esses, etc., prepared by Samuel
Adams, and sent forth from the Massachusetts Convention.[388] He was a
man of blameless life (no relation to John Adams)--a rigid religionist
of the old Massachusetts Puritan stamp--a hater of England and of
British institutions, able and indefatigable in everything that might
tend to sever America from England, in regard to which his writings
exerted a powerful influence. He was the Corypheus of the Separatist
party in Boston, the Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence, and
wrote the Massachusetts circulars to other colonies.

It was only early in May, 1776, that the question of independence was
discussed in the General Congress. The Congress _recommended_ those
colonies whose Governors had left their governments, or were declared
disqualified on account of their oppressive and cruel conduct, to form
governments for themselves. This, however, was not understood as a
declaration of independence, but a temporary measure of necessity, to
prevent anarchy and confusion in the colonies concerned. This proceeding
was immediately followed by a more comprehensive measure intended to
feel the pulse of the colonies on the subject of independence.

The Congress had waited with considerable patience, and some anxiety,
the result of the late session of Parliament; they had forborne to do
anything which might not be justified upon the fair principles of
self-defence, until it appeared that the Ministry was resolved that
nothing short of the most abject submission should be the price of
accommodation. Early in May, therefore, the Congress adopted a measure
intended to sound the sentiments of the colonies on the subject of
independence. They stated the rejection of their petitions, and the
employment of foreign mercenaries to reduce them to obedience, and
concluded by declaring it expedient that all the colonies should proceed
to the establishment of such a form of government as their
representatives might think most conducive to the peace and happiness of
the people. This preamble and resolution were immediately forwarded; and
in a few days afterwards Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, gave notice to
the Congress that he should, on an appointed day, move for a
_Declaration of Independence_. This was accordingly done, but the
consideration of the question was postponed until the 1st of July--_so
timid, so wavering, so unwilling to break the maternal connection were
most of the members_.[389]

It is