September 3, 2025 • 31 mins
This captivating biography delves into the life of John Hancock, one of the most influential figures in American history. As a Founding Father, merchant, statesman, and a key Patriot of the American Revolution, Hancocks story is one of resilience and leadership. The author skillfully narrates Hancocks journey from his childhood and education to his significant political and military contributions, providing a comprehensive look at the man behind the iconic signature. - Summary by GoodReads
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter fifteen, Part one of John Hancock, The Picturesque Patriot
by Lorenzo Siers. This LibriVox recording is in the public
domain President of Congress. Coincident with the declaration of independence,
a movement was started for the confederation of the colonies.
To accomplish even a loose connection between separate and jarring
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states was a slower matter than to get them to
declare themselves sundered from Great Britain. Each colony was glad
of the company of the others in the chorus of
protests and assertion, but it meant that the freedom was
for each one personally and individually as a member of
a group. As a group united by nothing stronger than
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common consent, there was little or no authority over any
particular member of it. They all had just thrown off
the control.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Of one king.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
They were in no haste to have another, whether Congress
or President. At the same time, the weakness and the
danger of disunion to these separate states, as they began
to call themselves, was growing more apparent every day. But
it was long before needful concessions to the idea of
federation could be obtained, and longer still before it was
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cordially accepted states, rights chartered, inherent and imminent were the
materials out of which the fabric of a nation was
to be built, and the incongruous stones and timbers were
not to be assembled in the day, Nor have their
distinctive peculiarities been entirely lost. After a century and a third,
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it is sometimes forgotten how much longer the thought of
separatism and individualism prevailed throughout the colonial period than has
that of union in the national period. Thirty three years
are yet to pass before the last period will equal
the first. But it would take more than one decade
to eradicate the political theories and habits to which the
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nation has become accustomed in one hundred and thirty six years.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
The same was truer.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Of a people whose notions of local rights had been
undisturbed for one hundred sixty nine years from the first
permanent settlement of Virginia in sixteen oh seven, or for
one hundred fifty six years in Massachusetts, with corresponding periods
in other colonies. To this new plan of confederation. Congress
devoted its attention in seventeen seventy seven with the greater courage,
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because the clouds over the army were clearing, and the
hopes of the people were reviving. Some, to be sure,
saw in a final victory freedom, chiefly for their own
commonwealth to pursue its sectional schemes, recalling the evil proverb
for the fate of the Hindmost in the main, however,
Congress had been a school for mutual instruction, opening blind
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eyes to unsuspected or unadmitted excellencies and others, teaching also
the necessity of daily yielding something to the commonwelfare and
to the opinion of the greater number.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Those who had.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Been learners in this school of political science went home
to teach the people and to turn public opinion out
of the channels in which it had run for a
century and a half since, back to the people. The
question of confederation, like that of independence, was to be
referred for ultimate decision. Some of the principalities had already
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been framing new governments to fit the new conditions of
entire self government. Now they were to be asked what
they were willing to contribute toward the unity of all.
It was a new proposition, regarded with suspicion and approached
with reluctance. It was not until they realized that their
separation from Great Britain and their isolation from each other
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debarred them from a place among the nations that the
colonies saw the necessity of some sort of alliance among
themselves in addition to their jealousy of one another. The
states grew more suspicious of Congress as the war elicited
acts which were interpreted as looking toward imperialism, of which
the direction of campaigns and a standing committee of five
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to hear appeals in prize cases were instances. Some states
insisted on having a voice in privateering limitations, and all
of them were ready to send embarrassing instructions to their
deputies at every turn in affairs. All this diversity of
opinion in Congress and considerable officious ignorance outside made Hancock's
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presidency more trying than that of later chairmen, because grounds
of difference were more radical than they are now after
the existence of the nation under constitutional legislation for a
century and a third. A further annoyance to the President
of Congress arose from its growing inefficiency through withdrawal of
its ablest members into missions abroad or governorships in their
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respective states. This depletion paralleled the short terms of service
in the army, which would have ruined the American cause
by New Year's Day of seventeen seventy seven. If Washington's
crossing the Delaware on Christmas night and the Battle of
trenton the next day had not turned the tide of
affairs at its lowest ebb and kept homesick and heartsick
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troops from abandoning the contest, Congressmen went home for a
different reason, especially when state elections were approaching or sailed
for foreign ports where their services might be needed. In
both cases, their experience was missed in Congress, and their
absence was not made good by new members. Twelve of
the thirteen who drew up the Plan of Confederation had
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left when the debate on it began, and even Samuel
Adams the thirteenth was absent when the articles were adopted.
Newly appointed delegates brought their provincial antipathies with them, which
they often mistook for a patriotism that their predecessors had
lost in the abrasions of Congress and Philadelphia hospitality, but
which many of the earlier ones had by no means
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thrown off. Benjamin Harrison compared Yankees in Congress to the
Grand Turk in his dominion, and Rutledge dreaded their overruling
influencing council, to which John Adams retorted, the Dawns, the Bashaws,
the Grandees, the Sachems, then the bobs call them by
what name you please, Si, grown, fret, and sometimes stamp
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and foam and curse, but all in vain. This exchange
of amenities demanded a presiding officer of some tact and
great urbanity to keep the fathers of the Republic from
running into parliamentary riot. Small states feared the large, whose
territory stretched.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
To the Pacific.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
The Wyoming Valley was a bone between Connecticut and Pennsylvania,
the Green Mountain Pastures another between New York and New Hampshire,
and Vermont Asking admittance as an independent state made.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
New York and New England. Bristol and Growl.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Lafayette thought that parties in Congress hated one another as
much as they hated the enemy, and Washington wrote that
Congresses rent by party business of personal concernment, withdrawing attention
from matters of great national moment. Sometimes not more than
twelve members were in attendance. Hancock was a man of
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two large commercial and political experience to look down upon
the House from his chair in his judicial capacity and
not understand the causes of bickering and distrust. If the
original members could have kept together, there would have been
better hope of eventual harmony through acquaintance and discussion. Instead,
each session brought new men to thresh over the chaff
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that had been sufficiently pounded.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Before their arrival.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Nothing could be more wearying to a chairman or require
more patience. Then there were questions about proportionate influence, privilege,
and representation in the new government. Deputies had to contend
for those upon the demand of their constituencies. How many
votes each state should have and what share of funds
it should contribute. Franklin doubted whether the whale would swallow
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Jonah or the reverse. Finally, it was decided to vote
by states and to contribute according to land values. Trimming
the states that reached to the Mississippi and the South
Sea was a longer task, which delayed the final adoption
of the Articles of Confederation. Three months were consumed in
getting its terms agreed upon by Congress. Amidst no end
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of amendment and revision to be sent out to the
States in its final form on the seventeenth of November
seventeen seventy seven, the day of Burgoyne's surrender. This disastrous
blow to the enemy hastened the adoption of the Articles
of Confederation by the States and gave new hopes to
Americans here and to their friends abroad, especially in France,
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which was waiting to send more freely and openly the
aid that had been promised and furnished covertly but generously
by individuals. Hancock began to feel the strain of his
difficult position in the wrangling over Articles of Confederation and
in the increasing labors consequent upon movements of the army
and the danger of the enemies occupying the city. He
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was also contending with physical infirmities which the climate of
Philadelphia did not help to lessen, nor his unsatisfactory mode
of life and lodgings which he had taken after the
return of Congress from Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
He had left.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Missus Hancock in that city with an infant daughter named
Lydia Henchman for the aunt. The following letter gives a
glimpse of his lonely life Philadelphia, tenth March seventeen seventy seven,
My dear Dolly, my detention at the ferry and the
badness of the roads prevented my arriving here until Friday evening.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
I put my.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Things into mister Williams's house and went in pursuit of lodgings.
Neither Missus Yard nor Lucy could accommodate me. I then
went to Smith's and borrowed two blankets, and returned to
my own house, soon after which Missus Smith sent me
up a very handsome supper with a tablecloth, knives and forks, plates, salt,
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a print of butter, tea double refined sugar, a bowl
of cream, a loaf of bread, et cetera, et cetera.
Here I have remained, and shall do so waiting your arrival. Indeed,
Missus Smith obliged me much. I, however, lead a doleful,
lonesome life, though on Saturday I dined at doctor Shippen's.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
He desires his regards. He is as lonesome as I.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
On Saturday I sat down to dinner at the little
table with Folger on a piece of roast beef with potatoes.
We drank your health with all our Baltimore friend. Last
night Miss Lucy came to see me, and this morning,
while I was at breakfast on tea with a pewter teaspoon,
missus Hard came in. She could not stay to breakfast
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with me. I spend my evenings at home, snuffed my
candles with a pair of scissors, which Lucy seeing sent
me a pair of snuffers, and dipping gravy out of
the dish with.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
My pewter teaspoon.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
She sent me a large silver spoon and two silver spoons.
That I am now quite rich. I shall make out
as well as I can. But I assure you, my
dear soul, I long to have you here, and I
know you will be as expeditious as you can. When
I part from you again, it must be a very
extraordinary occasion. I have sent everywhere to get a gold
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or silver rattle for the child with a coral to send,
but cannot get one. I will have one if possible,
on your coming. I have sent a sash for her
and two little papers of pins for you.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
If you do not want.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Them, you can give them away. However, unsettled things may
be help sending for you, as I cannot live this way.
We have an abundance of lies. The current report is
that General Howe is bent on coming here. Another report
is that the merchants at New York are packing their
goods and putting them on board ships, and that the
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troops are going away, neither of which I believe. We must, however,
take our chances. This you may depend on, that you
will ever be the object of my utmost care and attention.
I have been exceedingly busy since I have been here,
though I have not yet made a congress. Are waiting
for the South Carolina. Gentleman, if Captain Hammond is arrived
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with any things from Boston, you will have them put
in the wagons and brought here. If she should not
be arrived, leave the receipt with mister s Purviance, and
desire him to receive the things and send them to me.
The enclosed letter. Give to mister Newhouse, one of the wagoneers,
send for him, and let him know when you will
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be ready. I hope you will be able to pack
up all your things quickly and have them on the way,
and that you will soon follow. Be careful in packing,
and do not leave anything behind. Let Harry see that
everything is safely stored in the wagons. I send mister McCloskey,
and he will be very useful.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
I am confident.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Mister and missus Hilligas will assist you. Pray my best
regards to them. I have not had time to go
by their house, but intend it today and shall write
mister Hilligas by the post. Young mister Hilligas got here
on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
He is well. He delivered me your letter and one
from his father.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I was succeeding glad to hear from you, and hope
soon to receive another letter. I know you will set
off as soon as you can, endeavor to make good stages.
You may easily lodge at mister Stell's at Bush the
first night. It is a good house. However, I must
leave those matters to you, as the road must in
great megas determine your stages. I do not imagine there
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is any danger of smallpox on the road. Wilmington is
the most dangerous, but go on to Chester. I want
to get somebody cleaver to accompany you. I hope to
send one to you, but if I should not be able,
you must make out as well as you can.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Eleven March.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I will write by the post tomorrow. I can't add
as I am now called on. I hope no accident
will happen and closed. You have a few memo as
to package, etc. Which I submit to your perusal. My
best regards to mister and Missus Purviance, Captain Nicholson and
Lady mister Luise, and family and indeed all friends. My
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love to miss Katie and tell her to ransack the
house and leave nothing behind. The wagoneers will attend you
at all time. Remember me to all the family. May
every blessing of an indulgent providence attend you. I most
sincerely wish you a good journe and hope I shall soon,
very soon have the happiness of seeing you with the
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utmost affection and love. My dear Dolly, I am yours forever.
John Hancock, doctor Bond called on me, desired his compliments.
He will inoculate the child as soon as it comes.
Missus Washington got here on Saturday. I went to see her.
She told me she drank tea with you. Let Harry
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take the continental horse, saddle and bridle that I left
at mister Purviance's and tell mister purviance to charge his
keeping in his public credit. If Captain Hardy returns the
horse I lent him with the saddle and bridle, he
must also come get the heavy wagon off as soon
as you can, that they may be here as early
as possible, as we shall much want the.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Things after you get here.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I have got your bundle safe with the petticoat table cloth,
and I have not sent it, as I thought you
would not want it. In the evening of the day
on which he finish this letter, he wrote another of
similar length and substance, apparently to serve as a diversion
in his solitude. It must have taken him a good
part of the night to write it. Philadelphia, eleventh March
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seventeen seventy seven, nine o'clock evening, My dearest Dolly, no
congress today, and I have been busily employed, as you
can conceive, quite lonesome, and in a domestic situation that ought.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
To be relieved as speedily as possible.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
This relief depends upon you, and the greater dispatch you make,
and the sooner you arrive here, the more speedy will
be my relief. I dispatched Harry McCloskey and Denis this
morning with horses and a wagon as winged messengers to
bring you along. God grant you a speedy and safe
journey to me. Mister pluck Rose, the bearer of this
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going for missus Morris, I have engaged him to proceed
on to Baltimore to deliver you this. I wrote you
this morning to bring all the things that came from
Austin to this place. But should they be landed before
you leave Baltimore, I could wish you would present one
quintol of the saltfish and three or four loaves of
the sugar to mister Samuel perviance, or in case they
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should not be landed, leave directions to have these articles
taken out and presented to mister p with our compliments.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I forget what other things.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
There are, but if you choose to make presents of
any of them, I pray you to do it.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
If in the prosecution of.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Your journey you can avoid lodging at the head of
elk I wish you would. It is not so good
as the other houses, but this must depend on circumstances.
I wish you to make your journey as agreeable as possible.
Should any gentlemen and ladies accompany you out of town.
Do send mister McClaskey forward to order a handsome dinner,
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and I beg you to pay every expense. Order McCloskey
to direct the landlord not to receive a single farthing
from anyone, but by your direction in order a genteel
dinner plenty. If mister Thompson cannot be ready with his
wagons as soon as you.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Are, do not wait.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
But part of the guard with an officer, must attend yours,
and part be left to guard his. I only wish
to have you here, And if you cannot readily attend
to the return of the things borrowed of mister Duggan,
leave them in the care of some trusty person to
deliver them and pay him for his trouble. Am I
not to have another letter from you? Surely I must.
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I shall send off mister rush or Tailor tomorrow or
next day to meet you. I wish I could do
better for you, but we must rough it. I am
so harassed with applications and have been sending off expresses
to call all the members here that I have as
much as I can turn my hands to. I don't
get down to dinner, catch a bit, I write, and
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then add it again.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
The writing here is illegible.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
If it promotes the cause, I am happy. Do beg
mister Hilligos to send some money by my wagons, or
I shall be worn out with applications. Pray him to
take pity on me. I have lent my own stalk
already to stop some mouths my respects to mister and
missus Hilligos. They must excuse my not writing now.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I have not seen their.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Sons since he delivered me your letter. I asked him
to call, but I suppose he is so engaged with
his connection he has not had time. I could wish
to have it in my power to do him any service.
For the great regard I bear to his worthy parents.
I assure you I really love them. I wish they
were coming with you. I could then have a family,
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or I could, with pleasure go and ask them a
hundred questions and take a thousand liberties with them that
I cannot do in any family now here. I shall
regret their absence, but I am determined to make a
point of having them up, for I cannot attend to
the applications that are made to me in consequence of
the Treasurer's absence.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
He must come.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
He shall come if if I have any influence. Lucy
and Nancy called on me. I was busy over papers.
We drank a glass together to our Baltimore friends. I
waited on them home and returned to my cottage. Joe
comes in with a plate of minced veal that I
must stop. I shall take the plate in one hand,
the knife in the other, without cloth or any comfort,
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and eat a little, and then to writing, for I
have not room on the table to put a plate.
I am up to the eyes and papers and you
for the present the enclosed letter Lucy just sent.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Me for you.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Supper is over. No relish nor shall I have till
I have you here. And I wish mister and missus
Hilligos to join us at supper on Tuesday evening, when
I shall expect you. I shall have fires made and
everything ready for your reception. Though I don't mean to
hurry you beyond measure. Do as you like. Don't fatigue
yourself in traveling too fast. I keep Josh on trial.
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He promises reformation. He knows fully his fate. My best
regards to mister and missus Purviance, and to mister Lay
and family, Captain Nicholson and wife, mister Stewart and wife,
and all friends. Tell mister Purviance and Captain Nicholson, I
shall write them fully in a day or two and
determine all matters to their satisfaction. I am now so
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worried that I cannot even steal time to write them. Now,
Tell mister Purviance, I received his letter by post and
will forward the letters he enclosed me to Boston and
Newbury tomorrow. Pray let doctor Wisenhall know that I received
his letter and am much obliged for his attention to
the child, and that I will do everything in my
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power for the gentleman who he mentions in his letter.
You will recompense him for calling to see the child.
Remember me to all the family. If Nancy inclines to
come in the wagon, and you may like it, she
may come. Do as you like in every instance. My
love to miss Katie. Tell her if any anything is
left behind, I shall have at her. For she ransacked
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when we left Philadelphia, and she must do the same now.
The opinion of some seems to be that the troops
will leave New York, where bound. None yet know one
thing I know that they can't at present come here.
Perhaps they are going to Boston or up North River.
Time will discover, never fear, we shall get the day
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finally with the smiles of heaven. Do take precious care
of our dear little Lydia, and you I long to
see you, take care of yourself. I am my dear girl,
yours most affectionately, John Hancock. Do let Harry buy and
bring one or two bushels of parsnips, bring all the wine.
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None to be got here. Such was the plight of
the official who represented the presidency in the incoit and
formative period of transition from colonial to national life in America.
The externals of Congress were primitive enough. There was no
Supreme Court and no imitation of the Court of Saint
James of which Hancock had a glimpse sixteen years before.
