*

one who had the highest vote being chairman. Mr. Adams says, that Mr. Jefferson was so frank, prompt, explicit and decisive on committees, that he seized upon his heart, and that on this occasion he gave him his vote, and did all in his power to procure him the votes of others. It was important not only to get a vote in favor of Independence, but that the vote should be unanimous. The policy of great Britain was such as Mr. Adams predicted that it would be—to divide and conquer. If they could have prevented a few of the States from joining in the Declaration of Independence, it would have been unavailing. Its whole strength depended on the unanimity with which it should be adopted. It was a fearful day of darkness and doubt. Some of the delegates continued to oppose Independence. Two or three Colonies had not yet been heard from; and to give time to hear from them, the subject was postponed until July 1. On that day, instructions had been received from all the Colonies; still they were discretionary, and the measure was yet opposed. It was a great and eventful day, for our country and mankind. The eloquent and polished Dickenson made a solemn appeal against the measure. To all objections, John Adams replied with a resistless and overpowering eloquence. He is said never to have spoken as he did on this occasion. It was a speech of unexampled energy. He threw his whole soul into the subject—

"Crowds rose to vengeance as his accents rung,

And INDEPENDENCE thunder'd from his tongue."

When the question was first taken, it is said that even Dr. Franklin did not vote for it; and when on this day it was decided in committee of the whole, Delaware was divided, and Pennsylvania opposed. The question was taken on the next day in the House, and a similar decision occurred. The

*Note F.

†John Adams, in his letter to his wife, dated July 3, 1776, says the vote passed without one dissenting colony the day previous. A letter of Gov. M'Kean states, that the vote was not unanimous until the 4th, and that he sent an express for Mr. Rodney, who did not arrive until that day.

Declaration was then debated until the 4th. Mr. Rodney having arrived from Delaware, and two of the Pennsylvania delegates being absent, the vote then passed unanimously. Without the ardent, persevering and undaunted support of John Adams, our Independence might have been lost. In the language of Mr. Jefferson, he was "the Colossus of that Congress-the pillar of support to the Declaration of Independence, and its ablest advocate and defender." In that day of darkness, he stood first among the foremost, and in his own emphatic language, "breathed into that body the breath of life."

"In his eye

The inextinguishable spark, which fires

The souls of Patriots, whilst his brow supports
Undaunted valor, and contempt of death."

This was not the only act of that period which entitles him to our gratitude. A commander-in-chief of the Army was to be appointed. Gen. Ward, of his own State, then had the chief command-the New-England delegation were united for him. At a meeting with them, Mr. Adams opposed their views, and proposed Gen. Washington—he was resisted, and he left them, declaring that the next day Washington should be nominated. It was done accordingly at his instance by Gov. Johnson of Maryland,* and he was unanimously chosen.

In 1777 Mr. Adams was appointed Commissioner to France. He sailed in the winter, and a fleet was despatched to intercept him.† Before he arrived in France he had to run the gauntlet through three hostile fleets, and endured the hazard of as many tremendous storms. If he had been cap

tured, he would like Laurens‡ have been confined to the tower, with no companion but his warder, deprived of all means

*The paternal uncle of the lady of John Q. Adams. †Note I.

On his passage to Holland, in 1779, as minister from the United States, he was captured, and confined more than fourteen months in the tower. See Note K.

