[ Featuring Rex Everhart, Ken Howard ]
John Adams:
All right, gentlemen, let's get on with it
Which of us will write our Declaration of Independence?
Mr. Adams, I say you should write it
To your legal mind and brilliance we defer
Is that so?
Well, if I'm the one to do it
They'll run their quill pens through it
I'm obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir
(Yes, I know)
But I say you should write it, Franklin
Yes, you
Hell, no
Yes, you, Dr. Franklin
You
But
You
But
You
But
Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams
The things I write are only light extemporania
I won't put politics on paper, it's a mania
So I refuse to use the pen in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Refuse to use the pen
Mr. Sherman, I say you should write it
You are never controversial, as it were
(That is true)
Whereas if I'm the one to do it
They'll run their quill pens through it
I'm obnoxious and disliked
You know that, sir
(Yes, I do)
Then I say you should write it, Roger
Yes, you
Good heavens, no!
Yes you, Roger Sherman
You
But
You
But
You
But
Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams
I cannot write with any style or proper etiquette
I don't know a participle from a predicate
I am just a simple cobbler from Connecticut
Connecticut, Connecticut
A simple cobbler, he
Mr. Livingston, maybe you should write it
You have many friends and you're a diplomat
(Oh, that word)
Whereas if I'm the one to do it
They'll run their quill pens through it
He's obnoxious and disliked
Did you know that?
(I hadn't heard)
So I say you should write it, Robert
Yes, you
(Not me, Johnny)
Yes, you, Robert Livingston
You
But
You
But
You
But
Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams
I've been presented with a new son by the noble stork
So I am going to celebrate and pop the cork
With all the Livingstons together back in old New York
New York, New York
Livingston's going to pop a cork
(Well, Mr. Jefferson?)
Mr. Adams, leave me alone!
(Mr. Jefferson!)
(Mr. Adams, I have not seen my wife for the past six months. I beg of you, Mr. Adams)
And we solemnly declare that we will preserve our liberties
Being with one mind resolve to die free men rather than to live slaves.
Thomas Jefferson, on the Necessity of Taking Up Arms, 1775. Magnificent
You write ten times better than any man in Congress
Including me. For a man of only thirty-three years
You have a happy talent of composition and a remarkable felicity of expression
Now, then, sir
Will you a patriot or a lover?
(A lover)
No!
But, I burn, Mr. A!
So do I, Mr. J!
(You?)
Roger Sherman:
(You do?)
(John!)
(Who'd have thought it?)
Mr. Jefferson
Dear Mr. Jefferson
I'm only forty-one
I still have my virility
And I can romp through Cupid's grove with great agility
But life is more than sexual combustibility
Bustibility!
Bustibility!
Combustabil
(Quiet!)
Thomas Jefferson:
Mr. Adams
Damn you, Mr. Adams
You're obnoxious and disliked
That cannot be denied
Once again you stand between me
And my lovely bride
Lovely bride!
Oh, Mr. Adams
You are driving me
To homicide!
Homicide!
Homicide!
We may see murder yet!
