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Independence Delegates
John Adams, Delegate for Massachusetts
Played by: William Daniels
"I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress!"
Our Hero, so to speak. A Boston revolutionary who really hates shutting up, Adams' abrasive nature belies his good intentions and brilliant mind.
- Always Second Best: And he knows it. For all the work he does during this congress to get independence started, he despairs that he'll be forgotten because the history books will think Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Washington's horse did it.
- Anti-Hero: The fact that he's frequently described as "obnoxious and disliked" (and remember, he describes HIMSELF that way) says a lot about his heroic disposition. The directors' commentary says that he's a difficult role to cast, as he must be disliked by Congress but likable to the audience.
- Brutal Honesty: When Franklin asks his opinion on a portrait he's sitting for, Adams says "it stinks" to the artist. Franklin snarks about his tactlessness, but admits that the artist and the subject are both lacking.
- Burning the Ships: After the South walks out over slavery, the independence men are completely fed up with the whole business and ignore Adams' desperate attempts to drive them on, leaving him alone for "Is Anybody There?" During the song, Adams declares that he cannot give up because he's already "crossed the Rubicon", as far as he's concerned, and he won't stop until he realizes his dreams of a free America.
- Catchphrase:
- Good God!
- In-credible.
- Character Development: Zig-zagged. While they wait for Richard Lee to return with the proposal from Virginia, Adams takes Franklin's advice to heart and, despite great provocation, holds his peace, to the great benefit of his cause. But he cracks much more easily during the multi-day editing process for the Declaration than Jefferson, the actual writer.
- Composite Character: While he is largely the historical John Adams in his intelligence, standoffish attitude, lack of charisma and strained-but-happy family life, the character in the play has absorbed many aspects of his cousin Samuel Adams, including his radical politics, forceful advocacy of "independency," firebrand temper, and several very choice quotes about slavery. Although John Adams hated slavery, never owning a slave on principlenote and occasionally represented slaves in legal cases for their freedom, he was well aware that the issue of slavery would tear the United States apart and so he actually opposed making slavery a national issue for basically the reasons the fictional Franklin cites to the fictional Adams. The Adamses (primarily John) later drafted the Massachusetts Constitution, which effectively banned slavery in the state in 1780 when enslaved people recognized that the language of Article I made slavery inherently unconstitutional, and their successful lawsuits established established the precedent.
- Determinator: His and Abigail's conversation on the nature of commitment establishes him as a man who will never, ever stop trying to accomplish his goals so long as he believes they are right.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: During "Sit Down, John" he remarks "Good God! Consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse, for no sane man would tolerate it." In 1962, after losing the election for Governor of California, Richard Nixon told the press conference "You don't have Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference and it will be one in which I have welcomed the opportunity to test wits with you".
- Eleven O'Clock Number: "Is Anybody There?" With the Independence delegates out nursing their wounds from Rutledge's Breaking Speech, and a new prognostication of doom from Washington's dispatches, Adams is left alone in the chamber to reflect on why he's doing this, borrowing Washington's cry of despair to ask if anyone can see what he does, and if anyone is there to. As it turns out, Lyman Hall was.
- Establishing Character Moment: He storms into Independence Hall, gives Congress a "Reason You Suck" Speech, and then musically demands that they debate independence. Congress as a whole either ignores him to continue a circular argument as to whether they should open up a window in the heat or keep them closed to keep out the flies, or exasperatedly tells him to sit down and shut up already. He's a fairly eloquent man of deep principles who's right more often than not, but his utter bluntness and contempt for anyone who refuses to listen to him turns even sympathetic ears against him.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Deconstructed thoroughly and lampshaded by Adams himself. Besides Franklin, not many respect Adams for his boorish and rude demeanor, dislike his presence, and the members of Congress thoroughly reject his pleas despite him only trying to establish national independence from the British. His own tendencies to insult them in turn for their obstinance only makes them reject him further which is lampshaded by Franklin as those men alone were selected by their colonies and insulting them just further alienated them from Adam's cause. Adams is forced to rely on Franklin to coax members of Congress to choose independence because his own reputation makes it impossible for him to do so.
- Happily Married: To Abigail, as they were historically. Their duets consist of playful banter and comments about how much they miss each other (emotionally and physically) and were mostly taken from the Adamses' real letters.
- Hidden Depths:
- The Declaration committee is shocked when he says that he misses his wife physically as well as emotionally, given his prudish New England attitude. (It will not be nearly so much of a surprise to those who know the historical figures, however; John and Abigail flirted passionately in their letters, usually but not always with Classical allusions.)
- Similarly, Franklin is astonished to learn that John is an excellent dancer."We still do a few things in Boston, Franklin!"
- His regard for Jefferson. For all his bluster and demands, he sympathizes with him enough to send for Mrs. Jefferson and he repeatedly defends the Declaration not only because of its content but just because it's a damn fine piece of writing. John is so much of an egotist that the idea of someone else proposing independence is anathema to him, yet he praises Jefferson to the skies as specifically being more talented than him.
- Historical Downgrade: Discussed. He fears that his contributions will be ignored by posterity; they actually were in reality for a long time, with popular opinion only changing in the 1960s — due, in part, to this play calling attention to him.
- Hypocrite: When John defends the slavery clause and insists on slavery being explicitly condemned in the Declaration, South Carolina's Edward Rutledge calls him out, noting that even though the Northern states don't own slaves,note they make quite a profit from importing them into the Colonies just before the "Molasses to Rum" musical number- though it should be noted that John Adams personally opposed slavery; it's just that Massachusetts didn't.Edward Rutledge: Then what's that I smell floating down from the North? Could it be the aroma of hy-pocrisy? For who holds the other end of that filthy purse-string, Mr. Adams? Our northern brethren are feelin' a bit tender toward our slaves. They don't keep slaves, no-o, But they are willin' to be considerable carriers of slaves to others. They're willin', for the shillin' — or haven't y'heard, Mr. Adams? Clink! Clink!
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He is "obnoxious and disliked" (a phrase the real Adams used to describe how others viewed him), but he believes strongly in breaking from England's tyranny and is the only member of the core trio to really stick to his guns about ending slavery until Rutledge notes in that even though he doesn't own slaves, he still benefits somewhat from the importation of slaves, and goes into the "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" number. He also clearly loves his wife and misses her, which give him the idea to send for Martha Jefferson to help Thomas break his writer's block.
- The McCoy: A rare instance where this element of the Freudian Trio is the protagonist. He wants independence now and he wants it done right. It takes a lot to make him bend on an issue. He is so insistent that independence is done the right way that when Hancock basically offers to circumvent the proper procedure because he "is from Massachusetts too," Adams tells him that as President of Congress, Hancock has to follow the rules.
- No Indoor VoiceAdams: Franklin! You heard what I suffered in there?
Franklin: Heard? Of course I heard — along with the rest of Philadelphia. Lord, your voice is piercing, John! - Only Sane Man: Lampshaded by John:John Adams: Consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse, for no sane man would tolerate it.
- Phrase Catcher: Franklin tags him as being "obnoxious and disliked" early on, which several other characters repeat verbatim over the course of the play. Adams himself uses it to great effect later when trying to corner someone else into writing the Declaration.
- Surrounded by Idiots: He has a whole song about Congress being a bunch of petty, pedantic, and self-centered twits. Franklin calls him on this late in the play, pointing out that those men alone were selected by their colonies and insulting them alienates them from their cause.
- You Need to Get Laid: More subtly than Tom, but the play implies that his blowhard attitude is caused by how much he misses his wife and his frustration at having to live "like a monk in [his] cell."Jefferson: But I burn, Mr. A!Adams: So do I, Mr. J!
Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Delegate for Pennsylvania
Played by: Howard Da Silva
"I"m surprised at you, Mr. Dickinson. Don't you know that rebellion in the first person is always legal, such as our rebellion? It's only in the third person, their rebellion, that it becomes illegal."
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father, wise man, inventor, printer, and wise wit, extraordinaire. Like Adams, deeply devoted to freeing America from the British Crown, and much better at playing politics than Adams in the Congress.
- Actually Pretty Funny: Dickinson wins in a snark-off early on. Franklin laughs the loudest. (Ironically, this is because da Silva was irritated that Dickinson's final line was added and wanted Franklin to "win" by showing he was above getting irritated.)
- Chessmaster: He plays Lee like a fiddle in the beginning by getting him to go to Virginia, get a motion for independence, and have Lee think it was his idea all along to avoid owing him a favor. And by the end of the play, he has Judge Wilson's measure. In the film, Franklin, whenever he isn't participating in the debates, is constantly observing and filing away the actions and reactions of the other delegates.
- Cool Old Guy: This is Ben Franklin, America's original Cool Old Guy.
- Deadpan Snarker: As good as most of the other Founders are with witty retorts, Franklin was the master.
- Dirty Old Man: And still quite the charmer.
- Eccentric Mentor: Tries to teach John how to politic more effectively, but John is annoyed by Franklin's frivolity.
- Gender Flip: In certain productions (especially school ones), Benjamin Franklin is one of the roles that is most frequently flipped to be played by a female, due to him being the only member of the main three characters who has no wife in the show.
- Hypocritical Humor: When Thomas and Martha retire to their Philadelphia lodgings:Adams: Good God, you don't mean... they're not going to...? In the middle of the afternoon?
Franklin: Not everybody's from Boston, John!
- Franklin himself was born and grew up in Boston, starting out as a printer's devil in his brother James's printing shop, running away to Philadelphia at age 17 after a heated disagreement with James.
- I Did What I Had to Do: Argues for Adams and Jefferson to yield to South Carolina's demand to remove the passages involving slavery from the Declaration. If they hadn't, the move to independence for the United States would have died on the spot.Adams: Mark me, Franklin. If we give in on this issue, posterity will never forgive us!
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? - I Have No Son!: At the outset, the first Loyalist delegation from New Jersey is missing, and Hancock asks Franklin if he's heard anything from his illegitimately-born son William Franklin, who happens to be the Royal Governor of New Jersey. Franklin responds, "Son, sir? What son?" Eventually, the second pro-independence New Jersey substitute delegation arrives, and the Rev. Witherspoon informs Franklin that his son is captured. The first words out of his mouth (once he knows his son is unharmed) is a delighted inquiry about "why [they arrested] the little bastard."note In Real Life, the father never forgave the son for serving the Crown.
- Realpolitik: His stance on slavery. Sure, it's a problem, but America can't tackle both the problem of independence and the problem of slavery at the same time. The colonies needed to work together and save the civil war for when Britain wasn't invading.
- The Spock: Franklin is emotionally invested in independence, but he tries to moderate Adams' attitude and is more willing to deal and compromise with others for the sake of the overall cause.
Thomas Jefferson, Delegate for Virginia
Played by: Ken Howard
"Someday, you must tell me how you did it."
Adams wants him to write the Declaration. Jefferson, however, has much more important things on his mind - namely, his wife Martha.
- Establishing Character Moment: Dreamily staring out the window and thinking of home, when asked he offhandedly perfectly foretells the weather for the rest of Congress by sticking a wet finger out the window. He's easily distracted and doesn't consider Congress his highest priority, but when he's able to focus on the present he makes up for his attention problems by being just that good.
