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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO J. D. SERGEANT. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 9 (Letters and State Papers 1799-1811) [1854]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 9.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO J. D. SERGEANT.

Philadelphia, 21 July, 1776.

Your favor of the 19th, from Trenton, reached me yesterday. It is very true that we were somewhat alarmed at the last clause in your constitution. It is a pity that the idea of returning under the yoke was held up in so good a system, because it gives something to say to a very unworthy party.1

I hope you will assume the style of the Commonwealth of New Jersey, as soon as your new government is completed. Virginia has done it, and it is the most consistent style.2

It is a great pleasure to learn that you have formally ratified independency, and that your unanimity and firmness increase. This will be the case everywhere, as the war approaches nearer. An enemy’s army brings a great heat with it, and warms all before it. Nothing makes and spreads patriotism so fast. Your ordinance against treasons will make whigs by the thousand.3 Nine tenths of the toryism in America has arisen from sheer cowardice and avarice. But when persons come to see there is greater danger to their persons and property from toryism than whiggism, the same avarice and pusillanimity will make them whigs. A treason law is in politics like the article for shooting upon the spot a soldier who shall turn his back. It turns a man’s cowardice and timidity into heroism, because it places greater danger behind his back than before his face.

While you are attending to military matters, do not forget saltpetre, sulphur, powder, flints, lead, cannon, mortars.

It grieves me to hear that your people have a prejudice against liberal education.4 There is a spice of this everywhere. But liberty has no enemy more dangerous than such a prejudice. It is your business, my friend, as a statesman, to soften and eradicate this prejudice. The surest mode of doing it is to persuade gentlemen of education to lay aside some of their airs of scorn, vanity, and pride, in which it is a certain truth that they sometimes indulge themselves. Gentlemen cannot expect the confidence of the common people, if they treat them ill, or refuse haughtily to comply with some of their favorite notions, which may be most obligingly done, without the least deviation from honor or virtue. Your delegates behave very well; but I wish for you among them. I think, however, that you judged wisely in continuing in Convention, where I believe you have been able to do more good than you could have done here.

I should be obliged to you for a line now and then. Mr. S. Adams received your letter from Bristol. You will see the new delegates for Pennsylvania. What is the cause that Mr. Dickinson never can maintain his popularity for more than two or three years together, as they tell me has ever been the case? He may have a good heart, and certainly is very ready with his pen, and has a great deal of learning, but his head is not very long nor clear.

[1 ]“I am told you are alarmed at Philadelphia with the last clause in our charter. That, and another respecting judges, was hard fought; especially that of reconciliation, upon a motion to defer printing the copy till it could be considered.” Mr. S.’s letter.

[2 ]“However, we have formally ratified Independency, and assumed the style of the Convention of the State of New Jersey. This, very unanimously, and the votes go down by this express to the printer.” Mr. S.’s letter.

[3 ]“We are mending very fast here. East Jersey was always firm. West Jersey will now move with vigor. The tories in some parts disturbed us, but they have hurt us more by impeding the business of the Convention, and harassing with an infinity of hearings. But for this we have provided a remedy by an ordinance for trying treasons, seditions, and counterfeitings.” Mr. S.’s letter.

[4 ]“We want wisdom here. Raw, young, and inexperienced as your humble servant is, I am really forced to bear a principal part. Would to Heaven that I could look round here, as when with you, and see a number in whose understanding I could confide. But we have a miserable prejudice against men of education in this State; plain men are generally returned, of sufficient honesty and spirit, but most of them hardly competent to the penning of a common vote.” Mr. S.’s letter.