Mr. _Samuel Adams’s_ name will occur frequently in the course of our correspondence; be it noted, therefore, that the first time of his being returned for _Boston_, [Sept. 27, 1765] and serving as a representative, was upon an election occasioned by the death of _Oxenbridge Thacher_, esq. The deceased belonged to the band of patriots; but when he happened to think differently from Mr. _Otis_, jun. in the house of assembly, the latter treated him in so overbearing and indecent a manner, that he was obliged at times to call upon the speaker to interpose and protect him. The state of affairs required a particular attention to the political sentiments of the person who should be chosen. The inhabitants, in fixing upon Mr. S. Adams, made choice of a member who was zealously attached to the rights of the Massachusetts in particular, and the colonies in general, and but little to his own personal interests. He was well qualified to second Mr. Otis, and learned in time to serve his own public views by the influence of the other. He was soon noticed by the house, chosen and continued their clerk from year to year, by which means he had the custody of their papers, and of these he knew how to make an advantage for political purposes. He was frequently upon important committees, and acquired great ascendency by discovering a readiness to acquiesce in the proposals and amendments of others, while the end aimed at by them, did not eventually frustrate his leading designs. He showed a pliableness and complaisance in these smaller matters, which enabled him in the issue to carry those of much greater consequence; and there were many favorite points which the sons of liberty in the _Massachusetts_ meant to carry, even though the stamp act should be repealed. [1766.] Mr. _Pitt_’s declaration against the parliament’s right to impose _internal taxes_, and his saying _I am glad America has resisted_, were seized with eagerness by the popular leaders in the colonies. They praised and idolized him for the same, without regarding what he had declared in favor of the authority of parliament in all cases of _external taxation_, and for enforcing all laws for that purpose; and notwithstanding his having said, “If obedience be refused, I would not suffer a horse-nail to be made in the plantations.” Their spirits were elated, and they took encouragement from his declaration, to fortify themselves in their own sentiments upon American liberty.