In light of the current television series, "Sons of Liberty," I am redoing my March 14, 2013 entry on Samuel Adams. Please check out Samuel Adams' Christian worldview
Samuel Adams Christian Worldview
An honest reader cannot come away from reading Samuel Adams without being convinced that he was a convinced Christian. The 2008 biography by Ira Stoll entitled "Samuel Adams: A Life" is highly recommended. One can see clearly the connection with Samuel Adams’ Christian worldview and his stance against slavery. The usual “all the Founders were slave holders” does not stick on Samuel Adams. The usual “all the Founders were deists and atheists and God has no place in the public arena” does not stick on Samuel Adams either.
“Samuel Adams opposed slavery. His niece recalled that in 1764 or 1766, a female slave named Surry was given to Elizabeth Adams as a gift. When she told her husband about it, Samuel Adams said immediately, “A slave cannot live in my house. If she comes, she must be free.” Ira Stoll. Samuel Adams: A Life. New York: Free Press, 2008, p. 55.
“On June 25, 1773, the [Massachusetts] House had appointed [Samuel] Adams and Hancock to a committee to consider what its journal records as ‘a petition of Felix Holbrook, and others, Negroes, praying that they may be liberated from a state of bondage, and made freemen of this community, and that this Court would give and grant to them some part of the unimproved lands belonging to the province, for a settlement, or relieve them to such other such way as shall seem good and wise upon the whole.’” Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1773-1774, p.85.
“…Slaves chose to approach Adams to mediate the matter speaks well of his reputation, when the petition came up again before the House on January 26, 1774, the lawmakers did not dispose of it, but again referred it to a committee of Adams, Hancock, Cushing and a few others. Later in the winter, the House did approve ‘An Act to prevent the importation of Negroes or other Persons as slaves into this Province; and the purchasing them within the same. But Governor Hutchinson refused to sign the bill into law.” Ira Stoll. Samuel Adams: A Life. p. 117
Samuel Adams’ Christian worldview impacted his view on slavery.He would not stand for it when many in his culture accepted it as okay. Samuel Adams came from the Christian worldview of New England. Let us examine
Samuel Adams, in his own words. I give you the Christian Worldview of Mr. Samuel Adams
The Christian Worldview of Samuel Adams from
Letters of the Delegates 1774-1789.
Samuel Adams to Joseph Warren (September 9, 1774) I, 55.
“After setting the Mode of voting, which is by giving each Colony an equal Voice, it was agreed to open the Business with Prayer. As many of our warmest Friends are Members of the Church of England, I thought it prudent as well on that as on some other Accounts to move that the Service should be performed by a Clergyman of that denomination. Accordingly the Lessons of the Day and Prayer were read by the Reverend Mr. Duche, who afterwards made a most excellent extemporary Prayer, by which he discovered himself to be a Gentleman of Sense and Piety, and a warm Advocate for the religious and civil Rights of America.”
Samuel Adams to the Boston Committee of Correspondence (September 16, 1774) I,71.
“I hope the Committee will continue to Act up to their Dignity and Importance. I am yet of opinion that Heaven will Honor them with a great Share of the Merit of saving the Rights of America. May God inspire them with Wisdom & Fortitude...I conclude with the warmest Prayers to the Supreme Being for the Salvation of our Country.”
Samuel Adams to Charles Chauncy (September 19, 1774) I, 82-82.
Congregational Minister of the First Church in Boston
Samuel Adams to Samuel Purviance, Jr. (May 19,1775) I, 362.
“I rejoice that my countrymen had adhered punctually to the Direction of the General Congress, and were at length driven to Resistance through Necessity. I think they may now justly claim the Support of the confederated Colonies. I was much pleased to be informed by you, that your colony had observed a Day of Fasting and Humiliation. It is upon the blessing of God alone that we must depend for a happy Issue to our virtuous Struggle.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (June 28, 1775) I, 552.
“Mr. Pitts and Dr. Church inform me that my dear Son has at length escaped from the Prison of Boston.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (July 30, 1775) I, 683.
“...I pray God that at my Return I may find you and the rest of my dear Friends in good health.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (October 3, 1775) II, 101-102.
