and it radicalizes abigail adams. she writes a letter, a bitter letter to her husband, john, in which she rails against the british prime minister, lord north, who was presiding over this war. and she says, oh, lord north, may the groans and cries harrow up thy soul. great britain is a tyrant state. let us separate. they are unworthy to be our brethren. so many people, i think, were radicalized as was sam -- as was abigail adams. but then in short order in many december and january -- in december and january in the space of about 30 or 40 days, sometimes on back-to-back days, a series of things happened that really unleashed the spirit of independence. first, the governor of virginia, lord dunmore, actually in november though most people didn't realize it until december, issued a problem procn freeing the slaves if they would join an army that he was forming to suppress the american rebellion. and as many congressmen pointed out, dunmore's problem proclamas it was called did more to convert southern residents over to

so many people i think will radicalize as was abigail adams. but then in short order in in december and january in the space of about 30 or 40 days sometimes back to back, a series of things happen that really unleashed the spirit of independence. first, the governor of virginia actually in november, though most people didn't realize it until december issued a proclamation freeing the slaves what if they would join an army that he was forming to suppress the american rebellion and as many congressmen pointed out, his proclamation as it was called did more to convert southern residents over with to independence van anything that had taken place to this point because all through the south close to half a million slaves were living there was now year who of a slave insurrection leading to widespread bloodshed one. then in the second week of january, not more than two or three weeks after most people became aware of the proclamation a philadelphia newspaper printed a copy were of a speech that the king had recently given when he opened parliament,

the disease spread to massachusetts where john adams's wife, and abigail adams was living. when the disease hit, abigail adams is mother fell victim to the disease. .. >> he promised what he called the punishment for those who were leaving and backing the american revolution. so the gamble, the whole strategy of the conservatives had suddenly been taken away from them, had suddenly been proven to be an incorrect strategy. the king would not negotiate. and on the very next day after the king speech was published in a philadelphia newspaper, a pamphlet hit the streets in philadelphia, a pamphlet called commonsense written by thomas paine. this pamphlet was the most important pamphlet written, most important thing, i think, published in 17 come in 18th century america. in fact, bernard balin at harvard a few years ago said that in the 17th, 18th and 19th century, the two most important publications in america work harriet beecher stowe's uncle tom's cabin, and thomas paine's common sense. and i think it was precisely correct. in that assessment. paine's pamphlet became a runaw

i can see abigail adams sitting and clutching her scorching hot cup of joe, john adams saying sit down and drink your damn coffee, woman. she really was the brains of the outfit. my mother is overworked, tired, but her still solid body stood hard as a rock. i'm not going to cry, as a tear falls down from her face. don't cry, mom, don't cry. [cheers and applause] >> that was her first time ever. yay! and up next we have indiana telepenova. >> a recipe for water. start with the color magenta, a burning asphalt, of beach ball sighing out its life, a garden grown on accident after accident, add a father painting shelves on the cove, a pinch of guilt, statues of isabella butter flisse -- butterflies, and extinct alpha betts, a teaspoon of autumn leaves, a shepard playing with the winds, some animal begging for snow. mix vigorously like the mountain mixes up its slopes. preheat the bed of a star to -- 240 light-years away. thank you. and next is -- [cheers and applause] >> next is robin black. >> hi, robin! >> oh, ok. i had to know. this is called "eviction notice." the police turned us away

there were also flowers, which were filled with plants that abigail adams, his wife, compared to humble citizens. in contrast to the stately crown which she said was banned from the garden because it bears to monarchical name. by the end of the summer 1796 adams finally names his garden, after many, many years. he names a peace deal. i will read you why -- how he explains why he calls the peace field. this is what he says commemoration of the piece which i assisted in making in 1783 of the 13 years peas and neutrality, which i have contributed to preserve and of the constant peace and tranquility which i have enjoyed in this residence. even in the name there is a political meaning for adams. let's have a look at monticello. when jefferson retired from his presidency in 89 he created a garden that was very much a reflection of what he believed america was. strong, beautiful, independent, agrarian, and sublime. monticello is a living tapestry of the themes that had occupied him for so long. so, for example, the majestic views that across the rolling landscape, which is his celebration of

life in 18th century american family or 18th century american couple than the letters of john and abigail adamsand their families all continued in the same tradition. the letters of abigail and john adams are all in the massachusetts historical society. as are the letters and diaries and papers of their distinguished son, john quincy adams, enumerable diplomats, writers, henry adams, and down the line are all in the massachusetts historical society. and to give -- and they're all on microfilm. and to give you an idea of how many letters that family wrote, if you stretch that microfilm out, it would reach farther than 5 miles. it's not just daunting but it's unimaginable and it's sensational they are beautifully written. you pick up john quincy adams diaries and there's a word crossed out. there's never a change. and the handwriting is superb. he never seems to have a second thought. [laughter] >> truly. we've had some presidents who have immense genius and high iq, really, we have. [laughter] >> and by the way, they were never dismissed as being elite. [applause] >> but i think maybe the most b