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|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]],<br>[[Articles of Confederation]]

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'''Samuel Adams''' (1722-1803) was an early [[American]] governor, lawyer and signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. Adams was the second cousin of [[John Adams]], the second President of the United States, and was known for his great animosity toward England's presence in the colonial affairs.<ref>http://ushistory.org/declaration/signers/adams_s.htm</ref>   

'''Samuel Adams''' (1722-1803) was a fearless activist who signed the [[Declaration of Independence]] and inspired others with his personal participation in anti-[[British]] events. An enthusiastic [[Christian]], Samuel Adams was the fourth governor of [[Massachusetts]] (preceded by [[John Hancock]]), and the second cousin of [[John Adams]] who was the second President of the United States.  In contrast with his famous cousin, Samuel Adams was known for his great animosity toward England's presence in the colonial affairs.<ref>http://ushistory.org/declaration/signers/adams_s.htm</ref>   

 

Adams was a strong and vocal opponent of many of the British Parliamentary acts designed to raise revenues in the American Colonies.

Adams was a strong and vocal opponent of many of the [[British]] Parliamentary acts designed to raise revenues in the American Colonies.  He is thought to have been a leading organizer and participant in the [[Boston Tea Party]], which was done by thinly-disguised protesters.

==Background==

==Background==

At the age of 14, Adams attended Harvard College, where he received a Masters of Arts degree in 1743. After graduating, Adams started a business which failed and then entered politics full-time, and won a place in the Massachusetts legislature.  

At the age of 14, Adams attended Harvard College, where he received a Masters of Arts degree in 1743. After graduating, Adams started a business which failed and then entered politics full-time, and won a place in the Massachusetts legislature.  

In protest of the 1765 passing of the [[Stamp Act]], Adams led in the founding and organizing of the [[Sons of Liberty]].<ref>http://www.americansonsofliberty.com/samadams.htm</ref>

In protest of the 1765 passing of the [[Stamp Act]], Adams led in the founding and organizing of the [[Sons of Liberty]].<ref>http://www.americansonsofliberty.com/samadams.htm</ref> In 1772, Adams wrote the noted [[The Rights of the Colonists]], a resolution of a Boston Committee of Correspondence.

In 1773, Adams and Boston citizens were so outraged with England's [[Tea Act]], which granted the East Indian Company a monopoly on the sale of tea to the American Colonies, that they dumped the British cargo boats into Boston Harbor. This early revolutionary action is referred to as the [[Boston Tea Party]].

In 1773, Adams and Boston citizens were so outraged with England's [[Tea Act]], which granted the East Indian Company a monopoly on the sale of tea to the American Colonies, that they dumped the British cargo boats into Boston Harbor. This early revolutionary action is referred to as the [[Boston Tea Party]].

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed laws that closed the Boston Harbor and restricted town meetings, the act was referred to as the "Intolerable Acts". Adams urged a boycott of the British Trade by the American Colonies.

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed laws that closed the Boston Harbor and restricted town meetings, the act was referred to as the "Intolerable Acts". Adams urged a boycott of the British Trade by the American Colonies.

As a member of the [[Massachusetts]] legislature, Adams and four others were elected to serve in the [[Continental Congress|First Continental Congress]] (1774). He again served in the Second Continental Congress where he pushed for full independence from English rule. Adams served in the Continental Congress until 1781, when he returned to Boston. In 1788, Adams was a candidate for the U.S. House, but lost the election to [[Fisher Ames]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wpXzqmjp5IYC&pg=PA4 Birth of the Bill of Rights: Biographies]</ref>  In 1793, he was elected as Governor of Massachusetts and served until 1797. Adams is the oldest governor the state of Massachusetts has ever had.<ref>http://www.americansonsofliberty.com/samadams.htm</ref>

As a member of the [[Massachusetts]] legislature, Adams and four others were elected to serve in the [[Continental Congress|First Continental Congress]] (1774). He again served in the Second Continental Congress where he pushed for full independence from English rule. Adams served in the Continental Congress until 1781, when he returned to Boston to become a State Senator.  He served for a time as President of the Massachusetts Senate.<ref>[http://history.house.gov/People/Detail?id=8317 Samuel Adams]</ref> In 1788, Adams was a candidate for the U.S. House, but lost the election to [[Fisher Ames]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wpXzqmjp5IYC&pg=PA4 Birth of the Bill of Rights: Biographies]</ref>  In 1789, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.<ref>[https://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_massachusetts/col2-content/main-content-list/title_adams_samuel.default.html Governor Samuel Adams]</ref>  In 1793, at the passing of [[John Hancock]] he was elected as Governor of Massachusetts and served until 1797. Adams is the oldest governor the state of Massachusetts has ever had.<ref>http://www.americansonsofliberty.com/samadams.htm</ref>

