1776 (1972)
Leo Leyden: George Read (DE)
Quotes
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Rev. John Witherspoon : Our, uh... New Jersey legislature has recalled the old delegation to this Congress and has sent a new one.
John Adams : Quickly, man: where do you stand on independence?
Rev. John Witherspoon : Why, haven't I made that clear?
John Adams : No.
Rev. John Witherspoon : Well, I suppose I hadn't, but that's the reason for the change. See, we've been instructed to vote for independence.
John Adams : Mr. President, Massachusetts is now ready to vote for the vote on independence, and reminds the chair of its privilege to decide all votes that are deadlocked.
John Hancock (MA) : [wearily] I won't forget, Mr. Adams.
John Hancock (MA) : The chair takes this opportunity to welcome the New Jersey delegation, and appoints the Reverend Witherspoon to Congressional chaplain, if he will accept the post.
Rev. John Witherspoon : With much pleasure, sir.
[Hancock bangs the desk with his gavel]
John Hancock (MA) : Very well. Mr, Thompson, you er, uh... may now proceed with the vote on independence.
Charles Thomson : All in favor of the resolution on independence, as proposed by the colony of Virginia, signify by...
John Dickinson : [stands up] Mr. President, Pennsylvania moves that any votes in favor of independence... must be unanimous.
John Adams : [rises] What?
James Wilson : [stands up] I second the motion.
John Hancock (MA) : Judge Wilson!
James Wilson : [chagrined] Oh, my God...
[Wilson sits back down]
George Read : Delaware seconds, Mr. President.
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George Read : No, no, no!
Col. Thomas McKean : Damn your eyes, Read! You come into this world screamin' no, and yer determined to leave it the same way! Ya slimy worm!
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Hopkins : [Running out to watch a fire down the street] What's afire? Can anybody tell?
Robert Livingston : Looks like the Pemberton house!
George Read : It couldn't be, it's brand new!
Roger Sherman : Might be the city tavern.
Hopkins : [grabs Sherman] You bite your tongue, man.
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George Read : Among your charges against the King, Mr. Jefferson, you accuse him of depriving us of the benefits of trial by jury. This is untrue, sir. In Delaware, we've always had trial by jury.
John Adams : In Massachusetts, we have not.
George Read : Well, then I suggest that the words "in many cases" be added.
Charles Thomson : Mr. Jefferson?
[Jefferson indicates his approval]
Col. Thomas McKean : "In many cases"? Ach, brilliant! I suppose every time you see those three words, your puny chest will swell with pride over your great historical contribution.
George Read : It's more memorable than your unprincipled whitewash of that race of barbarians!
Col. Thomas McKean : [insulted] Race of barbarians? Why, I'll have you...
John Hancock : [pounding his gavel] Colonel McKean, Mr. Read, that's enough!
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Roger Sherman : [Sherman stands up] Brother Dickinson, New England has been fighting the Devil for more than 100 years.
John Dickinson : And as of now, *Brother Sherman*, the Devil has been winning hands down.
John Dickinson : [the delegates murmur] Why, at this very moment, he's sitting right here, in this Congress. Don't let him deceive you, this proposal is entirely his doing! Oh, it may bear Virginia's name, but it reeks of Adams, Adams, and more Adams. Look at him, ready to lead this continent down the fiery path of total destruction!
John Adams : [Adams stands up] Oh, good God! Why can't you acknowledge what already exists? It has been more than a year since Concord and Lexington! Damn it, man, we're at war! Right now...
John Dickinson : *You* may be at war - you, Boston and John Adams, but you will never speak for Pennsylvania!
George Read : [Read stands up] Nor for Delaware!
Caesar Rodney : [Caesar Rodney stands] Mr. Read, you represent only one third of Delaware!
George Read : The sensible third, Mr. Rodney!
Col. Thomas McKean : Sit down, you scurvy dog, or I'll knock you down!
John Hancock : [Hancock bangs his gavel on the desk] Sit down, all three of you!
