(September 27, 1722–October 2, 1803), was a Revolutionary leader and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was the cousin John Adams, the second President. Samuel Adams was known as the “Father of the American Revolution.” He labored over 20 years as a patriot and leader. He instigated the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of Independence, called for the first Continental Congress and served as a member of Congress until 1781. He helped draft the Massachusetts Constitution, 1779; served as the state’s Lieutenant Governor under Governor John Hancock, 1789–93; and Governor of Massachusetts, 1793–97. The State of Massachusetts, as evidence of the high esteem in which he was held, chose to be represented by a statue of Samuel Adams in the U.S. Capitol.
In 1750, Samuel Adams wrote:
He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man. … The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.578
Samuel Adams formed the Committees of Correspondence, which were largely responsible for the unity and cohesion of the Colonists preceding the Revolution. The original Committee, formed in Boston, had three goals: (1) delineate the rights of Colonists as men; (2) detail how these rights had been violated; (3) publicize these rights and the violations thereof throughout the Colonies. His reports spread like fire through the towns and parishes, many times by an early pony express system. His work, The Rights of the Colonists, began to be circulated on November 20, 1772. In it, Samuel Adams stated:
Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. … The supreme power cannot justly take from any man any part of his property, without his consent in person or by his representative.579
On November 20, 1772, in the section of The Rights of the Colonists entitled, “The Rights of the Colonist as Subjects,” Samuel Adams stated:
[Government] has no right to absolute, arbitrary power over the lives and fortunes of the people; nor can mortals assume a prerogative not only too high for men, but for angels, and therefore reserved for the exercise of the Deity alone.580
On November 20, 1772, in the section of The Rights of the Colonists entitled, “The Rights of the Colonist as Men,” Samuel Adams declared:
As neither reason requires nor religion permits the contrary, every man living in or out of a state of civil society has a right peaceably and quietly to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
“Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty,” in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all men are clearly entitled to by the eternal and immutable laws of God and nature, as well as by the law of nations and all well-grounded municipal laws, which must have their foundation in the former.
In regards to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced, and, both by precept and example, inculcated on mankind, and it is now generally agreed among Christians that this spirit of toleration, in the fullest extent consistent with the being of civil society, is the chief characteristical mark of the church.581
On November 20, 1772, in the section of The Rights of the Colonists entitled, “The Rights of the Colonist as Christians,” Samuel Adams declared:
The right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, the rights of the Colonists as Christians may best be understood by reading and carefully studying the institutions of The Great Law Giver and the Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.582
On September 6, 1774, the second day of the Congressional Congress, Samuel Adams proposed that the session be opened with prayer, in spite of the various Christian sects represented:
Christian men, who had come together for solemn deliberation in the hour of their extremity, to say there was so wide a difference in their religious belief that they could not, as one man, bow the knee in prayer to the Almighty, whose advice and assistance they hoped to obtain.583
In 1775, in response to an entreaty by British General Gage, who intended to dissuade him from his resolve, Samuel Adams answered:
I trust I have long since made my peace with the King of Kings. No personal consideration shall induce me to abandon the righteous cause of my country. Tell Governor Gage it is the advise of Samuel Adams to him no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated people.584
On April 16, 1776, Samuel Adams wrote a letter to James Warren from Philadelphia:
My Dear Sir,—I have not yet congratulated you in the unexpected and happy change of our affairs in the removal of the rebel army from Boston. Our worthy friend Major Hawley in his letter to me declines giving me joy on this occasion.
He thinks it best to put off the ceremony till the congress shall proclaim Independence. In my opinion, however, it becomes us to rejoice and religiously to acknowledge the goodness of the Supreme Being who in this instance hath signally appeared for us. …
They have attempted to subdue us by force, but God Be praised, in vain.585
On April 30, 1776, Samuel Adams wrote to John Scollay of Boston:
Our grateful acknowledgements are to the Supreme Being who has not been regardless of the multiplied oppressions which the inhabitants of that city have suffered. …
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 public virtue is usually attended with that of public happiness, and the public liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals. “The Roman Empire,” says the historian, "must have sunk, though the Goths had not invaded it. Why? Because the Roman virtue was sunk."
Could I be assured that America would remain virtuous, I would venture to defy the utmost efforts of enemies to subjugate her.
You will allow me to remind you, that the morals of that city which has borne so great a share in the American contest, depend much upon the vigilance of the respectable body of magistrates, of which you are a member.586
As the Declaration of Independence was being signed, 1776, Samuel Adams declared:
We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.587
Following the public reading of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams noted:
The people, I am told, recognize the resolution as though it were a decree promulgated from heaven.588
On August 1, 1776, Samuel Adams addressed the Continental Congress assembled at the State House in Philadelphia:
Countrymen and brethren: I would gladly have declined an honor to which I find myself unequal. I have not the calmness and impartiality which the infinite importance of the occasion demands.
