The Greatest Question Was Decided, Which Ever Was Debated in America

Jefferson, despite owning slaves himself, called slavery "morally depraved." Its shameful that so many so easily write off the evil these slavers committed as simply a product of their time. https://t.co/dRHLcuH4WT

— Emo Morales 🇵🇸 (@Gompers_Stomper) July 4, 2026

John Adams wrote to Abigail on July 3, 1776:

A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony “that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do.” 

You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell'd Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days.

Going back to the John Adams well, there's a scene showing the Declaration being read aloud in various milieu¹, including the Adams' home whilst the family was recovering from smallpox inoculation.  Unclear if it went down exactly as presented, but here Abigail's letter on July 21:

I have no doubt but that my dearest Friend is anxious to know how his Portia does, and his little flock of children under the opperation of a disease once so formidable.

I have the pleasure to tell him that they are all comfortable tho some of them of complaining. Nabby has been very ill, but the Eruption begins to make its appearence upon her, and upon Johnny. Tommy is so well that the Dr. innoculated him again to day fearing it had not taken. Charlly has no complaints yet, tho his arm has been very soar.

She also mentioned the pox on July 14:

Nabby and Johnny send duty and desire Mamma to say that an inflamation in their Eyes which has been as much of a distemper as the small pox, has prevented their writing, but they hope soon to be able to acquaint Pappa of their happy recovery from the Distemper.

So the miniseries got the timing right, at the very least.  But here's more important commentary in that same letter:

May the foundation of our new constitution, be justice, Truth and Righteousness. Like the wise Mans house may it be founded upon those Rocks and then neither storms or temptests will overthrow it.

I cannot but feel sorry that some of the most Manly Sentiments in the Declaration are Expunged from the printed coppy. Perhaps wise reasons induced it.

She first responds to John's remark about a "Plan of Confederation", but follows up with a lament about the same passage regarding slavery that Jefferson was so salty about.  Abigail was aware of the edit(s) because her husband sent along the original Rough draught that he'd copied out.

Naturally, her keen eye would spot the difference, and she was never shy about calling out our national hypocrisy.  F'rinstance, here's a letter from 1774:

I wish most sincerely there was not a Slave in the province. It allways appeard a most iniquitious Scheme to me-fight ourselfs for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. You know my mind upon this Subject.

Yet here we are in the Year of our Lord 2026, with reactionary forces trying to deny the history that Abigail Adams herself witnessed and rightfully found appalling.  It seems the real Greatest Question - whether our republic is strong and mature enough to own up to its past - has yet to be decided.

Selah.

1 - I can never not point out John Dickinson's appearance (starting at 1:40).  The man argued and voted against independence, then went on to fight in the war defending it.  We call that Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit.