“Unlocking Humanity: The Surprising Secret Behind What Makes Us Truly Human”
He also proposed in it a bicameral (two house) legislature with one meant to be the more aristocratic branch and the other more representative of the people, with both placing a check on the other. On this, he noted a unicameral (one house) legislature is too “liable to all the vices, follies, and frailties of an individual.” And that the executive branch further helped check the legislature via its veto power. And, as alluded to, it was essential that the judicial branch be separate from the other two to ensure those who make the laws or have the most power weren’t also the ones who were prosecuting them, nor had any real power over the judges in this way. And with a Supreme Court overseeing this branch- essentially making sure judges weren’t subject to the will of the rulers in making their decisions.
Adams concluded the pamphlet noting that despite the extremely tumultuous and stressful time they were then going through, how lucky he felt to be there doing just that, stating, “You and I, my dear Friend, have been sent into life, at a time when the greatest law-givers of antiquity would have wished to have lived. How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government more than of air, soil, or climate, for themselves or their children. When! Before the present epocha, had three millions of people full power and a fair opportunity to form and establish the wisest and happiest government that human wisdom can contrive?”
This pamphlet was originally inspired by a discussion Adams had had with Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee in late 1775. After being impressed by Adams’ ideas, he requested he formally write a pamphlet on it, which Lee then used to help convince Virginia to take the plunge and separate from Britain, which was critical to the rebellion happening in the first place.
