SAM ADAMS: THE GREATEST "INCENDIARY" IN THE EMPIRE
Samuel Adams (September 27, 1722–October 2, 1803) was an American leader, politician, writer, and political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.[2][3] Adams was the chief Massachusetts leader who garnered the support of the other colonies in rebelling against Great Britain, ultimately resulting in the American Revolution.
After serving as a tax collector in Boston, Adams led town meetings in which he drafted protests against the Stamp Act and called for the colonists to defend their rights and liberties. In the following years, Adams was responsible for organizing the Boston Tea Party and other protests against the British.
Adams took a proactive role in the Continental Congress, and fought for the Suffolk Resolves, which called for Massachusetts to withdraw from royal authority and establish a new government in protest of the Intolerable Acts of 1774.[4] He also championed the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the delegates to the Second Continental Congress.
Adams was perhaps most influential as a political writer and theorist; in his writings, he articulated the principles of republicanism that shaped the American political culture. He used his writing to influence others, and make a case for withdrawing from the authority of Great Britain and forming a new government.[5]
After the United States gained their independence, Adams helped write the Massachusetts Constitution with John Adams and James Bowdoin.[6] Afterwards, Adams helped draft the Articles of Confederation, which remained in effect until plans to revise the document begun in September 1786 and led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.[7]
Along with John Hancock, another staunch anti-federalist, Adams reached a compromise with other federalists in Massachusetts to allow for amendments to Constitution, should the document go into effect.[8] Even so, the Constitution was just barely ratified in Massachusetts, with less than 53% of the 355 convention members approving the document.
Once the document was ratified by enough states to become the law of the land, Adams ran for the House of Representatives in the election for the 1st United States Congress. He was unsuccessful in that election, but was then elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1789.[9]
After John Hancock's death on October 8, 1793, Adams served as the acting governor, until he was elected governor in January of the following year.[10] He served in that position until June 1797 when he decided to retire from the political scene.
If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." --Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia, "to a very numerous audience," on August 1, 1776.[92]
"In monarchy the crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death." -- Arguing for a Riot Act during a debate prompted by Shays' Rebellion and the death sentences given to the rebels.[93]
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." -- October 24, 1780 letter to James Warren.[94]
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought, and dignity of self-direction which He bestowed on them. From the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come." -- Speech at the State House, in Philadelphia, on August 1, 1776.[95]
"Freedom of thought and the right of private judgment, in matters of conscience, driven from every other corner of the earth, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum." -- Speech at the State House, in Philadelphia, on August 1, 1776.[96]
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; or to raise standing armies, unless necessary for the defense of the United States, or of some one or more of them; or to prevent the people from petitioning, in a peaceable and orderly manner, the federal legislature, for a redress of grievances; or to subject the people to unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons, papers or possessions" -- While debating over the Constitution at the Massachusetts Convention of 1788.[97]
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was born in Boston on Sept. 17th, 1722, and died on Oct. 2nd, 1803. He was a major leader in the American Revolution. The son of a wealthy brewer, he inherited one-third of the family property. After attending Harvard, he became active in colonial politics and enjoyed a popular following through his activities in the Boston political clubs, such as the Caucus Club, which was influential in nominating candidates for local office.
Adams was an effective spokesman for the popular party opposed to the entrenched circle around the royal governor. Adams organized the protest against the Stamp Act (1765) and was a founder of the Sons of Liberty. Undoubtedly the most influential member of the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature (1765-74), he drafted most of the major protest documents, including the Circular Letter (1768) against the Townshend Acts. He also wrote frequently for the press in defense of colonial rights.
Adams formed close ties with John Hancock, whose connections with the Boston merchants made him useful in the revolutionary cause. After 1770 he was the focal point in the creation of inter colonial committees of correspondence to sustain the spirit of resistance. He was a principal organizer of the Boston Tea Party (1773). Because of the intemperate language of his essays for the press (Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchinson called him the greatest "incendiary" in the empire) and his early advocacy of independence, Adams was regarded as a radical.
At the First Continental Congress he worked closely with John Adams, his second cousin. Their influence was crucial in the rejection of the plan of union presented by Joseph Galloway and in the adoption of a compulsory non importation agreement (in effect a boycott of British goods). Samuel Adams remained in Congress until 1781, participating in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. After the Revolution his influence in Massachusetts was never as great, although he continued to be active in state politics, serving as lieutenant governor (1789-93) and as governor (1794-97).