I will not deny the charge of my enemies, that resentment for the accumulated injuries of our country and an ardor for her glory … may deprive me of that accuracy of judgement and expression which men of cooler passions may possess.
Let me beseech you then, to hear me with caution, to examine without prejudice, and to correct the mistakes into which I may be hurried by my zeal. …
This day, I trust, the reign of political protestantism will commence. We have explored the temple of royalty, and found that the idol we have bowed down to, has eyes which see not, ears that hear not our prayers, and a heart like the nether millstone.
We have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought, and dignity of self-direction which He bestowed on them. …
We are now on this continent to the astonishment of the world three millions of souls united in one common cause. We have large armies, well disciplined and appointed, with commanders inferior to none in military skill, and superior in activity and zeal.
We are furnished with arsenals and stores beyond our most sanguine expectations, and foreign nations are waiting to crown our success by their alliances.
There are instances of, I would say, an almost astonishing Providence in our favor; our success has staggered our enemies, and almost given faith to infidels; so that we may truly say it is not our own arm which has saved us.
The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be, perhaps, humble instruments and means in the great Providential dispensation which is completing.
We have fled from the political Sodom; let us not look back, lest we perish and become a monument of infamy and derision to the world! …
And, brethren and fellow-countrymen, if it was ever granted to mortals to trace the designs of Providence, and interpret its manifestations in favor of their cause, we may, with humility of soul, cry out, “Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy Name be the praise.”
The confusion of the devices among our enemies, and the rage of the elements against them, have done almost as much towards our success as either our councils or our arms.
The time at which this attempt on our liberties was made, when we were ripened into maturity, had acquired a knowledge of war, and were free from the incursions of enemies in this country, the gradual advances of our oppressors enabling us to prepare for our defence, the unusual fertility of our lands and clemency of the seasons, the success which at first attended our feeble arms, producing unanimity among our friends and reducing our internal foes to acquiescence—
Theses are all strong and palpable marks and assurances, that Providence is yet gracious unto Zion, that it will turn away the captivity of Jacob.
Our glorious reformers, when they broke through the fetters of superstition, effected more than could be expected from an age so darkened.
But they left much to be done by their posterity. They lopped off, indeed, some of the branches … but they left the root and stock when they left us under the domination of human systems and decisions, usurping the infallibility which can be attributed to Revelation alone. They dethroned one usurper only to raise up another. …
And if we now cast our eyes over the nations of the earth we shall find, that instead of possessing the pure religion of the gospel, they may be divided either into infidels who deny the truth, or politicians who make religion a stalking horse for their ambition, of professors, who walk in the trammels of orthodoxy, and are more attentive to traditions and ordinances of men than to the oracles of truth.
Thus by the beneficence of Providence, we shall behold our empire arising, founded on justice and the voluntary consent of the people, and giving full scope to the exercise of those faculties and rights which most ennoble our species.
Besides the advantages of liberty and the most equal constitution, Heaven has given us a country with every variety of climate and soil, pouring forth in abundance whatever is necessary for the support, comfort, and strength of a nation.
