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Let me entreat you, my dear Sir, not to think me unmindful of the several Favors I have received from you since I arrived in this City. I hate Protestations among Friends, and the making Apologies is so formal a Business, that I know not in what Manner to begin it. Yet it seems necessary that I should say something in Excuse for my not having written to you. Shall I tell you of my trembling Hand, & how unfit an Instrument it is to guide a Pen? I do assure you that writing is on that Account become painful to me.
I am persuaded you never doubted the Reality of my Friendship for you, and I solemnly affirm it has not abated a single Iota. Let this suffice on the Score of Apology, and permit me to hope that I shall receive your Letters frequently, while I remain here, which however will be only until next Spring. I shall then take my final Leave of Congress, & seek that Retirement from public Cares, which my Country seems to point out for me, & to which my own Inclination leads me.
COUNTRYMEN AND BRETHREN: I would gladly have declined an honor, to which I find myself unequal. I have not the calmness and impartiality which the infinite importance of this occasion demands. I will not deny the charge of my enemies, that resentment for the accumulated injuries of our country, and an ardor for her glory, rising to enthusiasm, may deprive me of that accuracy of judgment and expression which men of cooler passions may Possess. Let me beseech you, then, to hear me with caution, to examine without prejudice, and to correct the mistakes into which I may be hurried by my zeal.
Truth loves an appeal to the common-sense of mankind. Your unperverted understandings can best determine on subjects of a practical nature. The positions and plans which are said to be above the comprehension of the multitude may be always suspected to be visionary and fruitless. He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all.
Get a FREE copy of “The Life And Public Services of Samuel Adams – Volume Three” by William V. Wells
An eminent statesman has said, that the life of Samuel Adams is the one niche remaining to be filled in American biography. It will not be questioned that, considering his entire self-devotion to the welfare of his countrymen, together with the oblivion which has enshrouded all but his mere name, an attempt at restoration is as much a necessity to those who revere virtue and exalted patriotism as it is a duty we owe to his memory.
If at any time before the Declaration of Independence the Revolution had proved a failure, Samuel Adams would probably have been the first victim on the scaffold. All contemporary evidence goes to show that, as the “Arch-Manager” and “Chief Incendiary” on him at least would have fallen royal vengeance.
Care has been taken not to lose the individuality of the man in a too copious account of general events ; but rather to keep sight of him at all times, and only briefly depart from his immediate actions when such digression would tend to illustrate the central figure. Thus, in order to confine the work within reasonable limits, only extracts in most cases have been given from the writings of Samuel Adams.
Get a FREE copy of “The Life And Public Services of Samuel Adams – Volume Two” by William V. Wells
An eminent statesman has said, that the life of Samuel Adams is the one niche remaining to be filled in American biography. It will not be questioned that, considering his entire self-devotion to the welfare of his countrymen, together with the oblivion which has enshrouded all but his mere name, an attempt at restoration is as much a necessity to those who revere virtue and exalted patriotism as it is a duty we owe to his memory.
If at any time before the Declaration of Independence the Revolution had proved a failure, Samuel Adams would probably have been the first victim on the scaffold. All contemporary evidence goes to show that, as the “Arch-Manager” and “Chief Incendiary” on him at least would have fallen royal vengeance.
Care has been taken not to lose the individuality of the man in a too copious account of general events ; but rather to keep sight of him at all times, and only briefly depart from his immediate actions when such digression would tend to illustrate the central figure. Thus, in order to confine the work within reasonable limits, only extracts in most cases have been given from the writings of Samuel Adams.
Get a FREE copy of “The Life And Public Services of Samuel Adams – Volume One” by William V. Wells
An eminent statesman has said, that the life of Samuel Adams is the one niche remaining to be filled in American biography. It will not be questioned that, considering his entire self-devotion to the welfare of his countrymen, together with the oblivion which has enshrouded all but his mere name, an attempt at restoration is as much a necessity to those who revere virtue and exalted patriotism as it is a duty we owe to his memory.
If at any time before the Declaration of Independence the Revolution had proved a failure, Samuel Adams would probably have been the first victim on the scaffold. All contemporary evidence goes to show that, as the “Arch-Manager” and “Chief Incendiary” on him at least would have fallen royal vengeance.
Care has been taken not to lose the individuality of the man in a too copious account of general events ; but rather to keep sight of him at all times, and only briefly depart from his immediate actions when such digression would tend to illustrate the central figure. Thus, in order to confine the work within reasonable limits, only extracts in most cases have been given from the writings of Samuel Adams.
We are obligd at this time to struggle, with all the Powers with which the Constitution hath furnishd us, in Defence of our Rights; to prevent the most valueable of our Libertys, from being wrested from us, by the subtle Machinations, and daring Encroachments of wicked Ministers.
We have seen of late, innumerable Encroachments on our Charter: Courts of Admiralty extended from the high Seas, where by the Compact in the Charter, they are confind, to numberless important Causes upon Land: Multitudes of civil Officers, the Appointment of all which is confind by Charter to the Governor and Council, sent here from abroad by the Ministry:
BOSTON July 13th: 1770
SIR, It affords very great Satisfaction to the Town of Boston to find that the Narrative of the horrid massacre perpetrated here on the 5th of March last which was transmitted to London,1 has had the desired effect; by establishing truth in the minds of honest men, and in some measure preventing the Odium being cast on the Inhabitants, as the aggressors in it.
