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ed by ages of oppression, have looked upon the standard of our revolution, and been healed. They have achieved their independence; and have taken their station among the powers of the earth, as members of a family of free republics. Such has already been the spread of the light which issued from yonder hall, on the fourth July, 1776.

In contemplating the part which these illustrious men performed in the great work of that day, it is delightful to recur to the generous and conclusive testimony they have borne to each other's merits. Of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Adams says "he came into Congress in June, 1775, and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent for composition. Writings of his were handed about, remarkable for their peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive on committees, (not even Samuel Adams was more so,) that he seized upon my heart." Of Mr. Adams, Mr. Jefferson says, in a letter, written in 1813, to an artist, who was about to engrave the picture of the Declaration of Independence, "No man better merited, than Mr. John Adams, a most conspicuous place in the design. He was the pillar of its support on the floor of Congress—its ablest advocate and defender against the multifarious attacks it encountered." Assaults it did encounter-resistance it did suffer-not from the enemies only of our country, but from her most sincere friends. The timid were alarmed; the minds of men of ordinary constancy were possessed with doubts and hesitation, at this final and irretrievable step. Heroic courage and patriotism were what the occasion demanded, and what-let us be thankful for it-the occasion found. We have seen that the resolution engaged the attention of Congress, from the 7th June, when it was moved, to the 2d July, when it was adopted. "The arguments in Congress," says the late venerable Governor M'Kean, a man of revolutionary stature and strength, himself one of the signers of the declaration, “The

arguments, for and against the Declaration of Independence, were exhausted, and the measure fully considered." And so they, doubtless, were, with all the deliberate gravity and solemn earnestness which the momentous occasion required. It was, indeed, a fearful question. At the last moment, when the question was about to be put, a celebrated member of the Congress, of undoubted patriotism, a man whose memory is still cherished with grateful affection for his contributions to the service and the honour of his country, rose and spoke against it. "He stated the consequences in alarming colours." Silence and doubt ensued. John Adams, “the pillar of its support," as Mr. Jefferson has styled him, rose in reply. His fervid eloquence silenced every doubt. The question was settled, and the vote of the states was unanimous. In what language he made this last and powerful appeal, we may judge from the triumphant burst of patriotic exultation and pious emotion with which he wrote to a friend on the following day.* "Yesterday the greatest question was decided that was ever debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed, without one dissenting colony, that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.' The day is passed. The 4th July, 1776, will be a memorable epocha 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 Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows,

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There can be no doubt that the date of the letter was the 3d July, 1776, though, in recent publications, it has appeared with the date of the 5th. The resolution of Independence was adopted on the 2d July-the declaration was not agreed to till the 4th. The former is the "resolution" referred to by Mr. Adams. Inattention to this distinction has probably led to the change of date in the printed copies. The error is pointed out, and corrected in a very satisfactory manner, in the Democratic Press of the 12th instant.

games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."

The authorship of the splendid record we have been considering belongs to Mr. Jefferson. To him is justly due the merit of preparing a paper, which has elevated the national character, and furnished a perpetual source of instruction and delight. That Mr. Adams, his colleague, entered deeply into his sentiments, is equally certain. To the last he retained his attachment to the original draught prepared by Mr. Jefferson, and thought it had not been improved by the slight alteration it underwent, in expunging a few passages or parts of passages.

Placed by their talents and virtues in this elevated and commanding position, these two distinguished champions of the rights of their country and the rights of mankind, were thence-forward looked to for every arduous service. In December, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a commissioner to France, an appointment, as all who are acquainted with our history well know, of great hazard, but of the highest importance. Struggling for existence, with comparitively feeble means, against a powerful enemy, who assumed the tone of an insolent and vindictive master, but struggling with a constancy of resolution, which already conciliated the regard of nations, our country looked abroad for countenance and aid. But the fleets of England covered the ocean, and the tower, where Laurens was so long confined, with no prospect beyond it but the scaffold, was the almost certain reward of the daring rebel (for so they would have

styled him) who should fall into their power. This hazardous employment he instantly and fearlessly accepted. He embarked soon after, and, through many imminent perils, arrived in safety. Of the signal advantages derived from that commission you are well aware. A treaty was made with France, and, in the year 1778, our great countryman Franklin was received by that nation as the acknowledged minister of a sovereign and independent power.*

Mr. Adams was afterwards sent to Holland, where he successfully negotiated a loan.

Whilst Mr. Adams was serving his country abroad, Mr. Jefferson was rendering equal service at home. Being elected governor of Virginia, he gave the most effectual aid to the cause of the revolution. This rests upon no doubtful or questionable authority. Twice, in the course of the year 1780, were resolutions adopted by Congress, approving his conduct, in aiding their military measures in the south. In the same year Congress instructed a committee "to inform Mr. Adams of the satisfaction they received from his industrious attention to the interests and honour of these United States abroad." Thus did they both deserve, and thus did they both receive, the highest rewards that could be bestowed upon them.

Not to fatigue you by too much detail, let me simply mention, that Mr. Adams was appointed sole commissioner to nogotiate peace with Great Britain in 1779,-that he was one of those who negotiated the provisional articles of peace with Great Britain in November, 1782,-who made the armistice for the cessation of hostilities in January, 1783,

* The treaty was signed at Paris, the 6th February, 1778, by B. Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. The Congress of the United States, desired the suppression of the 11th article, consenting in return that the 12th should likewise be considered of no effect. The acts rescinding these two articles were signed at Paris, the 1st September, 1778, on the part of the United States, by B. Franklin, Arthur Lee, and John Adams. Doctor Franklin was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France, on the 14th September, 1778.

and who finally negotiated the definite treaty of peace in September, 1783.

The thirteen United States, sovereign and independent by their own exertions and the favour of Providence, from the fourth July, 1776, were now universally acknowledged as such, and admitted by all to their place in the family of nations. They chose, for their two principal representatives abroad, the illustrious men whose death we are here met to commemorate. Mr. Jefferson succeeded Dr. Franklin in France; Mr. Adams was sent to England. They were joined also with Dr. Franklin, in a plenipotentiary commission to negotiate treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation, with the principal powers of Europe.

The first treaty with Prussia, the only fruit at that time of the commission, bears the names of Franklin, of Jefferson, and of Adams. What a splendid constellation of talent! Sufficient, of itself, to shed unfading lustre on a nation-more than sufficient to refute the exploded European doctrine of the degeneracy of man in America.

Our history from this period is familiar to you all. When the present constitution was framed, Mr. Jefferson was still in France. Ever alive to the welfare of his beloved country; ever watchful of those sacred principles of human right, which it had been the labour of his life to vindicate and maintain, he looked with intense anxiety upon this interesting movement. To his suggestion, it is understood, we are indebted for the ten original amendments to the constitution, embodying such restrictions on the authority of Congress, and such assertions of the fundamental rights of the citizen, as were thought necessary to the preservation of the just power of the states, and the security of civil and religious freedom.

Upon the organization of our present government, the voice of the nation assigned the highest place to Washington. He was elected President of the United States. The illustrious men whom we now commemorate, were second

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