"MOST MEMORABLE EPOCH IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA"

LEE RESOLUTION ASSERTING COLONIES' INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN PASSED BY CONGRESS

 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 250 years ago today, July 2, 1776, "The Resolution for Independence" was passed by the Second Continental Congress asserting that the Thirteen "United Colonies" are "free and independent" of Great Britain.

The Lee Resolution, proposed by Richard Henry Lee* of Virginia on June 7, 1776, resolved...

"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connections between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

John Adams of Massachusetts, in a letter to his wife Abigail, dated July 3, 1776 wrote...

"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am  apt to believe that it will be celebrated...with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations."

Mr. Adams was so right about the celebrations, he just missed the date by 2 days.  We celebrate the date the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress, July 4th, rather than the date the Resolution of Independence was passed, July 2nd.

*Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was born at Stratford Hall, Virginia & served in the Virginia House of Burgesses 1758-1776, as president of the Continental Congress (one year term) & in the U.S. Senate 1789-1792.

 

 

Portrait of Richard Henry Lee

by Charles Wilson Peale

National Portrait Gallery

Washington, D.C.

"RAISES POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING SUFFRAGE"

JOHN ADAMS ADVOCATES TRADITIONAL VOTING RIGHTS LIMITATIONS

Philadelphia (JFK+50) On May 26, 1776, John Adams, a Massachusetts delegate of the Second Continental Congress, wrote a letter to James Sullivan** defending "the traditional limitations on voting rights."

Judge Sullivan, recently appointed to the highest court in the Bay Colony, had made the suggestion that property qualifications for voting be reduced.

While Mr. Adams brought up the possibility of extending suffrage to women and other groups, he clearly is an advocate of the traditional voting rights limitations.  He writes...

"I would not advise to make any alteration in the laws...regarding the qualifications of voters.  It is dangerous to open so fruitful a source of controversy and altercation."

Adams suggests attempting to alter voter qualifications would lead to women demanding the right to vote, teenagers demanding their rights and impoverished men wanting an equal voice with the wealthy.

*James Sullivan (1744-1808) was born in Berwick, Massachusetts (Maine) & was involved in drafting the Massachusetts State Constitution & the Massachusetts Ratification Convention for the U.S. Constitution.  JS was AG of MA 1790-1807 & governor 1807-1808.  He wrote one of the 1st histories of Maine.

SOURCE

"Ch. 1.2. Primary Source:  There Will be No End of It," John Adams, 1776, University of Wisconsin Madison, American Legal History to the 1860s, www.wisc.pb.unizin.org/

 

 

James Sullivan

by Gilbert Stuart

Massachusetts Historical Society

PD

"MOST MEMORABLE EPOCHA IN HISTORY OF AMERICA"

JOHN ADAMS WRITES LETTER  PREDICTING FUTURE CELEBRATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) John Adams*, a delegate of the Continental Congress meeting here in Philadelphia, wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail**, on July 3, 1776.

In the letter, the future first Vice-President and future second President of the United States predicted that the previous day, July 2, 1776 would be...

 "the most memorable epocha in the history of America."

For on that date the Congress approved Richard Henry Lee's resolution to declare the independence of the thirteen English colonies from Great Britain. 

Adams' description of how the event should be celebrated proved to be "spot on" although his prediction of the date of that celebration would be off by two days.

In his letter, John Adams wrote...

"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha (time period) in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  

It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God.  It ought to be solemized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore."

JFK+50 NOTE

According to history.com/, John Adams "reportedly" turned down invitations  to appear at July 4th celebrations "in protest," insisting that July 2nd should be the date. 

Ironically, Adams died on July 4, 1826 & the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, died on the same day.

Also, the Declaration of Independence was not signed by most delegates of the Continental Congress until August 2, 1776.

*John Adams (1735-1826) was born in Braintree, Massachusetts & served as Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress 1774-1777.  JA was the 1st US minister to Great Britain 1785-1788, 1st VPOTUS 1789-1797 & 2nd POTUS 1797-1801.

**Abigail Adams (1744-1818) was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts & was the wife of John Adams & his closest adviser.  Her husband wrote her over one thousand letters.

SOURCES

"Fourth of July--Independence Day," www.history.com/

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams (1776)," by John Adams, July 3, 1776.  Teaching American History, www.teachingamericanhistory.org/

Declaration of Independence

by John Trumbull (1819) 

Original painting in US Capitol Rotunda^

^depicts presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress.  Shows 42 of the 56 signers of the DOI.  John Adams is in the center of the painting (with hand on hip).