of correspondence, with his friends, and without any prospect of liberation, until like Sidney he was led to the block. He was superceded by a plenipotentiary commission to Franklin. This course was taken because in the language of Congress," suspicions and animosities existed among the commissioners, highly prejudicial to the honor and interest of the United States." This vote of censure was passed in April 1779. It was reported in general terms including all the commissioners, but was amended so as to name five of them, and except John Adams. Thus he was acquitted from all participation in these dissentions. On his return, he was chosen a member from Braintree of the Convention to frame our Constitution. The Constitution of our State was one of the earliest of the present Constitutions, and it has served in its leading features and principles as a model for the United States and State Constitutions. John and Samuel Adams were designated as a sub-committee to draft the Constitution.The Constitution is the draft of John Adams, the address to the people, of Samuel Adams. After remaining at home a few months, in September 1779 he was appointed sole commissioner to conclude a treaty of peace. In 1780 he received a vote of thanks from Congress, for his "industrious attention to the interest and honor of the country." He remained abroad until after the treaty of peace, associated in various commissions. Whilst in Holland, by a most laborious course he wrote our country into credit, and by his replies on the resources and prospects of our country, to Dr. Calkoen, he procured a recognition of our Independence, a treaty of commerce, and a loan. But his great and most distinguished negociation was in relation to the treaty of peace. Our commissioners were instructed to consult with France in their negociation, and Dr. Franklin felt bound by the instructions.But Adams and Jay, finding that France was acting against us; that she wished to deprive us of the navigation of the Mississippi, and the fisheries; to bound us by the Ohio, and to cause us to treat before a recognition of Independence ;

*

resolved no longer to consult the Count de Vergennes, the French minister, and he knew nothing of their having agreed with the British minister, until they produced to him the treaty already signed. It is impossible without seeing their correspondence to estimate the services of Adams and Jay at that period. But the part then acted by Mr. Adams was only second to his course in relation to Independence.

In 1785, he was appointed first minister to London. In his introduction to the King, his genuine character appears most conspicuous. It was a most interesting scene, delicate for the minister, and humiliating to the King. The richest jewel had been reft from his crown, and one of his rebel subjects was to be received by him as the representative of his severed dominion. The King was disposed to act magnanimously. He knew that Mr. Adams was disgusted with the intrigues of the French Court. When he was presented, he complimented him by expressing his pleasure at receiving a minister who had no prejudices in favor of France, the natural enemy of his crown. What, fellow-citizens, would have been the reply of one of the courtiers of the old world?He would have said, "Your Majesty has judged rightly-my prejudices are all in favor of our mother country, to whom, although circumstances have led to a separation, we are yet allied by the strongest ties of affinity." Not such, however, was the answer of John Adams-his honesty could assume no mask. His reply was, "May it please your majesty, I have no prejudices but for my own country." In 1787, while yet in London, he published his most elaborate work, in three volumes octavo; a Defence of our Constitutions against the multifarious attacks on them. In October of that year, at his own request, permission was given him to return after February 1788. At the same time, Congress adopted the

*Note L.

In 1790 Mr. Adams published his celebrated Discourses on Davilla, which make a volume of 250 pages octavo.-Note M.

following resolution: "Resolved, that Congress entertain a high sense of the services which Mr. Adams has rendered to the United States, in the execution of the various, important trusts which they have from time to time committed to him; and that the thanks of Congress be presented to him for the patriotism, perseverance, integrity and diligence with which he has ably and faithfully served his country." Such was the testimonial of his country, at the termination of his revolutionary and diplomatic career.

The Constitution was now to go into operation. Two candidates were to be voted for by each elector for the two first offices, without any designation of office. The two successful candidates were Washington and Adams. That Washington might be elected President, many of the electors withheld their votes from Adams. Why were these votes kept back from Adams, and given to other candidates? Why this fear of having an equal vote with Washington? He was a distinguished civilian-the office was a civil office-and the services of the other candidate had been principally military. The answer, fellow-citizens, is to be found in the na ture of their employments. There is a halo lustre which surrounds military services, which captivates the sense and enchains the judgment. The pomp and circumstance of war impose a dread and reverence, and the Military Chief is commonly considered a demi-god. Every one in the country knew the virtues of Washington; they had seen his patriotic devotion to his country; his forbearance against the most malignant attacks, and his fortitude under every trial.They saw in him, not only these virtues, and a host of others which marked his character, but they also attributed to him, merits, to which he had no claim-those which, with his characteristic modesty, he would have been the first to disavow. In the various actions in which he was engaged, much must have been due to those who co-operated with him; but it is almost universally the case, that the commander-in-chief engrosses the whole glory of his troops. How different is the