Dickinson proposes that the decision to secede must be unanimous, so that no colony is forced to fight England against its will. Realizing the cause is lost without Delaware, Franklin stalls for time and is rewarded by the arrival of New Jersey delegates, who support independence. Taking advantage of their absence, Rutledge proposes to end the debate and take the vote. Apologizing for leaving Delaware split on this important issue, Rodney departs, aided by Scotsman Thomas McKean, another Delaware delegate. Rodney then faints and, when revived, realizes he is too ill to remain. A gunshot fired into the air by a delegate quiets the room and cancer-ridden Caesar Rodney, one third of the Delaware delegation, decries that England is cutting off their air. Adams argues that an army needs inspiration, such as a flag and a purpose, and claims that Americans have "spirit." To this, Dickinson jeers and calls Adams a "madman," and the two come to blows, creating havoc. Even Samuel Chase of Maryland, who supports independence, believes the decision must wait until Washington's military success is assured, to prevent them being hanged as traitors. Judge James Wilson of Pennsylvania, a toady to Dickinson, timidly suggests that more time is needed. Highly charged emotions temporarily erupt into a brawl, but Hancock restores order.Įdward "Ned" Rutledge of South Carolina claims that the South wishes to be ruled neither by England nor the North. A discussion then commences, in which Dickinson defends England, but other delegates complain about repressions, high taxes and abolished rights and Franklin suggests that America has spawned a new race requiring a new nation. When Stephen Hopkins, one of three delegates from Rhode Island, returns from a brief trip to the privy down the street, he casts the deciding vote to continue the debate. As Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress, calls the roll, six colonies vote in favor of postponement and six against, with one abstention. When Lee returns, he presents Virginia's resolution for independence, but John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, leading the opposition, makes a counter proposal to postpone the issue indefinitely. George Washington of the Continental Army, frequent, depressing missives, reporting shortages, ill-trained soldiers and the intention of British troops to split the colonies in half at New York. Meanwhile, Congress, headed by its president, John Hancock, receives by courier from Gen. Franklin suggests that Adams let someone more popular lead the cause and convinces Richard Henry Lee, a Virginian delegate from an old, influential family, to solicit the support of the Virginia House of Burgesses. On another day, Adams complains about Congress' indecisiveness to Ben Franklin, who is one of three delegates from Pennsylvania. In her reply, Abby refuses unless Adams agrees to send her sewing pins, which are scarce in wartime. In a letter, Adams writes Abby that the king is sending twelve thousand mercenaries to subdue the colonists and asks her to coordinate the neighboring women to make saltpeter to use in the manufacture of gun powder. Instead, the frustrated Adams leaves the building, but regains his composure by thinking about his wife Abigail, who remains in Massachusetts to manage their farm. Although many congressmen support the "independency" issue, all are offended by Adams' frequent tirades and implore him to sit down. In Philadelphia, on, Massachusetts delegate John Adams urges the Continental Congress to debate whether officially to secede from England.
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