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Now as President of Congress, he was living with a
servant or two in a cottage. His state papers, his correspondents,
and his meals a good deal mixed.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
On a single table.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
His head seems to be in a similar condition, giving
his long epistles and the saltatory style of a writer
whose mind is distracted by a diversity of cares, to
which is added the manner of a husband and father
who hurries his family's homecoming with now and then a
suspicion that haste may be inconvenient to them. He writes
everything as it comes into his head, forgetting sometimes what
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he has already mentioned. A vivid imagine is not needed
to picture missus Hancock reading these successive letters. Perhaps their
length and frequency discouraged her attempts to answer them. Evidently
she waited to reply in person when she should have
accomplished the miles from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Her stay there, however,
was short. The heat of the city made it desirable
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to take herself and the child into Massachusetts, leaving her
husband to fare as he might during the remainder of
the session. From his letters, it is plain that she
did not improve in her habits of correspondence. From New
York October eighteenth, seventeen seventy seven, he wrote, my dear Dolly,
I am now at this date and not a line
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from you, Not a single word have I heard from
you since your letter by Dodd immediately upon your arrival
at Worcester, which you may judge affects me not a little,
but I must submit, and will only say that I
expected Oftener to have been the object of your attention.
This is my sixth letter to you, the former ones
I hope you have received. By the completion of those letters,
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you will, I dare say, be apprehensive that my stay
here was nearly determined for the winter, and that I
had thoughts of soliciting your return to me. My thoughts
on that subject were for a season serious, but various
reasons have occurred to induce me to alter my resolutions,
and I am now to inform you that I have
come to a fixed determination to return to Boston for
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a short time, and I have notified Congress in form
of my intentions. You will, therefore please immediately, on receipt
of this, tell mister Spriggs to prepare the light carriage
and four horses, and himself to be ready to proceed
on to Hartford or Fairfield, as I shall hereafter direct
to meet me on the road. If my old black
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horses are not able to perform the journey, he must
hire two the particular time of my setting out, and
when I would have Spriggs come forward. You shall know
by DoD the express who I shall dispatch tomorrow morning.
My present intention is to leave Congress in eight days,
but more particulars in my next I shall hope and
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must desire that you will take a seat in the
carriage and meet me on the road, which will much
advantage your health, and you may be assured will be
highly satisfactory to me. And I have desired mister Bant
to accompany you in the carriage, and when we meet,
he can take my sulky and I return with you
in the carriage to town. Mister Bant must hire or
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borrow a servant to attend you on horseback, as Harry
and ned are both with me, and Joe is not suitable.
My dear, I hope your health will admit of your
coming with mister Brandt. I long to see you. I
shall close all my business in three days, and indeed
have nearly finished, and when once I set out, shall
travel with great speed. Nothing shall prevent my seeing you soon.
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With the leave of providence, but a prevention of passing
the North River, I shall push hard to get over,
even if I go as far as Albany. I need
not tell you there will be no occasion of you
writing me after the receipt of this My best wishes
attend you for every good I have much to say,
which I leave to a cheerful evening with you in person.
(27:00):
God bless you, my dear Dolly. I am yours most affectionately,
John Hancock. The reader will discern a faintly imperative mood
in this letter, owing perhaps to the neglect with which
the writer thinks he has been treated, and not without
some reason for his opinion. However, he is not so
cast down that he cannot write once more, as will
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appear later within the week. Preceding the date of this letter,
Hancock had asked Congress for two months leave of absence.
In the following communication, Gentlemen, Friday last completed two years
and five months since you did me the honor of
electing me to fill this chair. As I could never
flatter myself, your choice proceeded from any idea of my abilities,
(27:44):
but rather from a partial opinion of my attachment to
the liberties of America. I felt myself under the strongest
obligations to discharge the duties of the office, and I
accepted the appointment with the firmest resolutions to go through
the business annexed to it. In the bed best manner,
I was able. Every argument conspired to make me exert myself,
and I endeavored to buy industry and attention to make
(28:07):
up for every other deficiency As to my conduct, both
in and out of Congress in the execution.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Of your business.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
It is improper for me to say anything.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
You are the best judges.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
But I think I shall be forgiven if I say
I have spared no expense or labor to gratify your
wishes and to accomplish the views of Congress. My health
being much impaired, I find some relaxation absolutely necessary after
such constant application.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
I must therefore request.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Your indulgence for a leave of absence for two months.
But I cannot take my departure, gentlemen, without expressing my
thanks for the civility and politeness I have experienced from you.
It is impossible to maintain this without a heartfelt pleasure.
If any expressions have dropped from my lips which have
given offense to any member during the long period that
(28:57):
I have had the honor to fill this chair, I
hope they would be passed over, for they were prompted
by no unkind motive may every happiness, gentlemen, attend you,
both as members of this House and as individuals. And
I pray Heaven that unanimity and preseverance may go hand
in hand in this House, and that everything which may
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tend to distract or divide your counsels be forever banished.
In response to this address, a motion was made on
the day when he took leave of Congress to present
him with the thanks of that body for the admirable
discharge of his duties. But opposition came from an unexpected quarter,
when New England delegates, for reasons of their own, defeated
the motion on the pretense that it was injudicious to
(29:40):
pass complimentary resolutions in the case of any president. Samuel
Adams got the credit of being responsible for this affront,
which Hancock resented to the extent of breaking with his
friend after his return to Boston. In this he had
numerous partisans to join with him, to the disadvantage of Adams,
and to the maintenance of an ill feeling which lasted
(30:02):
for years. Hancock had not forgotten the matter of electing
a commander in chief, which both the atomses were active
and influential overlooking merits which he at least thought worthy
of consideration. Here was an opportunity to atone in part
for that slight which his colleagues had not only neglected,
but had added another indignity to the first, when a
(30:24):
compliment would have been freely paid him by general consent.
The entire question of the enmity between Hancock and Adams
is not settled by mention of any single cause or occasion.
They were members of two parties that sprang up in Congress.
They belonged to two divergent social castes. Their habits of
thought and views of policy were not alike, Their ambitions
(30:47):
were in different directions, and there was no strong tie
to bind them closer. As the revolution proceeded towards the
organization of a new republic, where each man should find
his own, the early need of each for the other vanished.
Soon it was to be every man for himself. End
of Chapter fifteen, Part one,
Chapter fifteen, Part one of John Hancock, The Picturesque Patriot
by Lorenzo Siers. This LibriVox recording is in the public
domain President of Congress. Coincident with the declaration of independence,
a movement was started for the confederation of the colonies.
