Founders Keepers
Samuel Adams
No, Sam Adams did not make beer. And if he had tried, history suggests it would have been very bad beer. You see, just about every occupation he tried, Sam Adams failed.
Sam had a promising start; born in the same town that produced John Adams (second president of the United States) and John Hancock (probably the most successful businessman in the colonies, and the wealthiest). He got his masters degree from Harvard in 1743. He immediately began the study of the law (at his father's insistence), but soon gave that up at his mother's insistence!
So he tried his hand at business. And failed. And failed again, and again.
In 1763 Sam was complaining with some friends about a new tax proposed by parliament. His friends suggested he write a letter to the representatives of the general court (like a state assembly). He did. The letter was forceful yet practical. In part, it reads:
"If our trade may be taxed, why not our lands? Why not the produce of our lands, and every thing we possess, or use? This we conceive annihilates our charter rights to govern and tax ourselves. It strikes at our British privileges, which... we have never forfeited. . .”
Thus began his career in politics.
Sam was elected to the general court a year or two later. He was appointed the chief clerk (because it was common knowledge that he had a way with words and they knew he could use the extra money). In this position, he could sit in on any committee meeting. He gained a knowledge of the intricacies of the workings of government. He made suggestions. Even joined debates. He penned nearly every document and report to emerge from that body. (He was wisely kept away from any committee dealing with money.)
His reputation for sound ideas and patriotic fervor grew. In fact, his reputation drew the attention of London. Offers were sent, through the colonial governor, for bribes of both gold and appointments for administrative office. Sam turned them all down, even though he certainly could have used the money. Later, as tensions mounted, an offer of amnesty was offered (along with a threat of a trial in England for treason). He dismissed this as well, telling the governor's agent, “Go tell Governor Gage, that my peace has long since been made with the King of kings, and that it is the advice of Samuel Adams to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an already exasperated people."
Enraged at the slight, the governor tried a different tact; he instead offered a blanket amnesty for everyone else. "I do hereby," he said, " in his majesty's name, offer and promise his most gracious pardon to all persons, who shall forthwith lay down their arms, and return to the duties of peaceable subjects: excepting only from the benefits of such pardon, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, whose offenses are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration but that of condign punishment."
Mr. Adams became a member of the continental congress. He voted for and signed the declaration of independence. In fact, he stayed a member of congress until 1781, when he retired from that body to help write the Massachusetts state constitution.
In 1789 he was elected Lieutenant Governor. He served in this role until 1794, when the death of governor John Hancock elevated him to governor. He was reelected governor every year until 1797 when he retired.
Samuel Adams passed away in 1803 at the age of 82. He's remembered as one of the most successful politicians America has ever produced. But, as Paul Harvey might say, YOU know the rest of the story.
Samuel Adams
No, Sam Adams did not make beer. And if he had tried, history suggests it would have been very bad beer. You see, just about every occupation he tried, Sam Adams failed.
Sam had a promising start; born in the same town that produced John Adams (second president of the United States) and John Hancock (probably the most successful businessman in the colonies, and the wealthiest). He got his masters degree from Harvard in 1743. He immediately began the study of the law (at his father's insistence), but soon gave that up at his mother's insistence!
So he tried his hand at business. And failed. And failed again, and again.
In 1763 Sam was complaining with some friends about a new tax proposed by parliament. His friends suggested he write a letter to the representatives of the general court (like a state assembly). He did. The letter was forceful yet practical. In part, it reads:
"If our trade may be taxed, why not our lands? Why not the produce of our lands, and every thing we possess, or use? This we conceive annihilates our charter rights to govern and tax ourselves. It strikes at our British privileges, which... we have never forfeited. . .”
Thus began his career in politics.
Sam was elected to the general court a year or two later. He was appointed the chief clerk (because it was common knowledge that he had a way with words and they knew he could use the extra money). In this position, he could sit in on any committee meeting. He gained a knowledge of the intricacies of the workings of government. He made suggestions. Even joined debates. He penned nearly every document and report to emerge from that body. (He was wisely kept away from any committee dealing with money.)
His reputation for sound ideas and patriotic fervor grew. In fact, his reputation drew the attention of London. Offers were sent, through the colonial governor, for bribes of both gold and appointments for administrative office. Sam turned them all down, even though he certainly could have used the money. Later, as tensions mounted, an offer of amnesty was offered (along with a threat of a trial in England for treason). He dismissed this as well, telling the governor's agent, “Go tell Governor Gage, that my peace has long since been made with the King of kings, and that it is the advice of Samuel Adams to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an already exasperated people."
Enraged at the slight, the governor tried a different tact; he instead offered a blanket amnesty for everyone else. "I do hereby," he said, " in his majesty's name, offer and promise his most gracious pardon to all persons, who shall forthwith lay down their arms, and return to the duties of peaceable subjects: excepting only from the benefits of such pardon, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, whose offenses are of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration but that of condign punishment."
Mr. Adams became a member of the continental congress. He voted for and signed the declaration of independence. In fact, he stayed a member of congress until 1781, when he retired from that body to help write the Massachusetts state constitution.
In 1789 he was elected Lieutenant Governor. He served in this role until 1794, when the death of governor John Hancock elevated him to governor. He was reelected governor every year until 1797 when he retired.
Samuel Adams passed away in 1803 at the age of 82. He's remembered as one of the most successful politicians America has ever produced. But, as Paul Harvey might say, YOU know the rest of the story.