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In 1776 Adams was appointed, with Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, to draft a declaration of independence. Adams realized that Jefferson was much more gifted in terms of self-expression than he was, and the document was composed mostly by the Virginian.  However, Adams did have a great deal of input, looking over drafts of the document. The Declaration that the two submitted falls into two parts. The first, which was heavily cribbed from English political philosopher John Locke, was a statement of political principles and of the need for colonies to sever their ties with England. The second part is a list of complaints against the Crown, justifying the actions of the Continental Congress.

In 1776 Adams was appointed, with Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, to draft a declaration of independence. Adams realized that Jefferson was much more gifted in terms of self-expression than he was, and the document was composed mostly by the Virginian.  However, Adams did have a great deal of input, looking over drafts of the document. The Declaration that the two submitted falls into two parts. The first, which was heavily cribbed from English political philosopher John Locke, was a statement of political principles and of the need for colonies to sever their ties with England. The second part is a list of complaints against the Crown, justifying the actions of the Continental Congress.

Adams served the Continental Congress as a diplomat, serving in Paris with Benjamin Franklin (whom he did not get along with) and was later posted to the Netherlands, where he secured a large war loan to help the patriot cause. Adams chaired the American delegation that drew up the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally ended the American Revolution. However, other than the recognition of American independence and the establishment of boundaries, most the treaty's provisions were not honored by either party.

Adams served the Continental Congress as a diplomat, remaining abroad for a decade, from 1778 to 1788. He served in Paris with Benjamin Franklin (whom he did not get along with) and was later posted to the Netherlands, where he secured a large war loan to help the patriot cause. Adams chaired the American delegation that drew up the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally ended the American Revolution. However, other than the recognition of American independence and the establishment of boundaries, most the treaty's provisions were not honored by either party.

 

  He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 91 in Quincy, Massachusetts only <p style="clear: left">a few hours after the death of Thomas Jefferson.  He was the first President of the United States to live in the White House.  <ref> [[Encylopedia of Presidents, John Adams]] by Marlene Targ Brill, Children's Press </ref></p>

  He died July 4, 1826 at the age of 91 in Quincy, Massachusetts only <p style="clear: left">a few hours after the death of Thomas Jefferson.  He was the first President of the United States to live in the White House.  <ref> [[Encylopedia of Presidents, John Adams]] by Marlene Targ Brill, Children's Press </ref></p>