Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/42

ADAMS.ADAMS. scenes, smokes his pipes, and goes to bed. The situation of the town is quite pleasant. . . but the school is indeed a school of affliction. A large number of little runtlings just capable of lisping A, B, C, and troubling the master. But Dr. Savil tells me for my comfort, 'by cultivating and pruning these tender plants in the garden of Worcester, I shall make some of them plants of renown and cedars of Lebanon.' However this be, I am certain that keeping this school any length of time would make a base weed and ignoble shrub of me." It was his father's wish that he should enter the ministry, and in various letters written to friends are found recorded his strong predilection for preaching. But, after long and careful deliberation, in which he weighed the advantages and disadvantages of a career as lawyer, doctor, clergyman, soldier, farmer and merchant, he finally decided to adopt the legal profession. His great objection to entering the ministry was the frigidity of Calvinism, and his father, respecting his views, though not coinciding with them, permitted him to follow his inclination in the matter. He was peculiarly adapted for the profession he had chosen; for, in addition to his superior mental endowment, he was possessed of a sound constitution, a clear, resonant voice, a lively sensibility, high moral sense, great self-confidence and oratorical gifts of a high order.

In September, 1756, he entered the office of Col. James Putnam, a distinguished lawyer of Worcester, and applied himself with great diligence to the study of the law, continuing his teaching in the meantime as a means of livelihood. He was admitted to the bar in 1758, being presented by Mr. Jeremy Gridley, then attorney-general of the province, and one of the most eminent lawyers and scholars of the time. It was upon the advice of Mr. Gridley, who entertained a high opinion of his ability, that he made an especial study of civil law, acquiring that complete mastery of the subject which was of such vital importance to him in after years. He commenced practice in the little village of Braintree and lived at the old homestead until his marriage. On October 25, 1764, Mr. Adams married Abigail, daughter of Rev. William Smith, pastor of the first Congregational church of Weymouth. Miss Abigail's older sister, Mary, had married Richard Cranch, a lawyer of some reputation and considerable wealth. The suit of Mr. Adams, who had neither fame nor fortune, was not looked upon with favor by any one at the parsonage save Miss Abigail herself. It was the custom in those days to have a marriage sermon, and Dr. Smith permitted his daughters to choose their own text. When Mary was married her text was, "Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." Father Smith emphasized "that good part," which was obedience. John and Abigail heard the sermon, and when the time came for Abigail to choose a text she selected, "John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'he hath a devil.'" Dr. Smith objected, but Abigail insisted, and the text was used to the great amusement of the friends and parishioners. Mr. Adams had great reason to delight himself in his wife; for, in addition to the fact that his marriage with her brought him into alliance with several families of note and influence, she was a woman of noble character, charming manner, calm judgment, ready resource, and uncompromising patriotism. The first year of his marriage was spent in Braintree, and he began to take an active part in the conduct of the affairs of the village. He had before held the office of surveyor of public highways, and he was now chosen selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor. But though he had not heretofore taken any prominent stand before the public, many passages from the early pages of his diary, and from letters written in young manhood, foreshadow the statesman and patriot he was destined to become. As early as 1755, during the dark days of the war with France, he had written: "All that part of creation which lies within our observation is liable to change. Even mighty states and kingdoms are not exempted. If we look into history we shall find some nations rising from contemptible beginnings and spreading their influence till the whole globe is subjected to their sway. When they have reached the summit of grandeur, some minute and unsuspected cause commonly effects their ruin, and the empire of the world is transferred to some other place. Immortal Rome was at first but an insignificant village, . . . but by degrees it rose to a stupendous height. . . . But the demolition of Carthage by removing all danger, suffered it (Rome) to sink into debauchery, and made it, at length, an easy prey to barbarians. England, immediately upon this, began to increase ... in power and magnificence; and is now the greatest nation upon the globe. Soon after the Reformation a few people came over into this new world, for conscience sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial incident may transfer the seat of empire into America. It looks likely to me." Here is exhibited the student looking into the past and seeing clearly by the aid of its light the glory of the future, unclouded by the gloom of the present. He saw, even at that early day, that it was only through union that the colonies could ever hope to achieve self-government. "The only way," wrote he, "to keep us from setting up for ourselves is to disunite us. Divide et impera."

The passage of the obnoxious Stamp Act in 1765 was the occasion which roused into action