All language subtitles for 1776 (1972).en

Mr. Adams!

Mr. Adams!

Mr. Adams!

There you are.
Didn't you hear me call you, Mr. Adams?

You could've shouted down something,
saved me climbing up four flights.

A man that likes to talk
as much as you do, I'd think--

What do you keep
coming up here for, Mr. Adams?

Afraid someone's going to steal our bell?

Well, don't worry.

Been here more than 14 years
and ain't been carried off once.

Better get yourself
back down to Congress, Mr. Adams.

Getting ready to vote, and they said

they couldn't settle
such an important question

without Massachusetts being there.

I can just imagine.

All right, what burning issue
are we voting on this time?

On whether or not
to grant General Washington's request

that all members
of the Rhode Island militia be required

to wear matching uniforms.

Oh, good God.

I have come to the conclusion
that one useless man

is called a disgrace,

that two are called a law firm,

and that three or more become a Congress.

And by God, I have had this Congress.

For ten years,
King George and his parliament

have gulled, cullied, and diddled
these colonies with their illegal taxes.

Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts,
Sugar Acts, Tea Acts.

And when we dared stand up like men,

they have stopped our trade,
seized our ships,

blockaded our ports, burned our towns,

and spilled our blood!

And still this Congress refuses to grant
any of my proposals on independence,

even so much
as the courtesy of open debate!

Good God,
what in the hell are you waiting for?

Sit down, John
Sit down, John

-Thomas, for God's sake, listen to me.
-For God's sake, John, sit down

-Sit down, John
-I've had enough of you.

Sit down, John
For God's sake, John, sit down

-Now, listen--
-Why not open up a window?

-Listen to me and forget the window.
-It's 90 degrees

Have mercy, John, please

It's hot as hell in Philadelphia

Someone ought to open up a window

I say vote yes

Vote yes

Vote for independency

Someone ought to open up a window

I say vote yes

Sit down, John

Vote for independency

Someone ought to open up a window

Too many flies
Too many flies

But it's hot as hell in Philadelphia

-Are you gonna open up a window?
-Can't we compromise here?

Vote yes

No, too many flies here

Vote yes

Oh, for God's sake, John
Sit down

Good God, consider yourselves fortunate

that you have John Adams to abuse,
for no sane man would tolerate it!

John, you're a bore
We've heard this before

Now, for God's sake, John
Sit down

- I say vote yes
-No

-Vote yes

Vote for independency

Someone ought to open up a window

I say vote yes

Sit down, John

Vote for independency

Will someone shut that man up?

Never!

Never!

Dear God.

For one solid year,
they have been sitting here, a whole year,

doing nothing!

I do believe you've laid a curse
On North America

A curse that we here now rehearse
In Philadelphia

A second flood
A simple famine

Plagues of locusts everywhere

Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair

But, no, you've sent us Congress

Good God, sir, was that fair?

I say this with humility
In Philadelphia

We're your responsibility
In Philadelphia

If you don't want to see us hanging
From some far-off British hill

If you don't want the voice
Of independency forever still

Then God, sir, get thee to it

For Congress never will

You see
We piddle, twiddle and resolve

Not one damn thing do we solve

Piddle, twiddle and resolve

Nothing's ever solved

In foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy

Philadelphia

Someone ought to open up a window

Oh, shut up!

I now call Congress's attention
to the petition of Mr. Melkey O'May,

Who claims 20 dollars' compensation
for his dead mule.

It seems the animal was employed
transporting luggage

in the service of Congress.

The question, then,
would appear to be one of the case

where if the mule expired
not by her carry but after being unloaded,

then clearly the beast dropped dead
on its own time.

Oh, good God.

They may sit here for years and years
In Philadelphia

These indecisive grenadiers
Of Philadelphia

They can't agree
On what is right and wrong

Or what is good or bad

I'm convinced the only purpose
This Congress ever had

Was to gather here specifically

To drive John Adams mad

You see
We piddle, twiddle and resolve

Not one damn thing do we solve

Piddle, twiddle and resolve

Nothing's ever solved

In foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy

-Philadelphia.
-John, John

Is that you carrying on, John?

Oh, Abigail, Abigail, I have such
a desire to knock heads together.

Then why in heaven's name
do you stay there?

Come home to Boston, John.
It's only 300 miles.

If you left tonight,
you could be here in only eight days.

How can I do that, Abigail?

I'm no further along now
than I was when I first came here.

I know, my dearest. I know.

But that's because you make
everything so complicated.

It's all quite simple, really.

Just tell the Congress to declare

Independency

Then sign your name
Get out of there

And hurry home to me

Our children all have dysentery

Little Tom keeps turning blue

Little Abby has the measles
And I'm coming down with flu

They say we may get smallpox

Madam, what else is new?

Abigail, in my last letter, I wrote you

that the king had collected 12,000
German mercenaries to send against us.

I asked you to organize the ladies
to make saltpeter for gunpowder.

-Now, have you done as I asked?
-No, John, I have not.

Well, why have you not?

Because you neglected to tell us
how saltpeter is made.

By treating sodium nitrate
with potassium chloride, of course.

-Oh, yes, of course.
-Will it be done, then?

John, I'm afraid
we have a more urgent problem.

More urgent, madam?

There's one thing every woman's missed
In Massachusetts Bay

Don't smirk at me, you egoist

Pay heed to what I say

We've gone from Framingham to Boston
And we cannot find a pin

"Don't you know there's a war on?"
Say the tradesmen with a grin

Well, we will not make saltpeter

Until you send us pins

Pins, madam? Saltpeter.

-Pins.
-Saltpeter.

-Pins.
-Saltpeter.

-Pins.
-Saltpeter.

-Pins. Pins. Pins.
-'Peter. 'Peter. 'Peter.

Pins.

Done, madam, done.

Done, John.

-Hurry home, John.
-As soon as I'm able.

Don't stop writing. It's all I have.

Every day, my dearest friend.

Till then

Till then

I am

As I ever was

And ever shall be

Yours

Yours

Yours

Yours

Yours

Saltpeter

John

Pins

Abigail

For God's sake, John

Sit down

Franklin!

Franklin!

Where in hell are you?

Franklin!

I see you hiding behind that tree.
Won't do you any good!

Damn it, this is no time
for playing games.

Franklin, I have been looking
everywhere for you.

Where in God's name have you been?

Right here, John,
being preserved for posterity.

Do you like it?

-It stinks.
-As ever, the soul of tact.

-Well, the man's no Botticelli.
-And the subject's no Venus.

Franklin, where were you last night
when I needed you?

You should have heard
what I suffered in there.

Oh, I heard, all right,
along with the rest of Philadelphia.

Lord, your voice is piercing, John.

Well, I wish to heaven my arguments were.

My God, Franklin, when are they going
to make up their minds?

With one hand, they can raise an army

dispatch one of their own to lead it,
and cheer the news from Bunker's Hill.

And with the other,
they wave the olive branch,

begging the king for a happy
and permanent reconciliation.

Fat George has declared us in rebellion.

-Why in bloody hell can't they?
-John, really.

You talk as if independence were the rule.

It's never been done before.

No colony has ever broken from the
parent stem in the history of the world.

Damn it, Franklin,
you make us sound treasonous.

Do I? Treason, eh?

"Treason is a charge
invented by winners

as an excuse for hanging the losers."

I have more to do than stand here
listening to you quote yourself.

No, that was a new one.

Damn it, Franklin, we're at war.

To defend ourselves, nothing more.

We expressed our displeasure,
the English moved against us,

and we in turn have resisted.

Now our fellow congressmen want
to effect a reconciliation

-before it becomes a war.
-Reconciliation, my ass.

The people want independence.

The people have read
Mr. Paine's Common Sense.

- I doubt very much Congress has.
-Well, that's true.

John, why don't you give it up?

Nobody listens to you.
You're obnoxious and disliked.

I'm not promoting John Adams.
I'm promoting independence.

Evidently, they cannot help
connecting the two.

Even your own cousin.

And if Sam Adams can't put up with you,
nobody can.

You're getting at something.

How can you tell?

All right, out with it, Franklin.
What new intrigue are you cooking up?

Let someone else in Congress propose.

Never!

Why? Who'd you have in mind?

I don't know.
I really haven't given it much thought.

You sent for me, Benjamin?

-Never.
-Hello, Johnny!

Richard.

Johnny and I need some advice.

-If it's mine to give, it's yours.
-Thank you, Richard.

The cause that we support has come
to a complete standstill.

-Why do you suppose that is?
-Simple.

-Johnny here is obnoxious and disliked.
-That's true.

What's the solution? I wonder.

Get somebody else in Congress to propose.

Oh, Richard, that's brilliant.
Wasn't that brilliant, John?

-Brilliant.
-The question remains, who can it be?

The man that we need must belong
to a delegation

publicly committed
to support independence.

At the present time, only Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and Delaware

-have declared our way.
-And Virginia. Don't forget Virginia.

Oh, Richard, I haven't. How could 1?

But strictly speaking, while Virginia's
views on independence are well known,

your legislature in Williamsburg
has never formerly authorized

its delegation here in Congress
to support the cause.

Now, if we could think of a Virginian
with enough influence to go down there

-and persuade the House of Burgesses--
-I've thought of someone!

-Who?

-Oh, why didn't I think of that?
-I'll leave tonight.

Why, hell, I'll leave right now,
if you like!

I'll just stop off in Stratford
long enough to refresh the missus

and then straight to the matter.

Yes, sir, I really have to compliment you
on your judgment, Johnny.

Whoa, boy! Steady.

You've come to the one colony
that can get the job done.

Virginia, the land that gave us
our glorious commander-in-chief,

George Washington,

will now give the continent
its proposal on independence.

And when Virginia proposes,
the South is bound to follow.

And where the South goes,
the middle colonies go.

Gentlemen, a salute!

To Virginia,
the mother of American independence!

Incredible. We're free
and he hasn't even left yet.

What makes you so sure you can do it?

My name is Richard Henry Lee
Virginia is my home

My name is Richard Henry Lee
Virginia is my home

And may my horses turn to glue
If I can't deliver up to you

The resolution on independency

For I am FFV

The first family

In the sovereign colony of Virginia

Yes, the FFV

The oldest family

In the oldest colony in America

And may the British burn my land

If I can't deliver to your hand

A resolution on independency

You see, it's here a Lee
There a Lee

And everywhere a Lee, a Lee

-Social
-Lee

-Political
-Lee

-Financial, natural
-Lee, Lee

-Internal, external
-Lee, Lee

-Fraternal
-Lee

-Eternal
-Lee

The FFV

The first family

In the sovereign colony of Virginia

And may my wife refuse my bed

If I can't deliver as I said

A resolution on independency

Spoken modest-Lee. God help us.

Oh, he will, John. He will.

They say that God in heaven
Is everybody's God

-Amen.
-I'll admit that God in heaven

Is everybody's God

But I tell you, John, with pride

God leans a little
On the side of the Lees

The Lees of old Virginia

You see, it's here a Lee
There a Lee

And everywhere a Lee, a Lee

Here a Lee, there a Lee
And everywhere a Lee

Look out, there's Arthur Lee
Bobby Lee

General Light horse Harry Lee

Willie Lee, Jesse Lee

-And Richard H.
-That's me.

And may my blood stop running blue

If I can't deliver up to you
The resolution on independency

Yes, sir, my God
It's here a Lee, there a Lee

Come on, boys! Join in with me!

-Here a Lee, there a Lee
-When do you leave?

Immediate-Lee

-Here a Lee, there a Lee
-When will you return?

Short-Lee

Here a Lee, there a Lee
And I'll come back triumphant-Lee

Here a Lee, there a Lee
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee

Forward

On

That was the most revolting display
I have ever witnessed.

They're a warm-blooded people, Virginians.

Not him, Franklin. You.

You and your infernal obsession
for deviousness.

If you'd come out and asked the man,
he'd have been gone a half hour ago.