To accomplish even a loose connection between separate and jarring
(00:23):
states was a slower matter than to get them to
declare themselves sundered from Great Britain. Each colony was glad
of the company of the others in the chorus of
protests and assertion, but it meant that the freedom was
for each one personally and individually as a member of
a group. As a group united by nothing stronger than
(00:44):
common consent, there was little or no authority over any
particular member of it. They all had just thrown off
the control.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Of one king.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
They were in no haste to have another, whether Congress
or President. At the same time, the weakness and the
danger of disunion to these separate states, as they began
to call themselves, was growing more apparent every day. But
it was long before needful concessions to the idea of
federation could be obtained, and longer still before it was
(01:14):
cordially accepted states, rights chartered, inherent and imminent were the
materials out of which the fabric of a nation was
to be built, and the incongruous stones and timbers were
not to be assembled in the day, Nor have their
distinctive peculiarities been entirely lost. After a century and a third,
(01:34):
it is sometimes forgotten how much longer the thought of
separatism and individualism prevailed throughout the colonial period than has
that of union in the national period. Thirty three years
are yet to pass before the last period will equal
the first. But it would take more than one decade
to eradicate the political theories and habits to which the
(01:56):
nation has become accustomed in one hundred and thirty six years.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
The same was truer.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
Of a people whose notions of local rights had been
undisturbed for one hundred sixty nine years from the first
permanent settlement of Virginia in sixteen oh seven, or for
one hundred fifty six years in Massachusetts, with corresponding periods
in other colonies. To this new plan of confederation. Congress
devoted its attention in seventeen seventy seven with the greater courage,
(02:25):
because the clouds over the army were clearing, and the
hopes of the people were reviving. Some, to be sure,
saw in a final victory freedom, chiefly for their own
commonwealth to pursue its sectional schemes, recalling the evil proverb
for the fate of the Hindmost in the main, however,
Congress had been a school for mutual instruction, opening blind
(02:49):
eyes to unsuspected or unadmitted excellencies and others, teaching also
the necessity of daily yielding something to the commonwelfare and
to the opinion of the greater number.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Those who had.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Been learners in this school of political science went home
to teach the people and to turn public opinion out
of the channels in which it had run for a
century and a half since, back to the people. The
question of confederation, like that of independence, was to be
referred for ultimate decision. Some of the principalities had already
(03:24):
been framing new governments to fit the new conditions of
entire self government. Now they were to be asked what
they were willing to contribute toward the unity of all.
It was a new proposition, regarded with suspicion and approached
with reluctance. It was not until they realized that their
separation from Great Britain and their isolation from each other
(03:45):
debarred them from a place among the nations that the
colonies saw the necessity of some sort of alliance among
themselves in addition to their jealousy of one another. The
states grew more suspicious of Congress as the war elicited
acts which were interpreted as looking toward imperialism, of which
the direction of campaigns and a standing committee of five
(04:09):
to hear appeals in prize cases were instances. Some states
insisted on having a voice in privateering limitations, and all
of them were ready to send embarrassing instructions to their
deputies at every turn in affairs. All this diversity of
opinion in Congress and considerable officious ignorance outside made Hancock's
(04:31):
presidency more trying than that of later chairmen, because grounds
of difference were more radical than they are now after
the existence of the nation under constitutional legislation for a
century and a third. A further annoyance to the President
of Congress arose from its growing inefficiency through withdrawal of
its ablest members into missions abroad or governorships in their
(04:54):
respective states. This depletion paralleled the short terms of service
in the army, which would have ruined the American cause
by New Year's Day of seventeen seventy seven. If Washington's
crossing the Delaware on Christmas night and the Battle of
trenton the next day had not turned the tide of
affairs at its lowest ebb and kept homesick and heartsick
(05:15):
troops from abandoning the contest, Congressmen went home for a
different reason, especially when state elections were approaching or sailed
for foreign ports where their services might be needed. In
both cases, their experience was missed in Congress, and their
absence was not made good by new members. Twelve of
the thirteen who drew up the Plan of Confederation had
(05:38):
left when the debate on it began, and even Samuel
Adams the thirteenth was absent when the articles were adopted.
Newly appointed delegates brought their provincial antipathies with them, which
they often mistook for a patriotism that their predecessors had
lost in the abrasions of Congress and Philadelphia hospitality, but
which many of the earlier ones had by no means
(06:00):
thrown off. Benjamin Harrison compared Yankees in Congress to the
Grand Turk in his dominion, and Rutledge dreaded their overruling
influencing council, to which John Adams retorted, the Dawns, the Bashaws,
the Grandees, the Sachems, then the bobs call them by
what name you please, Si, grown, fret, and sometimes stamp
(06:23):
and foam and curse, but all in vain. This exchange
of amenities demanded a presiding officer of some tact and
great urbanity to keep the fathers of the Republic from
running into parliamentary riot. Small states feared the large, whose
territory stretched.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
To the Pacific.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
The Wyoming Valley was a bone between Connecticut and Pennsylvania,
the Green Mountain Pastures another between New York and New Hampshire,
and Vermont Asking admittance as an independent state made.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
New York and New England. Bristol and Growl.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Lafayette thought that parties in Congress hated one another as
much as they hated the enemy, and Washington wrote that
Congresses rent by party business of personal concernment, withdrawing attention
from matters of great national moment. Sometimes not more than
twelve members were in attendance. Hancock was a man of
(07:18):
two large commercial and political experience to look down upon
the House from his chair in his judicial capacity and
not understand the causes of bickering and distrust. If the
original members could have kept together, there would have been
better hope of eventual harmony through acquaintance and discussion. Instead,
each session brought new men to thresh over the chaff
(07:41):
that had been sufficiently pounded.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Before their arrival.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Nothing could be more wearying to a chairman or require
more patience. Then there were questions about proportionate influence, privilege,
and representation in the new government. Deputies had to contend
for those upon the demand of their constituencies. How many
votes each state should have and what share of funds
it should contribute. Franklin doubted whether the whale would swallow
(08:10):
Jonah or the reverse. Finally, it was decided to vote
by states and to contribute according to land values. Trimming
the states that reached to the Mississippi and the South
Sea was a longer task, which delayed the final adoption
of the Articles of Confederation. Three months were consumed in
getting its terms agreed upon by Congress. Amidst no end
(08:33):
of amendment and revision to be sent out to the
States in its final form on the seventeenth of November
seventeen seventy seven, the day of Burgoyne's surrender. This disastrous
blow to the enemy hastened the adoption of the Articles
of Confederation by the States and gave new hopes to
Americans here and to their friends abroad, especially in France,
(08:56):
which was waiting to send more freely and openly the
aid that had been promised and furnished covertly but generously
by individuals. Hancock began to feel the strain of his
difficult position in the wrangling over Articles of Confederation and
in the increasing labors consequent upon movements of the army
and the danger of the enemies occupying the city. He
(09:19):
was also contending with physical infirmities which the climate of
Philadelphia did not help to lessen, nor his unsatisfactory mode
of life and lodgings which he had taken after the
return of Congress from Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
He had left.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Missus Hancock in that city with an infant daughter named
Lydia Henchman for the aunt. The following letter gives a
glimpse of his lonely life Philadelphia, tenth March seventeen seventy seven,
My dear Dolly, my detention at the ferry and the
badness of the roads prevented my arriving here until Friday evening.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
I put my.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Things into mister Williams's house and went in pursuit of lodgings.
