Diary and Autobiography of John Adams (1823)

by John Adams

As is true of many Founding Fathers, John Adams was a man whose presence in American history is both diverse and foundational. Born in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1735, Adams pursued a career in law and became an early advocate for republican government the American colonies. He gained prominence with his legal defense of British soldiers during the Boston Massacre, and he would shortly after serve in both the First and Second Continental Congresses, where he would be closely involved with the push for the Declaration of Independence. After his time in the Continental Congress, he began a lengthy career abroad, serving as an ambassador in France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain and notably leading the delegation which negotiated the Treaty of Paris. After returning to the United States, Adams was elected as the nation's first Vice President, serving from 1789-1797. Afterwards, he would serve one term as president, memorable for two intense elections against Thomas Jefferson, a quasi-war with France, and the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts. In his private life, Adams is remembered for his unique partnership with his wife Abigail Adams and his early moral opposition to slavery.

Over the course of his life, John Adams kept a detailed diary, beginning around the time of his graduation from Harvard in 1775. The diary, kept until 1804, includes Adams's observations and reflections on historical events from the French and Indian War to shortly before his presidency in 1796. Adams's notes are both practical and personal, including both minutiae about chores and procedures alongside his feelings and raw opinions written down in the midst of historical upheaval. The detailed notetaking Adams utilized in his diary preserved details found nowhere else about speeches and interactions in the Continental Congress and other important historical events. Several of the speeches Adams chose to record are George Wythe's from his time in the Continental Congress, providing Wythe biographers an important lens on Wythe's role and character while serving as a delegate.

Alongside his diary, Adams also wrote a private autobiography intended for use by his family, stretching from his early life until 1780. In his autobiography, Adams expounds upon his experiences in a more organized fashion, revealing extensively his personal relationships with many significant figures from the Revolutionary Era, including George Wythe. Over the course of the autobiography, Adams discusses his thought process in depth, contextualizing his decisions during significant moments in his career. For example, Adams discusses both the origin of his Thoughts on Government as a letter to Wythe, as well as his decision to publish it as a course correction from Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Taken together, the Diary and Autobiography provide two parallel accounts of history through John Adams's eyes: the raw, unfiltered series of snapshots in time found in the diary and the deeper, contemplative personal narrative Adams records in his autobiography.

Both texts remained private for many years, with a partial publication of the diary occurring first in 1851. In 1954, the Massachusetts Historical Society began working to publish Adams's papers, culminating in the 1961 publication of four volumes as the Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. This text was the first of The Adams Papers project, which grew to include 46 volumes of writings from both John Adams and other members of the Adams family, including his son, sixth president John Quincy Adams.

Source Text: Adams, John. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, edited by L. H. Butterfield. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1962.

Excerpts referring to Wythe

Volume 2

Page 172

1775. SEPTR. 15. FRYDAY.

...Thomas Nelson Esquire, George Wythe Esqr., and Francis Lightfoot Lee Esq. appeared as Delegates from Virginia. Nelson is a fat Man, like the late Coll. Lee of Marblehead. He is a Speaker, and alert and lively, for his Weight. Wythe is a Lawyer, it is said of the first Eminence. Lee is a brother of Dr. Arthur, the late Sheriff of London, and our old Friend Richard Henry, sensible, and patriotic, as the rest of the Family.

Page 195

[Notes of Debates, Continued] OCTR. 6.

Wythe. It was from a Reverence for this Congress that the Convention of Virginia, neglected to arrest Lord Dunmore. It was not intended suddenly, to form a Precedent for Govr. Tryon. If Maryland have a Desire to have a Share in the Glory of seizing this Nobleman, let them have it. The 1st objection is the Impracticability of it.—I dont [sic] say that it is practicable, but the attempt can do no harm. From seizing Cloathing [sic] in Delaware, seizing the Transports &c., the Battles of Lexington, Charlestown, &c., every Man in Great Britain will be convinced by Ministry and Parliament that We are aiming at an Independency on G.B. Therefore We need not fear from this Step disaffecting our Friends in England. As to a Defection in the Colonies, I cant [sic] answer for Maryland, Pennsylvania, &c. but I can for Virginia.

