Since writing the above I have receivd your Letter of the 9th of Novr, for which I am much obligd to you. If this City should be SURRENDERD, I should by no means despair of our Cause. It is a righteous Cause and I am fully perswaded righteous Heaven will succeed it. Congress will adjourn to Baltimore in Maryland, about 120 Miles from this place, when Necessity requires it and not before. It is agreed to appoint a Day of Prayer, & a Come will bring in a Resolution for that purpose this day. I wish we were a more religious People. That Heaven may bless you here & hereafter is the most ardent Prayer of, my dear, most cordially, Your, TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.] PHILADELPHIA Decr 12 1776 SIR We are this moment informd by a Gentleman who is Brother of Coll Griffin, and has lately been at New York, that a Body of ten thousand of the Enemies Troops had actually arrivd at Rhode Island. As Congress is now adjournd to Baltimore in Maryland, and the President and the Board of War are not in Town, we think it our Duty to send you this Intelligence; and as there is no General Officer in that Department, we refer it to your Consideration whether the Service does not absolutely require that one be immediately sent to take the Command of Troops that may be raisd there to repel the Progress of the Enemy. If Major General Gates or Green,1 who are greatly belovd in that Part of America with a suitable Number of Brigadiers could be spared for this Service, it would be attended with another Advantage, that of facilitating the new Inlistments. We intreat your Attention to this important Matter, and are with great Respect, Sir your very humble Servants,2 _________________________________________________________________ 1The words "or Green" and "with a suitable number of Brigadiers," were added by interlineations in the first draft. 2Signed by Adams, Elbridge Gerry, William Ellery, and William Whipple. TO MRS. ADAMS. [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.] BALTIMORE IN MARYLAND Decr 19th 1776 MY DEAR BETSY