The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-07-01
PREDICTIONS OF JOHN ADAMS
Extract from a Letter to His Wife,
July 3, 1776.

OuAy u, IOs
Philadelphia, July 3, 1776
Had a declaration of independence
been made seven months ago, it would
have been attended with many, great
and glorious effects. We might, before
this hour, have formed alliance with
foreign states. We should have mas
tered Quebec, and been in possession
of Canada.
You will, perhaps, wonder how such
declaration would have Influenced
our affairs in Canada; but, if 1 could
write with freedom, I could easily
convince you that it would, and
explain to you the manner how. Many
gentlemen in high stations, and of
great influence have been duped. by
the ministerial bubble of commission
ers, tc treat; and in real, sincere ex-
pectatlon OF this event, which they so
fondly wished, they have been slow
and languid in promoting measures for
the reduction Of that province. Others
there are in the colonies who really
wished that our enterprise in Canada
would be defeated; that the colonies
might be brought into danger and dis
tress between two fires, and be thus
induced to submit. Others really
wished to defeat the expedition to
Canada, lest the conquest of it should
elevate the minds of the people too
much to hearken to those terms of rec
onciliation which they believed would
be offered us. These Earring views,
wishes and designs occasioned an op-
position to many salutary measures
which were proposed for the support
OF that expedition, and caused OBJ
structions, embarrassment, and stud
led delays which have finally lost us
the province.
All these causes, however. in con-
+ junction, would not have disappointed
us if it had not been for misfortune
which could not have been foreseen.
and perhaps could not have been pre-
vented-l mean the prevalence of the
smallpox among our troops. This ia
tai pestilence completed our destruc-
ton. tits frown of Providence upon
us. which we ought to lay to heart.
But, on the other hand, the delay of
this declaration to this time has many
great advantages attending it. The
hopes of reconciliation which were
fondly entertained by multitudes of
honest and well-meaning, though
shortsighted and mistaken people,
have been gradually. and at last totally
extinguished. Time has been given
for the whole people maturely to con-
slider the great question of independ-
ence, and to ripen their Judgment, dis
sipate their fears, and allure their
hopes, by discussing it in newspapers
and pamphlets-by debating it in as
semblies, conventions, committees of
safety and inspection-in town and
county meetings, as well as in private
conversations! so that the whole peo-
pie, in every colony, have now adopted
1t as their own act. This will cement
the union, and avoid those heats, and
perhaps commissions, which might
have been occasioned by such a dec
laration six months ago.
But the day is past. The second day
of July, 1776, will be memorable
epocha in the history of America
am apt to believe that it will be cele-
brated by succeeding generations, as
the great Anniversary Festival. 1t
ought to be commemorated, as the day
of deliverance, by solemn acts of de-
votion to God Almighty. It ought to
be solemnized with pomp, shows.
games, sports, guns, bells, bonf:res and
Nominations from one end of the con-
tinent to the other, from this time
forward forever.
You may think me transported with
enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well
aware Of the toll and blood and treas
ure that it will cost us to maintain this
declaration, and support and defend
these states. Yet, through all the
gloom, can see the rays Of light and
glory; can see that the end is more
than worth all the means. and that
posterity will triumph, although you
and may rue. which hope we shall
not.