Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1770-1773

The Writings of Samuel Adams, Volume II: 1770-1773

Samuel Adams · 1770-1773

A collection of Samuel Adams's political writings from 1770-1773, including letters and articles attacking Hutchinson's conduct as governor.

These writings by Samuel Adams, Hutchinson's chief political opponent, directly address and attack his conduct as governor.

Ask Thomas Hutchinson about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (public-domain edition)

About this source

What it is

This is the second volume of the collected writings of Samuel Adams, covering 1770 to 1773, edited by Harry Alonso Cushing. It includes letters and newspaper articles by Adams, several addressed directly to the Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson, on matters such as the powers of the General Assembly and the royal instructions governing the colony.

Why it matters

Samuel Adams was one of Hutchinson's fiercest political opponents, and these writings document the growing conflict between colonial legislators and royal officials in the years leading to the Revolution. They show Hutchinson as the target of sustained political argument over the rights of the Massachusetts House and the authority of royal instructions.

Look closer

  • Why do you think Adams addressed some of these pieces directly to Hutchinson?
  • What does the volume's focus on

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Hutchinson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Hutchinson sources

Meet the AI Thomas Hutchinson →
Front cover of a bound book with reddish-brown and cream marbled paper boards, dark brown leather spine and corners with gold tooling along the edges, photographed against a light background.Letter

Primary source

Hutchinson–Whately Letters

Thomas Hutchinson · 1767–1769 (published 1773)

Front cover of a dark brown leather-bound book with a thin gold-tooled border line inset around the edges. The spine is visible on the left side. No title or text is visible on the cover.Book

Primary source

The History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts-Bay

Thomas Hutchinson · 1764, 1767, 1828

Oil painting of a young man with pale face, grey-powdered hair, and dark eyes, wearing a brown coat with gold embroidered waistcoat edge and a white cravat, against a dark brown background.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Thomas Hutchinson

Edward Truman · 1741

Photograph of a handwritten letter on aged paper behind glass, headed 'Massachusetts Bay' and 'By the Governor', addressed to Iohn Hancock and the people assembled in Boston. Text has crossed-out words and a stain.Document

Primary source

Letter Directing the Old South Tea Meeting to Adjourn

Thomas Hutchinson · November 30, 1773

Black-and-white woodcut-style print. A skeleton figure labeled Death thrusts a spear toward a seated man in a wig and coat, who has a halo of light behind him. A horned devil holds a tablet reading "List of Crimes" and is behind the skeleton. A skull and a money bag are on a table. A caption below reads "The wicked Statesman, or the Traitor to his Country, at the Hour of Death."Painting

Primary source

The Wicked Statesman political cartoon

Paul Revere · published 1774

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Thomas Hutchinson now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions