New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-13


probably the most Aborious and exciting oil DIS
long life. Never for moment did he lose s,sns
Of the magnitude Of the work in which ne na"
engaged. He felt that it was not mee'y '.'
emancipation of three millions Of men, oue '"'
birth of a nation fer life Of centuries Hence
he was anxious to expedite all the Pre""'"'
airy steps. His plan at this time comprised "ago''
eminent in every colony, confederation AIMING
them all, and treaties with foreign nations 'oi ~"
acknowledgement a sovereign State Every 'nins
was now tending to independence, but nothing "e'
cisive had yet been done. The people OF MaS'a,
chusetts were ready for declaration; Virgiilla a"u
North Carolina were on the verge; but New'ia'"p'
shire was still divided; and the Middle States pre-
sented an almost unbroken front of opposition
MARYLAND. not content with resisting the measure,
aimed blow at John Adams BY imPugnlng MS
motives.
Tn spite Of the lukewarmness of some OF the
Colonies, and the decided opposition OF others, .!
the 18th of May, il could not be doubted that AFFAIRS
we're rapidly approaching favorable Crisis. Inc
indications were 50 encouraging that it was decided
to make final demonstration on the 9TH OF June.
Resolutions embracing the three great points were
presented by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia ana
seconded by Mr.. Adams. On being debated IN Com
mittee Of the Whole, it was found that majority
Of the Colonies were prepared to adopt the Pnncl'
pal resolution. This majority was composed OF the
four New England, and three out of four OF Tue
Southern Colonies. But il was deemed unad'isa'
bic to place this great act upon so narrow OASIS.
In hope of more general concurrence the hnai
decision of the question was postponed until 'ne
first of July Meanwhile, a committee was ap-
pointed to prepare an exposition OF the causes
which led to the act in season for the ADJOURNED
debate. Mr.. Adams was the second on this commit
tee, the lead as usual being given to Virginia lie
was Likewise on the committee Of five to prepare
plan of treaties with foreign nations, and at the
head of the bureau for the direction OF the war.
A letter which he wrote to his friend William
Cushing about this time shows how little he antlci.
pated the struggle which was to take place before
the establishment of independence.
"Obects," be said, "of the most stupendous
magnitude, and measures in which the lives and
liberties of millions yet unborn are intimately inter-
ested. are now before us. We are in the very
midst of revolution the most complete, unex-
pected and remarkable of any in the history OF
nations. A few important subjects must be dis
patched before can return to my family. Every
colony must be induced to institute perfect gov
crnment. All the colonies must confederate to-
gether in some solemn bond of union. The Con-
prcss must declare the colonies free and ndepend-
ent States and ambassadors must be sent abroad to
foreign courts, to solicit their acknowledgment OF
us as sovereign States, and to form with them, at
least with some of them, commercial treaties OF
friendship and alliance. When these things are
completed, shall think that have answered the
ends of my creation and sing nunc dimiais, retire
to my farm, ride circuits, plead law, or
Judge causes, just which you please"
The Declaration of Independence was, in fact,
but the commencement Of the labors, which for
thirteen years were devoted by Mr.. Adams to the
cause of his country. ~ can see, said he, that
the end is worth all the means" But with him
those means were yet to be applied to mOmentous
issues, before the hopes of the patriot could be
crowned with victory. The measure, however,
which was carried mainly by his energy and skill,
established his position both in Congress and before
the people as leading champion of American liber-
ty. The announcement of the event was welcomed
in New England and in the Southern States with the
warmest satisfaction. The army accepted it as a
matter of course. In the Middle States it brought
to crisis the differences of sentiment among the
population 1t was the signal for few men Of pro-
perty to join the British side, to retire into seclu
sion By some leading men it was still thought
premature, but they preferred to share the lot Of
their countrymen to gaining British favor by de-
serting them. Among these were John Dickinson,
Robert Morris, John Jay, William Livingston, and
James Duane, who thus placed the purity Of their
motives beyond the reach of suspicion But in spite
of their character for honesty and ability they lost
their ascendancy in the national councils 1t yielded
before the influence of John Adams aud his friends
whose system Of policy they had heretofore re-
garded with distrust and hostility From this time
the duties of Mr.. Adams were multiplied. His name
and agency are visible in each successive step of the
movement lie was member of more than ninety
different committees in the Continental Congress-
He was the chairman of at least twenty-five. He
was charged with remOdelng the articles of war;
He took an active part in preparing the project for
alliances with foreign powers. lie pointed out the
defects in the form Of confederation among the
States, which ultimately caused it's abandonment
He animated the organization Of naval force. The
constant reverses which befel the American arms
never daunted his courage The prospect Of final
defeat placed no check on his exertious.
The differences which early sprung up among the
leaders in the American cause form highly in.
structye feature in Mr.. Adams's biography. They