Yes, and he would be doing us a favor.
Cheer up, John.

At this very moment
our cause is again riding high,

sitting straight in the saddle
and full gallop for Virginia.

And the women are serene

Oh, good God.

Full-bosomed

Full-bosomed

Full-bosomed, Benjy
Every one a queen

Why, they are Lees, damn it

Lees of old Virginia

Yes, sir, by God
It's here a Lee, there a Lee

Come on, John! Step live-Lee!

Here a Lee, there a Lee
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee

Here a Lee, there a Lee
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee

Forward

On

-Excuse me.
-Yes?

I'm Dr. Lyman Hall,
the new delegate from Georgia.

I'm Andrew McNair,
congressional custodian.

If you'll be wanting anything at all,
just holler out "McNair"

as all the others do
and there won't be too long to wait.

Where does the Georgia delegation belong?

Oh, they mill about over there
in that corner near the two Carolinas.

It's after 10:00.

I was told Congress convenes at 10.

Well, they'll be wandering in
any time now, sir,

with Old Grape 'n Guts leading the pack.

-Old who?
-McNair!

Grape 'N Guts.

'Nair!

Fetch me a rum.

Mr. Hopkins, you'll be pleased
to meet Dr. Lyman Hall.

I don't need a doctor, damn it.

New delegate from Georgia.

Well, why didn't you say so?

I'm Stephen Hopkins,
old delegate from Rhode Island.

-McNair, fetch two rums.
-I fear it's a little early in the day.

Nonsense.

It's a medicinal fact that rum gets
a man's heart started in the morning.

I'm surprised you didn't know that.

Speaking as the oldest man in
the Congress, I can tell you right now--

Ben Franklin is older by almost a year.

Rum!

Tell me, doctor.

Where does Georgia stand
on the question of independence?

With South Carolina, of course.

Neddy, good morning.

Neddy, come over here and shake
the hand of Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia.

Dr. Hall,
this here is Edward Rutledge from...

whichever Carolina he says he's from.

-God knows I can't keep them straight.
-It's a pleasure, Dr. Hall.

-Your servant, Mr. Rutledge.
-You've met the long and the short

of it now, doctor.

Neddy here is just a lad.
He's the youngest of us.

-Except for Ben Franklin.
-McNair!

Your rum!

Where did you go for it, man? Jamaica?

Well, now, come along, Dr. Hall.

I know you must be anxious
to meet your colleagues from the South.

Doctor, may I present
to you Joseph Hewes.

This is Dr. Lyman Hall,
the new delegate from Georgia.

-An honor and a pleasure, gentlemen.
-Where do you stand on independence?

I'm here without instructions, Mr. Hewes,

able to vote my own personal convictions.

And they are?

Personal.

Dr. Hall...

the Deep South speaks with one voice.

It's traditional.

Even more, it is historical.

Enter Delaware.

Speak plain, Rutledge. You know
I can't follow a word of your damn French.

It's Latin, Colonel McKean,

a tribute to the eternal peace
and harmony of the Delaware delegation.

What are you saying, man?
You know perfectly well

that neither Rodney nor I can stand
the sight of this louse.

-Now, Thomas--
-Gentlemen, please.

This is Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia.

-Caesar Rodney.
-An honor, sir.

George Read and Colonel Thomas McKean.

-Dr. Hall.
-Your servant.

I wonder if I might speak to you
for a moment in private.

By all means.

-McNair!
-I'm coming! I'm coming!

Help me. I'm stuck.

Tell me, sir.

Would you be
a doctor of medicine or theology?

Both, Mr. Rodney.
Which one can be of service?

By all means, the physician first.

Then we shall see about the other.

I shall call at your convenience, sir.

I trust, Caesar,
when you're through converting

the poor fellow to independency

that you'll give the opposition
a fair crack at him.

You're too late, John.

Once I get them, they're got.

Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia,
Mr. John Dickinson of Pennsylvania.

-An honor, sir.
-Your servant, sir.

Tell me, doctor.

-Where do you stand on the question of--
-Independence?

Treason.

I've no stomach for it.

Then be careful not to dine
with John Adams.

Between the fish and the soufflé,

you'll find yourself hanging
from an English rope.

Your servant, sir.

Judge Wilson, forgive me,
but how can anyone see you

if you insist on standing
in Mr. Dickinson's shadow?

James Wilson, also of Pennsylvania.

Sir.

An honor, sir.

Good morning. Good morning.

Good morning, ladies. Good morning.

Steady, steady. There we are.

Make gangway, sir. Make gangway!

Good morning, Mr. Wilson. Good morning.

Watch where you're going. Over there.

McNair, get me out of this thing.
Watch out for my foot.

-Good morning, all.
-Morning, Ben.

Here you are. Two coppers apiece.
Now straight back to jail with you.

-Good morning, Stephen.
-Hi, Benjamin.

Good morning.

What are you staring at? Haven't
you ever seen a great man before?

Good Lord, sir, do you have
the honor to be Dr. Franklin?

Yes, I have that honor. Unfortunately,
the gout accompanies the honor.

Been living too high again, pappy?

Oh, Stephen, I only wish
King George felt like my big toe all over.

McNair! Fetch a pillow
and two more rums.

Franklin, where's that idiot Lee?
Is he back yet? I don't see him.

Softly, John.
Your voice is hurting my foot.

One more day. That's how long
I'll remain silent, not a minute longer.

That strutting popinjay
was so damn sure of himself,

he's had time to bring back
a dozen proposals by now.

Tell me, James, how do you explain
the strange, monumental quietude

that Congress has been treated to
these past 30 days?

Has the ill wind of independence
finally blown itself out?

Well, if you ask me--

For myself, I must confess
that a month free from New England noise

is more therapeutic
than a month in the country.

-Don't you agree, James?
-Well, I feel--

Mr. Adams, pray look for your voice, sir.

It cannot be far, and God knows we need
the entertainment in this Congress.

Congratulations. You just made your
greatest contribution to independence.

-You kept your flap shut.
-One more day, Franklin,

then I shall do the proposing.

Gentlemen,
the usual morning festivities concluded,

I will now call Congress to order.

Mr. Thomson...

Second Continental Congress,
in Philadelphia, is now in session.

Seven, June, 1776,
the 380th meeting.

Sweet Jesus!

The Honorable John Hancock
of Massachusetts Bay, president.

Thank you, Mr. Thomson.
Mr. McNair...

the stores of rum and
other drinking spirits are hereby closed

to the colony of Rhode Island
for a period of three days.

-Yes, sir.
-Johnny, you can't do that.

Sit down, Mr. Hopkins.
You've abused the privilege.

The chair would like
to take this opportunity

to welcome Dr. Lyman Hall of Georgia
to this Congress

and hopes he will make the best of it.

My God, it's hot.

The secretary will read the roll.

All members present
with the following exceptions:

Mr. Paine, Mr. Gerry,
Mr. Samuel Adams of Massachusetts,

Mr. Morton of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wythe
and Mr. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia,

and the entire delegation of New Jersey.

I'm concerned over the continual absence
of one-thirteenth of this Congress.

Where is New Jersey?

Somewhere between New York
and Pennsylvania.

Thank you very much.

Dr. Franklin, have you heard anything?
Your son resides there.

Son, sir? What son?

The royal governor of New Jersey, sir.

As that title might suggest, sir,

we are not in touch
at the present time.

Yes.

Well... Now for the weather report...

Mr. Jefferson of Virginia.

-Mr. Jefferson!
-Present, sir.

May we hear about the weather?

As if it weren't speaking for itself.

Eighty-seven degrees of temperature,

30-point-aught-six inches of mercury.

Wind...

from the southwest
for the rest of the day.

And tonight--
Tonight I'm leaving for home.

-On business?
-Family business.

Give her a flourish for me, young feller.

"From the commander,
army of the United Colonies.

To New York, dispatch number 1,137."

Ah, sweet Jesus!

"To the Honorable Congress,
John Hancock, president. 'Dear, sir,

it is with grave apprehension
that I have learned this day

of the sailing
from Halifax, Nova Scotia,

of a considerable force of British troops

in the company of foreign mercenaries
and under the command

of General Sir William Howe.

There can be no doubt
that their destination is New York,

for to take and hold this city
and the Hudson Valley beyond

would serve to separate New England
from the rest of the colonies,

permitting both sections
to be crushed in turn.

Sadly, I see no way of stopping them
at the present time,

as my army is absolutely falling apart.

My military chest is totally exhausted.

My commissary general has strained
his credit to the last.

My quartermaster has no food,
no arms, No ammunition,

and my troops are in
a state of near mutiny.

I pray God some relief arrives
before the armada, but fear it will not.

Your obedient...

G. Washington.'"

-Mr. President!
-Colonel McKean.

Surely we have managed to promote
the gloomiest man on this continent

to the head of our troops.

Those dispatches are
the most depressing accumulation

of disaster, doom and despair in
the entire annals of military history.

Colonel McKean, please!

-What?
-It's too hot.

Well, I suppose so.

General Washington will continue wording
his dispatches as he sees fit.

And I'm sure we all pray

he finds happier thoughts
to convey in the near future.

Mr. Thomson, are there any resolutions?

Dr. Josiah Barlett of New Hampshire.

"Resolved: that for the duration
of the present hostilities,

the Congress discourage every type
of extravagance and dissipation,

elaborate funerals
and other expensive diversions,

especially all horse racing, gambling

and other forms of sinful activity--"

Fire wagon!

-Where's the fire? Can anybody tell?
-Looks like the Pepperton house.

-Couldn't be. It's brand-new.
- It might be the city tavern.

Bite your tongue, man.

Benjy, I'm back! I'm back, Johnny!

-Lee, is it done?
-First things first.

Tom, your little bride wants to know:
"When's he coming home?"

- I leave tonight.
-Never mind that, man. Is it done?

Done? Why, certain-Lee.

Mr. President, I have returned from
Virginia with the following resolution.

"Resolved: that these united colonies are,
and of a right ought to be,

free and independent states

that they are absolved
from allegiance to the British crown

and that all political connection
between them and Great Britain is

and ought to be totally dissolved."

Mr. President, I second the proposal.

The resolution has been proposed
and seconded.

The chair will now entertain debate.

-Mr. Dickinson.
-Mr. President.

Pennsylvania moves, as always,

that the question of independence
be postponed indefinitely.

I second the motion.

Judge Wilson,

in your eagerness to be loved,
you seem to have forgotten

that Pennsylvania cannot second
its own motion.

Delaware seconds.

You would, you lousy wart.

The motion to postpone
has been moved and seconded.

Mr. Thomson.

On the motion to postpone indefinitely

the resolution on independency
or proceed with the debate,

all those in favor of debate say "yea,"
all those for postponement say "nay."

-New Hampshire.
-New Hampshire favors debate. Yea.

New Hampshire says yea.
Massachusetts?

Massachusetts, having borne
the brunt of the king's tyranny...

Yes, I said tyranny!

Massachusetts now
and for all time says yea.

Massachusetts says yea.

Rhode Island?

Mr. Hopkins.

-Where's Rhode Island?
-Out visiting the necessary.

After what Rhode Island's consumed,
I can't say I'm surprised.

We'll come back to him, Mr. Thomson.

Rhode Island passes.

Connecticut.

While Connecticut has, till now,

been against this proposal,

our legislature has instructed me
that in the event

it is introduced by any colony
outside of New England,

we could not any longer
withhold our support.

-Connecticut says yea.
-Hear! Hear!

Connecticut says yea. New York.

New York abstains, courteously.

-New York abstains.
-Courteously.

-New Jersey.
-Absent, Mr. Secretary.

New Jersey's absent. Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania, for the 24th time, says nay.

Pennsylvania says nay. Delaware.

Delaware, as ever for independence,
says yea.

Delaware says yea. Maryland.

Maryland would welcome independence
if it were given,

but is highly skeptical
that it can be taken.

Maryland says nay.

