The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-02
giographies,
iron THE PREss.l
Samuel Adams, A. M.
[coNrISuED.l

years and be was the soul which animated it to
the most important resolutions No man did so
much He pressed his measures with ardor
yet he was prudent he knew how to bend the
passions of others to his purpose In the year
1859, the Governor removed the General Court
to Cambridge. The members considered it as
an infringement Of their rights. Mr.. Adams
was on the committee to draw mp their remon-
strances, which were warm and urgent. For
several years the governor thus obeyed his in
structions, to keep the Assembly out OF Boston.
There were some alterations among the repre-
sentatives whether they would proceed or not
to business and when it was determined to go
on, there was spirited protest. in which our
politician took very conspicuous part Dur
ing these sessions at Cambridge difference of
opinions arose. upon some secondary matters,
between Adams and Hancock, which cooled
their friendship, and was succeeded by an antlp-
athy that had an effect upon the minds of the
people, many of whom took a warm interest In
this personal animosty, though they agreed IN
political sentiment, and acted together In the
great affairs which arrested the attention OF all
the wings The first impressions were unfavor-
able to Mr. Adams for many of the high wings
thought him austere and rigid in his notions,
that he was opinionated, and that his object
was as much to mortify Governor Hutchinson,
and crafty his own resentment against the
tories as to serve the cause of freedom. Han
cock was the idol of the populace his spirit
was generous; he enjoyed an afluence of wealth
which he was ready to bestow on all public
occasions; he was afable, condescending, and
yerv engaging in his manners. Mr. Adams pre-
ferred to be Cato rather than Lucullus.-
His friends were lessened in number, but they
were the sternest republicans and those, per-
haps who first dared to view our independence
as near. They called themselves the most con-
sistent wings. Others called them the restless
spirits of their party, who wished not to have
=. grievances redressed, but to sail upon troubled
waves, as their own political Importance de-
pended upon the tumult of the people.
The period soon arrived The battle of Lex
ington gave the moderate party a zeal which
bazed and every man became patriot
Adams and Hancock were prescribed soon
after by Gen. Cages proclamation. This was
all they wanted to raise their reputation to the
highest pitch Before they could have known
this, they had reason to be satisfied with the
triumph of the wings and must have been fully
persuaded they were safe in any part of the
country. These gentlemen were in Lexington
the very night the British troops left Boston,
and it was generally supposed that part of the
errand was to take them They received such
intelligence as to be on their guard. Mr.. Ad-
ans had been heard to say early in the morning
of the 18th of April, "thiS aviU be a glorious
dan for america" So fearless was he of con-
sequences, so intrepid in the midst of danger, so
eager to look forward to the lustre of events
that would succeed the gloom which then in
volved the minds of the people Mr.. Adams
had been a member of the Continental Congress
the preceding year.
In this situation he rendered the most impor-
tant services to his country. His eloquence
was well adapted to the times in which he lived.
The energy of his language correspondent with
the frmness and vigor of his mind. His heart
SlOWeu WIFI the feelings VI d PdVAAOe, GNU al"
eloquence was simple, majestic, and persuasive.
He was one of the most efficient members of
Congress- He possessed keen penetration, I'M
shaken fortitude, and permanent decision.
Mr. Adams was chosen Secretary of the State
Of Massachusetts, in the year INA, while the
General Court was held at Cambridge. The
business was performed by deputy until the
wear his seat was vacated in Congress He
never afterwards was a candidate for any Office
out of Massachusetts, government While he
sat in Congress the Declaration of Independence
was made, which he urged with the utmost ZEAL
Also the articles of the old confederation, to
which he was always much attached
1t was favorite expression, which he often
gave as toast in public companies and private
circles: "The States united, and the States
separate" In l776, he united with Franklin
John Adams Hancock, Jefferson, and host of
worthless in declaring the United States no
longer an apendage to Monarchy, but free
and Independent!
In 1889, he was chosen lieutenant governor
and was continued in this office till 1894, when
he was elected governor, as successor to Mr.
Hancock He was annually replaced in the
chair of the first magistrate of Massachusetts
till 1891, when his age and infrmities induced
him to retire from public life