 

==Early life==

==Early life==

Samuel Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts, from an ancient and respectable parentage of the first settlers of New England, on the twenty-seventh day of September, 1722. The record of his early days is lost. Having passed through the primary branches at Master Lovell's school, he entered as a student at Harvard College, in the autumn of the year 1736. The time there allowed to lay the foundation of a future usefulness, was not lost to him or to his country. In accordance with the wishes of his parents, he decided to prepare himself for the duties of the Christian ministry, and to that end he directed his energies. He obtained the honors of his Alma Mater, not because he had been under her guardianship the usual term, but for his assiduous attention to literary acquirements, that rendered him worthy of them. On receiving his second degree, in conformity with the usages of the college, which retained many forms of the English Universities, he proposed as his thesis, and defended the affirmative of the question, Whether it be lawful to resist the supreme magistrate, if the commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved t Thus early had his mind taken its bent, and formed that system of political opinions to which he uniformly and zealously adhered throughout life, and which he never for a moment hesitated to reduce to practice. Nor was this the only instance of his youthful devotion to the welfare of his fellow-men;—out of the stipulated sum allowed him by his father while in college, he saved a sufficiency to publish his masterly defence of "Englishmen's Rights."

Samuel Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts, from an ancient and respectable parentage of the first settlers of New England, on the twenty-seventh day of September, 1722. The record of his early days is lost. Having passed through the primary branches at Master Lovell's school, he entered as a student at Harvard College, in the autumn of the year 1736. The time there allowed to lay the foundation of a future usefulness, was not lost to him or to his country. In accordance with the wishes of his parents, he decided to prepare himself for the duties of the Christian ministry, and to that end he directed his energies. He obtained the honors of his alma mater, not because he had been under her guardianship the usual term, but for his assiduous attention to literary acquirements, that rendered him worthy of them. On receiving his second degree, in conformity with the usages of the college, which retained many forms of the English Universities, he proposed as his thesis, and defended the affirmative of the question, "Whether it be lawful to resist the supreme magistrate, if the commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved". Thus early had his mind taken its bent, and formed that system of political opinions to which he uniformly and zealously adhered throughout life, and which he never for a moment hesitated to reduce to practice. Nor was this the only instance of his youthful devotion to the welfare of his fellow-men;—out of the stipulated sum allowed him by his father while in college, he saved a sufficiency to publish his masterly defence of "Englishmen's Rights."

==Christian beliefs==

==Christian beliefs==

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the representatives from Boston to the General Court or Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1765. Here he remained until his election to the Continental Congress, being annually re-elected for nine years, a period which includes an eventful and interesting portion of the history of American liberty, during the whole of which he was remarkable as well for his political and parliamentary talents, as for his zeal in opposition to the claims, the acts, and the menaces of the royal government. While a member of this body, he was continually employed on committees to draft reports, protests, and other public papers, in which employment he evinced great rapidity and correctness of composition.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the representatives from Boston to the General Court or Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1765. Here he remained until his election to the Continental Congress, being annually re-elected for nine years, a period which includes an eventful and interesting portion of the history of American liberty, during the whole of which he was remarkable as well for his political and parliamentary talents, as for his zeal in opposition to the claims, the acts, and the menaces of the royal government. While a member of this body, he was continually employed on committees to draft reports, protests, and other public papers, in which employment he evinced great rapidity and correctness of composition.

In 1768, after the death of Charles Townsend, Lord North entered the service of the king. Soon the effects of his administration were felt throughout the American colonies. New acts of taxation were established, and royal collectors sent from England to enforce them. Public feeling seemed unprepared for action, and averse to a rupture. The Massachusetts Assembly, adopting the sentiments of Samuel Adams, approached the king with a humble petition. To him they recounted the story of their wrongs, and besought him to alleviate them. Among themselves, they advocated the policy of union. "Let us all be of one heart and one mind," said Adams. "Let us call on our sister colonies to join with us. Should our righteous opposition to slavery be named rebellion, let us pursue duty with firmness, and leave the event to heaven." The same year Mr. Adams prepared the letter from the Assembly of Massachusetts to their agent in England, and also the celebrated Circular Letter, addressed to the Speakers of the several Houses of Assembly in the other Colonies. The last production is one of the most important of all American State Papers, as the embodiment of historical data, and indicative of the spirit and temper of the times.*