Maryland says nay. Virginia.

Virginia, the first colony, says yea.

Virginia says yea. North Carolina.

North Carolina respectfully yields
to South Carolina.

-South Carolina.
-Mr. President,

although we of South Carolina
have never seriously considered

the question of independence,

when a gentleman proposes it,
attention must be paid.

However, we in the Deep South,

unlike our friends in New England,

have no cause for impatience
at the present time.

If at some future date it becomes
the wish of all our sister colonies

to effect a separation,
we will not stand in the way.

But for the time being,

South Carolina will wait and watch.

The vote is nay.

-North Carolina--
-Says nay. Yes, Mr. Hewes. I know.

Georgia.

Georgia.

Mr. President, Georgia seems to be split
right down the middle on this issue.

The people are against it,
and I'm for it.

However, I'm afraid I'm not quite certain

whether representing the people means
relying on their judgment or on my own.

In all fairness,
until I can figure that out,

I'd better lean a little on their side.

Georgia says nay.

Georgia says nay.

Rhode Island.

Second call, Rhode Island!

Rhode Island!

I'm coming! I'm coming!

Hold your damn horses.

-We're waiting on you, Mr. Hopkins.
-Well, it won't kill you.

You'd think
the Congress would have its own pisser.

All right, where does she stand?

Five for debate, five for postponement,
one abstention and one absence.

So it's up to me, huh?

Well, I'll tell ya.

In all my years, I never seen,
heard nor smelled an issue

that was so dangerous
it couldn't be talked about.

Hell, yes! I'm for debating anything.
Rhode Island says yea.

-McNair, get Mr. Hopkins a rum!
-But you said--

Get him the whole damn barrel if he wants!

The chair now declares this Congress
a Committee of the Whole

for the purpose of debating
Virginia's resolution on independence.

Mr. Dickinson.

Well, now, you've got
your way at last, Mr. Adams.

The matter may now be discussed.

I confess I'm almost relieved.

There's a question
I've been fairly itching to ask you.

-Why?
-Why what, Mr. Dickinson?

Well, why independence, Mr. Adams?

For the obvious reason

that our continued association
with Great Britain has grown intolerable.

Well, to whom, Mr. Adams? To you?

Well, then I suggest
you sever your ties immediately.

But please be kind enough

to leave the rest of us where we are.

For myself, I have no objection at all

to being part
of the greatest empire on earth,

to enjoying its protection
and sharing its benefits.

Benefits?

What benefits?

Crippling taxes? Cruel repressions?

Abolished rights?

Is that all England means to you, sir?

Is that all the pride and affection
you can muster

for the nation that bore you?

For the noblest, most civilized nation
on the face of this planet?

What, would you have us forsake
Hastings and Magna Carta,

Strongbow and Lionheart,
Drake and Marlborough,

Tudors, Stuarts and Plantagenets?

For what, sir?

Well, tell me. For what?

For you?

Some men are patriots,
like General Washington.

And some are anarchists, like Mr. Paine.

Some even are internationalists,
like Dr. Franklin.

But you, sir...

You are merely an agitator,
disturbing the peace,

creating disorder, endangering
the public welfare, and for what?

Your petty, little personal complaints:

"Your taxes are too high."

Well, sir, so are mine.

Come, come, Mr. Adams.

If you have grievances,
and I'm sure you have,

our present system must provide
a gentler means of redressing them

short of revolution.

Yes, that's what he wants.

Nothing less will satisfy him.

Violence, rebellion, treason.

Now, Mr. Adams,

are these the acts of Englishmen?

Not Englishmen, Dickinson. Americans.

No, sir. Englishmen!

Please, Mr. Dickinson, must you start
banging? How is a man to sleep?

Forgive me, Dr. Franklin,
but must you start speaking?

How is a man to stay awake?

We'll promise to be quiet, sir.

I'm sure everyone prefers
that you remain asleep.

If I'm to hear myself called
an Englishman, sir,

I assure you,
I'd prefer I'd remained asleep.

Oh, now, what's so terrible
about being called an Englishman?

-The English don't seem to mind.
-Nor would I...

were I given the full rights
of an Englishman.

But to call me one without those rights
is like calling an ox a bull.

He's thankful for the honor,
but he'd much rather have restored

what's rightfully his.

When did you first notice
they were missing, sir?

Fortunately, the people of these colonies

maintain a higher regard
for their mother country.

Higher, certainly,
than she feels for them.

Never was such
a valuable possession so stupidly

and so recklessly managed

than this entire continent
by the British crown.

Our industry discouraged,
our resources pillaged.

Worst of all, our very character stifled.

We've spawned
a new race here, Mr. Dickinson.

Rougher, simpler, more violent,
more enterprising, less refined.

We're a new nationality.
We require a new nation.

Well...

that may be your opinion,
Dr. Franklin, but,

as I said,
the people feel quite differently.

Now, what do you know
about the people, Dickinson?

You don't speak for the people.
You represent only yourself.

And that precious status quo

you keep imploring the people
to preserve for their own good

is nothing more than the eternal
preservation of your own property.

Mr. Adams, you have an annoying talent

for making such delightful words
as "property" sound quite distasteful.

In heaven's name,
what's wrong with property?

Perhaps you've forgotten that many of us
first came to these shores

in order to secure rights to property

and that we hold these rights no less dear
than the rights you speak of.

Yes. So safe, so fat,
so comfortable in Pennsylvania.

And what is this independence of yours

except the private grievance
of Massachusetts?

Why is it always Boston
that breaks the king's peace?

My dear Congress,
you must not adopt this evil measure.

It is the work of the devil.

Leave it where it belongs.
In New England.

Brother Dickinson, New England has
fought the devil more than 100 years.

And as of now, Brother Sherman,

the devil has been winning hands down.

Why, at this very moment,
he's sitting right here in this Congress.

Don't let him deceive you.
This proposal is entirely his doing.

Oh, it may bear Virginia's name,

but it reeks of Adams,
Adams and more Adams.

Look at him.
Ready to lead this continent

down the fiery path of total destruction.

Oh, good God! Why can't you acknowledge
what already exists?

It has been more than a year
since Concord and Lexington.

Damn it, man, we're at war right now!

You may be at war.
You: Boston and John Adams.

But you will never speak for Pennsylvania.

-Nor for Delaware.
-Mr. Read,

you represent only one-third of Delaware.

The sensible third, Mr. Rodney.

Sit down, you scurvy dog,
or I'll knock you down.

Sit down, all three of you! McNair,
do something about that damn dog!

-Fetch me a rum.
-Get the dog first.

I only got two hands.

Christ, it's hot!

Please do go on, gentlemen.

You're making the only breeze
in Philadelphia.

Mr. Adams, perhaps you could
clear up something for me.

After we have achieved independence,

who do you propose
would govern in South Carolina?

The people, of course.

Which people, sir?
The people of South Carolina

or the people of Massachusetts?

Admit it, Neddy. You're against
independence now and you always will be.

Aye.

Gentlemen, you refuse to understand us.

We desire independence. Yes.

For South Carolina.
That is our country.

And as such,
we don't wish it to belong to anyone.

Not to England and not to you.

We intend to have one nation, Rutledge.

A nation of sovereign states, Mr. Adams.

United for our mutual protection...

but separate for our individual pursuits.

Now, that is what
we have understood it to be

and that is what we will support.

As soon as everyone supports it.

Well, there you are, Mr. Adams.

You must see that we need time.

Time to make certain who we are and
where we stand in regard to one another.

For if we do not determine the nature
of the beast before we set it free,

it will end by consuming us all.

For once in your life, Wilson,

take a chance.

I say the time is now.

It may never come again.

Your clock is fast, Mr. Adams.

I say we're not yet ripe
for independence.

Not ripe?
Hell, we're rotting for want of it.

Gentlemen, please,
what in God's name is the infernal hurry?

Why must this question be settled now?

What's wrong with now, Mr. Chase?

General Washington is in the field.

If he's defeated as it now appears,
we'll be inviting the hangman.

But if, by some miracle,
he should actually win,

we can then declare anything
we damn please.

The sentiments
of North Carolina precisely.

Has it ever occurred to either of you

that an army needs something
to fight for in order to win?

A purpose? A goal? A flag of its own?

Mr. Adams...

how can a nation of only 2 million souls

stand up to an empire of 10 million?

Think of it. Ten million.
How do we compensate for that shortage?

It's simple, Mr. Chase.
Increase and multiply.

How's that?

We will more than compensate with spirit.

I tell you there is a spirit out there
among the people

that is sadly lacking in this Congress.

Yes, of course. Now it's spirit.

Well, why didn't I think of that?

No army, no navy,
no arms, no ammunition,

no treasury, no friends.

But bless our soul, spirit.

Mr. Lee, Mr. Hopkins,

Mr. Rodney, Colonel McKean,

Dr. Franklin.

Why have you joined
this incendiary, little man,

this Boston radical,

this agitator,

this demagogue,

this madman?

Are you calling me a madman, you--?

You fribble!

You and your Pennsylvania proprietors.

Oh, you cool, considerate men.

You hang to the rear on every issue,
so that if we should go under,

you'll still remain afloat.

-Are you calling me a coward?
-Yes. Coward.

-Madman!
-Landlord!

Lawyer!

Stop it! Stop it!

This is the Congress. Stop it, I say!

-The enemy's out there!
-No, Mr. Rodney, the enemy is here!

No. I say he's out there.

England. England closing in,
cutting off our air.

There's no time!

No air.

Dr. Hall.

-Colonel McKean.
-Aye. It's the cancer.

But he should go home.

A man should die in his own bed.

-John. John Adams.
-I'm here, Caesar.

I leave you...

a divided Delaware.

-Forgive me.
-I'll take you home, Caesar.

I'll be back within the week.

Mr. President,
South Carolina calls the question.

-What's that, Mr. Rutledge?
- I said, Mr. President,

South Carolina desires
to end the debate...

and calls the question of independence.

-Delaware seconds.
-Thank you.

Gentlemen, please!

The question has been called
and seconded.

The secretary will record the vote.

Franklin, do something. Think.

I'm thinking, but nothing's coming.

All those in favor
of the resolution on independence

as proposed by the colony of Virginia,
signify by saying--

Mr. Secretary.

Would you please read
the resolution again?

What?

-I'd forgotten it.
-Now, please.

"Resolved that these united colonies are

and of a right ought to be free
and independent--"

Excuse me.
Is this the Continental Congress?

Well, yes, I can see that it must be.

It's all right. We found it!

We've been looking
for you everywhere, you see.

Someone told us
that you might be at Carpenters' Hall

and someone else suggested Library Hall.

-So finally we asked a constable--
-Excuse me, sir,

but if you don't mind,
the Congress is about to decide

the question of American independence.

Oh, how splendid.
That means we're not too late.

These gentlemen are Mr. Francis Hopkins on,

Mr. Richard Stockton,
and I'm the Reverend John Witherspoon.

We're the new delegates from New Jersey.

New Jersey?

Dr. Franklin, I regret that I must be
the bearer of unhappy tidings, sir,

but your son,
the royal governor of New Jersey,

has been taken prisoner

and has been moved under guard to
the colony of Connecticut for safekeeping.

-Is he unharmed, sir?
-When last I heard, he was. Yes, sir.

Then why the long face? I hear
Connecticut is an excellent location.

Tell me. Why did they arrest
the little bastard?

Our...

New Jersey legislature has recalled
the old delegation to this Congress

and has sent a new one.

Quickly, man, where do you stand
on independence?

Well, haven't I made that clear?
Well, I suppose I haven't.

But that's the reason for the change.

We've been instructed
to vote for independence.

Massachusetts is now ready
for the vote on independence

and reminds the chair of its privilege
to decide all votes that are deadlocked.

I won't forget, Mr. Adams.

The chair takes this opportunity
to welcome the New Jersey delegation

and appoints the Reverend Witherspoon
congressional chaplain

-if he will accept the post.
-With much pleasure, sir.

