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using Vanta to prove trust. Get started at Vanta.com slash calm. I'm Mary Catherine, and I'm celebrating

America 250 by reading primary documents written for or by the founders for as many of the day of the year

as I can. Thanks for joining

me for this mini episode of Getting Hammered. Today in 1776, Joseph Ward writes to John Adams

about the state of things in Boston. At this time, the bulk of the Continental Army is in New York,

but Adams is concerned with Boston's defense against some remaining British vessels in the

outer harbor, which they're

mostly working as a blockade at this point, but could well pose other threats. Ward, a writer

and schoolteacher before the war, is the cousin and aide de camp to General Artemis Ward and a frequent

correspondent of Adams. Here he gives us updates on the city to explain the situation and to maybe assuage

some of Adams' worries. May 5,76. I have the honor of your favor of the 16th of April.

You observe, sir, very justly, that every motive of self-preservation of honor, profit, and glory

call upon us to fortify this harbor

so as to be impregnable. And I hope we shall hear and obey. There has been a great clamor

among many people against the troops here because they did not go on faster with the works.

But you may be assured it has been without reason. The duty for officers and men has been

made as severe as ever was known in our army, and in many respects much more so. Every man off officers and men has been made as severe as ever was known in our army,

and in many respects much more so. Every man off duty has been ordered upon fatigue in several

works. Officers were directed to turn out their waiters, cooks for the companies, and all others

who were not under necessity to tarry in the barracks. And since we received intelligence

of a British fleet being on their passage for Boston,

...