AAAbigail "Nabby" Adams
Why do boys have all the pleasure?
Because we let them.
“Don't Tread on Me”
In this episode: John Adams (2), Abigail Adams (2)
Benjamin Franklin: Is it your purpose to destroy everything we've accomplished? To engineer the recall of the fleet under Admiral d'Estaing? Or is this some new kind of diplomatic initiative? The direct insult followed by the petulant whine? What are you thinking of? A good diplomat, Mr. Adams, observes much, acts little and speaks softly.
John Adams: The Comte de Vergennes means to keep his hand beneath our chin to prevent us from drowning, but not to keep our heads above the water.
Benjamin Franklin: Have you learned nothing, Mr. Adams? If you continue to exasperate and antagonize these people...
John Adams: As I did in Philadelphia and we declared independence, you recall.
Benjamin Franklin: In Philadelphia, we negotiated independence.
John Adams: Well, you may be as patient and accommodating as you like, Doctor. But for myself, I will not voluntarily put on the chains of France while I am struggling to throw off those of Great Britain!
You know, it is universally believed that Dr. Franklin has accomplished our revolution entirely by himself with a simple wave of his electric wand. Whatever merits he may have as a philosopher, as a legislator he has done very little, sir. Very little, indeed.
If ever there was a natural alliance, surely it is between the republics of the Netherlands and the United States. The Dutch first gave asylum to the pilgrims. New York and New Jersey were first settled by your countrymen.
DBDutch Banker
May I remind you that the Netherlands were a republic long before America was even an idea?
Indeed. Indeed, sir. If I may, America and Holland are so close in history, in religion, in government that every Dutchman instructed in the subject must pronounce the American Revolution just and necessary, or pass censure on the greatest actions of his immortal ancestors.
AAAbigail "Nabby" Adams
Is the war over?
Not while there is a single British soldier remaining in America. But they cannot hold on for long. Not after this. God be praised, and General Washington.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's John Adams pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.