John Adams

The first part mainly centers on one theme that whether Captain Preston stands behind the soldiers and gives the command to shoot at the crowd. In this part, it is full of conflicts and the situation is rather tense. Mr Forrest wanted John Adams to defend for the British soldiers. However, Goddard stated firmly that Captain Preston gave the soldiers the command to shoot at the crowd in the court. Actually, John Adams received great public pressure since his defense for the soldiers, and he carried out hot debate with his wife, Sam, Captain Preston, Goddard and so on, which fully displayed the characters of John Adams

John Adams’s wife reminded him that “ your perspective client is the most despised man in Boston, you will be condemned and said to be the man of the crown if you plead the case”, and John Adams simply replied that “ I care not for malicious tongues on either side”. John Adams knew that his decision to defend for British soldiers would cause public condemnation, but as a lawyer, it was his responsibility to prove that the soldiers were not guilty, John Adams had his principal, he would not submit to external pressure. John Adams went to see the murderers. Captain Preston said to him that “You wish to engage my services in your defense? They’ve all refused us, sir, every man jack of them”, “You may expect from me no art of address, no sophistry or prevarication in such a cause. Nothing more than fact, evidence and the law will justify” John Adams answered. This dialogue showed that what John Adams believed was evidence, everything should be judged according to the law not public resentment. As a lawyer, he should give the public the truth. Just as Captain Preston said, John Adams was a man of integrity. When Sam came across John Adams, Sam warned him that “You have not much of a case, John. No Boston jury will ever vote for acquittal, this is a time for choosing sides”, John Adams did not yield to Sam’s warning because he knew that his responsibility was to prove the truth, public resentment to the crown should not be put into consideration during this case. “I am for the law, cousin, is there another side? I intend to prove that this colony is governed by law”, John Adams replied firmly. At last, John Adams successfully proved that Captain Preston did not give the command to fire and the soldiers were sentenced no guilty.