REFLECTIONS ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

This letter written by John Adams explains the effect that had the delay of the Declaration of Independence. Maybe if the Declaration had been made some months before and the small pox wouldn’t have attacked the troops, the providence of Canada would still have been part of the American Colonies. The good thing of the delay of the Declaration is that now everyone in the 13 colonies adopted the idea of them becoming independent from Great Britain. Although everyone is happy of this important event they now all the blood and lives it will cost them to maintain the Declaration.

Rhetorical Devices:

1. Appeal to Pathos: “All these causes however in Conjunction would not have disappointed Us, if it had not been for a Misfortune, which could not be foreseen, and perhaps could not have been prevented, I mean the Prevalence of the small Pox among our Troop…. This fatal Pestilence completed our Destruction” (J. Adams, 685). This quote is a good example for Appeal to Pathos because it makes us feel pity for the Troops that were attacked by the Small Pox. This quote is important for the letter because it tells us the reason why the American Colonists lost the providence of Canada.

2. Persuasion: “Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not” (J. Adams, 686). This quote is a good example of persuasion because John Adams is trying to convince Abigail that the war and all the lives put in danger are worth their liberty. This quote is important in the letter because John Adams is saying that after this sad times pass the sun will shine again and that they will have a better future being independent from Britain.

http://yesteryearsnews.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/forty-niner-profile-thaddeus-b-sturges/