John Adams final words to enourage the signing of the Declratation of Independence - 1776

John Adams final words, meant to encourage his fellow assemblymen to sign of the Declaration of Independence and the eventual first reading of the Declaration of Independence from the amazing HBO miniseries based off John McCullough biography on John Adams.

"Objects of the most stupendous magnitude. Mirrors which will effect the lives of millions, born and unborn are now before us. We must expect a great expense of blood and pain, but we must always remember that a free constitution of civil government can not be purchased at too dear a rate as there is nothing on this side of Jerusalem of greater importance to mankind.

My worthy colleague from Pennsylvania, has spoken with great ingenuity and eloquence. He has given you a grim prognostication of our national future, but where he foresees apocalypse, I see hope. I see a new nation ready to take its place in the world, not an empire, but a republic and a republic of laws, not men. Gentlemen, we are in the very midst of revolution, the most complete, unexpected and remarkable in the history of the world.

How few of the human race have every had an opportunity for choosing a system of government for themselves and for their children?

I am not without apprehensions gentlemen, but the end we have in sight is more than worth all the means. My believe says that the hour has come, my judgment approves this measure and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, all that I am and all I that I hope in this life I am not ready to stake upon it.

While I live, let me have a country. A free country!"

John Adams -- 1776