Very well. Mr. Thomson, you may now
proceed with the vote on independence.

All in favor of the resolution
on independence,

-as proposed by the colony of Virginia--
-Mr. President.

Pennsylvania moves that any vote
in favor of independence...

must be unanimous.

-What?
- I second the motion.

-Judge Wilson!
-Oh, my God.

Delaware seconds, Mr. President.

No vote has ever had to be unanimous,
Dickinson, and you know it.

-Yes, but this one must be.
-On what grounds?

That no colony be torn from its
mother country without its own consent.

Hear! Hear!

But it will never be unanimous, damn it.

If you say so, Mr. Adams.

It has been moved and seconded
that the vote on independence

must be unanimous in order to carry.

All those in favor, signify by saying yea.

Yea!I

One, two, three, four, five, six.

-Six colonies say yea. Against?
-Nay!

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Six colonies say nay.

Mr. Secretary,
New York abstains, courteously.

Mr. Morris,
why does New York constantly abstain?

Why does New York simply stay
in New York?

Very well. The vote is tied.

The principles of independence
have no greater advocate in Congress

than its president

and that is why I must join those
who vote for unanimity.

Good God, John!
What are you doing? You've sunk us!

Now, hear me out. Don't you see
that any colony who opposes independence

will be forced to fight
on the side of England?

That we'll be setting brother
against brother,

that our new nation will carry
as its emblem the mark of Cain.

I can see no other way.

Either we all walk together,
or together we must stay where we are!

-The man's from Massachusetts.
-Very well. Proceed, Mr. Thomson.

A unanimous vote
being necessary to carry,

if any be opposed
to the resolution on independence

-as proposed by the colony of Virginia--
-Mr. President.

Oh, for heaven's sake,
let me get through it once.

Mr. President.

-I move for a postponement.
-Postponement?

I wish you the same luck I had with it.

Mr. Adams is right.
We need a postponement.

-On what grounds?
-On what grounds?

Mr. President, how can
this Congress vote on independence

without a written declaration
of some sort defining it?

What sort of declaration?

Well, you know,
listing the reasons for the separation,

our purposes, goals, so forth, so on.

-Ditto, Ditto.
-Ditto, ditto, et cetera, et cetera.

We know those, don't we?

Oh, yes, good God, we know them.

But what about the rest of the world?

Certainly we require the assistance

of a powerful nation,
such as France or Spain,

and such a written declaration would be
consistent with European delicacy.

Come now, Mr. Adams.
You'll have to do better than that.

Answer straight.
What would be its purpose?

Yes. Well...

To place before mankind
the common sense of the subject,

in terms so plain and firm

as to command their assent.

Mr. Jefferson,
are you seriously suggesting

that we publish a paper
declaring to all the world

that an illegal rebellion is,
in reality, a legal one?

Oh, Mr. Dickinson, I'm surprised at you.

You should know that rebellion
is always legal in the first person,

such as our rebellion.

It's only in the third person--
"Their" rebellion. --that it is illegal.

Mr. President, I second the motion
to postpone the vote on independence

for a period of time sufficient
for the writing of a declaration.

It has been moved and seconded.
Mr. Thomson.

All those in favor of the motion
to postpone, signify by saying yea.

Yea!I

One, two, three, four, five, six.

-Six colonies say yea. Against?
-Nay!

One, two, three, four, five, six.

Six colonies say nay.

Mr. Secretary,
New York abstains, courteously.

Mr. Morris, what in hell
goes on in New York?

I'm sorry, Mr. President,
but the simple fact is that

our legislature has never sent us
explicit instructions on anything.

Never?

That's impossible.

Mr. President,
have you ever been present

at a meeting
of the New York legislature?

They speak very fast and very loud,

and nobody listens to anybody else.

With the result
that nothing ever gets done.

I beg the Congress's pardon.

My sympathies, Mr. Morris.

The vote again being tied, the chair
decides in favor of postponement.

So ruled.

A committee will now be formed
to manage the declaration.

Said document to be written, debated,
approved by the beginning of July,

some three weeks hence, at which time,

Virginia's resolution on independence
will finally be voted.

-Is that clear? Very well.
-Hear! Hear!

Will the following gentlemen serve on
the Declaration Committee: Dr. Franklin?

Gladly.

-Mr. John Adams?
-Yes.

Mr. Sherman?

-Mr. Livingston?
-Right.

Oh, and, of course, Mr. Lee.

Oh, excuse me, but I must be returning
to the sovereign colony of Virginia,

as I have been asked
to serve as governor.

And therefore I must decline,
respectful-Lee.

Very well, Mr. Lee. You're excused.

I supposed we could leave it
a four-man committee.

Just a moment.
This business needs a Virginian.

Therefore, I propose a replacement,
Mr. Thomas Jefferson.

-No. Mr. Adams--
-Very well. Mr. Jefferson will serve.

-I'm going home too, to my wife.
-Move to adjourn.

-Wait.
- I second.

Mr. Hancock,
I haven't seen her for six months.

Moved and seconded. Any objections?

I have objections.
I have lots of objections.

So ruled! Congress stands adjourned!

John, I need to see my wife.

-It's all right. Come along.
-No. I'm going home tonight.

Of course you are. Of course.
McNair, some rum up to my office.

Don't worry, Tom. Let me handle it.

I'll get Adams to write it.

I don't know.
He had a funny look on his face.

He always does.

All right, gentlemen,
let's get on with it.

Which of us will write
our Declaration of Independence?

Mr. Adams
I say you should write it

To your legal mind
And brilliance we defer

Is that so?
Well, if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

I'm obnoxious and disliked
You know that, sir

-Yes, I know.
- I say you should write it, Franklin

-Yes, you
-Hell, no

Yes, you, Dr. Franklin, you

-But, but
-You, you

-You
-But

Mr. Adams
But, Mr. Adams

The things I write
Are only light extemporanea

I won't put politics on paper
It's a mania

So I refuse to use the pen
in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania

Refuse to use the pen

Mr. Sherman
I say you should write it

You are never controversial
As it were

-That is true.
-Whereas, if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

I'm obnoxious and disliked

-You know that, sir
-Yes, I do.

So I say you should write it
Roger, yes, you

-Good heavens, no.
-Yes, you, Roger Sherman, you

-But, but
-You, you

But

Mr. Adams
But, Mr. Adams

I cannot write with any style
Or proper etiquette

I don't know a participle
From a predicate

I am just a simple cobbler
From Connecticut

Connecticut
Connecticut

A simple cobbler, he

Mr. Livingston
Maybe you should write it

You have many friends
And you're a diplomat

-Oh, that word.
-Whereas, if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

He's obnoxious and disliked
Did you know that?

- I hadn't heard.
-So I say you should write it, Robert

-Yes, you
-Not me, Johnny.

Yes, you, Robert Livingston, you

-But
-You

-But, but
-You, you

But

Mr. Adams
Dear Mr. Adams

I've been presented with a new son
By the noble stork

So I am going home to celebrate
And pop the cork

With all the Livingstons together
Back in old New York

New York

New York

Livingston's going to pop a cork

Mr. Adams

Leave me alone

-Mr. Jefferson.
-Mr. Adams, I beg of you.

I've not seen my wife
these past six months.

"And we solemnly declare
that we will preserve our liberties,

being with one mind
resolved to die free men

rather than to live slaves."

Thomas Jefferson,
on the Necessity of Taking up Arms, 1775.

Magnificent.

You write ten times better
than any man in Congress, including me.

For a man of only 33 years, you possess
a happy talent for composition

and a remarkable felicity of expression.

Now, then, sir.
Will you be a patriot or a lover?

A lover.

No.

-But I burn, Mr. A.
-So do I, Mr. J.

-You?
-You do?

-John.
-Who'd have thought it?

Mr. Jefferson

Dear Mr. Jefferson

I'm only 41
I still have my virility

And I can romp through Cupid's grove
With great agility

But life is more
Than sexual combustibility

-Jefferson, stop right there.
-Bustibility

Bustibility

-Combustibili--
-Quiet!

Now, you'll write it, Mr. J.

Who will make me, Mr. A.?

I.

You?

Yes.

How?

By physical force, if necessary.

It's your duty, damn it. Your duty!

Mr. Adams

Damn you, Mr. Adams

You're obnoxious and disliked

That cannot be denied

Once again you stand
Between me and my lovely bride

Lovely bride

Oh, Mr. Adams
You are driving me to homicide

-Jefferson, stop right there!
-Homicide

Homicide

Quiet!

The decision is yours, Mr. Jefferson.
Do as you like with it.

We may see murder

Yet

Damn the man.

Goddamn the man.

Sorry.

Pardon me, sir.

Step aside. Step aside.

-How do you do? How are you?
-Franklin.

Jefferson!

Jefferson!

What is that racket?

Latest thing from Europe, John.
It's called music.

I came here hoping to hear
a pen scratching, not a bow.

Jefferson! I know you're in there!

Jefferson. Are you finished?

Well, is it written yet?

Well, you've had a whole week, man.

Is it done?

Can I see it?

"There comes a time in the lives of men
when it becomes necessary

to advance from that subordination
in which they have hitherto rem--"

This is terrible. Where's the rest of it?

Do you mean to say
that it is not yet finished?

No, sir. I mean to say
that it's not yet begun.

Good God!

A whole week!

The entire earth was created in a week.

Someday you must tell me
how you did it.

Disgusting.

Look at him, Franklin.
Virginia's most famous lover...

Virginia abstains.

Well, cheer up, Jefferson.

Get out of the dumps.
It'll come out all right, I assure you.

Now, get back to work.

Franklin, tell him to get back to work.

I think he's asleep.

Wake up, Franklin!

Hello! And who, little girl, are you?

-John, who is she?
-His wife.

I hope.

What makes you think so?

-Because I sent for her.
-You what?

It simply occurred to me
that the sooner his problem was solved,

the sooner our problem is solved.

That's good thinking, John.
Good thinking.

Madam, may I present myself? John Adams.

Adams.

John Adams.

Oh, and Dr. Franklin.

The inventor of the stove.

Jefferson, kindly present me to your wife.

She is your wife, isn't she?

Of course she is.
Look at the way they fit.

Come along, John, come along.

-Franklin, where are you going?
-Come along, John.

Come along where?
There's work to be done.

Obviously.

Good God. You don't mean to say that--?

I mean, they're not going to--

In the middle of the afternoon?

Not everybody's from Boston, John.

Incredible.

-Well, goodbye, John.
-Franklin?

-Have you eaten?
-Not yet, but--

I understand the turkey's fresh
at Bunch O' Grapes.

Well, the fact is,
I have a rendezvous, John.

I'd ask you along,
but talking makes her nervous.

Yes, of course.

Incredible.

Abigail?

I'm very lonely, Abigail.

Are you, John? Then as long
as you were sending for wives,

why didn't you send for your own?

Oh, now, don't be unreasonable, Abigail.

Oh, now I'm unreasonable.

You must add that to your list.

List?

The catalog of my faults
you included in your last letter.

Oh, they were fondly intended, madam.

-That I play at cards badly?
-A compliment.

-That my posture is crooked?
-An endearment.

-That I read, write and think too much?
-An irony.

That I'm pigeon-toed?

Oh, well, now there you have me, Abby.

I'm afraid you are pigeon-toed.

Please. Come to Philadelphia.
Please come.

Oh, thank you, John.

I do want to,
but you know now it's not possible.

The children have the measles.

So you wrote.

Tom and little Abby.

Only now it's Quincy and Charles.

And it appears the farm here
in Brain tree is failing, John.

The chickens and the geese have all died.

The apples never survived the late frost.

How do you suppose
she managed to get away?

Well, the winters are softer in Virginia.

And their women, John?

Fit for Virginians, madam, but pale,
puny things beside New England girls.

I thank you for that.

Abigail, how goes it with you?

Not well, John. Not at all well.

