The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-17

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THE following "reminiscences of one Of the
Massachusetts worthless OF the Revolution,
are furnished by the venerable editor OF the
Cincinnati Post;
"REMINISCENCES OF SAMUEL ADAMS.
There are but Jews ubects that afford us
more satisfaction, than looking back upon our
youth, and searching the store-house OF me-
mory. for those facts then laid up in it for
future use In the pursuit OF this object, we,
some two years since, wrote "reminiscences
Of John Hancock, which, we have the salts
faction OF knowing, were priced by his de-
scendants, and read with ayidity by many IN
Massachusetts. Very recently, the news
from the Sandwich Islands, recalled to me-
mory the circumstances which lead to the first
intercourse had, by citizens OF the United
States, with those then interesting savages;
now, a civilized and prosperous people.
We have taken for our subject, on this
occasion, our recollections of SAMUEL ADAMS,
who, though not "a hero rithout example"
was "a patriot without reproach." In speak
ing Of circumstances SO long passed, we shall
speak only of what we knoU; never having
read "the biography Of the signers OF the
Declaration Of independence" we know not
what accounts may be given OF any OF them
We never saw Mr.. Adams until the year
1892, he was then far in the vale OF years,
with constitution which was, judging from
his appearance, naturally strong, but nearly
worn out, not with toll but care. He still
continued to use all the exercise his strength
would admit, by visiting, almost daily, Mr.
Hughes, constable a respectable calling IN
II AZ u,aU
now-They had been friends from early life,
and the same Intimacy was common DetWeen
their respective ladies.
Mr.. Adams was then ieutenant-g governor,
a place of honor, with but little profit, and no
duty at all, except in case OF the death OF the
governor, when er-ofcio, the duties OF the
executive devolved upon the Lieutenant. Mr..
Adams lived in large old fashioned frame
house, on Winter street which had once been
painted yellow, but like its venerable owner,
was good deal the worse for wear. He
entertained little or no company, having
neither means nor inclination to do it. he
was poor. On the death Of Governor Han
cock, he walked as chief mourner, preceded
only by the Hancock piece of artillery. Ut
is proper here to remark, that the first cannon
taken from the British, in the war OF the Re
volution, were two brass four Founders, on
one of which was engraved, by order of the
State, the name of John Hancock, and on the
other, Samuel Adams, with appropriate de-
vices.) Before the almost interminable pro-
cession had reached State street, Mr.. Adams
strength failed him and he retired. He had
then become er-o1fcio, Governor OF the State,
and at the next election was confirmed in his
high office by the votes Of the people.
The then salary of the governor Of Massa-
ehusetts, if our memory serves, was thou
sand pounds currency, or $3,333-but very
small sum towards enabling the incumbent Of
the Gubernatorial charto follow the example,
in style aud hospitality, set by Mr. Hancock,
who lived and entertained like prince. Mr..
Adams possessed neither carriage nor horses,
but he had been elected Governor but a few
weeks, when some gentleman Of Boston pre-
scented the venerable patriot with new and
handsome chariot, and a pair Of as handsome
horses a. there were in the city. The first
use ne made OF his new eqplPssss f SHOWS vs. the
mred, seating himself beside his venerable
lady, they drove to Constable Hughes, where
the Governor allighted and handing Mrs.
Hughes into the seat, the two old ladies drove
off together, whilst he stayed and talked with
his old friend, and we stood by devouring
their discourse. In 1893, theatrical enter
tainments were first int oduced into Boston,
after the Revolution; they thought to avoid
the penalty of the statute, by advertising their
plays as "moral lectures" for instance there
was the "moral lecture Of George BaraweA,"
Richard the Third, &C., this passed for avery
few nights, before Governor Hancock sent
the High-sheriff, who made prisoner Of the
humpbacked tyrant, while in his robes upon
the stage; the audience became greatly in
censed, and taking the portrait Of the Gov
ernor from the stage box, they trod it under
foot The next night they went armed with
clubs to the theatre, but there was no more
interference. A splendid theatre was built.
A vote of the town was taken on the question,
and it was carried in its favor. Application
was made to the Legislature, to repeal the law
against theatrical performances, and it passed
both houses but Mr.. Adams was then Gov
ernor, and refused to sign it, and we doubt
whether it has ever been repealed to this
day.
1t is recorded of Mr. Adams, that large
sum was offered him by agents of the British
government, to take sides with it against his
native land; but it was indignantly spurned
and on subsequent occasion, when SINH
lar circumstance was alluded to, he exclaimed
they knew ,oeH that a guinea ncuer glistened
in my eyes," 1t was well for the country, and
for mankind, that there were such men, in
whose eyes guineas did not glisten they
appear to have been raised up for the occasion;
and having accomplished the great work given
them to do, have disappeared from the face
of the earth, and there have arisen in their
stead, race of men so unlike them, that it
seems scarcely possible they can be the de-
scendants of such sres. The contrast is
striking, and well calculated to make us trem-