Diary of John Adams, volume 2

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Falmouth, Casco Bay. June 30th. 1772. Tuesday.

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1772. Septr. 22.

Wednesday July 1. 1772. JA Wednesday July 1. 1772. Adams, John

Wednesday July 1. 1772.

He, who contends for Freedom, can ne'er be justly deem'd his Sovereign's Foe: No, 'tis the wretch that tempts him to subvert it, The soothing Slave, the Traitor in the Bosom, Who best deserves that name; he is a worm That eats out all the Happiness of Kingdoms.1 When Life, or Death, becomes the Question, all Distinctions vanish; Then the first Monarch and the lowest Slave on the same Level Stand, in this the Sons of equal Nature all. 1.

Note by CFA: “These lines are taken from a play, now little read: [James] Thomson's Edward and Eleanora, act i. sc. 2, and act ii. sc. 2” (JA, Works , 2:297).