I live like a nun in a cloister

Solitary, celibate
I hate it

And you, John?

I live like a monk in an abbey

Ditto, ditto
I hate it

Write to me

With sentimental effusion

Let me revel in

Romantic illusion

Do you still smell

Of vanilla and spring air?

And is my favorite lover's pillow

Still firm and fair?

What was there, John

Still is there

John

Come soon as you can
To my cloister

I've forgotten
The feel of your hand

Soon, madam, we shall walk
In Cupid's grove together

And we'll fondly survey

That promised land

Till then, till then

I am as I ever was

And ever shall be

Yours

Yours

Yours

Yours

Yours

Saltpeter

John

John? John?

-What?
-What are you doing down here?

I thought you'd be up there,
cracking the whip.

Oh, well, the shutters are still closed.

My word! So they are.

-Well, as the French say--
-Oh, please, Franklin!

Spare me your bawdy mind,
first thing in the morning.

-Dare we call?
-A congressman dares anything.

-Go ahead.
-Me?

Your voice is more piercing.

-Oh, John, look at her. Just look at her.
-Oh, I am.

She's even more magnificent
than I remember.

Of course, we didn't see
much of her front last night.

-Good morrow, madam.
-Good morrow.

Is it the habit in Philadelphia
to shout at ladies from the street?

-Not really, but--
-And for men of your age,

it is not only unseemly, it is unsightly.

Excuse me, madam,
but we met last evening.

- I spoke to no one last evening.
-Indeed, you did not.

Nonetheless, we did present ourselves.

This is Mr. John Adams.
I'm Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

The inventor of the stove.

Oh, please!
I know your names very well, but...

Well, you said
you presented yourselves last night?

It's of no matter.
Your thoughts are well-taken elsewhere.

As my husband is not yet up...

Well, then shall we start over again?
Won't you join us?

Why, yes, of course!

Well, no wonder the man couldn't write.

Who would think of independence
married to her?

- I feel an absolute fool.
-That's good for you, John.

I tell you, Franklin,
it's positively indecent.

-John, they're young and in love.
-Not them, Franklin. Us.

Standing down here,
waiting for them to...

Well, what will people think?

Don't worry, John.
The history books will clean it up.

Well, it doesn't matter.

I'll not appear
in the history books anyway. Only you.

Franklin did this
and Franklin did that,

and Franklin did
some other damned thing.

Franklin smote the ground
and out sprang...

George Washington,
fully grown and on his horse.

Franklin then electrified him
with his miraculous lightning rod.

Then the three of them,
Franklin, Washington and the horse,

conducted the entire revolution
all by themselves.

I like it.

I beg your pardon, gentlemen.

It is indeed an honor to meet
the two greatest men in America.

Certainly the greatest
within earshot anyway.

I'm not an idle flatterer, Dr. Franklin.

My husband admires you both greatly.

Then we are doubly flattered.

For we admire very much
that which your husband admires.

Did you sleep well, madam?

Well, I mean, did you lie comfort--?

-Damn it, you know what I mean.
-Yes, we know what you mean.

Tell us about yourself.
We've heard precious little.

-What's your first name?
-Martha.

Martha! He might at least
have told us that.

Your husband doesn't say very much.

Most silent man in Congress. I've never
heard him utter three sentences together.

Not every man's a talker, John.

Yes, it's true, you know.
Tom is not... a talker.

Oh, he never speaks his passions

He never speaks his views

Whereas other men speak volumes

The man I love is mute

In truth I can't recall

Being wooed with words

At all

Even now

-Oh, don't stop, madam.
-No. Tell us, how did he win you?

And how does he hold on
to a bounty such as you?

Surely you've noticed that Tom is
a man of many accomplishments.

Author, lawyer,
statesman, architect, farmer.

And still one more
that I hesitate to mention.

-Don't hesitate, madam. Don't.
-No, tell us.

What else can
that redheaded tombstone do?

He plays the violin

He tucks it right under his chin

And he bows

Oh, he bows

For he knows
Yes, he knows

That it's heigh, heigh, heigh
Diddle-diddle

"Twixt my heart
Tom and his fiddle

My strings are unstrung

Heigh, heigh, heigh

Heigh

I am undone

The violin, madam?

I hear his violin

And I get that feeling within

And I sigh
Oh, I sigh

He draws near, very near

And it's heigh, heigh, heigh
Diddle-diddle

And goodbye to the fiddle

My strings are unstrung

Heigh, heigh, heigh

Heigh

I'm always undone

That settles it, John.
We're taking up the violin.

Very well, madam. You have us playing
the violin. What happens next?

-Next, Mr. Adams?
-Yes. What does Tom do now?

Why, just what you'd expect.

-We dance.
-Dance?

Dance? Incredible!

One, two, three. One, two, three.

Who's playing the violin?

Oh, John, really!

Oh, John, you can dance.

We still do a few things
in Boston, Franklin.

Heigh, heigh, heigh

Heigh

Heigh

When heaven calls to me

Sing me no sad elegy

Say I died

Loving bride

Loving wife
Loving life

For it was heigh, heigh, heigh
Diddle-diddle

"Twixt my heart
Tom and his fiddle

And ever 'twill be

Heigh, heigh, heigh

-Heigh
-Heigh

-Through eternity
-He plays the violin

He plays the violin

He plays the violin

Look! Look, Franklin, he's done it.
He's written it.

"Dear Mr. Adams,
I am taking my wife back to bed.

Kindly go away.
Your obedient, 1. Jefferson."

Incredible.

You know, perhaps I should have
written the declaration after all.

At my age, there's little doubt
the pen is mightier than the sword.

For it's heigh, heigh, heigh
Diddle-diddle

And God bless
A man who can fiddle

And independency

Heigh, heigh, heigh

Heigh

Ya, da, da, da, da

Through eternity

He plays the violin

Violin

Violin

Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland--
Virginia's absent.

--And North Carolina,
South Carolina and Georgia.

And what follows is a complete
and up-to-date list

of all the committees of this Congress

now sitting, about to sit
or just having sat.

"A committee formed to investigate
a complaint made against

the quality of yeast manufactured
by Mr. Henry Pendleton's mill

designated as the Yeast Committee.

A committee formed to consider the most
effective method of dealing with spies

designated as the Spies Committee.

A committee formed to think,
perhaps to do,

but in any case, to gather,
to meet, to confer, to talk,

and perhaps even to resolve
that each rifle regiment

be allowed at least one drum
and one fife attached to each company

designated
as the Drum and Fife Committee.

A committee formed to--"

Where is that committee?

What do you think of it, doctor?
Democracy.

What Plato called
"a charming form of government

full of variety and disorder."

I never knew
Plato had been to Philadelphia.

Ben, I want you to see some cards
I've gone and had printed up.

Ought to save everybody here
a lot of time and effort,

considering the epidemic
of bad disposition that's been going on.

"Dear sir, you are,
without any doubt, a rogue, a rascal,

a villain, a thief, a scoundrel,
and a mean, dirty,

stinking, sniveling, sneaking,
pimping, pocket-picking,

thrice double-damned
no-good son-of-a-bitch."

And you sign your name.
What do you think?

-I'll take a dozen right now.
-Aha! Here it is.

"A committee formed to answer
all congressional correspondence

designated as the Congressional
Correspondence Committee."

All right, Franklin, enough socializing.
There's work to be done.

-Good morning, John.
-What?

-Good morning.
-Oh, good morning, good morning.

-Now, then, let's get to it.
-Get to what?

Unanimity, of course. Look at that board.

Six nays to win over
in little more than a week.

"A committee formed to consider
the problem of counterfeit money

designated
as the Counterfeit Money Committee."

-Oh, God. What--?
-All right, John, all right.

-Where shall we start?
-Well, what about Delaware?

Sad thing to see them on the wrong side
after all this time.

-Any news of Rodney?
-Yes. McKean's back.

-Thomas!
-"A committee formed to study

the causes
of our military defeat in Canada."

Thomas, how did you leave Caesar?
Is he still alive?

Aye, but the journey to Dover
was fearful hard on him.

He never complained, but I could see
the poor man was suffering terrible.

But you got him safely home.

I did, but I doubt
he'll ever set foot out of it again.

That leaves you and Read split
down the middle. Will he come over?

I don't know.
He's a stubborn ignoramus.

Work on him. Keep after him
till you wear him down.

John, face facts, will ya?
If it were just Read standing in our way,

it wouldn't be so bad,
but look for yourself, man.

Maryland, Pennsylvania
and the entire South. It's impossible!

Well, it's impossible if we all
stand around complaining about it.

To work, McKean.
One foot in front of the other.

I believe I put it a better way:
Never leave off until tomorrow--

-Oh, shut up, Franklin.
-But what good will it do?

You know Dickinson.
He'll never give in.

And you haven't heard
the last of Rutledge either.

Never mind about them.
Your job is George Read.

Talk him deaf if you have to,
but bring us back Delaware.

-There's a simpler way.
-What?

-This'll break the tie.
-All right, John, who's next?

"A committee formed to keep secrets

designated as the Secrets Committee."

Pennsylvania and Maryland. I suggest
you get your own house in order,

and I'll take a crack at old bacon-face--

Lord, look at him stuff himself.

Mr. Chase!

How about it, Chase? When are you
coming to your senses, man?

Please, Mr. Adams, not while I'm eating.

Mr. Wilson, sir?

It's time to assert yourself.

Tell me something,
when you were a judge,

how in hell did you ever make a decision?

The decisions I made were all based
on legality and precedence.

But there is no legality here
and certainly no precedent.

Because it's a new idea, you clot!

We'll be setting our own precedent!

No, Mr. McKean. No, no, no!

Damn your eyes, Read!
You come into this world screaming no

and you're determined to leave it
the same way, ya slimy worm!

The Congress is waiting on you, Chase!

America is waiting!
The whole world is waiting!

What's that? Kidney?

Leave me alone, Mr. Adams!
You're wasting your time.

If I thought we could win this war,
I'd be at the front of your ranks,

but you must know it's impossible.

You've heard
General Washington's dispatches.

His army has fallen to pieces.

Washington is exaggerating the situation,

in order to arouse
this torpid Congress into action.

Why, as chairman of the War Committee,
I can state for a fact

that the army has never been
in better shape.

Never have troops been more cheerful.

Never have soldiers been more resolute.

Never have training
and discipline been more spirited!

Oh, good God.

May we have your ears, gentlemen?
Mr. Thomson has a dispatch.

"From the commander,
army of the United Colonies in New York,

dispatch number 1,157,

to the Honorable Congress,
John Hancock, President. 'Dear, sir,

it is with the utmost despair
that I must report to you

the disorder and confusion
that reign in every department.'"

Oh, sweet Jesus!

"The Continental soldier
is as nothing ever seen

in this or any other century.

He is a misfit, ignorant of hygiene,

destructive, disorderly,
and totally disrespectful of rank.

Only this last is understandable,

as there is an incredible reek
of stupidity amongst the officers.

The situation is most desperate

at the New Jersey training ground
in New Brunswick,

where every able-bodied whore in the--"

Whore?

" ..In the colonies has assembled.

There are constant reports of drunkenness,
desertion, foul language,

naked bathing in the Raritan River,

and an epidemic

of the French disease.

I have placed this town off-limits
to all military personnel

with the exception of officers.

I beseech the Congress to dispatch
the War Committee to this place,

in the hope of restoring some of the order
and discipline we need to survive.

Your obedient...

G. Washington.'"

That man would depress a hyena.

Well, Mr. Adams, you're chairman
of the War Committee.

Do you feel up to whoring, drinking,
deserting, and New Brunswick?

There must be some mistake. I have
an aunt who lives in New Brunswick.

You must tell her
to keep up the good work.

Come, come, Mr. Adams.

You must see that it's hopeless.

Let us recall General Washington

and disband the Continental Army
before we're overwhelmed.

Oh, yes, indeed. The English would
like that, now, wouldn't they?