“The Intelligence received by the July Packett which arrived at New York a few days ago, has convinced some, who could not be prevailed upon to believe it before, that it is folly to supplicate a Tyrant, and that under God, our own virtuous Efforts must save us...We are expecting every Moment important news from General Schuyler. May God prosper our Designs in that Quarter.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (October 20, 1775) II, 217.
“The Affairs of our Country are at this Moment in the most Critical situation. Every Wheel seems now to be in Motion. I am so fully satisfied in the Justice of our Cause, that I can confidently as well as devoutly pray, that the righteous Disposer of all things would succeed our Enterprises. If he suffers us to be defeated in any or all of them I shall believe it to be for the most wise and gracious Purposes and shall heartily acquiesce in the Divine Proposal.”
Samuel Adams to Elbridge Gerry (November 4, 1775) II, 297.
“...May Heaven grant us further Success.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (November 4, 1775) II, 297.
“...I hope however that this want will soon be supplied and God grant that a good Use may be made of it.
“We live in a most important Age, which demands that every Moment should be improved to some serious Purpose. It is the Age of George the Third; and to do Justice to our most gracious King, I will affirm it as my opinion, that his Councils and Administration will necessarily produce the grandest Revolutions the World has ever yet seen. The Wheels of Providence seem to be in their swiftest Motion;...Nothing is more essential to the Establishment of Manners in a State, than that all Persons employed in Places of Power and Trust by Men of exemplary Characters. The Publick cannot be too curious concerning the Character of publick Men.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (November 7, 1775) II, 313.
“...Righteousness Heaven will surely smile on a Cause so righteous as ours is, and our Country, if it does its Duty will see an End to its oppressions.”
Samuel Adams to James Bowdoin, Sr. (November 16, 1775) II, .
“...For my own part, I had even buried you, though I had not forgot you. I thank God who has disappointed our Fears; and it is my ardent Prayer that your Health may be perfectly restord and your eminent Usefullness long continued.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (December 5, 1775) II, .
Lord Dunmore offered freedom to indentured servants & slaves to fight against rebels in Norfolk
Samuel Adams to John Pitts (January 12, 1776) III, 84.
“...You have seen the most gracious Speech- Most Gracious! How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words! It discovers, to be sure, the most benevolent & humane Feelings of its Author. I have heard that he is his own Minister- that he follows the Dictates of his own Heart. If so, why should we cast the odium of distressing Mankind upon his Minions & Flatterers only. Guilt must lie at his Door. Divine Vengeance will fall on his head; for all-gracious Heaven cannot be an indifferent Spectator of the virtuous Struggles of this people.”
Samuel Adams to John Sullivan (January 12, 1776) III, 85.
“...I have seen the Speech which is falsly & shamefully called most gracious. It breathes the most malevolent Spirit, wantonly proposes Measures calculated to distress Mankind, and determines my opinion of the Author of it as a Man of a Wicked Heart. What a pity it is, that Men are become so degenerate and servile, as to bestow Epithets which can be appropriated to the Supreme Being alone, upon Speeches & actions which will hereafter be read & spoken of by every Man who shall profess to have a spark of Virtue & Honor with the utmost Contempt and Detestation. What have we to expect from Britain, but Chains & Slavery? I hope we shall act the part which the great Law of Nature points out. It is high time that we should assume that Character, which I am sorry to find the Capital of your Colony has publickly and expressly disavowed. It is my most fervent prayer to Almighty God, that he would direct and prosper the Councils of America, inspire her Armies with true Courage, shield them in every Instance of Danger and lead them on to Victory & Triumph.”
Samuel Adams to Joseph Hawley (April 15, 1776) III, 528.
“...I scrupple not to affirm it as my Opinion that his [king] heart is more obdurate, and his Disposition towards the People of America is more unrelenting and malignant than was that of Pharaoh towards the Israelites in Egypt.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (April 16, 1776) III, 539-540.
“...It is folly for us to suffer our selves any longer to be amused. Reconciliation upon reasonable Terms is no Part of their Plan; the only Alternative is Independence or Slavery. Their Designs still are as they ever have been to subjugate us. Our unalterable Resolution should be to be free. They have attempted to subdue us by Forces but God be praisd! in vain. Their Arts may be more dangerous than their Arms. Let us then renounce all Treaty with them upon any Score but that of total Seperation, and under God trust our Cause to our Swords. One of our moderate prudent Whigs wd [would] be startled at what I now write. I do not correspond with such kind of Men- you know I never overmuch admired them. Their Moderation has brought us to this Pass, and if they were to be regarded, they would continue the Conflict a Century. There are such moderate Men here, but their Principles are daily going out of Fashion. The Child Independence is now struggling for Birth. I trust that in a short time it will be brought forth, and in Spite of Pharaoh all America shall hail the dignified Stranger.”
