It is most true would be too few
Their valor to record, sir.

Such feats did they perform that day 85
Against those wicked kegs, sir,
That years to come, if they get home
They'll make their boasts and brags,
sir.

PATRICK HENRY (1736-1799)

SPEECH IN THE VIRGINIA CON-
VENTION OF DELEGATES

things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. 10 And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to

selves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves,

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subjects in 20 be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourdifferent lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less 30 sir. These are the implements of war than a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject, ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason 40 towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in 50 a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the

and subjugation, the last arguments to which kings resort.

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains, which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we any thing new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find, which have not been

already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done every thing that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned, we have remonstrated, we have supplicated, we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical

the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains

hands of the ministry and parliament. 10 are forged. Their clanking may be

Our petitions have been slighted; our
remonstrances have produced addi-
tional violence and insult; our suppli-
cations have been disregarded; and we
have been spurned, with contempt, from
the foot of the throne. In vain, after
these things, may we indulge the fond
hope of peace and reconciliation.
There is no longer any room for hope.
If we wish to be free, if we mean to 20
preserve inviolate those inestimable
privileges for which we have been so
long contending, if we mean not basely
to abandon the noble struggle in which
we have been so long engaged, and
which we have pledged ourselves never
to abandon, until the glorious object of
our contest shall be obtained, we must
fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!!
An appeal to arms and to the God of 30
Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak,
unable to cope with so formidable an
adversary. But when shall we be
stronger? Will it be the next week or
the next year? Will it be when we are
totally disarmed, and when a British
guard shall be stationed in every house?
Shall we gather strength by irresolution
and inaction? Shall we acquire the 40
means of effectual resistance by lying
supinely on our backs, and hugging the
delusive phantom of hope, until our
enemies shall have bound us hand and
foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make
a proper use of those means which the
God of nature hath placed in our power.
Three millions of people, armed in the
holy cause of liberty, and in such a
country as that which we possess, are 50
invincible by any force which our
enemy can send against us. Besides,
sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
There is a just God who presides over

heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come!! I repeat it, sir, let it come!!!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace-but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

JOHN ADAMS (1735-1826)

LETTERS

JOHN ADAMS TO ABIGAIL ADAMS

PHILADELPHIA, 16 September, 1774. Having a leisure moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly em. brace it to write you a line.

When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay, of New York, and Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some Congregationalists, that we could not join in the same act of worship.

Mr. Samuel Adams arose and said he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from a gentleman of piety and virtue,

who was at the same time a friend to
his country. He was
He was a stranger in
Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr.
Duché (Dushay they pronounce it) de-
served that character, and therefore he
moved that Mr. Duché, an Episcopal
clergyman, might be desired to read
prayers to the Congress tomorrow
morning. The motion was seconded
and passed in the affirmative.

I long to see my dear family. God bless, preserve, and prosper it. Adieu.

ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS

BRAINTREE, 24 May, 1775.

I suppose you have had a formidable account of the alarm we had last Sunday morning. When I rose, about six 10 o'clock, I was told that the drums had been some time beating, and that three alarm guns were fired; that the Weymouth bell had been ringing, and Mr. Weld's was then ringing. I immediately sent off an express to know the occasion, and found the whole town in confusion. Three sloops and a cutter had come out and dropped anchor just below Great Hill. It was difficult to tell their designs; some supposed they were coming to Germantown, others to Weymouth; people, women, children, from the iron-works, came flocking down this way; every woman and child driven off from below my father's; my father's family flying.

Mr. Randolph, our President, waited on Mr. Duché, and received for answer that if his health would permit he certainly would. Accordingly next morning he appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form; and then read the Collect for the seventh day of September, which was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember this was 20 the next morning after we heard the horrible rumor of the cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.

After this, Mr. Duché, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess 30 I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced, Episcopalian that he is. Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervor, such ardor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime-for America, for the Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here. I 40 must beg you to read that Psalm. If there was any faith in the sortes Biblicae, it would be thought providential.