Why not ask them yourself?
They ought to be here any minute.

And when they hang you, Mr. Adams,

I hope you will put in a good word
for the rest of us.

Face facts, Mr. Adams.

A handful of drunk and disorderly recruits
against the entire British Army,

the finest musket men on earth.

How can we win?
How can we even hope to survive?

Answer me straight, Chase.

If you thought we could beat the Redcoats,

would Maryland say yea
to independence?

-Well, I suppose--
-No supposing.

Would you or wouldn't you?

Very well, Mr. Adams.

Yes, we would.

-Then come with me and see for yourself.
-John, are you mad?

You heard what Washington said.
It's a shambles.

-They're pushing you into it, Johnny!
-What do you say, Chase?

Go ahead, Sam.
It sounds lively as hell up there.

All right. Why not?

And maybe it'll be John Adams
who comes to his senses.

Mr. President, the War Committee
will heed General Washington's request.

A party consisting of Chase, Franklin
and myself will leave immediately.

Is--?

Is that satisfactory with you,
Dr. Franklin?

Wake up, Franklin!
You're going to New Brunswick.

-Like hell I am. What for?
-The whoring and the drinking.

All right, Chase! Move all that lard.
Not a moment to lose.

Left, right, left, right.
Left, right, left, right.

Left, right, left!

Mr. McNair, all this talk of independence

has left a certain foulness in the air.

My friends and I would appreciate it
if you could open some windows.

Well, what about the flies?

The windows, Mr. McNair.

Open the windows,
close the windows.

Sweet Jesus!

Oh, say, do you see what I see?

Congress sitting here
In sweet serenity

I could cheer
The reason's clear

For the first time in a year

Adams isn't here

And look
The sun is in the sky

A breeze is blowing by

And there's not a single fly

I sing, Hosanna

Hosanna

Hosanna, Hosanna

And it's cool

Come, ye cool, cool
Conservative men

Our like may never, ever be seen again

We have land
Cash in hand

Self-command
Future planned

Fortune thrives
Society survives

In neatly ordered lives

With well-end owe red wives

Come sing, Hosanna

Hosanna

In our breeding and our manner

We are cool

Come, ye cool, cool
Considerate set

We'll dance together
To the same minuet

To the right
Ever to the right

Never to the left
Forever to the right

Let our creed be never to exceed

Regulated speed

No matter what the need

Come sing, Hosanna

Hosanna

Emblazoned on our banner
Is keep cool

To the right
Ever to the right

Never to the left
Forever to the right

Hands attach
Tightly latch

Everybody match

I have a new dispatch

"From the commander,
army of the United Colonies in New York,

dispatch number 1,158,

to the Honorable Congress,
John Hancock, president. 'Dear, sir,

I awoke this morning
to find that General Howe

has landed 25,000 British regulars
and Hessian mercenaries

on Staten Island,

and that the fleet, under the command
of his brother, Admiral Lord Howe,

controls not only the Hudson
and the East Rivers but New York Harbor,

which now looks like all of London afloat.

I can no longer, in good conscience,

withhold from the Congress my certainty
that the British object at this time

is Philadelphia.

Happy should I be if I could see
the means of preventing them,

but at present, I confess I do not.

Oh, how I wish I had never seen
the Continental Army.

I would have done better
to retire to the back country

and to live in a wigwam.

Your obedient...

G. Washington.'"

What we do
We do rationally

We never, ever go off half-cocked
Not we

Why begin
Till we know that we can win?

And if we cannot win
Why bother to begin?

We say
This game's not of our choosing

Why should we risk losing?

We're cool, cool men

Mr. Hancock,
you're a man of property, one of us.

Why don't you join us in our minuet?

Why do you persist
in dancing with John Adams?

Good Lord, sir, you don't even like him.

That is true
He annoys me quite a lot

But still I'd rather trot
To Mr. Adams' new gavotte

Why? For personal glory?
For a place in history?

Be careful, sir. History will brand him
and his followers as traitors.

Traitors, Mr. Dickinson? To what?

The British crown
or the British half-crown?

Fortunately, there are not enough men
of property in America to dictate policy.

Perhaps not, but don't forget
that most men with nothing

would rather protect
the possibility of becoming rich

than face the reality of being poor.

And that is why they will follow us!

To the right
Ever to the right

Never to left
Forever to the right

Where there's gold
A market to behold

Tradition that is old

Reluctant to be bold

I sing, Hosanna

Hosanna

In a sane and lucid manner

We are cool!

We're the cool, cool
Considerate men

Whose like may never, ever
Be seen again

We have land
Cash in hand

Self-command
Future planned

And we'll hold to our gold

Tradition that is old

Reluctant to be bold

We say this game's
Not of our choosing

Why should we risk losing?

We're cool, cool
Cool, cool, cool

Cool, cool, cool
Cool, cool

Cool, cool

Men

How'd you like to try and borrow
a dollar from one of them?

-You want some more rum, general?
-General?

Lord, I ain't even a corporal.

Yeah, well, what's the army know?

Here, son. There you go.

Sit down, gentlemen. The chair rules
it's too damn hot to work.

Well, general, what's it like out there?

You probably know more than me.

Sitting here?

Sweet Jesus, this is the last place
to find out what's going on.

I'm aiming to join up.

Oh, what are you talking about?
You don't have to join up.

-You're in Congress.
-What's that got to do with it?

Well, you don't see them
rushing off to get killed, do ya?

They sure are great ones
for sending others, I can tell ya that.

Hey, who sits here?

Caesar Rodney of Delaware.

Where are you from, general?

Water town.

-Where's that?
-Massachusetts.

Well, then you belong over there.

But be careful.

There's something about that chair
that makes a man awful noisy.

You seen any fighting?

Sure did.

I see'd my two best friends
get shot dead on the very same day.

And at Lexington it was too.

Right on the village green.

When they didn't come home, their mamas
went down the hill looking for them.

Mrs. Lowell, she found Timothy.

Right off.

But Mrs. Pickett...

she looked near half the night
for William.

He went and crawled off the green...

before he died.

Mama, hey, Mama

Come looking for me

I'm here in the meadow

By the red maple tree

Mama, hey, Mama

Look sharp

Here I be

Hey, hey

Mama, look sharp

Them soldiers, they fired

Oh, Ma, did we run

But then we turned round

And the battle begun

Then I went under

Oh, Ma, am I done

Hey, hey

Mama, look sharp

My eyes are wide open

My face to the sky

Is that you I'm hearing

In the tall grass nearby?

Mama, come find me

Before I do die

Hey, hey

Mama

Look sharp

I'll close your eyes

My Billy

Them eyes that cannot see

And I'll bury ya

My Billy

Beneath the maple tree

And

Never again

Will ya whisper to me

Hey

Hey

Oh, Mama

Look sharp

The secretary will now read the report
of the Declaration Committee.

Mr. Thomson.

"A declaration by the representatives
of the United States of America

in general Congress assembled.

When in the course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people

to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another

and to assume
among the powers of the earth

the separate and equal station
to which the laws of nature

and of nature's god entitle them,

a decent respect
to the opinions of mankind

requires that they should declare
the causes

which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident

that all men are created equal.

They're endowed by their creator
with certain inalienable rights

that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness,

that we secure these rights..."

Jefferson, we're back,
and we've got Maryland.

That is, we will, as soon as Chase gets
through telling the Maryland assembly

what we saw in New Brunswick.

He's in Annapolis, describing a ragtag
collection of provincial militiamen

who couldn't drill together,
train together or march together.

But when a flock of ducks flew over

and they saw their first meal
in three full days,

sweet Jesus, could they shoot together.

-It was a slaughter.
-A slaughter.

They're reading the declaration.

Good God. How far have they gotten?

"To render the military independent of
and superior to the civil power."

"...independent of and superior to..."

Nothing to fear. It's a masterpiece.

I'm to be congratulated.

You?

-For making him write it.
-Oh, of course.

It's a masterpiece, I say

They will cheer every word
Every letter

I wish [ felt that way

I believe I can put it better

Now then attend
As friend to friend

Our Declaration Committee

For us I see immortality

In Philadelphia City

A farmer, a lawyer

And a sage

A bit gouty in the leg

You know it's quite bizarre
To think that here we are

Playing midwives to an egg

-Egg? What egg?
-America. The birth of a new nation.

If only we could be sure
of what kind of a bird it's going to be.

Tom has a point.
What sort of bird shall we choose

as the symbol of our new America?

-The eagle.
-The dove.

The turkey.

The eagle.

-The dove.
-The eagle.

-The eagle.
-The turkey.

The eagle is a majestic bird.

The eagle is a scavenger,
a thief and a coward.

A symbol of over ten centuries
of European mischief.

-The turkey?
-The turkey is a truly noble bird.

Native American. Source of sustenance
of our original settlers.

An incredibly brave fellow
who will not flinch

at attacking a regiment
of Englishmen single-handedly!

Therefore, the national bird
of America is going to be--

-The eagle!
-The eagle!

We're waiting
For the chirp, chirp, chirp

Of an eaglet being born

Waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp

On this humid Monday morning

In this congressional incubator

God knows
The temperature's hot enough

To hatch a stone
Let alone an egg

We're waiting
For the scratch, scratch, scratch

Of that tiny, little fellow

Waiting for the egg to hatch

On this humid Monday morning

In this congressional incubator

God knows
The temperature's hot enough

-To hatch a stone
-But will it hatch an egg?

The declaration will be a triumph.
I tell you, a triumph.

If I was ever sure of anything,
I'm sure of that.

A triumph.

And if it isn't, we still got four days
left to think of something else.

The eagle's going to crack the shell

Of the egg that England laid

Yes, sir
We can tell, tell, tell

On this humid Monday morning

In this congressional incubator

And just as Tom here has written

Though its shell may belong
To Great Britain

The eagle inside belongs to us

And just as Tom here has written

We say to hell with Great Britain

The eagle inside

Belongs to us

"...and to do all other acts and things

which independent states may of right do.

And for the support of this declaration,

we mutually pledge
to each other our lives,

our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Thank you, Mr. Thomson.

The Congress has heard the report
of the Declaration Committee.

Are there any here
who wish to offer alterations,

deletions, amendments to this declaration?

Mr. President!

Gentlemen! Gentlemen, please!

Colonel McKean, I saw your hand first.

Mr. Jefferson,

it's a funny paper you've written, Tom,
but somewhere in it

you mention Scottish and
foreign mercenaries sent to destroy us.

Scottish, Tom?

That is in reference
to a Highland regiment

which stood against us at Boston.

It's more likely Germans wearing Kilts
to disguise their being there.

I ask you to remove the word and
avoid giving offense to a good people.

Mr. Jefferson?

-The Reverend...
-Witherspoon.

Mr. Jefferson, nowhere do you mention
the Supreme Being.

Surely this was an oversight,
for how could we hope to achieve a victory

without his help?

Therefore, I suggest the following
addition to your final sentence.

"With a firm reliance
on the protection of Divine Providence."

Mr. Jefferson?

Mr. Read.

Among your charges
against the king, Mr. Jefferson,

you accuse him of depriving us
of the benefits of trial by jury.

This is untrue, sir. In Delaware,
we've always had trial by jury.

In Massachusetts, we have not.

Well, then I suggest that the words
"lily many cases" be added.

Mr. Jefferson?

"In many cases"? Brilliant!

I suppose every time
you see those three words,

your puny chest will swell with pride

over your great historical contribution.

It's more memorable
than your unprincipled whitewash

of that race of barbarians!

"Race of barbarians"?
Why, I'll have you--

Colonel McKean, Mr. Read, that's enough!

-Mr. Hopkins.
-I've no objections, Johnny.

-I'm just trying to get a drink.
- I should've known.

McNair, get him a rum.

-Mr. Barlett.
-Mr. Jefferson.

I beg you to remember
that we still have friends in England.

I see no purpose in antagonizing them
with such phrases as:

"unfeeling brethren" and "enemies at war."