In 1768, after the death of Charles Townsend, Lord North entered the service of the king. Soon the effects of his administration were felt throughout the American colonies. New acts of taxation were established, and royal collectors sent from England to enforce them. Public feeling seemed unprepared for action, and averse to a rupture. The Massachusetts Assembly, adopting the sentiments of Samuel Adams, approached the king with a humble petition. To him they recounted the story of their wrongs, and besought him to alleviate them. Among themselves, they advocated the policy of union. "Let us all be of one heart and one mind," said Adams. "Let us call on our sister colonies to join with us. Should our righteous opposition to slavery be named rebellion, let us pursue duty with firmness, and leave the event to heaven." The same year Mr. Adams prepared the letter from the Assembly of Massachusetts to their agent in England, and also the celebrated [[Massachusetts Circular Letter]], addressed to the Speakers of the several Houses of Assembly in the other Colonies. The last production is one of the most important of all American State Papers, as the embodiment of historical data, and indicative of the spirit and temper of the times.*

In the deliberative bodies of his native State, where the foundation of the American Revolution was formed, where the principles and systems of government on which the security and happiness of mankind were established, Samuel Adams's manly eloquence was never resisted with success. His opponents were obliged to yield in silence, only hoping for a change by the means of an army more favorable to their views. His rhetoric was a torrent of figurative language— still, an impressive, sedate strain of reasoning, which could never fail to awaken the interested, or to convince the unprejudiced hearer. His pen was no less powerful than his tongue. A mind well stocked with the sentiments of a Sidney, a Locke, and other great and noble men who had contended against monarchical and ecclesiastical tyranny; with an education which had given it the entire possession of all the principal systems, and abuses of the ancient Grecian and Roman republics, as well as of the despotisms of the world, was capable of carrying conviction to the hearts of all who had not been bribed against their own freedom, or who had not suffered themselves to be betrayed by the allurements of avarice and ambition, or by the impression of fear.

In the deliberative bodies of his native State, where the foundation of the American Revolution was formed, where the principles and systems of government on which the security and happiness of mankind were established, Samuel Adams's manly eloquence was never resisted with success. His opponents were obliged to yield in silence, only hoping for a change by the means of an army more favorable to their views. His rhetoric was a torrent of figurative language— still, an impressive, sedate strain of reasoning, which could never fail to awaken the interested, or to convince the unprejudiced hearer. His pen was no less powerful than his tongue. A mind well stocked with the sentiments of a Sidney, a Locke, and other great and noble men who had contended against monarchical and ecclesiastical tyranny; with an education which had given it the entire possession of all the principal systems, and abuses of the ancient Grecian and Roman republics, as well as of the despotisms of the world, was capable of carrying conviction to the hearts of all who had not been bribed against their own freedom, or who had not suffered themselves to be betrayed by the allurements of avarice and ambition, or by the impression of fear.

Amidst the cares and anxieties incident to his position, Mr. Adams maintained a cheerful demeanor, and the fullest confidence in the ultimate success of his cause. One morning, when the spirits of the patriots were almost broken with despair, he was accosted by Mather Byles, the celebrated tory clergyman of Boston, with the remark, "Come, friend Samuel, let us relinquish republican phantoms, and attend to our fields." "Yes," said Adams, "you attend to the planting of liberty, and I will grub up the taxes. Thus we shall have pleasant places."

Amidst the cares and anxieties incident to his position, Mr. Adams maintained a cheerful demeanor, and the fullest confidence in the ultimate success of his cause. One morning, when the spirits of the patriots were almost broken with despair, he was accosted by Mather Byles, the celebrated tory clergyman of Boston, with the remark, "Come, friend Samuel, let us relinquish republican phantoms, and attend to our fields." "Yes," said Adams, "you attend to the planting of liberty, and I will grub up the taxes. Thus we shall have pleasant places."

The increasing popularity of Mr. Adams, in 1773, rendered it every day more desirable to the royal party that he should be detached from the popular cause, and the efforts to gain him to the side of the ministry were renewed. Governor Gage now thought he would try the experiment. For this purpose he sent a confidential and verbal message by a colonel of his army, who waited on Mr. Adams, and stated the object of his visit. He remarked that an adjustment of the dispute which existed between England and her colonies was much desired; that he was authorized to assure him of reward from the government, if he would cease in his opposition, and that it was the advice of Governor Gage to him, not to incur the further displeasure of his majesty, for his conduct thus far had rendered him liable to the penalties for treason.

