From the Diary of John Q. Adams

1780 Monday 3rd of July

This morning we got up at about 6 oclock we breakfasted upon tea the girls were dressed well but brother Charles did not wear his coat Mama was uwe upset and I took him upstairs. His coat did not fit it was old and I gave him mine we went to mama's room and got one of papa's for me, Charles cried but I told him to ftop and that we must go.

The horses being come at about 8 oclock we set away for the Smiths we had very good roads were only ftopped once by a party on the road. They were very loud and Mama told us to sit still until they pafsed but they were very loud and Thomas looked out the window which made them come and want to search us but by the means of a half a crown connected into their hands we pafed through.

Brother Charles and I took a walk with Mr Smith and his friend Mr Graves who says we may go to school in France and will get me a passport to get out of the kingdom but we must not say so to Mama yet because it is not certain. We talked about the king and and his new govern'r we walked as far as the Porte, there were ships and they shot the cannons which made Charles very frightened. I told Mr Smith I wished to return and kept him close behind, there were banners and everyone sang "God Save the King."

We ate a meal of pudding, meat pies, fruit, pickles, and bread. Afterwards we removed to the parlor and we were all given a bit of rum, Mama took out some of papa's letters and had each of us read.

My Father's Letter
(Read Yesterday)
July 8, 1776

"Since my Arrival this time I have been taken to appear before the General in charge of Boston. I wish I had space and time to describe what I saw, that I should have done, but my Heart is too full of Anxiety to be understood, would require more time and thought than I can possibly Spare. He is a just man, not given to Luxury, which gave me the first hope I dared feel. He questioned me most thoroughly and let me plead my case. At last he came to the one point I may not Deny: he asked me if I would swear loyalty to the king.

"A people may let a king fall, yet still remain a people, but if a king let his people slip from him, he is no longer a king. I have proclaimed so to you and the World. Could I return to you without neglecting my duty I would so at once. But I would not fail my character. I would be far more despised than when I am at last taken from this world, by none more so than myself.

"I have hope that a Government of more Stability will be found for the colony. It is the only way I may forgive the Betrayal wrought on Congress. I will not waste words on our Judas except to say he has visited me and promised neither you nor the children will be harmed. I must study Politicks and Policy that my sons may have liberty.

"Tell them Arbitary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken. The Masters we have now may not continue if we remain strong.

"Charm with the image of a dove
Yet give none cause to doubt your Resolve."

End of the letter, the last my father sent.

Point of Departure: instead of moving against New York, General Howe takes Philadelphia. The Continental Congress is arrested on July 3, the day after they had actually passed the Declaration of Independence (to be signed the next day). John Adams is executed as a traitor. His son, John Quincy Adams, eventually becomes the second Member of Parliament elected from the province of Massachusetts.