Our quarrel is with the British king,
not the British people.

Be sensible, Bartlett.

Remove those phrases and the entire
paragraph becomes meaningless.

And it so happens that it's one
of the most stirring and poetic

of any passage
in the entire document. Now--

We're a Congress, Mr. Adams,
not a literary society.

- I ask that the paragraph be stricken.
-Mr. Jefferson?

Oh, good God, Jefferson, when are you
going to speak up for your own work?

I had hoped
that the work would speak for itself.

-Mr. Hancock?
-What is it, Mr. McNair?

I'm not fond of "The United States
of America" as a name for a new country.

I don't care
what you're fond of, Mr. McNair.

You're not a member of this Congress!

Mr. Sherman.

Brother Jefferson, I noted at least
two distinct and direct references

to the British Parliament
in your declaration.

Do you think it's wise
to alienate that august body

in light of our contention that they've
never had any authority over us anyway?

This is a revolution, damn it!

We're going to have to offend somebody.

Brother Hancock!

John, John.

You'll give yourself an attack
of apoplexy if you're not careful.

-Have you heard what they're doing?
- I heard.

And that's just our friends. Can you
imagine what our enemies will do?

The word "parliament" will be removed
wherever it occurs.

They won't be satisfied till they remove
one of the F's from Jefferson's name.

Courage, John. It won't last much longer.

Mr. Dickinson.

Mr. Jefferson,
I have very little interest in your paper,

as there's no doubt in my mind
that we've all but heard the last of it.

But I am curious about one thing.

Why do you refer
to King George as a tyrant?

Because he is a tyrant.

I remind you, Mr. Jefferson,
that this tyrant is still your king.

When a king becomes a tyrant,

he thereby breaks the contract
binding his subjects to him.

-How so?
-By taking away their rights.

Rights that came from him
in the first place?

All except one. The right to be free
comes from nature.

And are we not free, Mr. Jefferson?

Homes entered without warrant.

Citizens arrested without charge.

And in many places,
free assembly itself denied.

No one approves of such things,
but these are dangerous times.

Be careful, Mr. Dickinson.

Those who'd give up some liberty
in order to obtain temporary safety

deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Mr. Wilson.

Do we in Pennsylvania
consider King George a tyrant?

Well, I don't know. He--

No. No, we don't.

He's not a tyrant...

-in Pennsylvania.
-There you are, Mr. Jefferson.

Your declaration does not speak
for us all.

-I demand the word "tyrant" be removed.
-Very well.

Just a moment, Mr. Thomson.

I do not consent.

The king is a tyrant,
whether we say so or not.

-We might as well say so.
-But I already scratched it out.

Then scratch it back in.

Put it back, Mr. Thomson.
The king will remain a tyrant.

-Mr. Hewes.
-Mr. Jefferson.

Nowhere do you mention
deep-sea fishing rights.

Oh, good God! Fishing rights!

How long is this piddling to go on?

We have been here
for three full days.

We have endured, by my count,
85 separate changes

and the removal
of close to 400 words.

Now, would you whip it and beat it
till you break its spirit?

I tell you that document is a masterful
expression of the American mind!

If there are no more changes,

then I can assume the report
of the Declaration Committee has been--

-Just a moment, Mr. President.
-Look out.

I wonder if we might prevail
upon Mr. Thomson

to read again a small portion
of Mr. Jefferson's declaration.

The one beginning,
"He has waged cruel war."

"He has affected. He's combined.

He's abdicated. He's plundered.

He's constrained.
He's excited. He's incited.

He's waged cruel war." Here it is.

"He has waged cruel war
against human nature itself

in the persons of a distant people
who never offended him,

captivating and carrying them
into slavery in another hemisphere,

determined to keep open a market
where men should be bought and sold.

-He has prostituted his--"
-That will suffice. I thank you, sir.

Mr. Jefferson, I can't quite make out
what it is you're talking about.

Slavery, Mr. Rutledge.

Oh, yes. You're referring to us
as slaves of the king.

No, sir. I'm referring to our slaves.

Black slaves.

Black slaves.

Why didn't you say so, sir?

Were you trying to hide your meaning?

No, sir.

Just another literary license, then.

If you like.

I don't like at all, Mr. Jefferson.

To us in South Carolina,
Black slavery is our peculiar institution

and a cherished way of life.

Nevertheless, we must abolish it.

Nothing is more certainly written
in the Book of Fate

than that this people shall be free.

I am not concerned
with the Book of Fate right now.

I'm more concerned with what is
written in that little paper there.

That little paper there deals
with freedom for Americans.

Oh, really?

Mr. Adams...

is now calling
our Black slaves "Americans."

-Are they now?
-Yes, they are.

They're people and they're here.

If there's any other requirement,
I've never heard of it.

They are here, yes, but they are
not people. They are property.

No, sir. They are people
who are being treated as property.

I tell you, the rights of human nature

are deeply wounded
by this infamous practice.

Then see to your own wounds,
for you are a practitioner!

Are you not?

I have already resolved
to release my slaves.

Then I'm sorry...

for you've also resolved
the ruination of your personal economy.

Economy. Always economy.

There's more to this
than a filthy purse string, Rutledge.

It is an offense against man and God.

It's a stinking business, Mr. Rutledge.
A stinking business.

Is it really, Mr. Hopkins?

Then what is that I smell
floating down from the North?

Could that be the aroma of hypocrisy?

For who holds the other end
of that filthy purse string, Mr. Adams?

Our Northern brethren feeling
a bit tender toward our slaves.

They don't keep slaves.

Oh, no.

But they're willing
to be considerable carriers

of slaves to others.

They're willing...

for the shilling.

Or haven't you heard, Mr. Adams?

Clink, clink.

Molasses to rum

To slaves

Oh, what a beautiful waltz

You dance with us

We dance with you

In molasses and rum

And slaves

Who sail the ships out of Boston

Laden with Bibles and rum?

Who drinks a toast
To the Ivory Coast?

Hail, Africa
The slavers have come

New England with Bibles

And rum

Then it's off with the rum
And the Bibles

Take on the slaves
Clink, clink

Then hail and farewell to the smell

Of the African coast

Molasses to rum to slaves

'Tisn't morals
'Tis money that saves

Shall we dance to the sound
Of the profitable pound?

In molasses and rum

And slaves

Who sail the ships out of Guinea

Laden with Bibles and slaves?

'Tis Boston can boast
To the West Indies' coast

Jamaica, we brung what ye craves

Antigua, Barbados

We brung Bibles

And slaves

Gentlemen, you mustn't think
that our Northern friends

see our Black slaves
as merely figures in a ledger.

Oh, no. They see them
as figures on a block.

Look at the faces
at the auctions, gentlemen.

White faces on African wharves.

Seafaring faces. New England faces.

"Put them in the ships.

Cram them in the ships.

Stuff them in the ships.

Hurry, gentlemen. Let the auction begin."

Ya ha, ya ha ma
Cundah

Gentlemen, do you hear?
That's the cry of the auctioneer.

Ya ha, ya ha ma
Cundah

Slaves, gentlemen!

Black gold!

Living gold!

Gold from Angola!

Guinea, Guinea, Guinea!

Blackbirds for sale

Ashanti, ebo, ebo, ebo!

Blackbirds for sale

Handle them!

Fondle them!

But don't finger them!

They're prime
They're prime

Ya ha, ya ha ma
Cundah

For the love of God,
Mr. Rutledge, please.

Molasses to rum

To slaves

Who sail the ships
Back to Boston

Laden with gold
See it gleam

Whose fortunes are made
In the triangle trade

Hail, slavery
The New England dream

Mr. Adams, I give you a toast.

Hail, Boston

Hail, Charleston

Who stinketh

The most?

Mr. Rutledge, please!

Mr. Hewes.

Dr. Hall.

Don't worry, John. They'll be back.

Aye, to vote us down.

Adams! Franklin!

It's done. I have it.
And the Maryland Assembly's approved it.

I told them about one of the greatest
military engagements in history

against a flock of...

Well, what's wrong? I thought--

You'll have to forgive them, Mr. Chase.

They just suffered a slight setback.

And after all, "What is a man profited

if he shall gain Maryland
and lose the entire South?"

Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26.

McNair.

-Oh, I know. The flies.
-No.

The rum.

What are we all sitting around for?

We're wasting time. Precious time.

Thomas, I want you
to ride down into Delaware

-and fetch back Caesar Rodney.
-John, are you mad?

-It's 80 miles, and he's a dying man.
-No, he's a patriot.

John, what good will it do?
The South's done us in.

And suppose they change their minds?

Can we get Delaware without Rodney?

God. What a bastardly bunch we are.

-Stephen, I want you to--
-I'm going to the tavern, Johnny.

If there's anything I can do
for you there, let me know.

Chase. Bartlett!

What's the use, John?
The vote's tomorrow morning.

There's less than a full day left.

-Roger.
-Face facts, John. It's finished.

I'm sorry, John.

We have no choice, John.

The slavery clause has got to go.

Franklin, what are you saying?

It's a luxury we can't afford.

A luxury?

A half million souls in chains

and Dr. Franklin calls it a luxury.

Maybe you should've
walked out with the South.

You forget yourself, sir.

I founded the first antislavery society
on this continent.

Don't wave your credentials at me.
Perhaps it's time you had them renewed.

The issue here is independence.

Perhaps you've forgotten that fact,
but I have not.

How dare you jeopardize our cause
when we've come so far.

These men...

no matter how much
we may disagree with them,

are not ribbon clerks
to be ordered about.

They're proud, accomplished men.
The cream of their colonies.

And whether you like it or not,
they and the people they represent

will be part of this new nation
you'd hope to create.

Now either learn how to live with them,
or pack up and go home!

In any case,
stop acting like a Boston fishwife.

Good God. What's happened to me?

John Adams. The great John Adams.

What have I come to?

Law practice down the pipe.
Farm mortgaged to the hilt.

At a stage in life
when other men prosper,

I'm reduced to living in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia.

Abigail, what am I going to do?

Do, John?

I need your help.

You don't usually ask my advice.

Yes, well, there doesn't appear
to be anyone else right now.

Very well, John. What is it?

The entire South has
just walked out of this Congress.

George Washington is
on the verge of total annihilation.

And the precious cause for which
I have labored these several years

has come to nothing.

And it seems
that I'm obnoxious and disliked.

Nonsense, John.

That I am unwilling to face reality.

Foolishness, John.

That I'm pigheaded.

Well, there you have me, John.
I'm afraid you are pigheaded.

Well, yes.

Oh, Abby.

Has it been any kind of a life for you?

God knows
I haven't given you very much.

I never asked for more.

After all, I am Mrs. John Adams.
That's quite a lot for one lifetime.

-Is it, Abby?
-Well, think of it, John.

To be married to the man who is
always the first in line to be hanged.

Yes. The agitator.

Why, Abby?

You must tell me what it is. I--

Well, I have always been dissatisfied.
I know that.

But lately, I find
that I reek of discontentment.

It fills my throat,
and it floods my brain.

Sometimes I fear
there is no longer a dream.

Only the discontentment.

Oh, John.

Can you really know
so little about yourself?

And can you think so little of me
that you'd believe

I'd marry the man you've described?

Have you forgotten what
you used to say to me? I haven't.

"Commitment, Abby.

Commitment.

There are only two creatures of value
on the face of this earth.

Those with a commitment

and those who require
the commitment of others."

Do you remember, John?

Yes, I remember.

Mr. Adams!

Are you up there, Mr. Adams?

What do you want?

There's a delivery down here for ya!

What is it?

Where did it come from? Who sent it?

Compliments
Of the Concord Ladies' coffee club

And the Sisterhood
Of the Truro Synagogue

And the Friday evening
Baptist sewing circle

And the Holy Christian Sisters
Of St. Claire

All for you

John

I am, as I ever was

And ever shall be

Yours, yours, yours

Yours

Abigail, what's in these kegs?

