Then came to John Adams the terrible news, that Spanish armed vessels had captured some of the American boys. His grandson had been captured, and thrown into a dungeon in a dark, filthy fortress in Venezuela. He was to be tried as a pirate taken on the high seas, and without doubt he would be hanged. The Spanish Ambassador, who had known John Adams in Europe, hastened to offer his services. He would intercede with Spain for the grandson, he said. “No,” said John Adams to a friend; “he should share the fate of his colleagues, comrades, and fellow-prisoners.” But happily it was all a great mistake. Young Smith was not hanged as a pirate. He had not been captured at all. Instead, he was sailing gayly on in Miranda’s Mystery Ship. He had been made aid-de-camp and lieutenant-colonel, and had donned Miranda’s brilliant uniform. For the story of what happened further to the Mystery Ship, see page 335. HIS LAST TOAST It was the last day of June, 1826. In five days, it would be the Fourth of July--the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams had been one of the committee to frame the Declaration. A neighbour was sitting with John Adams in his home in Quincy--that used to be Braintree. Ninety and one years old was John Adams! The neighbour was to be orator at the annual banquet on the Fourth of July. He had called to ask John Adams to compose the toast. “Independence for ever!” said John Adams. But would he not wish to add something further to the toast, asked the neighbour. “Not a word,” replied John Adams. The Fourth of July dawned. The great Patriot lay dying. At the setting of the sun, those who stood beside him heard him whisper:--“Thomas Jefferson still lives!” As the sun sank out of sight, a loud cheering came from the village. It was the shouts of the people at the words of his toast:--“Independence for ever!” The cheering echoed through the room where John Adams was. But before its last sounds could die away, the great Patriot had passed into history and eternity--on the Fourth of July,--on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence! NOVEMBER 15 WILLIAM PITT, EARL OF CHATHAM DEFENDER OF AMERICA _The Colonists are ... equally entitled with yourselves to all the natural rights of mankind, and the peculiar privileges of Englishmen._ WILLIAM PITT _He at once breathed his own lofty spirit into the Country he served, as he communicated something of his own grandeur to the men who served him._ _“No man,” said a soldier of the time, “ever entered Mr. Pitt’s closet, who did not feel himself braver when he came out, than when he went in.”_ JOHN RICHARD GREEN _He stands in the annals of Europe, “an illustrious and venerable name,” admired by countrymen and strangers, by all to whom loftiness of moral principle and greatness of talent are objects of regard._ THOMAS CARLYLE William Pitt was born in England, November 15, 1708