- Fire-Forged Friends: At the start of the play, he and Adams hardly know one another, and he readily joins the other delegates in shouting him down when he tries to demand the question of independence be put to a vote. Later, he comes to despise Adams for strong-arming him into writing the Declaration rather than letting him go home to his wife. But, between Adams arranging a, well, booty call between him and his wife, and the shared stressful experience of having the Declaration put before Congress, they end the play having formed the friendship for which both men would later be famous.
- Gentleman Snarker: Subtle, but there.Adams: [referring to the lack of progress on the Declaration] You've had a whole week, man! The entire Earth was created in a week!Jefferson: Someday, you must tell me how you did it.
- Happily Married: To his wife Martha; getting home to visit her preoccupies him immensely before Adams can arrange a conjugal visit.
- Hypocrite: No punches are pulled by the writers or characters regarding the fact that the man who wrote the phrase "All men are created equal..." owned countless slaves. And while he professes a desire to free them eventually in the play, historically, it never quite worked out.
- The Kirk: But not the protagonist. He's more emotional than Franklin, but not nearly as hotheaded as John Adams and thus more able to accept the necessity of compromise.
- Original Position Fallacy: In But, Mr. Adams, he happily sings along with the others' lame excuses... until he realizes that leaves him as the only candidate for writing the declaration, and at this point Adams isn't taking no for an answer.
- The Quiet One: Adams claims never to have heard him string three sentences together before the start of the play. It lends enough weight to his speaking in support of Adams and Franklin's Declaration to cinch it for the rest of Congress.
- Refused the Call: It takes Adams and Franklin to convince him to stay and write the Declaration... and it still takes Adams' effort to bring Mrs. Jefferson to Philadelphia to resolve the entire matter.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: With Martha to the degree that it impedes his writing ability.
- Writer's Block: Originally, he can't even get a start on the Declaration. He tosses aside blank sheets and eventually the whole pad of paper.
- You Need to Get Laid: Before Martha visits, he can't even start on the Declaration. After Martha visits, he bangs out what Adams happily calls "a masterpiece of the American mind" in record time.
Richard Henry Lee, Delegate for Virginia
Played by: Ron Holgate
"Gentleman, a salute to Virginia, the mother of American independence!"
A Virginia Ham of epic proportions. Performs this role magnificent-Lee.
- Glad I Thought of It: Franklin leads him on by lamenting how they just need to find a Virginian who can propose independence in place of Adams.
- Historical Downgrade: Franklin's manipulating Lee into proposing independence is entirely fictional. Lee was a very capable and respected justice and politician in his own right, and was even regarded by his contemporaries as "the American Cicero" for his oratory skills. And he gets Put on a Bus to Virginia to serve as governor, something which never happened in history because his character's fictional silliness would undermine the more serious tone of the later acts.
- Hurricane of Puns: Makes puns on his name constant-Lee.
- "I Am" Song: "The Lees of Old Virginia." Basically a laundry list of why he, his family, and Virginia are the greatest.
- Incoming Ham: Always announces he's soon to arrive with a hearty WOOOOOHOOOOO!
- Large and in Charge: Often cast this way. Ron Holgate, the original Lee, is six feet three; Merwin Foard, the Broadway revival's Lee, is even taller, at six feet five.
- Large Ham: "Forwaaaard-hooooooooo!" He even tries to come back and continue his song until Adams and Franklin push him offstage.
- Minor Character, Major Song: Ron Holgate got a Tony Award for it. Lee leaves the musical right before the Declaration plot kicks into gear, having been appointed as governor of Virginia. In the original production, he's never seen again after about the first hour; revivals frequently sneak him back in for the signing at the very end.
- Put on a Bus: Back to be the governor of Virginia. He's almost entirely done away with after about thirty minutes.
- Shoo Out the Clowns: A very early example. He leaves the Congress to serve as the governor of Virginia (something that did not happen in history) because the show's gradual slide from comedy to drama would be heavi-Lee damaged by Lee's buffoonish presence.
- Show Stopper: "The Lees of Old Virginia," which explains the Tony nod. It was written this way because the next thirty minutes of the show had no music, so they needed a number that would carry the audience through until "But, Mr. Adams."
Caesar Rodney, Delegate for Delaware
Played by: Robert Gaus (1969 Broadway run), William Hansen (1972 film)
"England closing in, cutting off our air! There's no time!"
A staunch defender of independence, only possibly surpassed by John Adams. Suffers from skin cancer on his face, which he covers with a patch but didn't stop him from riding 80 miles overnight to cast the deciding vote for Delaware.
- The Bus Came Back: Was Put on a Bus when his illness takes a turn for the worse but is brought back toward the end to break Delaware's tie.
- Delicate and Sickly: Is deathly ill from cancer, which historically would kill him at age 55 in 1784.
- Heroic Sacrifice: His midnight ride is portrayed as this, although in Real Life he didn't die for several more years.
- Put on a Bus: Misses half the movie because his illness gets worse. He comes back toward the end.
- Victorian Novel Disease: The period predates the Victorian era, but Caesar's cancer otherwise qualifies. It's much more delicately presented than in real life (he's weak and has to wear facial coverings, but half his face isn't gone). He still manages to overcome it once more to break the tie on independence. I
Col. Thomas McKean, Delegate for Delaware
Played by: Bruce MacKay (1969 Broadway run), Ray Middleton (1972 film)
"Surely we have managed to promote the gloomiest man on this continent to the head of our troops."
A loud Scotsman of Irish descent, whose loud voice belies his soft heart.
- Boisterous Bruiser: Not a very effective one, granted.
- Book Dumb: He mistakes Rutledge's Latin sarcasm (tria juncta in uno!) for French.
- Colonel Badass: He is a militia colonel as well as a delegate and is one of the most forceful and undaunted personalities at the convention, as well as a strong supporter of waging war against England.
- Large Ham: He's very loud and bombastic.
- Sarcasm-Blind: When Rutledge remarks on the "eternal peace and harmony" of Delaware's delegation, McKean is angrily confused because everyone knows they can't stand Read.
- Scotireland: Even though the film depicts McKean as having Scottish heritage, in real life, he was descended from Irish Presbyterian parents who immigrated to Pennsylvania.
- Violent Glaswegian: His arguments with Read are at bombastic high volume, sometimes including threats. In the film, he seems to have brought a musket into the chamber, which he fires into the ceiling to break up the fight between Adams and Dickinson. He also suggests using said musket to "break the tie" between him and Read after Rodney has gone home to Dover. He's probably joking.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: At the very end, he and his personal nemesis Read are cracking jokes at one another's expense, and laughing at them all.
- What the Hell, Hero?: To Adams' request that he fetch the dying Rodney back to swing Delaware's vote to independence. McKean does it, but not happily."God, what a bastardly bunch we are!"
Stephen Hopkins, Delegate for Rhode Island
Played by: Roy Poole
"Well, I'll tell ya, in all my years, I never seen, heard nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous, it couldn't be talked about. Hell yes, I'm for debating anything!"
The oldest member of the Congress — except for Benjamin Franklin — and sole representative to Rhode Island. Committed to voting to the cause of independence, provided he doesn't drink enough rum to require an extended trip to the privy.
- The Alcoholic: Frequently shouts at McNair to get him more rum. He gets cut off early in his first scene, only to get his drinks back after settling the vote in favor of debating the question of independence.
- Dirty Old Man:Jefferson: And tonight, I leave for home.
Hancock: On business?
Jefferson: ...Family business.
Hopkins: Give 'er a flourish from me, young feller! - Drunken Master: Claims that drinking rum helps to get a man's heart started in the morning.
- Grumpy Old Man: He's always pretty ornery, although the orneriness helps in voting for a debate on independence.
- In-Series Nickname: "Ol' Grape and Guts." Only mentioned once, but his fellow congressmen did actually call him that.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: When he tells the convention (and implicitly the loyalist delegates) that he's never seen an issue too dangerous to at least talk about.
Rev. John Witherspoon, Delegate for New Jersey
Played by: Edmund Lyndeck (1969 Broadway run), James Noble (1972 film)
"We're the new delegates from New Jersey."
- Big Damn Heroes: He gets the New Jersey delegation to the Congress just in time to prevent Dickinson and Rutledge from quashing the Independence resolution by calling the question when there are not enough votes to pass.
- Darkest Hour: One of the many Independence Delegates to feel defeated and pessimistic after Rutledge's dissent in Molasses and Rum.
- Nice Guy: He's very pleasant and polite, unlike most of his colleagues.
- The Vicar: Along with being the congressional chaplain, he insists that a reference to Providence be added to the Declaration. He's also quite horrified to hear Washington's dispatch about the whoring and drinking in New Brunswick and rather walks into it:Witherspoon: There must be some mistake. I have an aunt who lives in New Brunswick!
Dickinson: [as Congress roars with laughter] You must tell her to keep up the good work!
Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Delegate for New Hampshire
Played by: Paul-David Richards (1969 Broadway run), Daniel Keyes (1972 film)
"For the love of God, Mr. Rutledge, please!"
- Heroic BSoD: Expresses the sentiments of the whole Northern bloc after "Molasses to Rum" when he stops the song with "For the love of God, Mr. Rutledge, please!" The writers have said that the correct interpretation of this line is not exasperation but desperation.
- Not That Kind of Doctor: Averted; he practiced medicine for 45 years in addition to being a noteworthy New Hampshire statesman.
- "Stop Having Fun" Guys: Invoked. He proposes a piece of legislation to ban gambling, horse racing, drinking, etc... and is immediately shouted down by the rest of Congress.
Roger Sherman, Delegate for Connecticut
Played by: David Vosburgh (1969 Broadway run), Rex Robbins (1972 film)
"Face facts, John. It's finished."
- Book Dumb: Cites being unable to tell "a participle from a predicate" as proof of his inability to write the Declaration of Independence.
- Bookworm: Despite the above, he's seen reading a book in Congress a few times.
- Darkest Hour: Briefly loses hope after Rutledge emphasizes his dissent with Molasses and Rum.
- Hero of Another Story: The real-life Sherman was actually more influential in the Constitutional Convention than he was here, though his influence isn't as well known as other founding fathers such as Madison. Moreover, he's the only founding father to have signed all four papers that led to the creation of the United States: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
- Not So Above It All: Despite being one of the more serious members of Congress, he dances right alongside Franklin in "But Mr. Adams".
Loyalist and Uncertain Delegates
John Dickinson, Delegate for Pennsylvania
Played by: Paul Hecht (1969 Broadway run), Donald Madden (1972 film)
"When did you first notice they were missing, sir?"
Our Antagonist, so to speak. A Philadelphia gentleman, Dickinson revels in being cool and conservative. The only man in Congress that's able to match wits with Adams. Dead-set against Independence, but "regards America no less than does Mr. Adams." Proves it.
- Anti-Villain: Although he vehemently opposes independence for the whole show, and although that opposition is at least partly rooted in his private concern for his own wealth rather than any kind of public spirit, he is a genuine English patriot who loves his colony and his mother country and does not believe the rebellion is a war America can win. That last fact makes his willingness to join the Continental Army, in the end, all the more powerful.
- Everyone Has Standards: When Jefferson strikes the mentions of slavery from the Declaration, Dickinson is clearly in focus with an uneasy expression shaking his head, and he shortly afterwards suggests they might as well have left it in since he thinks he's going to sink the Declaration anyway and if it's going to lose, it might as well lose while sticking to its principles.
