Commodore Hopkins had his hearing, as in the Journal. On this Occasion I had a very laborious task, against all the Prejudices of the Gentlemen from the southern and middle States, and of many from New England.... I thought, however that Hopkins had done great Service and made an important beginning of Naval Operations.
It appeared to me, that the Commodore was pursued and persecuted by that Anti New England Spirit, which haunted Congress in many other of their proceedings, as well as in this Case and that of General Wooster. I saw nothing in the Conduct of Hopkins, which indicated Corruption or Want of Integrity. Experience and Skill might have been deficient, in sev- eral Particulars: But where could We find greater Experience or Skill? I knew of none to be found. The other Captains had not so much, and it was afterwards found, they had not more Success.
I therefore entered into a full and candid Investigation of the whole Subject, considered all the Chayges and all the Evidence: as well as his Answers and proofs: and exerted all the Talents and Eloquence I had, in justifying him where he was justifiable, and excusing him where he was excusable. When the Tryal was over Mr. [William] Ellery of Newport, came to me and said you have made the old Man your Friend for Life. He will hear of your Defence of him, and he never forgets a Kindness.
1. L. H. Butterfield, ed., The Adams Papers, Diary and Autobiography of John Adams (Cambridge, 1961), III, 405, 406. Hereafter cited as Butterfield, ed., Diary and Autobiography of John Adams.
2. While Adams dated his comments on the day that Hopkins appeared before congress, .the entry really covers August 12, and August 15, 16, when thedebate continued.
3. Adams added in his autobiography:
More than twenty Years afterwards, the Old Gentleman hobbled on his Crutches to the Inn in Providence, at four score Years of Age, one half of him dead in consequence of a paralytic Stroke, with his Eyes overflowing with tears to express his Gratitude to me. He said He knew not for what End he was continued in Life, unless it were to punish his Friends or to teach his Children and Grand Children to respect me. The President Donathan Maxcy] of Rhode Island Colledge [Brown University] who had married his Daughter, and all his Family shewed me the same affectionate Attachment.
