On taking his seat in the legislature Mr. Adams was placed on the list of committees. So vindictive was governor Hutchinson that he erased his name--an act that recoiled with such force as to rapidly close his public career in the colony. He was succeeded by Governor Gage, who was more fully charged with ministerial fire--more successful in accelerating the millennium of Liberty. He placed his cross upon the name of John Adams--removed the legislature to Salem--enforced the Boston Port Bill and seemed to tax his ingenuity to enrage the people. On convening, the members of the legislature requested the governor to fix a day for a general fast which he peremptorily refused. As well might he have undertaken to extinguish a flaming fire with pitch, as to refuse this boon to the descendants of the Puritans. The people _en masse_ venerated religion and would not yield to the violation of ancient custom. The legislature then proceeded to project a general congress. Governor Gage sent his secretary with an order to _prorogue_--the door was locked against him--patriotic resolutions were passed and five delegates appointed to meet a national convention, one of whom was John Adams. At the appointed time he repaired to Philadelphia--took his seat in that assemblage of sages, whose wisdom has been sung by the most brilliant poets, applauded by the most eloquent orators--admired by the most sagacious statesmen of the civilized world. On reading the proceedings of the first congress in 1774, Chatham remarked, "I have studied and admired the free states of antiquity, the master spirits of the world--but, for solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity and wisdom of conclusion, no body of men can stand above this congress." Some supposed the ardent zeal of Mr. Adams might induce rashness. Not so--he was calm as a summer morning but firm as the granite shores of his birth-place. He was discreet, prudent--the last man to violate or submit to the violation of constitutional law. He kept his helm hard-up--knew when to luff--when to take the larboard tack--when to spread and when to take in sail. He was one of the few who believed the mother country would remain incorrigible--that petitions would be vain--addresses futile--remonstrances unavailing.