Thus it is always in war-time. When the prospect is gloomy, and when disasters threaten to succeed disasters, there is a general distrust of the general in command, though at that very time he may be exhibiting greater qualities and greater talents than ever before. John Adams tells us the reason why Thomas Jefferson, out of a committee of five, was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. "Writings of his," says Mr. Adams, "were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so frank, explicit and decisive upon committees and in conversation (not even Samuel Adams was more so) that he soon seized upon my heart; and upon this occasion I gave him my vote, and did all in my power to procure the votes of others. I think he had one more vote than any other, and that placed him at the head of the committee. I had the next highest number, and that placed me the second. The committee met, discussed the subject, and then appointed Mr. Jefferson and me to make the draft, because we were the two first upon the list." When this sub-committee of two had their first meeting, Jefferson urged Mr. Adams to make the draft; whereupon the following conversation occurred between them: "I will not," said Mr. Adams. "You should do it," said Jefferson. "Oh no," repeated Adams. "Why will you not?" asked Jefferson. "You ought to do it." "I will not," rejoined Adams. "Why?" again asked Jefferson. "Reasons enough," said Adams. "What can be your reasons?" inquired Jefferson. "Reason first--you are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second--I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third--you can write ten times better than I can." "Well," said Jefferson, "if you are decided, I will do as well as I can." "Very well," said Mr. Adams; "when you have drawn it up, we will have a meeting." Thus it was that Thomas Jefferson became the author of this celebrated document. Mr. Adams informs us that the original draft contained "a vehement philippic against negro slavery," which Congress ordered to be stricken out. Mr. Adams relates an amusing story of his sleeping one night with Doctor Franklin, when they were on their way to hold their celebrated conference with Lord Howe on Staten Island. It was at Brunswick, in New Jersey, where the tavern was so crowded that two of the commissioners were put into one room, which was little larger than the bed, and which had no chimney and but one small window. The window was open when the two members went up to bed, which Mr. Adams seeing, and being afraid of the night air, shut it close. "Oh," said Doctor Franklin, "don't shut the window, we shall be suffocated." Mr. Adams answered that he was afraid of the evening air; to which Doctor Franklin replied: