Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s March 5, 1770. I’m at the site of the Boston Massacre where the British army killed five colonists. I’m talking with lawyer John Adams. He has decided to defend the British Captain, Preston, who has been charged with manslaughter.
JG: “Mr. Adams, many colonists are upset with you for defending the British captain.”
JA: “Mr. Gillespie, my passion for justice is equal to my passion for liberty. If we do not defend a man’s right to a fair trial, we lose light of the rule of law and righteous government.”
While not a popular move, John Adams stood for principle over politics.
Read the full text of the summary of crown evidence, the summary of defense evidence, as well as John Adams’ argument for the defense.
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
