ough the press a champion of the mother-country's claim.
This party, under the head of 'Massachusettensis,' had commenced a
series of able and effective arguments in behalf of the mother-country,
which were being published in a Boston journal. To these Adams replied
over the signature of 'Novanglus.' These were papers displaying unusual
ability on either part. They were afterwards published as "A History of
the Dispute with America," and later yet in pamphlet form. Their value
consists in the strong, contemporaneous views which they present of the
origin of the struggle between the colonies and the mother-country, and
the policy of Bernard and Hutchinson as governors of Massachusetts,
which did so much to bring on the struggle. Like all the writings of Mr.
Adams, they are distinguished by a bold tone of investigation, a resort
to first principles, and a pointed style; but, like all his other
writings, being produced by piecemeal, and on the spur of the moment,
they lack order, system, polish and precision.

In the midst of the excitement produced by the battle of
Lexington--which at once brought up the spirit of even the most
hesitating patriots to the fighting pitch, and which was speedily
followed by the seizure of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and by other
similar seizures in other colonies throughout the fast uniting
provinces--John Adams once more set out for Philadelphia to attend the
Continental Congress of 1775, of which he had been appointed a member.
This congress, though made up for the most part of the same men who
constituted that of the previous year, was a wholly different body from
its predecessor. The congress of 1774 was merely a suggestive
convention. The present congress speedily assumed, or rather had thrust
upon it by unanimous consent of the patriots, the exercise of a
comprehensive authority in which supreme executive, legislative and, in
some cases, judicial functions, were united. In this busy scene the
active and untiring Adams, one of whose distinguishing characteristics
was his CAPACITY AND FONDNESS FOR BUSINESS, found ample employment;
while his bold and pugnacious spirit was not a little excited by the
hazards and dignity of the great game in which he had come to hold so
deep a stake. Unlike many of that body, Adams had made up his mind that
any attempt tending toward reconciliation was hopeless.

Under the lead of Dickinson, though against the strenuous opposition of
Adams and others, tha