Neither Missus Yard nor Lucy could accommodate me. I then
went to Smith's and borrowed two blankets, and returned to
my own house, soon after which Missus Smith sent me
up a very handsome supper with a tablecloth, knives and forks, plates, salt,
(10:18):
a print of butter, tea double refined sugar, a bowl
of cream, a loaf of bread, et cetera, et cetera.
Here I have remained, and shall do so waiting your arrival. Indeed,
Missus Smith obliged me much. I, however, lead a doleful,
lonesome life, though on Saturday I dined at doctor Shippen's.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
He desires his regards. He is as lonesome as I.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
On Saturday I sat down to dinner at the little
table with Folger on a piece of roast beef with potatoes.
We drank your health with all our Baltimore friend. Last
night Miss Lucy came to see me, and this morning,
while I was at breakfast on tea with a pewter teaspoon,
missus Hard came in. She could not stay to breakfast
(11:05):
with me. I spend my evenings at home, snuffed my
candles with a pair of scissors, which Lucy seeing sent
me a pair of snuffers, and dipping gravy out of
the dish with.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
My pewter teaspoon.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
She sent me a large silver spoon and two silver spoons.
That I am now quite rich. I shall make out
as well as I can. But I assure you, my
dear soul, I long to have you here, and I
know you will be as expeditious as you can. When
I part from you again, it must be a very
extraordinary occasion. I have sent everywhere to get a gold
(11:40):
or silver rattle for the child with a coral to send,
but cannot get one. I will have one if possible,
on your coming. I have sent a sash for her
and two little papers of pins for you.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
If you do not want.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Them, you can give them away. However, unsettled things may
be help sending for you, as I cannot live this way.
We have an abundance of lies. The current report is
that General Howe is bent on coming here. Another report
is that the merchants at New York are packing their
goods and putting them on board ships, and that the
(12:15):
troops are going away, neither of which I believe. We must, however,
take our chances. This you may depend on, that you
will ever be the object of my utmost care and attention.
I have been exceedingly busy since I have been here,
though I have not yet made a congress. Are waiting
for the South Carolina. Gentleman, if Captain Hammond is arrived
(12:39):
with any things from Boston, you will have them put
in the wagons and brought here. If she should not
be arrived, leave the receipt with mister s Purviance, and
desire him to receive the things and send them to me.
The enclosed letter. Give to mister Newhouse, one of the wagoneers,
send for him, and let him know when you will
(13:00):
be ready. I hope you will be able to pack
up all your things quickly and have them on the way,
and that you will soon follow. Be careful in packing,
and do not leave anything behind. Let Harry see that
everything is safely stored in the wagons. I send mister McCloskey,
and he will be very useful.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
I am confident.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Mister and missus Hilligas will assist you. Pray my best
regards to them. I have not had time to go
by their house, but intend it today and shall write
mister Hilligas by the post. Young mister Hilligas got here
on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
He is well. He delivered me your letter and one
from his father.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I was succeeding glad to hear from you, and hope
soon to receive another letter. I know you will set
off as soon as you can, endeavor to make good stages.
You may easily lodge at mister Stell's at Bush the
first night. It is a good house. However, I must
leave those matters to you, as the road must in
great megas determine your stages. I do not imagine there
(14:03):
is any danger of smallpox on the road. Wilmington is
the most dangerous, but go on to Chester. I want
to get somebody cleaver to accompany you. I hope to
send one to you, but if I should not be able,
you must make out as well as you can.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Eleven March.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I will write by the post tomorrow. I can't add
as I am now called on. I hope no accident
will happen and closed. You have a few memo as
to package, etc. Which I submit to your perusal. My
best regards to mister and Missus Purviance, Captain Nicholson and
Lady mister Luise, and family and indeed all friends. My
(14:44):
love to miss Katie and tell her to ransack the
house and leave nothing behind. The wagoneers will attend you
at all time. Remember me to all the family. May
every blessing of an indulgent providence attend you. I most
sincerely wish you a good journe and hope I shall soon,
very soon have the happiness of seeing you with the
(15:05):
utmost affection and love. My dear Dolly, I am yours forever.
John Hancock, doctor Bond called on me, desired his compliments.
He will inoculate the child as soon as it comes.
Missus Washington got here on Saturday. I went to see her.