Page 208

[Notes of Debates, Continued] OCT. 12.

Wythe. Agrees with the Gentleman from N. York [John Jay] that We dont [sic] proceed regularly. The Safety of America depends essentially on a Union of the People in it. Can We think that Union will be preserved if 4 Colonies are exempted. When N. York Assembly did not approve the Procedings [sic] of the Congress it was not only murmured at, but lamented as a Defection from the public Cause. When Attica was invaded by the Lacedemonians, Pericles ordered an Estate to be ravaged and laid waste because he tho't [sic] it would be exempted, by the Spartan King. Nothing was ever more unhappily applied, than the fable of the Stomach and the Limbs.

Page 211

[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] OCT. 20.

Wythe. The only Persons who can be affected by this Resolution are those, whom on the other side the Water will be called Smugglers. Consider the danger these Smugglers will run—lyable [sic] to seizure by C. House officers, by Men of War at Sea, and by Custom house officers in the Port they go to. What can they bring. Cash, Powder, or foreign Manuactures. Cant [sic] see the least Reason for restraining our Trade, as little can be carried on. My Opinion is We had better open our Trade altogether. It has long been my Opinion, and I have heard no Arguments vs. it.

Pages 214-215

[Notes of Debates, Continued] OCTR. 21.

Wythe. The Rule that the Question should be put upon the last Motion that is made and seconded—this is productive of great Confusion in our Debates—6 or 7 motions at once. Commerce, whether we consider it, in an Economical, a moral, or political Light appears to be a great Good. Civility and Charity, as well as Knowledge are promoted by it. The Auri Sacra Fames is a fine Subject for Philosophers and Orators to display themselves upon. But the abuse of a thing is not an Argument vs. it. If the Gentleman was possessed of Philosophers Stone or Fortunatus's Cap, would he not oblige the Continent with the Use of it.

Why should not America have a Navy? No maritime Power, near the Sea Coast, can be safe without it. It is no Chimaera. The Romans suddenly built one in their Carthaginian War. Why may We not lay a Foundation for it. We abound with Furs [Fir trees], Iron ore, Tar, Pitch, Turpentine. We have all the materials for construction of a Navy. No Country exceeds us in Felicity of Climate or Fertility of Soil. America is one of the Wings upon which the British Eagle has soared to the Skies. I am sanguine, and enthusiastical [sic] enough to wish and to hope, that it will be sung that America inter Nubila condit. British Navy will never be able to effect our Destruction. Before the days of Minus, Natives round the Archipelago carried on piratical Wars. The Moors carry on such Wars now, but the Pillars of Hercules are their Ne Plus ultra. We are too far off, for Britain to carry on a Piratical War. We shall sometime or other rise superiour to all the difficulties they may thro in our Way.—I wont [sic] there is none that doeth good in Britain, no not one, but I will say she has not righteous Persons enough to save their State. They hold those Things honorable which please em [sic] and those for just which profit em [sic].

I know of no Instance where a Colony has revolted and a foreign Nation has interposed to subdue them. But many of the Contrary. If France and Spain should furnish Ships and Soldiers, England must pay them! Where are her Finances. Why should We divert our People from Commerce and banish our Seamen.

Our Petition may be declared to be received graciously and promised to be laid before Parliament. But We can expect no success from it. Have they ever condescended to take Notice of you. Rapine, Depopulation, Murder. Turn your Eyes to Concord, Lexington, Charlestown, Bristol, N. York—there you see the Character of Ministry and Parliament. We shall distress our Enemies by stopping Trade. Granted. But how will the small Quantities we shall be able to export, supply our Enemies. Tricks may be practised. If desire of Gain prevails with Merchants so does Caution against Risques [sic].

Page 220

[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. OCTR. 30TH. MONDAY.

Wythe, Nelson, and Lee for fitting out 4 ships.

Page 229

[Notes of Debates in the Continental Congress] 1775. FEB. [16].

Wythe. The Ports will be open the 1st. March. The Q. is whether We shall shutt em up [sic]. Faece Romuli non Republica Platonis. Americans will hardly live without Trade. It is said our Trade will be of no Advantage to Us, because our Vessells [sic] will be taken, our Enemies will be supplied, the W.I. will be supplied at our Expence. This is too true, unless We can provide a Remedy. Our Virginia Convention have resolved, that our Ports be opened to all Nations that will trade with us, except G.B., I. and W.I. If the Inclination of the People, should become universal to trade, We must open our Ports. Merchants will not export our Produce, unless they get a Profit.

We might get some of our Produce to Markett [sic], by authorizing Adventurers to Arm themselves, and giving Letters of Mark—make Reprisals. 2d. by inviting foreign Powers to make Treaties of Commerce with us. But other things are to be considered, before such a Measure is adopted. In what Character shall We treat, as subjects of G.B.—as Rebells [sic]? Why should We be so fond of calling ourselves dutifull [sic] Subjects.

If We should offer our Trade to the Court of France, would they take Notice of it, any more than if Bristol or Liverpool should offer theirs, while We profess to be Subjects.—No. We must declare ourselves a free People. If We were to tell them, that after a Season, We would return to our Subjection to G.B., would not a foreign Court wish to have Something permanent. We should encourage our Fleet. I am convinced that our Fleet may become as formidable as We wish to make it. Moves a Resolution.

Page 238

[Residences of Delegates in Philadelphia, April? 1776.]

...Mr. Wythe in Chesnutt Street.

Volume 3

Pages 331-332

I dreaded the Effect so popular a pamphlet [Thomas Paine's Common Sense] might have, among the People, and determined to do all in my Power, to counter Act the Effect of it. My continued Occupations in Congress, allowed me no time to write any thing of any Length: but I found moments to write a small pamphlet which Mr. Richard Henry Lee, to whom I shewed [sic] it, liked so well that he insisted on my permitting him to publish it: He accordingly got Mr. Dunlap to print it, under the Tittle [sic] of Thoughts on Government in a Letter from a Gentleman to his Friend. Common Sense was published without a Name: and I thought it best to suppress my name too: but as common Sense when it first appeared was generally by the public ascribed to me or Mr. Samuel Adams, I soon regretted that my name did not appear. Afterward I had a new Edition of it printed with my name and the name of Mr. Wythe of Virginia to whom the Letter was at first intended to have been addressed.

Page 346

On the 17th of November, 1775. A letter from Gen. Washington, inclosing a Letter and Journal of Colonel Arnold, and sundry papers being received, the same were read, whereupon

Resolved that a Committee of seven be appointed to take into consideration so much of the Generals Letter, as relates to the disposal of such Vessells [sic] and Cargoes belonging to the Ennemy [sic], as shall fall into the hands of, or be taken by the Inhabitants of the United Colonies. The Members chosen Mr. Wythe, Mr. E. Rutledge, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. W. Livingston, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Johnson.

Page 362

Finding the house in a good disposition to hear me, I added I would go farther and chearfully [sic] consent to a Self denying Ordinance, that every Member of Congress before We proceeded to any question respecting Independence should take a solemn Oath never to accept or hold any Office of any kind in America, after the Revolution. Mr. Wythe of Virginia rose here and said Congress had no Right to exclude any of their Members from voting on these questions. Their constituents only had a right to restrain them. And that no Member had a right to take, nor Congress to prescribe any Engagement not to hold Offices after the Revolution or before. Again I replied that whether the Gentlemans Opinion was well or ill founded, I had only said that I was willing to consent to such an Arrangement.

Page 363

On the 9th. of Feb. 1776 The day on which Mr. Gerry and I took our Seats for this Year, sundry Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, Governor Trumbull, with Papers enclosed were read, and referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe, and Mr. Rutledge.

On the 14th. of Feb. 1776 sundry Letters from General Schuyler, General Wooster and General Arnold were read and referred with the Papers enclosed, to Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Chase.

Page 364

Saturday Feb. 17. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Arnold, Wooster, Schuyler and Lee were referred brought in their report, which was agreed to in the several Resolutions detailed in page 67. and 68 of this Volume of the Journals.

Same day Resolved that Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Sherman be Committee to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to Canada.