"JULY 2ND WILL BE CELEBRATED WITH PARADES & ILLUMINATIONS"

JOHN ADAMS WAS WRONG ABOUT JULY 2ND, OR WAS HE RIGHT?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On July 3rd 1776, John Adams wrote letters to his wife Abigail telling her that July 2nd would be celebrated with "parades, speeches, songs and...illuminations" because independence from Great Britain had been declared by the Continental Congress here in Philadelphia the previous day, July 2nd 1776.

Joseph Ellis questions whether or not John Adams was wrong.  He writes that most delegates did not even sign the Declaration until August 1776.  Why, then, do we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth?

It seems the Declaration of Independence was sent to the printer on July 4 and so it was that date which was put on the document.  For fifty years the date of the celebration of independence was wrong, but when both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, July 4th became the "sanctioned anniversary for American Independence."

SOURCE

"Op Ed:  We celebrate Independence Day on the wrong date for the right reasons,"  by Joseph J. Ellis, July 2, 2017, Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com/

Writing the Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams &

 Thomas Jefferson

by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1900)

Virginia Historical Society  

Library of Congress Image

PRESIDENTS ELECTED ON 4TH OF NOVEMBER

9 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HELD ON 4TH OF NOVEMBER

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The month of November is notable for holding elections for the office of President of the United States.  To date there have been a total of 9 presidential elections held on the 4th day of November.

The first was the election of John Adams (Federalist) in 1796 and the last was Barack Obama (Democrat) in 2008.  Following is the list of November 4th presidential elections and winners.

1796      John Adams                  Federalist
1808     James Madison            D-R*
1836      Martin Van Buren      Democrat
1856      James Buchanan         Democrat
1884      Grover Cleveland        Democrat
1924       Calvin Coolidge           Republican
1952       Dwight Eisenhower   Republican
1980       Ronald Reagan            Republican
2008      Barack Obama             Democrat

How successful, or should I say unsuccessful, were these POTUS according to a recent poll of historians who rated the presidents (Washington to Obama) from worst to best?

Here's the result...

James Buchanan 
Martin Van Buren
Calvin Coolidge
Grover Cleveland
John Adams
James Madison
Barack Obama
Ronald Reagan
Dwight Eisenhower

*The Democratic-Republican Party was founded by Thomas Jefferson & James Madison in 1792 & became the Democratic Party in 1828.  Andrew Jackson was the first POTUS to be labeled as a Democrat.

JFK+50 Note:

These historians rated as the four best POTUS from worst to best as...

4. Theodore Roosevelt
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt
2. George Washington
1.  Abraham Lincoln



SOURCES

"Dates of U.S. Presidential Election 'Events', 1789 to the present",
 The Green Papers, www.thegreenpapers.com/

"Presidents ranked from worst to best", CBS News, www.cbsnews.com/

Seal of the President

of the United States

www.whitehouse.gov/

BECOMING REPUBLICANS: A GLORIOUS NECESSITY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2419

PROSPECT OF BECOMING REPUBLICANS A HAPPY & GLORIOUS NECESSITY,  JOHN ADAMS

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 240 years ago today, September 1, 1777, John Adams* wrote a letter here in Philadelphia to his wife Abigail** in Massachusetts.  After commenting on the warm late summer weather, he wrote...

"The Question now is, whether there will be a general Engagement."

The future President of the United States felt that it would not be good for us to attack the British under General Howe although he was of the opinion that a battlefield loss for them would be more detrimental because of their lack of reinforcements.

Mr. Adams continued...

"Their principle Dependence is to (cause) Failure of our Revenue (and) to depreciate the Currency...

We...must disappoint them by renouncing all Luxuries (as) General Washington (has) banish(ed) Wine from his Table and entertaining friends with rum and water."

John Adams concluded his brief letter with these words...

"If Necessity Shall reduce us to a simplicity of Dress, and Diet, becoming Republicans, it would be an happy and a glorious Necessity."

*John Adams (1735-1826) was born in the Mass Bay Colony & educated at Harvard.  He was a delegate to the 1st & 2nd Continental Congress & served as the first Vice-President of the United States. JA was the second POTUS serving from 1797 to 1801.

As Vice-President, John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife...

"My country has...contrived for me the most insignificant office...ever..."

**Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was born in Weymouth, MA.  She was wife of the 2nd POTUS & the mother of the 6th, John Quincy Adams.  She is best remembered for her correspondence with her husband during the continental period.

