Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1863-1930Published by The Foundation Press, Inc., c1932 July 28

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams meet at Jefferson’s lodgings, on the corner of Seventh and High (Market) streets in Philadelphia, to review a draft of the Declaration of Independence. Courtesy Library of Congress

“Last Night 3 Cargoes of Bohea Tea were emptied into the Sea. This Morning a Man of War sails. This is the most magnificent Movement of all. There is a Dignity, a Majesty, a Sublimity, in this last Effort of the Patriots, that I greatly admire.”

John Adams, Diary 19, entry for 17 December 1773 from Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society

John Adams is my favorite founding father. A couple of years ago I read David McCullough’s John Adams and it was full of fascinating revelations about John and Abigail. Many letters of the two thousand plus they wrote to each other were revealed for the first time.

John and Abigail’s very close relationship lasted all of their lives and John is one of the longest lived Presidents.

He was “the colossus of independence,” as Thomas Jefferson called him.