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“ The passage of the obnoxious Stamp Act in 1765 was the occasion which roused into action all the dormant faculties of Mr. Adams's mind, and from that time he was prominent in all the measures taken to protect the colony from the exactions of the mother country. Fearless in the expression of his honest convictions he wrote at this time: "Be it remembered, liberty must at all hazards be defended; ... we have an indisputable right to demand our privileges against all the power and authority on earth." ”

“ 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. ”

“ His first American ancestor, Henry Adams, Puritan, emigrated from Devonshire, Eng., in 1636, he having been granted a tract of land embracing forty acres at Braintree in the province of Massachusetts. He brought over with, him eight sons and was one of the original proprietors of the town of Braintree. It was the custom of the Adams family to educate the eldest son of each generation for some profession, and John was carefully prepared for Harvard college, which he entered in 1751, graduating thence a bachelor of arts, in 1755. ”

“ He wished to inculcate genuine principles of freedom; to call attention to the truth that the only legitimate foundation for a government is the will and happiness of the people; and to arouse Americans to the assertion and defence of their rights. ”

“ Talleyrand was burnt in effigy; letters of marque were issued, and an alliance with Great Britain against France was projected. France weakened. Mr. Adams decided to avoid war. Commissioners were appointed to treat with France; they reached Paris to find the direction of affairs in the hands of Napoleon. All events conspired to disintegrate the Federalist party. In the election of 1800 Adams was refused a re-election. His last official act notable for its influence upon the dignity of the national judiciary was the appointment of John Marshall as chief justice of the United States. ”

“ Smith objected, but Abigail insisted, and the text was used to the great amusement of the friends and parishioners. Mr. Adams had great reason to delight himself in his wife; for, in addition to the fact that his marriage with her brought him into alliance with several families of note and influence, she was a woman of noble character, charming manner, calm judgment, ready resource, and uncompromising patriotism. The first year of his marriage was spent in Braintree, and he began to take an active part in the conduct of the affairs of the village. ”

“ Adams retained the services of Charles Lee, and that of James Habersham, as postmaster-general, both having served in Washington's administration. Then followed a time of storm. France discriminated against American commerce, refused to treat with the commissioners who were appointed, and who were so insulted by the envoys of Talleyrand that Mr. Adams was compelled to advise Congress of the failure of the mission and the necessity to prepare for war. Papers were called for, and the famous "X. Y. Z. correspondence" submitted. The excitement in America spread to England and Europe. ”

“ He was elected president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was a member of the Massachusetts Historical society and also of the American Philosophical society. Mr. Adams lived to see his son president of the United States and to enter upon the fiftieth anniversary of American independence. ”

“ He commenced practice in the little village of Braintree and lived at the old homestead until his marriage. On October 25, 1764, Mr. Adams married Abigail, daughter of Rev. William Smith, pastor of the first Congregational church of Weymouth. Miss Abigail's older sister, Mary, had married Richard Cranch, a lawyer of some reputation and considerable wealth. The suit of Mr. Adams, who had neither fame nor fortune, was not looked upon with favor by any one at the parsonage save Miss Abigail herself. ”