John Adams and Abigail Adams in “Unite or Die”

John Adams

I have seen what the future holds, Abigail. Men and manners, principles, opinions. They've altered very much in this country. Authority is our only protection against discord, civil war and sedition. Now the office of the president, no doubt, is sufficient to establish such authority. But we must not be surprised if we ever find we need a monarch -

Abigail Adams

Oh! You would do well -

John Adams

- to keep us from coming asunder!

Abigail Adams

- to keep your thoughts to yourself, John! People will say that your mind has been tainted by foreign courts. They are already saying such things in Boston.