She told me she drank tea with you. Let Harry
(15:27):
take the continental horse, saddle and bridle that I left
at mister Purviance's and tell mister purviance to charge his
keeping in his public credit. If Captain Hardy returns the
horse I lent him with the saddle and bridle, he
must also come get the heavy wagon off as soon
as you can, that they may be here as early
as possible, as we shall much want the.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Things after you get here.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I have got your bundle safe with the petticoat table cloth,
and I have not sent it, as I thought you
would not want it. In the evening of the day
on which he finish this letter, he wrote another of
similar length and substance, apparently to serve as a diversion
in his solitude. It must have taken him a good
part of the night to write it. Philadelphia, eleventh March
(16:12):
seventeen seventy seven, nine o'clock evening, My dearest Dolly, no
congress today, and I have been busily employed, as you
can conceive, quite lonesome, and in a domestic situation that ought.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
To be relieved as speedily as possible.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
This relief depends upon you, and the greater dispatch you make,
and the sooner you arrive here, the more speedy will
be my relief. I dispatched Harry McCloskey and Denis this
morning with horses and a wagon as winged messengers to
bring you along. God grant you a speedy and safe
journey to me. Mister pluck Rose, the bearer of this
(16:50):
going for missus Morris, I have engaged him to proceed
on to Baltimore to deliver you this. I wrote you
this morning to bring all the things that came from
Austin to this place. But should they be landed before
you leave Baltimore, I could wish you would present one
quintol of the saltfish and three or four loaves of
the sugar to mister Samuel perviance, or in case they
(17:13):
should not be landed, leave directions to have these articles
taken out and presented to mister p with our compliments.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I forget what other things.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
There are, but if you choose to make presents of
any of them, I pray you to do it.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
If in the prosecution of.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Your journey you can avoid lodging at the head of
elk I wish you would. It is not so good
as the other houses, but this must depend on circumstances.
I wish you to make your journey as agreeable as possible.
Should any gentlemen and ladies accompany you out of town.
Do send mister McClaskey forward to order a handsome dinner,
(17:49):
and I beg you to pay every expense. Order McCloskey
to direct the landlord not to receive a single farthing
from anyone, but by your direction in order a genteel
dinner plenty. If mister Thompson cannot be ready with his
wagons as soon as you.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Are, do not wait.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
But part of the guard with an officer, must attend yours,
and part be left to guard his. I only wish
to have you here, And if you cannot readily attend
to the return of the things borrowed of mister Duggan,
leave them in the care of some trusty person to
deliver them and pay him for his trouble. Am I
not to have another letter from you? Surely I must.
(18:29):
I shall send off mister rush or Tailor tomorrow or
next day to meet you. I wish I could do
better for you, but we must rough it. I am
so harassed with applications and have been sending off expresses
to call all the members here that I have as
much as I can turn my hands to. I don't
get down to dinner, catch a bit, I write, and
(18:51):
then add it again.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
The writing here is illegible.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
If it promotes the cause, I am happy. Do beg
mister Hilligos to send some money by my wagons, or
I shall be worn out with applications. Pray him to
take pity on me. I have lent my own stalk
already to stop some mouths my respects to mister and
missus Hilligos. They must excuse my not writing now.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I have not seen their.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Sons since he delivered me your letter. I asked him
to call, but I suppose he is so engaged with
his connection he has not had time. I could wish
to have it in my power to do him any service.
For the great regard I bear to his worthy parents.
I assure you I really love them. I wish they
were coming with you. I could then have a family,
(19:36):
or I could, with pleasure go and ask them a
hundred questions and take a thousand liberties with them that
I cannot do in any family now here. I shall
regret their absence, but I am determined to make a
point of having them up, for I cannot attend to
the applications that are made to me in consequence of
the Treasurer's absence.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
He must come.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
He shall come if if I have any influence. Lucy
and Nancy called on me. I was busy over papers.
We drank a glass together to our Baltimore friends. I
waited on them home and returned to my cottage. Joe
comes in with a plate of minced veal that I
must stop. I shall take the plate in one hand,
the knife in the other, without cloth or any comfort,
(20:21):
and eat a little, and then to writing, for I
have not room on the table to put a plate.
I am up to the eyes and papers and you
for the present the enclosed letter Lucy just sent.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Me for you.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
Supper is over. No relish nor shall I have till
I have you here. And I wish mister and missus
Hilligos to join us at supper on Tuesday evening, when
I shall expect you. I shall have fires made and
everything ready for your reception. Though I don't mean to
hurry you beyond measure. Do as you like. Don't fatigue
yourself in traveling too fast. I keep Josh on trial.
(20:59):
He promises reformation. He knows fully his fate. My best
regards to mister and missus Purviance, and to mister Lay
and family, Captain Nicholson and wife, mister Stewart and wife,
and all friends. Tell mister Purviance and Captain Nicholson, I
shall write them fully in a day or two and
determine all matters to their satisfaction. I am now so
(21:21):
worried that I cannot even steal time to write them. Now,
Tell mister Purviance, I received his letter by post and
will forward the letters he enclosed me to Boston and
Newbury tomorrow. Pray let doctor Wisenhall know that I received
his letter and am much obliged for his attention to
the child, and that I will do everything in my
(21:41):
power for the gentleman who he mentions in his letter.
You will recompense him for calling to see the child.
Remember me to all the family. If Nancy inclines to
come in the wagon, and you may like it, she
may come. Do as you like in every instance. My
love to miss Katie. Tell her if any anything is
left behind, I shall have at her. For she ransacked
(22:04):
when we left Philadelphia, and she must do the same now.
The opinion of some seems to be that the troops
will leave New York, where bound. None yet know one
thing I know that they can't at present come here.
Perhaps they are going to Boston or up North River.
Time will discover, never fear, we shall get the day
(22:24):
finally with the smiles of heaven. Do take precious care
of our dear little Lydia, and you I long to
see you, take care of yourself. I am my dear girl,
yours most affectionately, John Hancock. Do let Harry buy and
bring one or two bushels of parsnips, bring all the wine.
(22:44):
None to be got here. Such was the plight of
the official who represented the presidency in the incoit and
formative period of transition from colonial to national life in America.
The externals of Congress were primitive enough. There was no
Supreme Court and no imitation of the Court of Saint
James of which Hancock had a glimpse sixteen years before.