We were very apprehensive that all attempts would be made to gain this Advantage against us: and as there is no occasion to think that the malice of our Enemies is in the least degree abated, it has been thought necessary that our friends on your side the Water, should have a true state of the Circumstances of the Town and of everything which has materially occurred, since the removal of the Troops to the Castle. For this purpose we are appointed a Committee:
The necessity and importance of a legislative in being, and of its having the opportunity of exerting itself upon all proper occasions, must be obvious to a man of common discernment. Its grand object is the REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES: And for this purpose it is adjudg’d that parliaments ought to be held frequently
The people may be aggriev’d for the want of having a good law made, as well as repealing a bad one: So they may be, by the mal conduct of the executive in its manner of administring justice wrongfully under colour of law. In all these cases and many others, the necessity of the frequent interposition of the legislative evidently appears.
The people may be aggrieved for the want of having a good law made, as well as repealing a bad one: So they may be, by the malconduct of the executive in its manner of administering justice wrongfully under color of law. In all these cases and many others, the necessity of the frequent interposition of the legislative evidently appears.
Samuel Adams, Article signed as Vindex, Boston Gazette, January 8, 1770
Sorry I am that the People so long refused to harken to the repeated Calls of their Country. They have already deeply stained the Honor of America, and they must surely be as unfeeling as Rocks if they do not rise with Indignation and revenge the shocking Injuries done to their Wives and Daughters. Great Britain has taught us what to expect from Submission to its Power.
No People ever more tamely surrendered than of that Part of the Jerseys through which the Enemy marched. No opposition was made. And yet the grossest Insults have been offered to them, and the rude Soldiery have been suffered to perpetrate Deeds more horrid than Murder. If Heaven punishes Communities for their Vices, how sore must be the Punishment of that Community who think the Rights of human Nature not worth struggling for and patiently submit to Tyranny.
I will rely upon it that New England will never incur the Curse of Heaven for neglecting to defend her Liberties. I pray God to increase their Virtue and make them happy in the full and quiet Possession of those Liberties they have ever so highly prized.
Sorry I am that the People so long refusd to harken to the repeated Calls of their Country. They have already deeply staind the Honor of America, and they must surely be as unfeeling as Rocks if they do not rise with Indignation and revenge the shocking Injuries done to their Wives and Daughters.
Great Britain has taught us what to expect from Submission to its Power. No People ever more tamely surrenderd than of that Part of the Jerseys through which the Enemy marchd. No opposition was made. And yet the grossest Insults have been offerd to them, and the rude Soldiery have been sufferd to perpetrate Deeds more horrid than Murder.
If Heaven punishes Communities for their Vices, how sore must be the Punishment of that Community who think the Rights of human Nature not worth struggling for and patiently submit to Tyranny. I will rely upon it that New England will never incur the Curse of Heaven for neglecting to defend her Liberties. I pray God to increase their Virtue and make them happy in the full and quiet Possession of those Liberties they have ever so highly prizd.
You justly observe that “the Soul or Spirit of Democracy is VIRTUE.” No State can long preserve its Liberty “where Virtue is not supremely honord.” I flatter my self you are mistaken in thinking ours is so very deficient, and I do assure you, I find reliefe in supposing your Colouring is too high.
But if I deceive my self in this most essential point, I conjure you and every Man of Influence by Example and by all Means to stem the Torrent of Vice, which, as a celebrated Author tells us, “prevailing would destroy, not only a Kingdom or an Empire, but the whole moral Dominion of the Almighty throughout the Infinitude of Space.
I mention this in the first place because I fully agree in Opinion with a very celebrated Author, that, “Freedom or Slavery will prevail in a (City or) Country according as the Disposition & Manners of the People render them fit for the one or the other”; and I have long been convincd that our Enemies have made it an Object, to eradicate from the Minds of the People in general a Sense of true Religion & Virtue, in hopes thereby the more easily to carry their Point of enslaving them.
Indeed my Friend, this is a Subject so important in my Mind, that I know not how to leave it. Revelation assures us that “Righteousness exalteth a Nation”- -Communities are dealt with in this World by the wise and just Ruler of the Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general Character. The diminution of publick Virtue is usually attended with that of publick Happiness, and the publick Liberty will not long survive the total Extinction of Morals.
It is certainly of the last Consequence to a free Country that the Militia, which is its natural Strength, should be kept upon the most advantageous Footing. A standing Army, however necessary it may be at some times, is always dangerous to the Liberties of the People. The Militia is composd of free Citizens.
Soldiers are apt to consider themselves as a Body distinct from the rest of the Citizens. They have their Arms always in their hands. Their Rules and their Discipline is severe. They soon become attachd to their officers and disposd to yield implicit Obedience to their Commands. Such a Power should be watchd with a jealous Eye.
I have a good Opinion of the principal officers of our Army. I esteem them as Patriots as well as Soldiers. But if this War continues, as it may for years yet to come, we know not who may succeed them. Men who have been long subject to military Laws and inured to military Customs and Habits, may lose the Spirit and Feeling of Citizens.