Samuel Adams to Samuel Cooper (April 30, 1776) III, 602.
“The burning of Norfolk & the Hostilities committed in North Carolina have kindled the Resentment of our Southern Brethren who once thought their Eastern Friends hot headed & rash; now indeed the Tone is alterd & it is said that the Coolness & Moderation of the one is necessary to ally the heat of the other.”
Samuel Adams to John Scollay
“...Our grateful Acknowledgements are due to the Supreme Being. They [Bostonians] are now restored to their Habitations & Priviliges; and as they are purgd of those Wretches a Part of whose Policy has been to corrupt the Morals of the People, I am persuaded they will improve the happy opportunity of reestablishing ancient Principles and Purity of Manners...and I have long been convincd that our Enemies have made it an Object, to eradicate from the minds of the People in general a Sense of true Religion & Virtue, in hopes thereby the more easily to carry their Point of enslaving them. Indeed my Friend, this is a Subject so important in my Mind, that I know not how to leave it. Revelation assures us that ‘Righteousness exalteth a Nation.’ Communities are dealt with in this World by the wise and just Ruler of the Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general Character. The diminution of publick Virtue is usually attended with that of publick Happiness, and the publick Liberty will not long survive the total Extinction of Morals.”
Samuel Adams to Joseph Hawley (July 9, 1776) IV, 416.
“...Much I am afraid has been lost by delaying to take this decisive Step. (It is my opinion that if it had been done Nine months ago, when ) we might have been justified (in doing it) in the Sight of God and Man, thos[e] Months ago. If we had done it then, in my opinion Canada woud this time have been one of the united Colonies: but ‘Much is to be endured for the hardness of Mens hearts.’”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (December 9, 1776) V, 590.
“...I do not regret the Part I have taken in a Cause so just and interesting to Mankind. I must confess it chagrins me greatly to find it so ill supported by the People of Pennsylvania and the Jerseys. They seem to me to be determined to give it up- but I trust that my dear New England will maintain it at the Expence of every thing dear to them in this Life. They know how to prize their Liberties. May Heaven bless them... My daily Prayer is for your Safety & Happiness in this Life & a better. Adieu.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (December 11, 1776) V, 596.
“...If this City should be surrendered, I should by no means despair of our Cause. It is a righteous Cause and I am fully persuaded righteous Heaven will succeed it. Congress wll adjourn to Baltimore in Maryland, about 120 miles from this place, when Necessity requires it and not before. It is agreed to appoint a Day of Prayer, & a Come [Committee] will bring in a Resolution for that purpose This day. i wish we were a more religious People. That Heaven may bless you here & hereafter is the most ardent Prayer of, my dear, most cordially yours,”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (December 12, 1776) V, 601.
“...I give up this City & State for lost until recoverd by other Americans. Our Cause however will be supported. It is the Cause of God & Men, and virtuous men by the Smiles of Heaven will bring it to a happy Issue...May God prosper them and increase their Number. Let America exert her own Strength. Let her depend upon God’s Blessing, and He who cannot be indifferent to her righteous Cause will even work Miracles if necessary to carry her thro this glorious Conflict, and establish her feet upon a Rock. Adieu my Friend, the Clock strikes Twelve.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (December 19, 1776) V, 617.
“Sorry I am that the People so long refused to hearken to the repeated Calls of their Country. They have already deeply straind the Honor of America, and they must surely be as unfeeling as Rocks if they do not rise with Indignation and revenge the shocking Injuries done to their Wives and Daughters Great Britain has taught us what to expect from Submission to its Power. No People ever more tamely surrendered than of that Part of the Jerseys through which the Enemy marchd. No opposition was made- and yet the grossest Insults have been offered to them, and the rude soldiery have been sufered to perpetuate Deeds more horrid than Murder. If Heaven punishes Communities for their Vices, how sore must be the Punishment of that Community who think the Rights of human Nature not worth struggling for and patiently submit to Tyranny. I will reply upon it that New England will never incur the Curse of Heaven, for neglecting to defend her Liberties. I pray God to increase their Virtue and make them happy and quiet Possession of those Liberties they have ever so highly prizd.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (December 26, 1776) V, 670.
