to the numerical influence of the colonies. Patrick Henry voiced the
sentiment of Congress, "I am not a Virginian, I am an American." John
Jay, who represented the conservative element said, "We have not come to
make a constitution; the measure of arbitrary power is not full, it must
run over before we undertake to frame a government." It was proposed to
open Congress with prayer. Objections were made on account of the
religious differences of the delegates. Old Samuel Adams rose, with his
long white hair streaming on his shoulders (the same earnest Puritan who
in 1768 had written to England, "We hope in God that no such
establishment as the Protestant Episcopate shall ever take place in
America,") and said, "Gentlemen, shall it be said that it is possible
that there can be any religious difference which will prevent men from
crying to that God who alone can save them? Puritan as I am, I move
that the Rev. Dr. Duche`, minister of Christ Church in the city, be
asked to open this Congress with prayer." John Adams, writhing to his
wife, said, "Never can I forget that scene. There were twenty Quakers
standing by my side and we were all bathed in tears. When Psalms for
the day were read, it seemed as if Heaven itself was pleading for the
oppressed: 'O Lord, fight thou against them that fight against me.
Lord, who is like unto Thee to defend the poor and needy. Avenge Thou
my cause, my Lord and my God.'" Although filled with indignation at the
blood which had been shed in Boston, Congress nevertheless issued an
appeal to the people of England: "You have been told that we are
impatient of government and desire independency. These are calumnies.
Permit us to be free as you are, and our union with you will be our
greatest glory. But if your ministers sport with human rights, if
neither the voice of justice, the principles of the constitution, nor
humanity will restrain them from shedding human blood in an impious
cause, 'we will never submit.' We ask peace, liberty and safety, and
for this we have laid our prayer at the feet of the king as a loving