(23:06):
Now as President of Congress, he was living with a
servant or two in a cottage. His state papers, his correspondents,
and his meals a good deal mixed.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
On a single table.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
His head seems to be in a similar condition, giving
his long epistles and the saltatory style of a writer
whose mind is distracted by a diversity of cares, to
which is added the manner of a husband and father
who hurries his family's homecoming with now and then a
suspicion that haste may be inconvenient to them. He writes
everything as it comes into his head, forgetting sometimes what
(23:41):
he has already mentioned. A vivid imagine is not needed
to picture missus Hancock reading these successive letters. Perhaps their
length and frequency discouraged her attempts to answer them. Evidently
she waited to reply in person when she should have
accomplished the miles from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Her stay there, however,
was short. The heat of the city made it desirable
(24:04):
to take herself and the child into Massachusetts, leaving her
husband to fare as he might during the remainder of
the session. From his letters, it is plain that she
did not improve in her habits of correspondence. From New
York October eighteenth, seventeen seventy seven, he wrote, my dear Dolly,
I am now at this date and not a line
(24:25):
from you, Not a single word have I heard from
you since your letter by Dodd immediately upon your arrival
at Worcester, which you may judge affects me not a little,
but I must submit, and will only say that I
expected Oftener to have been the object of your attention.
This is my sixth letter to you, the former ones
I hope you have received. By the completion of those letters,
(24:47):
you will, I dare say, be apprehensive that my stay
here was nearly determined for the winter, and that I
had thoughts of soliciting your return to me. My thoughts
on that subject were for a season serious, but various
reasons have occurred to induce me to alter my resolutions,
and I am now to inform you that I have
come to a fixed determination to return to Boston for
(25:09):
a short time, and I have notified Congress in form
of my intentions. You will, therefore please immediately, on receipt
of this, tell mister Spriggs to prepare the light carriage
and four horses, and himself to be ready to proceed
on to Hartford or Fairfield, as I shall hereafter direct
to meet me on the road. If my old black
(25:30):
horses are not able to perform the journey, he must
hire two the particular time of my setting out, and
when I would have Spriggs come forward. You shall know
by DoD the express who I shall dispatch tomorrow morning.
My present intention is to leave Congress in eight days,
but more particulars in my next I shall hope and
(25:51):
must desire that you will take a seat in the
carriage and meet me on the road, which will much
advantage your health, and you may be assured will be
highly satisfactory to me. And I have desired mister Bant
to accompany you in the carriage, and when we meet,
he can take my sulky and I return with you
in the carriage to town. Mister Bant must hire or
(26:14):
borrow a servant to attend you on horseback, as Harry
and ned are both with me, and Joe is not suitable.
My dear, I hope your health will admit of your
coming with mister Brandt. I long to see you. I
shall close all my business in three days, and indeed
have nearly finished, and when once I set out, shall
travel with great speed. Nothing shall prevent my seeing you soon.
(26:37):
With the leave of providence, but a prevention of passing
the North River, I shall push hard to get over,
even if I go as far as Albany. I need
not tell you there will be no occasion of you
writing me after the receipt of this My best wishes
attend you for every good I have much to say,
which I leave to a cheerful evening with you in person.
(27:00):
God bless you, my dear Dolly. I am yours most affectionately,
John Hancock. The reader will discern a faintly imperative mood
in this letter, owing perhaps to the neglect with which
the writer thinks he has been treated, and not without
some reason for his opinion. However, he is not so
cast down that he cannot write once more, as will
(27:21):
appear later within the week. Preceding the date of this letter,
Hancock had asked Congress for two months leave of absence.
In the following communication, Gentlemen, Friday last completed two years
and five months since you did me the honor of
electing me to fill this chair. As I could never
flatter myself, your choice proceeded from any idea of my abilities,
(27:44):
but rather from a partial opinion of my attachment to
the liberties of America. I felt myself under the strongest
obligations to discharge the duties of the office, and I
accepted the appointment with the firmest resolutions to go through
the business annexed to it. In the bed best manner,
I was able. Every argument conspired to make me exert myself,
and I endeavored to buy industry and attention to make
(28:07):
up for every other deficiency As to my conduct, both
in and out of Congress in the execution.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Of your business.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
It is improper for me to say anything.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
You are the best judges.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
But I think I shall be forgiven if I say
I have spared no expense or labor to gratify your
wishes and to accomplish the views of Congress. My health
being much impaired, I find some relaxation absolutely necessary after
such constant application.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
I must therefore request.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Your indulgence for a leave of absence for two months.
But I cannot take my departure, gentlemen, without expressing my
thanks for the civility and politeness I have experienced from you.
It is impossible to maintain this without a heartfelt pleasure.
If any expressions have dropped from my lips which have
given offense to any member during the long period that
(28:57):
I have had the honor to fill this chair, I
hope they would be passed over, for they were prompted
by no unkind motive may every happiness, gentlemen, attend you,
both as members of this House and as individuals. And
I pray Heaven that unanimity and preseverance may go hand
in hand in this House, and that everything which may
(29:17):
tend to distract or divide your counsels be forever banished.
In response to this address, a motion was made on
the day when he took leave of Congress to present
him with the thanks of that body for the admirable
discharge of his duties. But opposition came from an unexpected quarter,
when New England delegates, for reasons of their own, defeated
the motion on the pretense that it was injudicious to
(29:40):
pass complimentary resolutions in the case of any president. Samuel
Adams got the credit of being responsible for this affront,
which Hancock resented to the extent of breaking with his
friend after his return to Boston. In this he had
numerous partisans to join with him, to the disadvantage of Adams,
and to the maintenance of an ill feeling which lasted
(30:02):
for years. Hancock had not forgotten the matter of electing
a commander in chief, which both the atomses were active
and influential overlooking merits which he at least thought worthy
of consideration. Here was an opportunity to atone in part
for that slight which his colleagues had not only neglected,
but had added another indignity to the first, when a
(30:24):
compliment would have been freely paid him by general consent.
The entire question of the enmity between Hancock and Adams
is not settled by mention of any single cause or occasion.
They were members of two parties that sprang up in Congress.
They belonged to two divergent social castes. Their habits of
thought and views of policy were not alike, Their ambitions
(30:47):
were in different directions, and there was no strong tie
to bind them closer. As the revolution proceeded towards the
organization of a new republic, where each man should find
his own, the early need of each for the other vanished.
Soon it was to be every man for himself. End
of Chapter fifteen, Part one,
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