Both served in the Continental Congress and both signed the Declaration of Independence.
Both served as U.S. Ministers in France.
One was elected the 2nd President and the other the 3rd.
Once political enemies, they became close friends in later life.
An
awe swept America when they both died on the same day, JULY 4, 1826,
exactly 50 years since they signed the Declaration of Independence.
Their names were
John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson.
John Quincy Adams, son of
John Adams, was the 6th President at the time and told Congress, December 5, 1826:
"Since your last meeting at this place, the 50th anniversary of the day when our independence was declared...
two
of the principal actors in that solemn scene - the HAND that penned the
ever-memorable Declaration and the VOICE that sustained it in debate -
were
by one summons, at the distance of 700 miles from each other, called
before the Judge of All to account for their deeds done upon earth."
John Quincy Adams wrote in an Executive Order, July 11, 1826:
"A
coincidence...so wonderful gives confidence...that the patriotic
efforts of these...men were Heaven directed, and furnishes a new...hope
that the prosperity of these States is under the special protection of a
kind Providence."
Jefferson described
Adams as: "the pillar of the Declaration's support on the floor of Congress, its ablest advocate and defender."
Defending the Declaration,
John Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776:
"Before God, I believe the hour has come...
All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it...
Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration.
It
is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying
sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!"
Get the best-selling book, America's God and Country Encyclopedia of QuotationsJohn Adams stated, June 21, 1776:
"Statesmen,
my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and
Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom
can securely stand.
The only foundation of a free Constitution is
pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People...they may
change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not
obtain a lasting liberty."
Inscribed on the
Jefferson Memorial on the south banks of Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin, are
Jefferson's words:
"Almighty God hath created the mind free...
All
attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burdens...are a
departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion...
No
man...shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or
belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to
maintain, their opinions in matters of religion...
God
who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be
secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the
gift of God?
Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever."
In the last letter
Jefferson wrote, he told Roger C. Weightman, June 24, 1826:
"The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them."
The last words of
John Adams were:
"Thank God, Jefferson lives!"
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