[Standing awkwardly nearby as Jefferson and Martha embrace] John Adams: Jefferson, kindly introduce me to your wife. [pause] John Adams: She is your wife, isn't she? Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Of course she is. Look at the way they fit.
(4 votes)
2
[speaking of Congress] John Adams: Fat George has declared us in rebellion! Why in bloody hell can't they?
(4 votes)
3
John Dickinson: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hopkins, Dr. Franklin, why have you joined this... incendiary little man, this BOSTON radical? This demagogue, this MADMAN? John Adams: Are you calling me a madman, you, you... you FRIBBLE! Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Easy John. John Adams: You cool, considerate men. You hang to the rear on every issue so that if we should go under, you'll still remain afloat! John Dickinson: Are you calling me a coward? John Adams: Yes... coward! John Dickinson: Madman! John Adams: Landlord! John Dickinson: LAWYER! [a brawl breaks out]
4
Abigail: I never asked for more. After all, I am Mrs. John Adams and that's quite enough for one lifetime. John Adams: Is it, Abby? Abigail: Well, think of it, John, to be married to the man who is always the first in line to be hanged!
5
John Adams: A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?
6
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Please Mr. Dickinson, but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep? [laughter from Congress] John Dickinson: Forgive me, Dr. Franklin, but must YOU start speaking? How is a man to stay awake? [More laughter] John Dickinson: We'll promise to be quiet - I'm sure everyone prefers that you remained asleep. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: If I'm to hear myself called an Englishman, sir, I assure you I prefer I'd remained asleep. John Dickinson: What's so terrible about being called an Englishman? The English don't seem to mind. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: 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. [laughter] John Dickinson: When did you first notice they were missing, sir? [laughter]
7
Thomson: [calling for a vote] Where's Rhode Island? McNair: Rhode Island's out visiting the necessary. Hancock: Well, after what Rhode Island has consumed, I can't say I'm surprised. We'll come back to him, Mr. Thompson. Thomson: Rhode Island passes. [Roar of laughter from the Congress]
8
Hopkins: Well, in all my years I ain't never heard, seen nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about. Hell yeah! I'm for debating anything. Rhode Island says yea!
9
[Jefferson's wife visits, and they retire behind closed doors] John Adams: Good God, you don't mean... they're not going to...? In the middle of the afternoon? Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Not everybody's from Boston, John!
10
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh John, you can dance! John Adams: We still do a few things in Boston, Franklin.
11
John Adams: 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 courtesty of open debate! Good God, what in hell are you waiting for?
12
John Adams: At a stage in life when other men prosper, I'm reduced to living in Philadelphia.
13
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen a great man before?
14
Lewis Morris: [as John Hancock is about to swat a fly] Mr. Secretary, New York abstains, courteously. [Hancock raises his fly swatter at Morris, then draws back] John Hancock: Mr. Morris, [pause, then shouts] John Hancock: WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK? Lewis Morris: I'm sorry Mr. President, but the simple fact is that our legislature has never sent us explicit instructions on anything! John Hancock: NEVER? [slams fly swatter onto his desk] John Hancock: That's impossible! Lewis Morris: Mr. President, have you ever been present at a meeting of the New York legislature? [Hancock shakes his head "No"] Lewis Morris: They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done. [turns to the Congress as he returns to his seat] Lewis Morris: I beg the Congress's pardon. John Hancock: [grimly] My sympathies, Mr. Morris.
15
John Adams: Well, Franklin, where's that idiot Lee? Is he back yet? I don't see him. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Softly, John, your voice is hurting my foot. John Adams: One more day, Franklin. Then I shall propose to Congress. That strutting popinjay was so damn sure of himself. He's had time to come back with a dozen proposals by now!
16
[Adams has barged into Jefferson's room, accompanied by Franklin, to read the results of Jefferson's work on the Declaration of Independence] John Adams: You've had a whole week, man. Is it done? Can I SEE IT? [Jefferson indicates dozens of rejected drafts strewn crumpled about his floor] John Adams: Do you mean to say that it is NOT YET FINISHED? Thomas Jefferson: No sir. I mean to say that it is not yet begun. John Adams: Good GOD! A whole week! The entire earth was created in a week! [Jefferson turns to face him] Thomas Jefferson: Someday, you must tell me how you did it. John Adams: Disgusting.
17
John Dickinson: Don't forget that most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor.
18
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Treason is a charge invented by winners as an excuse for hanging the losers. John Adams: [scoffs] I have more to do than stand here and listen to you quote yourself. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh, that was a new one!
19
Thomson: If any be opposed to the resolution on independence as proposed by the Colony of Virginia signify by saying... John Adams: Mr. President? Thomson: Oh, for heaven's sake, let me get through it once.
20
[Adams tries to persuade Jefferson to stay in Philadelphia and write the Declaration of Independence rather than return home to Virginia] Thomas Jefferson: Mr. Adams, I have not seen my wife these past six months! I beg of you, Mr. Adams... John Adams: [quotes from memory] 'And we solemly 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! Why, you write ten times better than any man in Congress. Including me. For a man of only thirty-three years, you have a happy talent of composition and a remarkable felicity of expression. Now then sir: will you be a patriot? Or a lover? Thomas Jefferson: A lover.
21
John Adams: God help us. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh, he will, John. He will.
22
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Revolutions come into this world like bastard children, Mr. Dickinson - half improvised and half compromised.
