A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of Washington and Patrick Henry: With an appendix, containing the Constitution of the United States, and other documentsJudson, L. Carroll (Levi Carroll)
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A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of Washington and Patrick Henry: With an appendix, containing the Constitution of the United States, and other documents
Judson, L. Carroll (Levi Carroll)
Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799; United States. Declaration of Independence -- Signers; Washington, George, 1732-1799
Among the revolutionary sages who boldly espoused the cause of equal
rights, was SAMUEL ADAMS, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on
the 22nd of September, 1722. He was a man of middle size, well formed,
with a countenance beaming with intelligence, indicating firmness of
purpose and energy of action. His parents were highly respectable, and
descended from ancestors who had always moved in the first rank of
society, and were among the early emigrants to this western world. His
father was for many years a member of the Assembly of Massachusetts,
and by him, this, his eldest son, was early taught those liberal
principles that he so fearlessly and triumphantly vindicated during his
subsequent career.
When but a child, Samuel Adams exhibited the index of a strong and
enquiring mind, and talents of a high order. Under the guidance and
instruction of Mr. Lovell, an eminent teacher of that day, he was
prepared to enter upon his collegiate studies. He was remarkable for
his close application, and rapid progress in the exploration of the
field of science. He soared above the allurements that too often lead
the juvenile mind astray, and made his books his highest pleasure. His
powers of intellect unfolded their variegated hues like a blooming
amaranth, and shed a pleasing lustre around him, gratifying to his
friends and creditable to himself.
Being of a serious turn, his father placed him in Harvard College,
believing him destined for the gospel ministry. He ascended the hill
of science with a steady and rapid pace, and gained the esteem and
admiration of all around him. During his whole course, he subjected
himself to reproof but once, and that for remaining too late in
the arms of Morpheus, by reason of which he did not arrive in time
to attend morning prayers. At the age of eighteen, he received the
degree of bachelor of arts; and, three years after, that of master of
arts, although much of his time had been devoted to the investigation
of theology, which apparently had been the absorbing topic of his
thoughts during the last years he was in college: the subject of his
discourse, when he took his final degree, showed that other ideas had
also received his attention. It was this: “_Is it lawful to resist
the supreme magistrate, if the commonwealth cannot otherwise be
preserved._” In a masterly manner he maintained the affirmative of this
proposition, and with enrapturing eloquence and unanswerable logic,
unfolded the beauties of that liberty for which he subsequently pledged
his life, his fortune and his sacred honour. From that time he seems
to have abandoned the idea of clerical orders, and to have turned all
the powers of his gigantic mind to the disenthralment of his country.
From that time forward he became a bold and constant advocate of equal
rights, and a valiant opposer of British wrongs. By rigid economy he
had saved a sum of money from the stipend allowed him by his father
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