- Gentleman Snarker: In speech and appearance, he's much more refined than Adams, but he's no less sarcastic.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: The passage from "On the Necessity of Taking Up Arms" that Adams quotes was actually written by Dickinson, who was Jefferson's co-author, and the real John Dickinson actually abstained from both debating and voting, and did nothing more than respectfully present his sentiments before official debate over independence even began. While the play goes out of its way to make its fictional version of Dickinson sympathetic and nuanced rather than a strawman, the hardline conservative powerhouse of the musical is a far cry from the reasonable moderate he was in real life, in the service of giving the play a strong antagonistic figure for Adams to play against. For what it's worth, Dickinson was a signer of the Constitution.
- Hypocritical Humor:
- It's not uncommon for actors to sing the line "We sing Hosannah, Hosannah, in a sane and lucid manner, we are cool!" in a very angry, bombastic manner.
- When he and Adams are yelling at each other, his last insult is to call Adams "Lawyer!" Historically speaking, John Dickinson was also a lawyer.
- Secretly Selfish: Adams accuses him of only wanting to preserve his own position among the upper-class. It later becomes clear that while this is partially true, he is also acting in what he believes to be the colonies' best interest.
- Upper-Class Twit: A pointed aversion. While Dickinson is a wealthy, upper-class landlord and "gentleman of leisure" in the model of the British aristocracy, he is highly intelligent, charismatic, and silver-tongued, and his lack of interest in representing the common people of America has clearly not dulled his capacity to manipulate or politic.
- Villain Has a Point: Well, it was verging on impossible for a collection of colonies with a ragtag army to beat what was then the greatest military in the Western world and the greatest navy ever to rule the seas. It's only with the benefit of hindsight that Adams' plan looks like anything other than lunacy at first blush. He also recognizes that the states are taking some of the privileges they get as British colonies for granted and aren't considering that a successful rebellion means losing them.
- Villain Song: "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men" is a very cynical take on the common man and focuses on the material reasons they should stay at peace.
- Villainy-Free Villain: He's got nothing against John Adams (aside from some justified annoyance at Adams being his obnoxious self), does nothing except argue with Adams and use his vote as he sees fit, and argues against independence because he genuinely believes that it's going to fail and get a lot of people killed- not an unreasonable position when you consider the power of the British Empire.
- Worthy Opponent: He gets a standing ovation when he leaves Congress — instigated by Adams, of all people. (This goes to Adams being a Jerk with a Heart of Gold; Adams realized that Dickinson really was doing what he thought was right and was being gracious in victory.)
Edward Rutledge, Delegate for South Carolina
Played by: Clifford David (1969 Broadway run), John Cullum (1972 film)
"Molasses to rum to slaves, oh what a beautiful waltz..."
A Southern plantation owner who gives possibly the most epic What the Hell, Hero? known to musical theatre in the form of "Molasses to Rum." The youngest man in Congress — except for Ben Franklin.
- Age Lift: John Cullum was 39 in the original Broadway production and 42 in the film; the real Rutledge, at just 26, was the youngest signer of the Declaration.
- At Least I Admit It: He knows full well about the horrors of the slave trade that fuels Southern plantations, and is infuriated that the northern colonies disavow all responsibility and point fingers at the South. "Hail Boston! Hail Charleston! Who stinketh the most?!"
- Darker and Edgier: His song, in which he gives a one-man demonstration of a slave auction.
- Gentleman Snarker: There really is no other way to be in these times!
- Historical Villain Upgrade: There is no solid historical evidence that Rutledge specifically opposed the slavery clause, much less led the opposition. But, as with Dickinson, the play needs to put a human face and voice to the single largest black mark on American history. Also, the real-life Rutledge eventually freed his slaves whereas Jefferson (a protagonist and the author of the anti-slavery plank) did not.
- Ignored Epiphany: When Rutledge issues his final ultimatum, he looks troubled for a moment when John emphasizes how hypocritical condoning slavery while seeking independence for themselves is. Nonetheless, he won't change his mind.
- In-Series Nickname: Hopkins calls him "Neddie."
- "It" Is Dehumanizing: He is livid when Adams and Jefferson say that slaves are people and not property, with Rutledge insisting they are wrong.
- Large Ham: Not at first, but when the debate turns to slavery he grabs hold of Congress and doesn't let go.
- Show Stopper: "Molasses to Rum" will do this. Especially when it's John Cullum with his soaring baritone.
- Southern Gentleman: Zig-zagged. He's initially quite genteel and polite, but he controls two-thirds of the Deep Southern caucus and is ruthless on the question of slavery the moment it comes up.
- Villain Has a Point: Of the central trio engineering the Declaration, one is a slave-owner himself, one represents the colony that is the most responsible of all for the horrors of the slave trade, and one is all too willing to compromise the ideals of liberty to get the thing out the door.
- What the Hell, Hero?: "Molasses to Rum" is this, in song form, to Adams and the northern colonies in general. Rutledge points out that for all their moral objections to slaves on plantations, it's Boston ships that are sailing to Africa and actually enabling the slave trade. Even stone-faced Bartlett is broken and horrified. "For the love of God, Mister Rutledge! Please!" And Adams, for once, can find nothing to say in rebuttal.
Judge James Wilson, Delegate for Pennsylvania
Played by: Emory Bass
"I'm different from you, John. I'm different from most of the men here. I don't want to be remembered."
Dickinson's toady. Continually forgets that he cannot second Dickinson's motions, as they both come from the same state.
