17761972

Edward Rutledge:
[In the final vote for Independence, Rutledge wants the slavery clause removed from the Declaration, or else he will vote against independence] Well, Mr. Adams?

John Adams:
Well, Mr. Rutledge.

Edward Rutledge:
[stands] Mr. Adams, you must believe that I *will* do what I promised to do.

John Adams:
[stands and approaches him] What is it you want, Rutledge?

Edward Rutledge:
Remove the offending passage from your Declaration.

John Adams:
If we did that, we would be guilty of what we ourselves are rebelling against.

Edward Rutledge:
Nevertheless... remove it, or South Carolina will bury, now and forever, your dream of independence.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
John? I beg you consider what you're doing.

John Adams:
Mark me, Franklin... if we give in on this issue, posterity will never forgive us.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin:
That's probably true, but we won't hear a thing, we'll be long gone. Besides, what would posterity think we were? Demi-gods? We're men, no more no less, trying to get a nation started against greater odds than a more generous God would have allowed. First things first, John. Independence; America. If we don't secure that, what difference will the rest make?

John Adams:
[long pause] Jefferson, say something.

Thomas Jefferson:
What else is there to do?

John Adams:
Well, man, you're the one that wrote it.

Thomas Jefferson:
I *wrote* ALL of it, Mr. Adams. [stands and goes to the Declaration, crosses out the clause]

John Adams:
[snatches the paper from Jefferson and takes it to Rutledge] There you are, Rutlege, you have your slavery; little good may it do you, now VOTE, damn you!

Edward Rutledge:
[takes the paper] Mr. President, the fair colony of South Carolina... [looks at Adams]... says yea.