Samuel Adams to Richard Henry Lee

I have just received Letters from our Friends in London dated the 24, 26 and 28 Decr and 4th & 7th Jany; some Extracts from which I have thought it necessary to have inserted in our publick News papers as youl see by the inclosd. One Paragraph which alarms me I have not disclosd to any one; it is this - 'I have been in the Country with Lord Chatham to shew him the Petition of the Congress of which he highly approves. He is of Opinion that a solemn Renunciation of the Right to tax on the one side, and an Acknowledgment of the Supremacy on the other, should accompany the repeal of all the obnoxious Acts. Without this, he says, the Hearts of the two Countries will not openly embrace each other with unfeigned Affection and Reconcilement.' In this short Sentence I think it is easy to see, that his Lordships plan of Reconciliation is the same with that which he held forth in his Speech at the time of the Repeal of the Stamp Act. However highly I think of his Lordships Integrity, I confess I am chagrind to find, that he expects an Acknowledgment of Supremacy in terms on our part. I imagine that after such Acknowledgment, there may be a variety of Ways by which Great Britain may enslave us besides that of taxing us without our Consent. The possibility of it should greatly awaken our Apprehensions. Let us take Care lest America in Lieu of a Thorn in the Foot should have a Dagger in her heart. Our united Efforts have hitherto succeeded. This is not a Time for us to relax our Measures. Let us like prudent Generals improve upon our Success and push for perfect political Freedom.