- The Ditherer: Judge Wilson, as portrayed in the play, is a colorless, weak-willed chameleon who usually votes whatever way Dickinson does. Even his old court cases were all decided based entirely on precedent and the rules of order. However, at the end of the play, Franklin calls for a poll of the Pennsylvania delegation...and Wilson's the one who has to cast the deciding vote for the state. With all eyes on him and everyone waiting for his decision, he realizes that if he continues being Dickinson's Yes-Man and votes against independence, he'll be remembered forever by history as the man who denied the American colonies their liberty- and being remembered is the last thing he wants. So he breaks with Dickinson and votes for independence to avoid that fate by becoming just another voice in the crowd.
- Dated History: When the play was written, his depiction as indecisive was considered as good an interpretation of the historical record as any. Then new sources became available, and it turns out Wilson was probably hedging his bets the same way Lyman Hall was.
- Historical Downgrade: He's characterized as a weak-willed toady for Dickinson who votes for independence largely because he prefers obscurity to being remembered as the man who prevented it. It's now believed that Wilson wanted to check with his constituents before he took a clear stance on such an important issue.
- Running Gag: Trying to second Dickinson's motions, even though Pennsylvania isn't allowed to second its own motion.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: Dickinson protests the use of the word "tyrant" in the Declaration and rhetorically asks Wilson if he considers George III a tyrant. Wilson actually starts to disagree until Dickinson gives him a Death Glare, so he lamely finishes by saying "he's not a tyrant... in Pennsylvania."
- Yes-Man: To Dickinson, as the other characters endlessly mock and lampshade, as Caesar Rodney does when introducing him to Dr. Lyman Hall."Forgive me, but how can anyone see you, if you insist on standing in Mr. Dickinson's shadow?"
Dr. Lyman Hall, Delegate for Georgia
Played by: Jonathan Moore
"Yes, Mr. Adams. I do."
The newest arrival, the delegate from Georgia. He seems friendly but doesn't say much about his opinions on independence.
- Audience Surrogate: His introduction to Congress is a handy way for the writers to name and sketch out his colleagues.
- Chekhov's Gunman: He initially seems to be just a vehicle to introduce the other main characters. He's not.
- Irony: He comes to the decision to support independence, despite being aware his constituents do not by reading the works of Edmund Burke, who argued that a representative owes their voters judgment rather than obedience and that he betrays them if he sacrifices judgment to popular opinion. Burke is one of the most important conservative thinkers in the Western tradition and spent basically his entire career as a political theorist lambasting what he saw as ingrates trying to turn the world upside down and destroy the divinely-appointed social order; his inspiring the creation of one of the most important bastions of liberal democracy in the history of the world is deliciously ironic.
- My Country, Right or Wrong: Downplayed. Initially, though his private opinions are in support of independence, his state's are not, and since he's unsure what to do he decides to err on the side the people support. Towards the end, while reading the works of Burke, he decides that he owes his constituents his judgment rather than his obedience, and votes his convictions on the matter.
- Naïve Newcomer: He expects the Congress to be more impressive than it actually is.
- Not That Kind of Doctor: Discussed with Caesar Rodney, who asks if he's a doctor of medicine or theology.Hall: Both, Mr. Rodney. Which can be of service?
Rodney: By all means, the physician first. Then we shall see about the other! - Renaissance Man: Early on, Caesar Rodney asks if he's a doctor of medicine or theology. He offhandedly admits to being both.
- Straight Man: The only delegate to avoid snarking, embarrassing, or humiliating behavior. He even manages to maintain face against an intimidating Rutledge.
- Wild Card: With no instructions from his colony, he's able to vote according to his own judgment. He walks out with the South but later returns to change his vote.
Samuel Chase, Delegate for Maryland
Played by: Philip Polito (1969 Broadway run), Patrick Hines (1972 film)
"Maryland would welcome independence if it were given, but is highly skeptical that it can be taken."
- Big Eater: He's always seen with a loaded plate on his desk. He's gotten stuck in his chair because he's so big.
- In-Series Nickname: Adams calls him "Old Bacon Face"
- Pet the Dog: He rushes in cheerfully, declaring to the Congress that Maryland planned to change its vote to be for independence. Unfortunately, he comes in right after the South walks out of the congress and the independence cause is at its Darkest Hour, making it an ineffective Hope Spot.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Of the major representatives opposed to independence at the start of the play, Chase is the least ideological. He freely admits that he wants independence, but is highly skeptical that it can be taken. He changes his tune after seeing the troops drilling in New Jersey.
- Pragmatic Villainy: He's only really on the anti-independence side because he doesn't believe it's possible to win against the British Empire.
Lewis Morris, Delegate for New York
Played by: Ronald Kross (1969 Broadway run), Howard Caine (1972 film)
"New York abstains, courteously."
The lead delegate from New York. Since they have no instructions from their legislature on how to vote, the result is that New York invariably abstains from any voting - leaving President John Hancock to wonder aloud why they bother to show up at all.
- Beleaguered Bureaucrat: It isn't that he doesn't want Independence on some level, but his state government is too chaotic to allow him to do anything about it.
- Catchphrase: "New York abstains courteously!" He also makes sure to add a 'courteously' when Thomson confirmed New York's abstention.
- The Ditherer: Throughout the first half of the play, he abstains courteously even though New York is in danger of being invaded, resulting in some of the decisions being deadlocked with Hancock acting as the tiebreaker, and when Hancock asks him what goes on in New York, Morris replies that the chaotic and obstructive New York legislature never gave him any explicit instructions, and Hancock offers his sympathetic condolences.
- It's Personal: After his home gets destroyed by British troops and his sons enlist in the Continental Army, he supports the independence movement regardless of New York's wishes.”The Hell with New York, I’ll sign it anyway.”
- My Country, Right or Wrong: Well, more like his state, but states were considered similar to countries at the time anyway; he abstains from voting because New York didn't actually give him instructions on whether or not to vote for independence.
