Regarded by many of his contemporaries as the "Father of the American Revolution," SAMUEL ADAMS (1722-1803) was one of the most successful political figures of his era. Born into one of Boston's elite families, Adams was educated at Harvard and went on to practice law, serve as a delegate to the Continental Congress, sign the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and serve as Governor of Massachusetts. Though Adams has been portrayed as an impetuous firebrand, his embrace of independence evolved gradually over time. However, following the Boston Massacre and a series of abuses by Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson, Adams convened a town meeting on November 2, 1772, to discuss the formation of a "committee of correspondence" to draft a statement about the repeated violations of colonial rights. Designed to generate a "union of sentiments" among the colonists, the resulting publication, A State of the Rights of the Colonists, was highly effective in arousing public outrage and action. As with his political career generally, Adams's pamphlet was credited with helping to coordinate public opinion and unite otherwise disparate factions in the cause of independence.
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1st. Natural Rights of the Colonists as Men
Among the natural Rights of the Colonists are these: First, a Right to Life; Secondly to Liberty; thirdly to Property; together with the Right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. Those are evident Branches of, rather than deductions from the Duty of Self Preservation, commonly called the first Law of Nature.
All men have a right to remain in a State of Nature as long as they please; And in case of intollerable Oppression, Civil or Religious, to leave the Society they belong to, and enter into another.
When men enter into Society, it is by voluntary consent; and they have a right to demand and insist upon the performance of such conditions, And previous limitations as form an equitable original compact.
Every natural Right not expressly given up or from the nature of a Social Compact necessarily ceded remains.
All positive and civil laws, should conform as far as possible, to the Law of natural reason and equity.
As neither reason requires, nor religion permits the contrary, every Man living in or out of a state of civil society, has a right peaceably and quietly to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience.
"Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty" in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all Men are clearly entitled to, by the eternal and immutable laws Of God and nature, as well as by the law of Nations, & all well grounded municipal laws, which must have their foundation in the former.
In regard to Religion, mutual tolleration in the different professions thereof, is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced; and both by precept and example inculcated on mankind. And it is now generally agreed among christians that this spirit of toleration in the fullest extent consistent with the being of civil society "is the chief characteristical mark of the true church" & In so much that Mr. Lock has asserted, and proved beyond the possibility of contradiction on any solid ground, that such toleration ought to be extended to all whose doctrines are not subversive of society. The only Sects which he thinks ought to be, and which by all wise laws are excluded from such toleration, are those who teach Doctrines subversive of the Civil Government under which they live. The Roman Catholicks or Papists are excluded by reason of such Doctrines as these "that Princes excommunicated may be deposed, and those they call Hereticks may be destroyed without mercy; besides their recognizing the Pope in so absolute a manner, in subversion of Government, by introducing as far as possible into the states, under whose protection they enjoy life, liberty and property, that solecism in politicks, Imperium in imperio leading directly to the worst anarchy and confusion, civil discord, war and blood shed.
The natural liberty of Men by entring into society is abridg'd or restrained so far only as is necessary for the Great end of Society the best good of the whole....
3rd. The Rights of the Colonists as Subjects
A Common Wealth or state is a body politick or civil society of men, united together to promote their mutual safety and prosperity, by means of their union.
The absolute Rights of Englishmen, and all freemen in or out of Civil society, are principally, personal security, personal liberty and private property.
All Persons born in the British American Colonies are by the laws of God and nature, and by the Common law of England, exclusive of all charters from the Crown, well Entitled, and by Acts of the British Parliament are declared to be entitled to all the natural essential, inherent & inseperable Rights Liberties and Privileges of Subjects born in Great Britain, or within the Realm. Among those Rights are the following; which no men or body of men, consistently with their own rights as men and citizens or members of society, can for themselves give up, or take away from others.
First, "The first fundamental positive law of all Commonwealths or States, is the establishing the legislative power; as the first fundamental natural law also, which is to govern even the legislative power itself, is the preservation of the Society."
Secondly, The Legislative has no right to absolute arbitrary power over the lives and fortunes of the people. Nor can mortals assume a prerogative, not only too high for men, but for Angels; and therefore reserved for the exercise of the Deity alone.
"The Legislative cannot Justly assume to itself a power to rule by extempore arbitrary decrees; but it is bound to see that Justice is dispensed, and that the rights of the subjects be decided, by promulgated, standing and known laws, and authorized independent Judges;" that is independent as far as possible of Prince or People. "There shall be one rule of Justice for rich and poor; for the favorite in Court, and the Countrymen at the Plough."
Thirdly, The supreme power cannot Justly take from any man, any part of his property without his consent, in person or by his Representative.