It will amuse your friends to read this letter and the thirty-fifth Psalm to them. Read it to your father and Mr. Wibird. I wonder what our Braintree Churchmen will think of this!

Mr.

The Dr. is in great distress, as you may well imagine, for my aunt had her bed thrown into a cart, into which she got herself, and ordered the boy to drive her to Bridgewater, which he did. The report was to them that three hundred had landed, and were upon their march up into town. The alarm flew like lightning, and men from all parts came flocking down, till two thousand were collected.

But it seems their expedition was to Grape Island, for Levett's hay. There it was impossible to reach them, for want of boats; but the sight of so many persons, and the firing at them, prevented their getting more than three tons of hay, though they had carted much more down to the water. At last a lighter was mustered, and a sloop from Hingham, which had six portholes. Our men eagerly jumped on board, and put off for the island. As

Duché is one of the most ingenious 50 soon as they perceived it, they de

men, and best characters, and greatest orators in the Episcopal order, upon this continent. Yet a zealous friend of Liberty and his country.

camped. Our people landed upon the island, and in an instant set fire to the hay, which, with the barn, was soon consumed-about eighty tons, it is

said. We expect soon to be in continual alarms, till something decisive takes place.

We wait, with longing expectations, in hopes to hear the best accounts from you, with regard to union and harmony etc. We rejoice greatly on the arrival of Dr. Franklin, as he must certainly be able to inform you very particularly upon the situation of affairs in Eng- 10 land.

My best wishes attend you, both for your health and happiness, and that you may be directed into the wisest and best measures for our safety and the security of our posterity. I wish you were nearer us; we know not what a day will bring forth, nor what distress one hour may throw us into. Hitherto I have been able to maintain 20 a calmness and presence of mind, and hope I shall, let the exigency of the time be what it will. Adieu; breakfast calls.

Your affectionate

PORTIA.

JOHN ADAMS TO ABIGAIL ADAMS

I can

pushing vigorous measures. It has been so now. Every day we sit, the more we are convinced that the designs against us are hostile and sanguinary, and that nothing but fortitude, vigor, and perseverance can save us.

But America is a great unwieldy body. Its progress must be slow. It is like a large fleet sailing under convoy. The fleetest sailors must wait for the dullest and slowest. Like a coach and six, the swiftest horses must be slackened, and the slowest quickened, that all may keep an even pace.

ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS

BRAINTREE, 31 March, 1776.

I wish you would ever write me a letter half as long as I write you, and tell me, if you may, where your fleet are gone; what sort of defence Virginia can make against our common enemy; whether it is situated so as to make an able defence. Are not the gentry lords, and the common people vassals? Are they not like the uncivilized vassals Britain represents us to be? I hope their riflemen, who have shown them30 selves very savage and even bloodthirsty, are not a specimen of the generality of the people. I am willing to allow the colony great merit for having produced a Washington; but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.

PHILADELPHIA, 17 June, 1775. now inform you that the Congress have made choice of the modest and virtuous, the amiable, generous, and brave, George Washington, Esquire, to be General of the American army, and that he is to repair, as soon as possible, to the camp before Boston. This appointment will have a great effect in cementing and securing the union of these colonies. The continent 40 their fellow-creatures of theirs. is really in earnest, in defending the country. . .

I have found this Congress like the last. When we first came together, I found a strong jealousy of us from New England, and the Massachusetts in particular; suspicions entertained of designs of independency; an American republic; Presbyterian principles, and twenty other things. Our sentiments 50 were heard in Congress with great caution, and seemed to make but little impression; but the longer we sat, the more clearly they saw the necessity of

I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion for liberty cannot be equally strong in the breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive

Of

this I am certain, that it is not founded upon the generous and Christian principle of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.

Do you not want to see Boston? I am fearful of the small-pox, or I should have been in before this time. I got Mr. Crane to go to our house and see what state it was in. I find it has been occupied by one of the doctors of a regiment; very dirty, but no other damage done to it. The few things which were left in it are all gone. I look upon it as a new acquisition of