Samuel Adams (September 27, 1722–October 2, 1803) was an American leader, politician, writer, and political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.[2][3] Adams was the chief Massachusetts leader who garnered the support of the other colonies in rebelling against Great Britain, ultimately resulting in the American Revolution.
After serving as a tax collector in Boston, Adams led town meetings in which he drafted protests against the Stamp Act and called for the colonists to defend their rights and liberties. In the following years, Adams was responsible for organizing the Boston Tea Party and other protests against the British.
Adams took a proactive role in the Continental Congress, and fought for the Suffolk Resolves, which called for Massachusetts to withdraw from royal authority and establish a new government in protest of the Intolerable Acts of 1774.[4] He also championed the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the delegates to the Second Continental Congress.
Adams was perhaps most influential as a political writer and theorist; in his writings, he articulated the principles of republicanism that shaped the American political culture. He used his writing to influence others, and make a case for withdrawing from the authority of Great Britain and forming a new government.[5]
After the United States gained their independence, Adams helped write the Massachusetts Constitution with John Adams and James Bowdoin.[6] Afterwards, Adams helped draft the Articles of Confederation, which remained in effect until plans to revise the document begun in September 1786 and led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.[7]
Along with John Hancock, another staunch anti-federalist, Adams reached a compromise with other federalists in Massachusetts to allow for amendments to Constitution, should the document go into effect.[8] Even so, the Constitution was just barely ratified in Massachusetts, with less than 53% of the 355 convention members approving the document.
Once the document was ratified by enough states to become the law of the land, Adams ran for the House of Representatives in the election for the 1st United States Congress. He was unsuccessful in that election, but was then elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1789.[9]
After John Hancock's death on October 8, 1793, Adams served as the acting governor, until he was elected governor in January of the following year.[10] He served in that position until June 1797 when he decided to retire from the political scene.
If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." --Speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia, "to a very numerous audience," on August 1, 1776.[92]
"In monarchy the crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death." -- Arguing for a Riot Act during a debate prompted by Shays' Rebellion and the death sentences given to the rebels.[93]
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." -- October 24, 1780 letter to James Warren.[94]
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought, and dignity of self-direction which He bestowed on them. From the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come." -- Speech at the State House, in Philadelphia, on August 1, 1776.[95]
"Freedom of thought and the right of private judgment, in matters of conscience, driven from every other corner of the earth, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum." -- Speech at the State House, in Philadelphia, on August 1, 1776.[96]
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; or to raise standing armies, unless necessary for the defense of the United States, or of some one or more of them; or to prevent the people from petitioning, in a peaceable and orderly manner, the federal legislature, for a redress of grievances; or to subject the people to unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons, papers or possessions" -- While debating over the Constitution at the Massachusetts Convention of 1788.[97]
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was born in Boston on Sept. 17th, 1722, and died on Oct. 2nd, 1803. He was a major leader in the American Revolution. The son of a wealthy brewer, he inherited one-third of the family property. After attending Harvard, he became active in colonial politics and enjoyed a popular following through his activities in the Boston political clubs, such as the Caucus Club, which was influential in nominating candidates for local office.
Adams was an effective spokesman for the popular party opposed to the entrenched circle around the royal governor. Adams organized the protest against the Stamp Act (1765) and was a founder of the Sons of Liberty. Undoubtedly the most influential member of the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature (1765-74), he drafted most of the major protest documents, including the Circular Letter (1768) against the Townshend Acts. He also wrote frequently for the press in defense of colonial rights.
Adams formed close ties with John Hancock, whose connections with the Boston merchants made him useful in the revolutionary cause. After 1770 he was the focal point in the creation of inter colonial committees of correspondence to sustain the spirit of resistance. He was a principal organizer of the Boston Tea Party (1773). Because of the intemperate language of his essays for the press (Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchinson called him the greatest "incendiary" in the empire) and his early advocacy of independence, Adams was regarded as a radical.
At the First Continental Congress he worked closely with John Adams, his second cousin. Their influence was crucial in the rejection of the plan of union presented by Joseph Galloway and in the adoption of a compulsory non importation agreement (in effect a boycott of British goods). Samuel Adams remained in Congress until 1781, participating in the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. After the Revolution his influence in Massachusetts was never as great, although he continued to be active in state politics, serving as lieutenant governor (1789-93) and as governor (1794-97).