“...I pray God to continue your Health and protect you in these perilous times from every kind of Evil. The Name of the Lord, says the Scripture, is a strong Tower, thither the Righteous flee and are safe. Let us secure his Favor, and he will lead us through the Journey of this Life and at length receive us to a better.”
Samuel Adams to Arthur Lee (January 2, 1777) VI, 16.
“...It has afforded to the World a strong Proof that oppressed & Insulted as we were, we were willing to give Boston time to recollect herself, and correct her own Errors. We are now enduring in the sharp conflict, confiding that righteous Heaven will not look with an indifferent Eye upon a Cause so manifestly just, and so interesting to Mankind. You are now called to act in a still more enlarged Sphere. Go on my Friend in the support of Liberty Virtue. You already have the applause of virtuous man, and may be assured of the Smiles of Heaven.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (January 29, 1777) VI, 157.
“...I thank you, my dear, most cordially for the Warmth of Affection which you express on this Occasion, for your Anxiety for my Safety and your Prayers to God for my Protection. The Man who is conscientiously doing his Duty will ever be protected by that Righteous and all powerful Being, and when he has finished his Work he will receive an Ample Reward. I am not more convinced of any thing than that it is my Duty to oppose to the utmost of my Ability the Designs of those who would enslave my Country; and with Gods Assistance I am resolved to oppose them till their Designs are defeated or I am called to quit the Stage of Life.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (Febraury 1, 1777) VI, 185.
“...I pray God to preserve the Health of your Body and the vigor of your Mind. We must chearfully deny our selves Domestick Happiness and the Tranquility of private Life when our Country demands our Services.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (February 16, 1777) VI, 297.
[People letting tories go free without punishment] ...Can a man take fire in his bosom and not be burned?” [Proverbs]
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (March 10, 1777) VI, 421.
“I arrived in this City [Philadelphia] from Baltimore last Saturday. Having been indisposed there so as to be obliged to keep my Chamber ten days, I was unable to travel with my Friends, but through the Goodness of God I have got rid of my Disorder and am in good Health.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (April 17, 1777) VI, 599.
“...I have been always of opinion, that we must depend upon our own Efforts, under God for the Establishment of our Liberties.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (June 18, 1777) VII, 208.
“...I hope my countrymen have been wise in their Elections, and I pray God to bless their Endeavours for the Establishment of publick Liberty, Virtue and Happiness.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (June 30, 1777) VII, 272.
“...I find by the Newspapers that the General Assembly under the Denomination of a Convention are forming a new Constitution. This is a monentous Business; I pray God to direct you!”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (August 1, 1777) VII, 401.
“...May Heaven prosper our righteous Cause.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (August 2, 1777) VII, 404.
“...May Heaven prosper our righteous Cause, in such Way and by such Instruments as to his infinite Wisdom shall meet.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (Sept. 17, 1777) VII, 677.
“...The Enemy have gained a Patch of Ground but from all Accounts they have purchased it as dearly as Bunkers Hill. Two or three more such victories would totally ruin their Army...Our soldiers [...] eager for Action and we are every day expecting another Battle. may Heaven favor our righteous Cause and grant us compleat Victory...
“I am pleased to hear that Col. Crafts invited Mr. Thatcher to preach a Sermon to his Regiment. He discovered the true Spirit of a New England Officer. I dare say it was an animating Discourse. Religion has been & I hope will continue to be the ornament of N. England. While they place their Confidence in God- they will not fail to be an happy People.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Sept. 17, 1777) VII, 678.
“...May Heaven favor our righteous Cause & grant us compleat Victory... If we do not beat them this Fall will not the faithful Historian record it as our own Fault. But let us depend, not upon the Arm of Flesh, but on the God of Armies. We shall be free if we deserve it. We must succeed in a Cause so manifestly just, if we are virtuous.”
Samuel Adams to Samuel P. Savage (Oct. 26, 1777) VIII, 188.
“I hastily congratulate you on the entire Victory obtained by General Gates over Burgoin. This is a Striking Instance of the Truth of the Observation in Holy Writ ‘Pride goeth before a Fall.’ Our sincere Ackowledgements of Gratitude are due to the supreme Disposer of all Events. I suppose congres will recommend that a Day be set apart through out the United States for solemn Thanksgiving.