Page 367-368

[Benjamin Harrison V] was descended from one of the most ancient, wealthy and respectable Families in the ancient dominion, and seemed to be set up in Opposition to Mr. Richard Henry Lee. Jealousies and divisions appeared among the Delegates of no State more remarkably, than among those of Virginia. Mr. Wythe told me, that Thomas Lee the elder Brother of Richard Henry was the delight of the Eyes of Virginia and by far the most popular Man they had. But Richard Henry was not. I asked the reason, for Mr. Lee appeared a Schollar [sic], a Gentleman, a Man of uncommon Eloquence, and an agreable [sic] Man. Mr. Wythe said this was all true but Mr. Lee had when he was very young and when he first came into the House of Burgesses moved and urged on an Inquiry into the State of the Treasury which was found deficient in a large Sum, which had been lent by the Treasurer to many of the most influential Families of the Country, who found themselves exposed, and had never forgiven Mr. Lee. This he said had made him so many Enemies, that he never had recovered his Reputation, but was still heartily hated by great Numbers.

Page 371-372

Tuesday March 19. The order of the Day again. Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee have come to sundry Resolutions, which they directed him to lay before Congress. The Report of the Committee being read Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to draw a Declaration pursuant to said Report and lay the same before Congress. The Members chosen Mr. Wythe, Mr. Jay and Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wythe was one of our best Men, but Mr. Jay and Mr. Wilson, tho [sic] excellent Members when present, had been hitherto generally in favour of the dilatory System.

Resolved that it be an instruction to the said Committee to receive and insert a Clause or Clauses, that all Seamen and Mariners on board of Merchant Ships and Vessells [sic] taken and condemned as Prizes, shall be entitled to their pay, according to the Terms of their contracts, untill [sic] the time of condemnation.

Page 378

April 11. 1776. Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to enquire into the Truth of the Report respecting Governor Tryons exacting an Oath from Persons going by the Packet, and to ascertain the Fact, by Affidavits taken before a Chief Justice, or other Chief Magistrate. The Members chosen Mr. Jay, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Wilson. This helped forward our designs a little.

Page 378-379

Fryday April 19. Resolved that a Committee of seven be appointed to examine and ascertain the Value of the several Species of Gold and Silver Coins current in these colonies, and the Proportions they ought to bear to Spanish milled Dollars. Members chosen Mr. Duane, Mr. Wythe, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Whipple.

Page 380

Fryday May 3. 1776. A Petition from Peter Simon presented to Congress and read. Ordered that it be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe and Mr. J. Adams.

Page 398

This was the Convention, which formed the Constitution of New York, and Mr. Jay and Mr. Duane had Attended it as I suppose for the Purpose of getting a Plan adopted comfortable to my Ideas, in the Letter to Mr. Wythe which had been published in the Spring before. I presume this was the Fact, because Mr. Duane after his return to Congress, asked me if I had seen the Constitution of New York? I answered him, that I had. He then asked me if it was not agreable [sic] to my Ideas, as I had published them in my Letter to Mr. Wythe. I said I thought it by far the best Constitution that had yet been adopted.

Page 413

Tuesday August 27. 1776...Delegates from Virginia produced new Credentials. George Wythe, Thomas Nelson, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis Lightfoot Lee, Esqrs.

Page 436

Fryday. September 27. 1776. Two Letters of the 24th. and 25th from General Washington, with sundry Papers inclosed [sic]; one of the 20th. from the Convention of New York; one of the 22nd. from Joseph Trumbull; one of the 25th. from Jon. B. Smith requesting Leave to resign his office of Deputy Muster Master general were laid before Congress and read. Ordered that the Letters from General Washington, be referred to a Committee of five. The Members chosen Mr. Wythe, Mr. Hopkinson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Stone.

Page 437

Tuesday October 1. 1776...Resolved that a Committee of five be appointed to prepare and bring in a Plan of a military Accademy [sic] at the Army: The Members chosen Mr. Hooper, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Williams and Mr. J. Adams.

See also

• S. Bassett French Biographical Sketch
• Other Related Wythepedia Pages

External links

• Read this book in Google Books.