air shoes, and a ninth modestly
inquired of him whether his finances want rather low than otherways. He
reply'd it was true that was the case, but he was very indifferent about
these matters, so that his _poor_ abilities was of any service to the
Publick; upon which the Gentleman obliged him to accept of a purse
containing about 15 or 20 Johannes." It is possible that these
attentions to Adams grew out of the desire that he, so well known in
Boston that his shabbiness meant nothing, should appear well at the
Congress, where his dress might prejudice others against him. True or
not, this little story has its significance, for, says Andrews to his
correspondent, "I mention this to show you how much he is esteem'd here.
They value him for his _good_ sense, _great_ abilities, _amazing_
fortitude, _noble_ resolution, and _undaunted_ courage: being firm and
unmov'd at all the various reports that were propagated in regard to his
being taken up and sent home,[42] notwithstanding he had repeated
letters from his _friends_, both in England as well as here, to keep out
of the way."

If the governor desired to arrest Adams, he had plenty of opportunity.
There was even a public occasion to take all the delegates together,
when they left the town on their way to Philadelphia. "A very
respectable parade," wrote Andrews, "in sight of five of the Regiments
encamp'd on the Common, being in a coach and four, preceded by two white
servants well mounted and arm'd, with four blacks behind in livery, two
on horseback and two footmen." Perhaps Gage breathed a sigh of relief
with the "brace of Adamses" away, but his real troubles were only
beginning.

Massachusetts would have nothing to do with the newly appointed
officers. The thirty-six councillors, appointed under writ of mandamus,
excited the most indignation. Of the Boston nominees thirteen accepted,
two declined, and four took time to consider; throughout the province
the proportion was about the same. But those who wavered and those who
accepted presently heard from their neighbors. Leonard of Taunton,
hearing of a surprise party mustering from the neighboring towns,
departed hastily for Boston. His father, by promises that he would urge
his son to resign, with difficulty prevailed on the disgusted neighbors
to leave the councillor's property unharmed. In Worcester, Timothy Paine
was taken to the common, and, in the presence of two thousand standing
in military order, he read his decl