From the Morning Chronicle of the same day.
ANOTHER PATRIOT GONE!
We received from our correspondents of the New York Gazette, yesterday morning, a slip containing the following melancholy intelligence.
“Office of the Gazette, New York, July 7.
“The venerable John Adams is no more! This melancholy event was communicated to us yesterday morning in a letter from our Boston Correspondent, Mr. Topliff, couched in the following appropriate language:— “That venerable Patriot of the Revolution, John Adams departed this life at his Mansion, in Quincy, yesterday afternoon, in the 91st year of his age, having lived to see his prophecy, predicted on the 5th of July, 1776, fulfilled for fifty years, and breathed his last breath, at and about the same time in which he placed his signature to the Declaration of our Independence on that day fifty years previous.”
“The coincidence of circumstances is remarkable. Having lived to the day of the Nation’s Jubilee, the idea is conveyed to the mind, that his continuance on earth was no longer desirable; and his fleeting spirit seemed to linger till the close of the festivities of the occasion, and then took its flight in peace to its maker. On this mournful event being announced this morning, the city authorities caused all the bells of the city, to be toiled half an hour, in token of respect to his memory, and to give knowledge of his demise to the citizens generally. The shipping have displayed their flags at half mast, which will be continued through the day.”
In announcing the death of Mr. Jefferson on Friday last, we remarked it was a singular coincidence that he should have died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was signed; the death of Mr. John Adams on the same day, and but a few hours after his illustrious compeer, furnishes another coincidence still more extraordinary. It will be recollected, that Mr. Adams was one of the Committee appointed with Mr. Jefferson, to draft the Declaration of Independence, and it is a fact worthy of remark, that the amendments to the original declaration as drawn up by Mr. Jefferson, were nearly all, if not entirely made at the suggestion of Mr. Adams—these to be sure were mere verbal alterations—but still they partook of the character of amendments, and, therefore, give the more interest to the circumstance that the two individuals to whose patriotism and talents, America is indebted for the present form of that brilliant manifesto of human rights, should have both been permitted to linger on their days, till in the course of years, half a century had revolved—till its anniversary had reached the Nation’s Jubilee—that they should then, full of years and full of honors depart as it were together; as if it was the will of HIM who worketh all things for our good, that as their deeds in the establishment of our liberty were equally glorious, they should not be separated in death.
With the editor of the New-York American, we think we cannot pay a more appropriate homage to his memory, than by re-publishing the letter written by him on the day succeeding that on which the Declaration was signed. It breathes the spirit of a prophet—the confidence of a patriot, and the determination of one ready at any moment to lay down his life for the cause he had espoused. Its predictions have become history—and on his head has beamed and will beam the unfading “rays of light and of glory.”
The letter follows:
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 1776.—Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever decided among men. A resolution was passed unanimously, “That these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”
The day is passed.—The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the GREAT ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL! It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to the Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations—from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forever! You will think me transported with enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet through all the gloom I can see a ray of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not.
Yours, &c. JOHN ADAMS.