23
John Adams: This is a revolution, dammit! We're going to have to offend SOMEbody!
24
[as they stand on the sidewalk below Jefferson's apartment] John Adams: This is positively indecent! Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh, John, they're young and they're in love. John Adams: Not them, Franklin. Us! Standing out here, waiting for them to... I mean, what will people think? Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Don't worry, John. The history books will clean it up. John Adams: It doesn't matter. I won't be in the history books anyway, only you. Franklin did this and Franklin did that and Franklin did some other damn 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 and the three of them- Farnklin, Washington, and the horse- conducted the entire revolution by themselves. [pause] Dr. Benjamin Franklin: I like it.
25
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: If we do not hang together, we shall most assuredly hang separately!
26
Samuel Chase: Answer straight: what would be its purpose? Thomas Jefferson: To place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent.
27
John Adams: [singing in the empty hall] Is anybody there?... Does anybody care?... Does anybody see... what I see? Dr. Lyman Hall: Yes, Mr. Adams, I do. John Adams: Dr. Hall, I didn't know anyone was... Dr. Lyman Hall: I'm sorry if I startled you. I couldn't sleep. 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." [He smiles] Dr. Lyman Hall: It was written by Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament. [He walks to the tally board and changes his 'nay' vote to 'yea' on independence]
28
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Don't worry, John, the history books will clean it up. John Adams: Hmm... Well, I'll never appear in the history books anyway. Only you. Franklin did this, and Franklin did that, and Franklin did some other damn 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 and the three of them, Franklin, Washington and the horse, conducted the entire revolution all by themselves. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [pondering] I like it.
29
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: A rebellion is always legal in the first person, such as "our rebellion." It is only in the third person - "their rebellion" - that it becomes illegal.
30
Hancock: 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!
31
Abigail: 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?
32
Richard Henry Lee: Therefore I must decline. Respectful..."lee".
33
John Adams: Now you'll write it, Mr. J. Thomas Jefferson: Who will make me, Mr. A? John Adams: I. Thomas Jefferson: You? John Adams: Yes! [Jefferson steps up, towering over Adams, and looks down at him] Thomas Jefferson: How? [tapping his chest with the quill pen] John Adams: By physical force, if necessary.
34
[Adams and Frankline wait expectantly on the street below Jefferson's apartment] John Adams: [reading a note tossed down from Jefferson] "Dear Mr. Adams, I am taking my wife back to bed. Kindly go away. Your obedient, T. Jefferson." Incredible! Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [chuckles] You know, perhaps I should have written the Declaration. At my age there's little doubt that the pen is mightier than the sword.
35
McNair: Awww Sweet Jesus!
36
[John Adams volunteers to visit New Brunswick after a report is given of Washington's soldiers being afflicted with venereal disease and alcoholism] John Adams: Wake up, Franklin, you're going to New Brunswick! Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [Half asleep] Like hell I am. What for? Hopkins: The whoring and the drinking! [Franklin gets up and marches off right behind Adams]
37
Richard Henry Lee: You've come to the one colony that can get job done: Virginia. The land that gave us our glorious commander in chief, George Washington, will now give the congress its proposal on independence. Where Virginia goes 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! John Adams: Incredible, we're free and he hasn't even left yet!
38
McNair: Mr. Hopkins, you'll be pleased to meet Dr. Lyman Hall. Hopkins: I don't need a doctor, damn it. McNair: [whispering] New delegate from Georgia! Hopkins: [whispering] Well why didn't you say so?
39
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Tell me, Mr. Wilson, when you were a judge, how in hell did you ever make a decision? James Wilson: The decisions I made were based on legality and precendent. But there is no legality here, and certainly no precedent. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [losing his temper] Because, it's a new idea, you CLOT! We'll be making our own precedent!
40
John Adams: They won't be happy until they remove one of the F's from Jefferson's name!
41
Joseph Hewes: Mr. Jefferson, nowhere do you mention deep sea fishing rights. John Adams: Oh good God! Fishing rights? How long is this piddling to go on? We have been here for three solid days! We have endured, by my count, more than eighty-five separate changes and the removal of close to four hundred words. Now, would you whip it and beat it 'til you break its spirit? I tell you, that document is a masterful expression of the American mind!
42
[repeated line] John Adams: Oh, good God.
43
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: As you know, the cause that we support has come to a complete standstill. Now, why do you suppose that is? Richard Henry Lee: Simple! Johnny, here, is obnoxious and disliked!
44
John Hancock: I'm concerned over the continued absence of 1/13th of this Congress. Where is New Jersey? John Dickinson: Somewhere between New York and Pennsylvania.
45
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: If Sam Adams can't put up with you, no one can. John Adams: You're getting at something. Dr. Benjamin Franklin: How can you tell?
46
[During the vote on independence] Dr. Lyman Hall: Mr. President, Georgia seems to be split right down the middle on this issue - the people are against it, and I'm for it. [laughter] Dr. Lyman Hall: 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.
47
John Adams: Good God, consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse, for no sane man would tolerate it!
48
James Wilson: I'm different from you, John. I'm different from most of the men here. I don't want to be remembered.
49
Thomas Jefferson: They're reading the Declaration. John Adams: Good God. How far have they gotten? Thomas Jefferson: "... to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power." [John opens the door to the Chamber] Thomson: "... independent of and superior to-" [John closes the door]
50
John Adams: Oh, Abigail, Abigail, I have such a desire to knock heads together!
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