Saltpeter

John

McNair!

McNair, go out and buy every damned pin
you can find in Philadelphia.

Pin? What sort of pin?

Well, I don't know. Whatever
the ladies use for their sewing.

Franklin, Jefferson,
what are you all sitting around for?

-Didn't you hear a word I said before?
-Oh, never mind about that.

-Here's what I want you to do.
-John, I'm not even speaking to you.

It's too late for that, damn it.
There's work to be done.

Jefferson, go find Rutledge.

Don't come back
until you've worn him down.

Now, you're both Southern aristocrats.

If he'll listen to anybody,
he'll listen to you.

Franklin, out of that chair!

What good is the South
if you can't deliver Pennsylvania?

Talk to Wilson.
Get him away from Dickinson.

That's the only way to do it.
Go on, now, both of you.

-John?
-Time's running out, damn it.

Now move.

I'm still from Massachusetts, John.

You know where I stand.
I'll do whatever you say.

No.

No. You're the president of Congress.

You're a fair man, Hancock.
Stay that way.

Tell me, Mr. Thomson, out of curiosity,

do you stand with Mr. Dickinson,
or do you stand with me?

I stand with the general.

Well, lately, I've had
the oddest feeling that he's been...

writing to me.

I have been in expectation

Of receiving a reply

On the subject
Of my last 15 dispatches

Is anybody there?

Does anybody care?

Does anybody care?

"Your humble and obedient--"

"Is anybody there?

Does anybody care?"

Does anybody see what I see?

They want me to quit

They say
John, give up the fight

Still to England, I say

Good night, forever
Good night

For I have crossed the Rubicon

Let the bridge be burned behind me

Come what may

Come what may
Commitment

The croakers all say
We'll rue the day

There'll be hell to pay
In fiery purgatory

Through all the gloom
Through all the gloom

I can see the rays
Of ravishing light

And glory

Is anybody there?

Does anybody care?

Does anybody see what I see?

I see fireworks

I see the pageant
And pomp and parade

I hear the bells ringing out

I hear the cannons roar

I see Americans

All Americans free

Forevermore

How quiet
How quiet the chamber is

How silent
How silent the chamber is

Is anybody there?

Does anybody care?

Does anybody see...

what I see?

Yes, Mr. Adams.

I do.

Dr. Hall.

I didn't know anyone was--

I'm sorry if I startled you.

I couldn't sleep.

And in trying to resolve my dilemma,

I remembered something I'd once read.

"That a representative owes
the people not only his industry

but his judgment,

and he betrays them
if he sacrifices it to their opinion."

That was written by Edmund Burke,

a member of the British Parliament.

-Good night, Mr. Adams.
-Good night.

It's never been done before.

No colony has ever broken from the
parent stem in the history of the world.

If you have grievances,
and I'm sure you have,

our present system must provide
a gentler means of redressing them--

-We've spawned a new race here.
-Revolution?

Rougher, simpler, more violent,
more enterprising, less refined.

"My quartermaster has no food,
no arms, no ammunition,

and my troops are
in a state of near mutiny.

I pray God some relief arrives
before the armada, but fear it will not."

And when they hang you, Mr. Adams,

I do hope you'll put in
a good word for the rest of us.

England closing in,
cutting off our air. There's no time!

Place before mankind
the common sense of the subjects.

The issue here is independence.

Perhaps you've lost sight
of that fact, but I have not.

"We mutually pledge
to each other our lives,

our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Can you really know
so little about yourself?

Very well.

The Congress will now vote on
Virginia's resolution on independence.

Thank you for coming, Caesar,
and God bless you, sir.

The secretary will call the roll.

And I remind you, gentlemen,

that a single "nay" vote...

will defeat the motion.

Mr. Thomson.

-New Hampshire.
-New Hampshire says yea.

New Hampshire says yea.
Massachusetts.

-Massachusetts says yea.
-Massachusetts says yea.

-Rhode Island.
-Rhode Island says yea.

Rhode Island says yea. Connecticut.

-Connecticut says yea.
-Connecticut says yea.

New York.

Mr. Secretary,
New York abstains courteously.

-New York abstains.
-Courteously.

-New Jersey.
-New Jersey says yea.

New Jersey says yea. Pennsylvania.

Mr. Secretary, Pennsylvania is not ready.
Please come back to us later.

Pennsylvania passes. Delaware.

Just a moment.

Delaware, by majority vote...

-Aye.
-...says yea.

Delaware says yea. Maryland.

-Maryland says yea.
-Maryland says yea.

-Virginia.
-Virginia says yea.

Virginia says yea. North Carolina.

North Carolina yields to South Carolina.

South Carolina.

Well, Mr. Adams?

Well, Mr. Rutledge?

Mr. Adams,

you must believe that I will do
what I promised to do.

What is it you want?

Remove the offending passage
from your declaration.

If we did that, we would be guilty of
what we ourselves are rebelling against.

Nevertheless, remove it,

or South Carolina will bury
now and forever

your dream of independence.

John, I beg you,
consider what you're doing.

Mark me, Franklin,

if we give in on this issue,
posterity will never forgive us.

That's probably true, but we won't
hear a thing. We'll be long gone.

Besides, what will posterity
think we were? Demigods?

We're men, no more, no less,
trying to get a nation started

against greater odds than
a more generous God would have allowed.

First things first, John.
Independence. America.

If we don't secure that,
what difference will the rest make?

Jefferson, say something.

What else is there to do?

Well, man, you're the one that wrote it.

I wrote all of it, Mr. Adams.

There. There it is, Rutledge.

You have your slavery.
Little good may it do you.

Now vote, damn you.

Mr. President,
the fair colony of South Carolina...

-says yea.
-South Carolina says yea.

-North Carolina says yea.
-North Carolina says yea.

-Georgia.
-Georgia says yea.

Georgia says yea.

Pennsylvania, second call.

Mr. President, Pennsylvania regrets
all of the inconvenience

that such distinguished men
as Adams, Franklin and Jefferson

were put to just now.

They might've kept their document intact
for all the difference it will make.

-Mr. President, Pennsylvania says--
-Just a moment.

I ask the delegation to be polled.

Dr. Franklin, don't be absurd.

A poll, Mr. President.
It's a proper request.

Yes, it is.
Poll the delegation, Mr. Thomson.

-Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
-Yea.

-Mr. John Dickinson.
-Nay.

Mr. James Wilson.

Judge Wilson?

There it is, Mr. Wilson.
It's all up to you now.

The question of American independence
rests squarely on your shoulders.

An entirely new nation ready
to be born or to die at birth

all on your say-so.

Which will it be, Mr. Wilson?

Every mapmaker in the world
is waiting for your decision.

Oh, come now, James.
Nothing has changed.

We mustn't let
Dr. Franklin create one of his confusions.

The question is clear.

Most questions are clear
when someone else has to decide them.

It'd be a pity for a man who's handed
down hundreds of wise decisions

from the bench...

to be remembered only for the one
unwise decision he made in Congress.

James, you're keeping everybody waiting.

The secretary has called for your vote.

Please.

Don't push me, John.
I know what you want me to do.

But Mr. Adams is correct about one thing.

I'm the one who'll be remembered for it.

What do you mean?

I'm different from you, John.

I'm different from most of the men here.

I don't want to be remembered.

I just don't want the...

responsibility.

Yes, well,
whether you want it or not, James,

there's no way of avoiding it.

Not necessarily, John.

If I go with them,
I'll just be one among dozens.

No one will ever remember
the name of James Wilson.

But if I vote with you,

I'll be the man who prevented
American independence.

I'm sorry, John.

I just didn't bargain for that.

And is that how new nations are formed?

By a nonentity trying to preserve

the anonymity he so richly deserves?

Revolutions come into this world
like bastard children, Mr. Dickinson.

Half improvised and half compromised.

Our side has provided the compromise.

Now Judge Wilson is supplying the rest.

James.

I'm sorry, John.

My vote... is yea.

Mr. Secretary, Pennsylvania says yea.

The count, being 12 to none,

with one abstention,

the resolution on independence...

is adopted.

It's done.

It's done.

Mr. Thomson,
is the declaration ready to be signed?

-Wis.
-Then I suggest we do so.

And the chair further proposes,
for our mutual security and protection,

that no man sit in this Congress
without attaching his name to it.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

I cannot, in good conscience,
sign such a document.

I will never stop hoping for
our eventual reconciliation with England.

But because...

in my own way...

I regard America no less
than does Mr. Adams...

I will join the army
and fight in her defense,

even though I believe
that fight to be hopeless.

Goodbye, gentlemen.

Gentlemen of the Congress,

I say yea, John Dickinson.

Very well.

Are there objections to the declaration
being approved as it now stands?

- I have one, Mr. Hancock.
-You, Mr. Adams?

Yes. Mr. Jefferson.

It so happens
that the word is "unalienable,"

not "inalienable."

I'm sorry, Mr. Adams,
but "inalienable" is correct.

I happen to be a Harvard graduate,
Mr. Jefferson.

I attended William and Mary, Mr. Adams.

Gentlemen, please! Mr. Jefferson,
will you yield to Mr. Adams' request?

No, sir, I will not.

Oh, very well. I withdraw it.

Oh, good for you, John.

I'll speak
to the printer about it later on.

Very well, gentlemen.

We're about to brave the storm
in a skiff made of paper.

And how it shall end, God only knows.

That's a pretty large signature, Johnny.

So Fat George in London can read it
without his glasses.

Step right up, gentlemen. Don't miss
your chance to commit treason.

Hancock is right. This paper is
our passport to the gallows.

But there's no backing out now,
for if we do not hang together,

we shall most assuredly
hang separately.

In my case, hanging won't be so bad.

One snap and it'll be all over,
just like that.

But look at Read there. He'll be dancing
a jig long after I'm gone!

Gentlemen, forgive me
if I don't join in the merriment,

but if we are arrested now,

my name is still the only one
on the damn thing!

"From the commander,
army of the United Colonies in--

Army of the United States in New York,

dispatch number 1,209,

to the Honorable Congress,
John Hancock, President. 'Dear, sir,

I can now report with some certainty
that the eve of battle is near at hand.

Toward this end, I have ordered
the evacuation of Manhattan

and directed our defenses to take up
stronger positions on Brooklyn Heights.

At the present time, my forces consist
entirely of Has let's Delaware Militia

and Smallwood's Marylanders,

a total of 5,000 troops
to stand against...

25,000 of the enemy.

And I begin to notice that many of us

are lads under 15 and old men,

none of whom could truly be
called soldiers.

One personal note
to Mr. Lewis Morris of New York.

I must regretfully report that his estates
have been totally destroyed,

but that I have taken the liberty
of transporting Mrs. Morris

and eight of the children
to Connecticut and safety.

The four older boys are now enlisted
in the Continental Army.

As I write these words,

the enemy is plainly in sight
beyond the river.

How it will end
only Providence can direct.

But dear God, what brave men...

I shall lose...

before...

this business...

ends.

Your obedient...

G. Washington.'"

Very well, gentlemen.

McNair.

Go ring the bell.

-Mr. President.
-Mr. Morris.

To hell with New York.
I'll sign it anyway.

Thank you, Mr. Morris.

Stephen, sit down.

No.

I want to remember
each man's face as he signs.

Very well.

Mr. Thomson.

New Hampshire. Dr. Josiah Bartlett.

Massachusetts. Mr. John Adams.

Rhode Island. Mr. Stephen Hopkins.

Connecticut. Mr. Roger Sherman.

New York. Mr. Lewis Morris.

New Jersey. The Reverend John Witherspoon.

Pennsylvania. Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

Delaware. Mr. Caesar Rodney.

Maryland. Mr. Samuel Chase.

Virginia. Mr. Thomas Jefferson.

North Carolina. Mr. Joseph Hewes.

South Carolina. Mr. Edward Rutledge.

Georgia. Dr. Lyman Hall.