ADAMS.ADAMS.
were ordered to be built or purchased and put in commission. Then followed actual hostilities at sea. Several French vessels were captured. Other vessels of considerable armament were authorized. Three well known frigates, "The United States," "The Constitution," and "The Constellation," were by his recommendation manned and employed by Act of Congress, July 1st, 1797. When the controversy with France was settled, March 3, 1801, the President was instructed to dispose of the ships belonging to the navy, excepting thirteen frigates — seven to be laid up in ordinary and six held ready for service.
Mr. Adams largely influenced the action of the general assembly in bringing about the impeachment of Chief Justice Oliver, and in consequence the court was not re-opened until after April 19, 1775, when the provincial government was in authority. The time had now arrived when more decisive measures were necessary, and the era of physical force was inaugurated. "Reason was exhausted and nothing was left but arms." The first Continental Congress was called by the assembly convened June 17, 1774, at Salem and holding its session with closed doors. Mr. Adams was chosen one of the five delegates from Massachusetts. The matters to be considered: The five acts of Parliament, the Boston Port Bill, and the Regulating Act, were introductory to the measures looking to final independence. Munitions of war were gathered and stored away in readiness for any emergency. The second Continental Congress was brought face to face with the necessity for an army well officered and equipped. New England had enlisted 16,000 men for the siege of Boston, and in view of the existing state of affairs, and the need for the colonies to present a united front, John Adams on June 15, 1775, nominated Washington as commander of the Colonial army. This has been regarded as the second masterly act in his life. In May, 1776, Mr. Adams introduced in the Colonial Congress a resolution giving the separate colonies independent government, and at last was able to carry it, despite the opposition of the delegates representing the Middle states. This, Mr. Adams declared, cut the "Gordian knot," and in the next month Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, moved the resolution of independence, which Mr. Adams seconded in a speech so able, unanswerable, and convincing that Jefferson declared him to be the "Colossus of that debate." This was the third conspicuous event in his career. The further consideration of Mr. Lee's resolution was postponed to the lst of July, a committee being formed who should put into fitting language a declaration to accompany the resolution. The committee was chosen by ballot and consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Mr. Lee's resolution was debated July 1st and 2d; on the latter day it was adopted; then the act of Congress setting forth the Declaration of Independence, after being debated on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of July, was passed on the 4th. On the 19th the act was ordered to be engrossed and signed by every member of the Congress. This was done August 2d by those present; afterwards by those absent or who were elected and took their seats in that year. The day after the adoption of Mr. Lee's resolution, Mr. Adams wrote to his wife: "Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater never was, nor will be decided among them. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, 'that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.' The day just passed, the Fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations — from one end of the continent to the other — from this time forward, forevermore." In 1777 he was sent as commissioner to France, and returned in 1779, leaving Franklin minister plenipotentiary. He was chosen delegate to the convention charged with the duty of framing a new constitution for Massachusetts, but was unable to serve, as he was sent to Great Britain as commissioner to treat for peace. Despite some trouble with Minister Vergennes in Paris, he was able to secure concessions which bore fruit in the treaty of 1783. The fourth conspicuous event in Mr. Adams's life was the negotiation of the Dutch loan in October, 1782, Holland having formally recognized the independence of the United States in April preceding. Holland had good cause for complaint against England. Her people were stirred to indignation because of the plunder of St. Eustatius. They were predisposed, therefore, to extend sympathy and help to any country contending against England. Just at this time, moreover, came the news of Lord Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781. Mr. Adams before this had made use of every opportunity to introduce, as it were, America to Holland. He invited the liberty-loving people of the Hague to clasp hands with the liberty-loving people of America. It was done; a treaty of commerce was concluded; a loan of $2,000,000 effected, and Adams held his success to be so considerable, that he wrote with exultation: "One thing, thank God! is certain, I have planted the