Within our own borders we possess all the means of sustenance, defence, and commerce; at the same time, these advantages are so distributed among the different States of this continent, as if nature had in view to proclaim to us—be united among yourselves, and you will want nothing from the rest of the world.589
Go on, then, in your generous enterprise, with gratitude to Heaven for past success, and confidence of it in the future. For my own part, I ask no greater blessing than to share with you the common danger and common glory.590
On November 22, 1780, Samuel Adams gave this advice to T. Wells, his daughter’s fiancee:
I could say a thousand things to you, if I had leisure. I could dwell on the importance of piety and religion, of industry and frugality, of prudence, economy, regularity and even Government, all of which are essential to the well being of a family. But I have not time. I cannot however help repeating piety, because I think it indispensable. Religion in a family is at once its brightest ornament and its best security.591
On November 27, 1780, in a letter to Elbridge Gerry, Samuel Adams stated:
More, in my opinion, is 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 too much debased to relish the republican principles in which the new government of the commonwealth of Massachusetts appears to be founded. Mankind is prone to political idolatry. …
May Heaven inspire the present rulers with wisdom and sound understanding! In all probability they will stamp the character of the people … if we look into the history of governors, we shall find that their principles and manners have always had a mighty influence on the people.592
On October 4, 1790, Samuel Adams wrote to his cousin, John Adams, who was then the Vice-President of the United States:
Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age, by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and, in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self-government without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies, great or small; in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system.593
On October 18, 1790, John Adams wrote in reply concerning these issues, stating:
You and I agree.594
In 1794, Governor Samuel Adams of Massachusetts, having just risen from Lieutenant Governor following the death of Governor John Hancock, addressed the State Legislature:
In the supposed state of nature, all men are equally bound by the laws of nature, or to speak more properly, the laws of the Creator:—They are imprinted by the finger of God on the heart of man. Thou shall do no injury to thy neighbor, is the voice of nature and reason, and it is confirmed by written revelation.595
On January 17, 1794, Governor Samuel Adams addressed the Massachusetts Legislature:
Human laws excite fears and apprehensions, lest crimes committed be detected and punished; But a virtuous education is calculated to reach and influence the heart, and to prevent crimes. …
Such an education, which leads the youth beyond mere outside show, will impress their minds with a profound reverence of the Deity, universal benevolence, and a warm attachment and affection towards their country. It will excite in them a just regard to Divine Revelation, which informs them of the original character and dignity of man; and it will inspire them with a sense of true honor.596
On October 14, 1795, Samuel Adams, as Governor of the State of Massachusetts, issued a Proclamation for a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise:
Published by Authority (Seal) Commonwealth of Massachusetts
BY THE GOVERNOR
A PROCLAMATION FOR A DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
Forasmuch as the occasional meeting of a people for the exercise of piety and devotion towards God, more especially of those who enjoy the light of divine revelation, as a strong tendency to impress their minds with a sense of dependence upon Him and their obligations to Him;
I have thought fit, according to the ancient and laudable practice of our renowned ancestors, to appoint a day of public thanksgiving to God, for the great benefits which he has been pleased to bestow upon us, in the year past.
And I do by advice and consent of the council, appoint Thursday, the nineteenth day of November next, to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving and praise throughout this commonwealth: calling upon the ministers of the Gospel of all denominations, with their respective congregations to assemble on that day to offer to God, their unfeigned gratitude, for his great goodness to the people of the United States in general, and of this commonwealth in particular.
More especially in that he hath in His good providence united the several states under a national compact formed by themselves, whereby they may defend themselves against external enemies, and maintain peace and harmony with each other.
That internal tranquility has been contained within this commonwealth; and that the voice of health is so generously heard in the habitations of the people.
That the earth has yielded her increase, so that the labors of our industrious husbandmen have been abundantly crowned with plenty …
That while other nations have been involved in war, attended with an uncommon profusion of human blood, we in the course of Divine Providence, have been preserved from so grievous a calamity, and have enjoyed so great a measure of the blessing of peace.
And I do recommend that together with our thanksgiving, humble prayer may be offered to God, that we may be enabled, by the subsequent obedience of our hearts and manners, to testify the sincerity of our profession of gratitude, in the sight of God and man; and thus be prepared for the reception of future blessings.
That God would be pleased to guide and direct the administration of the Federal government, and those of the several states, in union, so that the whole people may continue to be safe and happy in the constitutional enjoyment of their rights, liberties and privileges, and our governments be greatly respected at home and abroad …
And I do recommend to the people of this commonwealth, to abstain from all such labor and recreations as may not be consistent with the solemnity of the said day.597
On March 20, 1797, in a Proclamation of a Day of Fast, Massachusetts Governor Samuel Adams declared:
And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again;
that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.598
In 1800, Dr. Benjamin Rush described Governor Samuel Adams:
He considered national happiness and the public patronage of religion inseparably connected; and so great was his regard for public worship, as a means of promoting religion, that he constantly attended divine service in the German church in Yorktown while Congress sat there, when there was no service in their chapel. …
His morals were irreproachable, and even ambition and avarice, the usual vices of politicians, seemed to have no place in his breast.599
In his last known letter to Thomas Paine, Samuel Adams voiced:
When I heard you had turned your mind to a defense of infidelity, I felt myself much astounded and more grieved, that you had attempted a measure so injurious to the feelings and so repugnant to the true interest of so great a part of the citizens of the United States. The people of New England, if you will allow me to use a Scripture phrase, are fast returning to their first love.600
On February 12, 1779, in a letter to James Warren, Samuel Adams stated:
A general Dissolution of Principles and Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the Common Enemy. While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal invader. …
If Virtue and Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great Security.601
Samuel Adams stated:
Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.602
I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world. …
that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is the Prince of Peace.603
Samuel Adams wrote in his Last Will and Testament:
Principally, and first of all, I resign my soul to the Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying on the merits of Jesus Christ for the pardon of my sins.604