On this day 250 years ago, Rev. Samuel Cooper of the Brattle Street Congregational Church in Boston wrote to his parishioner John Adams in Philadelphia:
Our provincial congress is assembled; they adjourned from Concord to Cambridge. Among them and through the province the spirit is ardent. And I think the inhabitants of this town are distracted to remain in it with such formidable fortifications at its entrance. Besides the regiments expected from the southward and Canada, we have several companies from Newfoundland, of which we had no apprehension until they arrived. The tories depend that the administration will push their point with all the force that they can spare, and this I think we ought to expect and take into our account.
On the same day in Boston, James Warren wrote to Adams about his participation as a delegate at
the Meeting of our Provincial Congress at Concord on last Tuesday and their proceedings. We are A Large and I think A Respectable Body, but in perfect Leading strings, Intirely and professedly dependent on you for Motion if not for Being. I am Sensible of your many difficulties. I pity and pray for you. We are not without ours, our Constituents forming great Expectations from us, while we are Embarrassd by a Multitude of—difficulties from all quarters. We are all Sensible of the necessity of A Military Force to Oppose the Encroachments and Insults of our Enemies and that to Form support and Controul them, A Civil Goverment is necessary. But how the first is to be Established or the last Formed is a question which is left to Ourselves.
Also on this day from Braintree, Massachusetts, Abigail Adams wrote a letter still celebrated in American literature for its romantic eloquence that begins
I dare not express to you at 300 hundred miles distance how ardently I long for your return. I have some very miserly Wishes; and cannot consent to your spending one hour in Town till at least I have had you 12. The Idea plays about my Heart, unnerves my hand whilst I write, awakens all the tender sentiments that years have encreased and matured, and which when with me were every day dispensing to you. The whole collected stock of ten weeks absence knows not how to brook any longer restraint, but will break forth and flow thro my pen.
yet also reported on political developments in Massachusetts including that:
The People in the Country begin to be very anxious for the congress to rise. They have no Idea of the Weighty Buisness you have to transact, and their Blood boils with indignation at the Hostile prepairations they are constant Witnesses of.
Sources: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%2216%20October%201774%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=1&sr=;
On This Day In The Revolution 
One response to “On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — October 16, 1774”
Abigail Adams’ writing is such a joy to read. After her prose, when she writes how the people of the country have no concept of “the Weighty Buisness” her husband and the congress conducts, I’m reminded of similar anxiety today in the response many western North Carolina locals have given to FEMA.
Lack of well informed leadership mixed with poor communication at the local level always seems to be the locals first reaction in a crisis. “They’re not doing enough” shows a lack of understanding. While mistakes are always made, the first thing responders need is a renewed sense of trust in each other.
In a crisis, wise leadership and coordination with others begins at the local level. Local leaders should refer to their immediate superiors who, in turn, refer to theirs until a well organized response is realized.
They can successfully do this through religious organizations, charitable societies, business leaders, or governments but only when trust in present. Working unilaterally in such situations can create chaos and confusion.
I’m grateful our founding fathers were unified enough to band together in mutual self-defense.
LikeLiked by 1 person