“I rejoyce that my Friend General Gates, after what had happened, is honord by Providence as the Instrument in this great Affair...
“I fancy How is now as much in the Power of Genl. Washington as Burgoin was of Gates. God grant he may share a similar Fate!”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Oct. 26, 1777) VIII, 189.
“...I hope our Countrymen will render the just Tribute of Praise to the Supreme Ruler for these signal Instances of his Interposition in favor of a People struggling for their Liberties. Congress will, I suppose recommend the setting apart one Day of publick Thanksgiving to be observed throughout the United States.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Oct. 29, 1775) VIII, 2--.
“...I am determined by Gods Assistance never to forsake the great Cause in which my Country is virtuously struggling; but there are others who have greater Abilities & more adequate to this important Service, than I have...
“I believe my Country will fix their Eyes and their Choice on a Man of Religion and Piety; who will understand human Nature and the Nature and End of political Society- who will not by Corruption or Flattery be seducd to the betraying , even without being sensible of it himself, the sacred Rights of his Country...
“The Success of the present Campaign hitherto has been great beyond our most sanguine Expectation. Let us ascribe Glory to God who has graciously vouchsafd to favor the Cause of America and of Mankind.”
Samuel Adams to Samuel P. Savage (July 3, 1778) X, 2--.
“...I now begin to promise myself the Pleasure of seeing the Liberties of our Country establishd on a solid Foundation. It will then be my most earnest Wish to be releasd from all publick Cares, and sit down with my Family and a little Circle of faithful Friends in the Cottage of Obscurity. There we will give Thanks to the God of Heaven for the great Things he has done for America, and fervently pray that she may be virtuous, without which she cannot long enjoy the Blessings of Freedom.
“I am greatly concernd for my dear native Town, lest after having stood foremost in the Cause of Religion & Liberty she should lose her Glory. We may say inter Nos, Her Principles & Manners have had great Influence in securing the Liberties of America. But has she not exchanged her manly Virtue, for Levity & Luxury and a Train of ridiculous Vices which will speedily sink her in Contempt. I am afraid the Cry of too many is Quarenda Pecunia primum est!- ‘Get Money, Money still, and then let Virtue follow if she will!’ The inordinate Love of Gain, will make a shameful Alteration in the Character of those who have heretofore sacrificed every Enjoyment to the Love of their Country. He is the best Patriot who Stems the Torrent of Vice, because that is the most destructive Enemy of his Country.”
Samuel Adams to William Cooper (Sept.30, 1778) X, 716.
“...That the children of N. England may rise and serve God & their Country in the Room of their Fathers is the most ardent Prayer of, Your cordial Friend.”
Samuel Adams to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. (Oct. 16, 1778) XI, 62.
“...Mr. Sherman was so obliging as to give me the perusal of your Letter to him, and I am happy that Congress as a Body concur with you in the Sentiment therein containd, having passd a Resolution by a great Majority expressing their Sense that true Religion & good Morals are the only solid Foundations of publick Liberty and Happiness.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Oct. 20, 1778) XI, 80-1.
“...Men are prone to Idolatry; and some who seem to scorn the worshiping Gods of other Nations, will bow down to graven Images of Gold & Silver, and strange Infatuation! of Wook in the Form of an Ass, an Ape or a Calf, no matter what, if it be the Work of their own Hands. In Truth, my Friend, the Congress appears to be in an akward Situation. While they are exerting their utmost Influence, on all proper Occasions, to support the civil Authority of the several States over the military, there are some men, even in that State which my Partiality had almost led me to pronounce the most respectable in the Union who would have less Respect shown to them than to the Creatures which they have made. Tyrants have been the Scourges and Plagues of Mankind, and Armies their Instruments. These have been said by ignorant Flatterers & Sycophants to be the Viceregeents of the Almighty to punish Men for their Sins, and therefore not to be resisted or contrould. The Time may come when the Sins of America may be punished by a standing Army;”
Samuel Adams to Samuel P. Savage (Nov. 1, 1778) XI, 155.