Robert Livingston, Delegate for New York
Played by: Henry Le Clair (1969 Broadway run), John Myhers (1972 film)
"I've been presented with a new son by the noble stork..."
Another delegate from New York, and a member of the declaration committee.
- Ambadassador: A popular and well-liked diplomat. Adams evokes this when trying to get him to write the Declaration of Independence.
- Blue Blood: Part of the Livingston family
, a prominent family in New York politics. Fun fact: one of his cousins signed the Declaration, while another signed the Constitution.note - Deadpan Snarker: Quips that he "hadn't heard" how Adams was "obnoxious and disliked" fairly late into "But Mr. Adams" when that verse had already been sung several times (including by Livingston himself).
- Demoted to Extra: Literally the only reason Livingston exists in the musical is that the real-life Livingston did indeed serve on the declaration committee (although, ironically enough, got recalled to New York before he could sign it). Outside "But Mr. Adams" he has no relevance to the story, what with Morris being the spokesperson for New York. In any other medium, they likely would have become a Composite Character. (For an idea of how demoted he was for the longest time his entry on this page didn't even exist!)
- Family Man: Won't write the declaration because he wants to go home to see his newborn son, and celebrate with the rest of the family.
George Read, Delegate for Delaware
Played by: Duane Bodin (1969 Broadway run), Leo Leyden (1972 film)
"Delaware seconds."
- The Dandy: He's noticeably better-dressed than Rodney and McKean, with his yellow clothing matching the Southern delegation—you see, Delaware straddles the Mason-Dixon (the northern part is in the orbit of Philadelphia, while the southern part is more like Maryland or Virginia).
- Foil:
- To Benjamin Franklin - Read is the only anti-independence member of the Delaware delegation, much like Franklin is the only pro-independence member of the Pennsylvania delegation.
- To Thomas McKean, his pro-independence Delaware counterpart who can barely stand his presence.
- Graceful Loser: One of the only delegates to vote against Independence all the way until the end, but he takes it rather well once Independence is declared and continues to work with the others.
- Small Role, Big Impact: He's a fairly minor character, but once Rodney and Mc Kean leave, his vote is enough to make Delaware side with the anti-independence delegation and deadlock the issue of whether all motions must be carried unanimously.
- Token Evil Teammate: The only one in the Delaware delegation who's against independence - which is why Rodney comes back to Congress despite his illness to break the tie at the crucial vote.
- Villain Has a Point: He is far more sinister than his fellow Delaware delegates. However, when McKean mocks him for requesting the addition of three words about jury trials to the Declaration of Independence, Reade points out that it is more substantive than Mckean’s own participation of whitewashing the presence of Scottish soldiers in the British army out of simple nationalism.
Joseph Hewes, Delegate for North Carolina
Played by: Charles Rule
"North Carolina respectfully yields to South Carolina."
- Historical Villain Upgrade: The real-life Hewes was actually in favor of independence (albeit because that's what his constituents wanted) and served on committees that were pro-independence. He was also instrumental in forming the early American navy.
- Skewed Priorities: He asks Jefferson why the Declaration of Independence doesn't address deep-sea fishing rights, provoking an outburst from Adams over the continual amendments the congress proposes to change the declaration.
- Yes-Man: When called to vote, he always "respectfully yields" to South Carolina.
Staff of the Second Continental Congress
John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress
Played by: David Ford
"WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?!"
The long-suffering President of Congress. Too hot — literally. Philadelphia is steaming in the summer. (It really is — the summers are hot, and though it's too far from the sea to get a decent breeze, the Delaware River provides oceanic humidity). Also continually bothered by flies, as shown by his constant fly-swatting.
- Age Lift: The real John Hancock was only 31 years old in 1776 (younger than Jefferson), but the film cast a fairly middle-aged David Ford.
- Berserk Button: Hearing that New York abstains...courteously! He nearly slaps Morris with the flyswatter and later roars at him.
- Deadpan Snarker: When he's not on the verge of an emotional breakdown due to the heat or the intransigence of the rest of Congress, this is his standard setting.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: After "Molasses To Rum."Hancock: McNair.
McNair: [exasperated] Oh I know, the flies.
Hancock: No. The rum. - Only Sane Man: He's more frustrated with Congress than Adams is. Especially with New York constantly abstaining.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He's for independence, but he also breaks the tie in favor of unanimity, rightly pointing out that not having it would tear apart the country right from its intended inception. Later, Adams entreats him to stay this way after Hancock offers to use his position in the debate's Darkest Hour.
- Running Gag: Swatting flies between words.
- Suddenly Shouting: He's prone to shifting his volume during emotional moments.
- "Mr. Wilson, in your eagerness to be loved you seem to have forgotten that PENNSYLVANIA CANNOT SECOND ITS OWN MOTION!"
- "Mister Morris... WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?!"
- "Gentlemen, forgive me if I don't join in the merriment, but if we are arrested now, my name is STILL THE ONLY ONE ON THE DAMN THING!"
Charles Thomson, the Congressional Secretary
Played by: Ralston Hill
"I stand with the General."
The straight-laced, somewhat prissy Secretary of Congress, it is his responsibility to take roll and run the votes. He's also the de-facto voice of General Washington, as it is Thomson who has the unique "honor" of reading aloud the general's dismal dispatches from the battlefield.
- Adaptation Personality Change: While the show's Thomson is prissy and awkward, and mostly serves to read dispatches and count votes the historical Charles Thomson was active within the Sons of Liberty, earning him the nickname The Sam Adams of Philadelphia. (This did not, however, stop him from having a long-term and by all accounts extremely close friendship with John Dickinson.)
- Beleaguered Bureaucrat: He gets visibly fed-up with Congressional antics and continual interruptions."Oh for heaven's sake, let me get through it once!"