The increasing popularity of Mr. Adams, in 1773, rendered it every day more desirable to the royal party that he should be detached from the popular cause, and the efforts to gain him to the side of the ministry were renewed. Governor Gage now thought he would try the experiment. For this purpose he sent a confidential and verbal message by a colonel of his army, who waited on Mr. Adams, and stated the object of his visit. He remarked that an adjustment of the dispute which existed between England and her colonies was much desired; that he was authorized to assure him of reward from the government, if he would cease in his opposition, and that it was the advice of Governor Gage to him, not to incur the further displeasure of his majesty, for his conduct thus far had rendered him liable to the penalties for treason.

Mr. Adams listened with apparent interest to this recital. He asked the British colonel if he would deliver his reply as it should be given, and required his word of honor that it would. Then, rising from his chair, in a tone of indignant defiance he replied, "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 advice of Samuel Adams to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated people." Thus, with a full sense of his own perilous situation, marked out as an object of ministerial vengeance, laboring under severe pecuniary embarrassment, but fearless of personal consequences, he steadily pursued the great object of his soul, the liberty of the people.

Mr. Adams listened with apparent interest to this recital. He asked the British colonel if he would deliver his reply as it should be given, and required his word of honor that it would. Then, rising from his chair, in a tone of indignant defiance he replied, "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 advice of Samuel Adams to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated people." Thus, with a full sense of his own perilous situation, marked out as an object of ministerial [[vengeance]], laboring under severe pecuniary embarrassment, but fearless of personal consequences, he steadily pursued the great object of his soul, the liberty of the people.

==Continental Congress==

==Continental Congress==

In 1774 Mr. Adams was elected to the General Congress, first suggested by him, which met at Philadelphia, and the same year was chosen Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, which office he discharged by deputy, while attending his duties in Congress.

In 1774 Mr. Adams was elected to the General Congress, first suggested by him, which met at Philadelphia, and the same year was chosen Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, which office he discharged by deputy, while attending his duties in Congress.

==Quotes==

==Quotes==

*"Constitution be never construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."<ref>A proposal that Adams made in 1788. [http://books.google.com/books?id=wwQOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA267&dq=adams+%22peaceable+citizens+from+keeping+their+own+arms%22&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES p 267]</ref>

 

 

*"Constitution be never construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."<ref>A proposal that Adams made in 1788. [https://books.google.com/books?id=wwQOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA267&dq=adams+%22peaceable+citizens+from+keeping+their+own+arms%22&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES p 267]</ref>

*"May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen! <ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/268/8/18.html  The World’s Famous Orations. America: I. (1761–1837).  1906.]</ref>

*"May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen! <ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/268/8/18.html  The World’s Famous Orations. America: I. (1761–1837).  1906.]</ref>

*"When vain aspiring men possess highest seats in govt, country will need experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=6pILAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA213&dq=When+vain+aspiring+men+possess+highest+seats+in+govt,+country+will+need+experienced+patriots+to+prevent+its+ruin&ei=9rqaS8b4BIGuyAT65532Cg&cd=3 The Writings of Samuel Adams: 1778-1802‎ - Page 213, Samuel Adams - History - 1908]</ref>

*"When vain aspiring men possess highest seats in govt, country will need experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=6pILAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA213&dq=When+vain+aspiring+men+possess+highest+seats+in+govt,+country+will+need+experienced+patriots+to+prevent+its+ruin&ei=9rqaS8b4BIGuyAT65532Cg&cd=3 The Writings of Samuel Adams: 1778-1802‎ - Page 213, Samuel Adams - History - 1908]</ref>

*"While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal Invader." - [[Samuel Adams to James Warren (February 12, 1779)]]

*"While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal Invader." - [[Samuel Adams to James Warren (February 12, 1779)]]

==See also==

==See also==

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/founders/samuel-adams/samuel-adams-rights-of-the-free-press-and-the-right-to-bear-arms Samuel Adams on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms]

* [http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/founders/samuel-adams/samuel-adams-rights-of-the-free-press-and-the-right-to-bear-arms Samuel Adams on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms]

{{Declaration of Independence}}

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