“...You was mistaken in supposing that I ascribd the Independence of America to N[ew] E[ngland] only. I never was assuming as to think so. My words are that America is obligd to Mass., and this is an acknowledged Truth. It is the opinion of others as well as my self, that the Principles and Manners of New England from time to time led to that great Event. I pray God she may ever maintain those Principles, which in my Opinion, are necessary to support & perpetuate her Liberty.”
Samuel Adams to Caleb Davis (Dec. 5, 1778) XI, 288.
“...We are told there is a Time for Peace; and that Time will come, when we shall be driven to it by the Necessity of our Affairs, which God forbid! Or when we shall by the Smiles of Heaven, have obtained such Advantages as to ensure a lasting & happy Peace.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Feb. 11,1779) XII, 50.
“...I will conclude with my most ardent Prayer, that our last Days may be our best Days and our last Works our best Works.”
Samuel Adams to Mercy Scollay (Feb. 27, 1779) XII, 111.
“...May Heaven graciously reward the Benefactors of these orphans! While Providence affords you the Opportunity, you will instill into their young Minds the Principles of Piety and Virtue, and thereby lay a Foundation for their being hereafter useful and happy.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (March 7, 1779) XII, 158.
“...I thank you for the concern you express for my Health, which through the Divine Favor I again enjoy as usual.”
Samuel Adams to Benjamin Austin (March 9, 1779) XII, 164.
“...I congratulate my Countrymen on our having thus far got through the Conflict, but we are still engaged in it. And I repeat it, because while too many of our Countrymen are flattering themselves with the airy Prospect of Peace, Britain, if we may credit our latest & best Accounts from Europe, is preparing for a vigorous Campaign. It is prudent for us to enquire of the Watchman What of the Night? [Ezekiel 33]. The Caution given us on another occasion may with propriety be adapted to this. Be ye ready.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (Sept. 19, 1780) XVI, 84.
“...The Man who has devoted himself to the Service of God and his Country will chearfully make every Sacrifice. I will not fail daily to command you to the Care and Protection of Heaven, in Hopes of seeing you the next Spring.”
Samuel Adams to Elizabeth Adams (Oct. 3, 1780) XVI, 133.
“...I thank God, I am in good health.”
Samuel Adams to James Warren (Oct. 24, 1780) XVI, 244.
“...And I pray God, we may never see Men, filling the sacred Seats of Government, who are wanting in adequate Abilities, or influence by any Motives or Feelings separate from the publick Welfare.”
Samuel Adams to Elbridge Gerry (Nov. 27, 1780) XVI, 386.
“...More in my opinion, is necessary to be done, than conquering our British Enemies in order to establish the Liberties of our Country on a solid Basis. Human Nature, I am afraid, is to much debas’d to relish those Republican Principles, in which the new Government of the CommonWealth of Massachusetts appears to be founded. And may it not be added, that the former Government, I mean the last Charter, being calculated rather to make servile Men than free citizens, the Minds of many of our Countrymen have been inurd to a cringing obsequiousness, too deeply wrought into Habit to be easily eradicated? Mankind is prone enough to political Idolatry...May Heaven inspire the present Rulers with Wisdom & sound Understanding...I pray God we may never be addicted to Vanity & the Folly of Parade...If Men of Wisdom & Knowledge, of Moderation& Temperance, of Patience, Fortitude & Perserverance, of Sobriety & true Republican Simplicity of Manners, of Zeal for the Honor of the Supreme Being & the Welfare of the Common Wealth- If Men possessed of these & other excellent Qualities are chose to fill the Seats of Government we may expect that our Affairs will rest on a solid & permanent Foundation.”
Samuel Adams to John Adams (Dec. 17, 1780) XVI, 455.
“...Arnolds Conspiracy was to have wrought Wonders but gracious Heaven defeated it. We have so often seen in the Course of this Conflict, the remarkable Interpostions of divine Providence in our favor, as to convince me, that the Attempts of our Enemies to subdue us, will be but gnawing a File.”
Samuel Adams to John Scollay (Dec. 30, 1780) XVI, 514.
Adams does not want some sort of Entertainment at government expense while the troops are naked.
“...I love the People of Boston. I once thought, that City would be the Christian Sparta. But Alas! Will men never be free! They will be free no longer than while they remain. Sidney tells us, there are times when People are not worth saving . Meaning, when they have lost their Virtue. I pray God, this may never be truly said of my beloved Town.”