- Bearer of Bad News: He's the one who's charged with reading George Washington's relentlessly gloomy dispatches.
- Hidden Depths: He's developed a feeling of admiration for and kinship with General Washington after reading so many of his messages.
- Take a Third Option: Near the end, Adams asks if Thomson stands with him or Dickinson. Thomson's response? "I stand with the General."
Andrew McNair, the Congressional Custodian
Played by: William Duell
"If you'll be wanting anything at all, just holler out "McNair!" as all the others do and there won't be too long to wait."
As most of the delegates are landed gentlemen of property, Andrew McNair is our chief depiction of the common working man of the era. Beleaguered and put upon by all the requests the delegates make for rum, and to open (or close) windows, he goes about his duty with a certain air of detachment. He's far friendlier to those closer to his station, like his nameless assistant, or The Courier, whom he calls "General."
- Beleaguered Assistant: To the whole of Congress, who are forever shouting at him to open or close windows or fetch rum.
- Catchphrase: "Aww, suh-weet Jesus!"
- Hidden Depths: His sullenness towards the delegates isn't just because they're always ordering him around— it's also because they sit around complaining about the weather and are too lazy even to open a window themselves ("Someone oughta open up a window!"), while they send young, poor boys like the Courier to their deaths.
- If I Want Your Opinion: At one point, he tries to butt into a debate to mention that he's not all that hot on "the United States of America" as a name for a country. John Hancock grumpily shoos him off on the ground that he's not actually a delegate and doesn't get to voice his opinion.
- It Will Never Catch On: McNair thinks "The United States of America" is a poor name for a new nation.
- No Hero to His Valet: When his assistant tells the Courier he's planning to join the Continental Army, McNair snarks that he doesn't have to fight, he's in Congress, and points out how eager the delegates are to send others to their deaths, yet reluctant to go themselves.
- Servile Snarker: On watching the conservative caucus sweep imperiously out at the conclusion of their number: "How'd you like to try and borrow a dollar off one of them!"
Others
Abigail Adams
Played by: Virginia Vestoff
"Well, we will not make saltpeter until you send us pins!"
Our Hero's sensible, level-headed wife. Also wants pins - the sewing kind.
- Closer to Earth: She does her best to bring down John from his rages and get him going again when he's despondent.
- Deadpan Snarker: Which makes her well-suited for John.
- Determined Homesteader: She capably managed the farm while Adams was away at Congress and turned a profit on it in Real Life, despite her gloomy letters in the musical.
- Happily Married: Misses her husband very much.
- Serious Business: The pin shortage in Massachusetts. Which it really is when you've got growing children and live in an era when you have to make your own clothing.
- Small Role, Big Impact: She only appears in three scenes total, yet it's because of her that the audience sees a more human side of Adams-and it's her Hope Spot of sending the saltpeter that gets Adams his Heroic Second Wind to keep fighting to sway the votes for independence.
- You Need to Get Laid: More subtle than any of the boys, but one of her letters has her express frustration about not being able to "walk in Cupid's grove" with her husband while he's off annoying Congress.
Martha Jefferson
Played by: Betty Buckley (1969 Broadway run), Blythe Danner (1972 film)
"He plays the violin, he tucks it right under his chin..."
- Acceptable Breaks from Reality: She never visited hubby in Philadelphia. (The real reason Jefferson was so desperate to see her was that Martha was ill from a miscarriage, complicated by what's thought to be diabetes.)
- Happily Married: To Tom, which she sings about at length.
- Leitmotif: "He Plays the Violin", natch.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: Snogs Jefferson long enough to completely ignore Franklin and Adams at their first meeting and completely forget them until the next day, so busy is she being swept up into Jefferson's arms for a makeout session.
- You Need to Get Laid: This was the entire reason Adams sent for her: the sooner Jefferson sees his wife, the sooner he'd start writing the Declaration.
The Courier
Played by: Scott Jarvis (1969 Broadway run), Stephen Nathan (1972 film)
He lacks a name, as he's a created character not based on someone from the official record. A boy of no older than 20, his chief purpose is to ferry messages to the Congress from General Washington."Hey...hey...mama, look sharp..."
- Bearer of Bad News: Seeing as how he's always carrying distraught messages from George Washington.
- Darker and Edgier: "Mama, Look Sharp" is sung from the point-of-view of a minuteman (not even a trained soldier, really) dying alone.
- In-Series Nickname: McNair affectionately calls him "General," Washington's rank at the time. Courier protests he's not even a corporal, but McNair holds him in much higher regard than the actual commanders in the field.
- Minor Character, Major Song: He spends most of the show tromping in and out without any lines. Then he sings "Mama, Look Sharp," reminding everyone that the Revolution is not just about a bunch of rich, irritable gentry arguing semantics in a hot room.
- No Name Given: He's one of three characters that were created rather than taken from the historical record, so he's only known by his role.
(drumroll) George Washington, General of the Continental Army
- The Eeyore: His letters to Congress are always about the miserable state of the Continental Army and its dim hopes of ever winning any battles.Col. Thomas McKean: That man would depress a hyena.
- The Ghost: Only enters the play via his dispatches.
- Mood Whiplash: Played for Laughs. Congress always groans when the Courier comes in because they know Washington is going to depress them regardless of whatever they were doing beforehand.
- Running Gag: He always signs his dispatches "Your Obedient," — drumroll — "G. Washington."
The Painter
- (The PAINTER goes)
- Living Prop: His two not-historical brethren, Courier and Leather Apron both have lines, even if they aren't a lot, and Courier gets a song all to himself. Painter, on the other hand, is only mentioned once in the text, and it's a stage direction that tells him to leave the scene after being in it for barely even a moment.