SOURCE

"Abigail Smith Adams, The White House, www.whitehouse.gov/

"John Adams", The White House, www.whitehouse.gov/

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams," September 1, 1777, Massachusetts Historical Society, www.masshist.org/

Mrs. Abigail Smith Adams

Portrait by Benjamin Blythe

1766

BLOOD ON THE STREETS OF BOSTON, BUT A "MASSACRE"?. REALLY?

March 5, 2013

BLOOD ON THE STREETS OF BOSTON, BUT A "MASSACRE"?, REALLY?

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) 243 years ago today, on March 5, 1770, five Americans died at the hands of soldiers of the King here in the city of Boston.

That event has been called, at least in United States history, the Boston Massacre, or in the words of Paul Revere, "the Bloody Massacre."

It was Paul Revere who rendered a sketch of the Patriot view of the event which depicted Redcoats firing a volley into a crowd of seemingly innocent bystanders.

A fair question to ask is, of course, was this sketch accurate & another would be is the term "massacre" a reasonable description of the event?

The answer in both cases is NO.

Let's look at the second question first.  

MASSACRE is defined as "the unnecessary, indiscriminate killing of a large number of people."

While the event that occurred on King Street in Boston on March 5, 1770 might accurately be described as "unnecessary," evidence brought out at the trial of the British soldiers make it clear that the killings were neither of a large number of people nor indiscriminate.

Now, what about Paul Revere's sketch?

Based again on the court records, it is nothing more than a piece of Patriot propaganda intended to inflame anti-British feelings in the colonies.

Just as he was to prove on the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was a man who got things done & his inaccurate illustration achieved its purpose.

                 "The Bloody Massacre"
                        by Paul Revere
             Library of Congress Image

Now, for a little background of events leading up to March 5, 1770.

In September 1768, British troops arrived in Boston having been sent to quell the unrest in the city over Parliament taxation including the Sugar Act of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765 & the Townshend Duties of 1767.

After having Redcoats on patrol in their city for a year and a half, Boston citizens were increasingly hostile.  Other issues included these same soldiers competing for part time jobs with the colonials & the British Navy's practice of impressing American sailors.

On the evening of March 5, 1770, a young Boston apprentice shouted an insult at a passing British officer which resulted in a sentry hitting the civilian with the butt of his rifle.

Soon about 400 colonials closed in on the Customs House & some began "pelting the soldiers with snowballs & chunks of ice."

A British soldier was struck with a club & knocked to the ground he came to his feet & fired into the crowd....other Redcoats fired their muskets.  The colonials fled with 3 of their number dead & 2 mortally wounded.

It all happened in less than 20 minutes.

                    Grave of the Victims
                 of the Boston Massacre
         Old Granary Burying Ground
            Photo by John White (1987)

A grand jury handed down indictments against Captain Thomas Preston & 6 of his soldiers.   There were 2 trials, one for the Captain & the other for the soldiers.

The 1st trial, held at the Queen Street Courthouse from October 24-30, 1770, was prosecuted by Samuel Quincy & Robert Paine.  Captain Preston was defended by John Adams, the future 2nd President of the United States, & Josiah Quincy.

The main question at Preston's trial was "Did he give the order to fire?."

Captain Preston testified that when he "heard (the mob) use the most cruel & horrid threats against the troops" & saw his sentry threatened by "clubs & other weapons," he sent 13 soldiers to protect the sentry & the Customs House.

Bayonets were fixed to keep the crowd back.

Preston testified that someone in the crowd yelled...

'Come on you rascals, you bloody backs, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare....'

Standing in front of a semi-circle of his soldiers, at a position where the Captain himself would have been shot if he had given the order to fire, he observed one of his soldiers take "a severe blow with a stick" causing him to "step to one side & instantly fire....without orders."

Captain Preston himself was then struck by a club & other soldiers fired their muskets.

The evidence was clear, the trial records bear that out.

Captain Thomas Preston was found NOT GUILTY.

And at the trial of the accused British soldiers several weeks later, 4 of the 6 were also found NOT GUILTY.

The 2 other British soldiers were found GUILTY of manslaughter & sentenced to be branded on the right thumbs.  They were Hugh Montgomery & Matthew Killroy.

"For the rest of his long life, John Adams maintained that his 'disinterested action' in defending the (British) soldiers was 'one of the best pieces of service I ever rendered my country.'"

SOURCES

"Liberty! The American Revolution," by Thomas Fleming, Viking Press, 1997.

"The Boston Massacre, The British View, 1770," Eyewitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/

"The Boston Massacre Trials, An Account," by Doug Linder, 2001. www.law2.umkc.edu/

                              You Tube Video