History Series: John Adams
History of John Adams
Our First Vice President, Second President
Before John Adams became the first Vice President of the United States under George Washington, the second President of the United States, the first resident of the White House, and the writer of the Massachusetts State Constitution. He was one of the creators of the Declaration of Independence during the Revolutionary War.
What was he like? How did he and Jefferson get along? What were his views on government and religion?
John Adams and the Committee of Five
He was on the Committee of Five and was seven years senior to the 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson, but realized that Jefferson was the more eloquent writer.
Committee of Five
Jefferson asked Adams to write it. However, Adams insisted that Jefferson do so, arguing to Jefferson:
”Reason first, you are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second, I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third, you can write ten times better than I can.”
Later, Adams wrote:
“Was there ever a Coup de Theatre that had so great an…
