John Adams
“Facts are stubborn things…”
John Adams, closing argument for the defense, Rex v. Wemms (Boston Massacre trials), December 1770
Documented source
Attribution
John Adams
Source
John Adams, closing argument for the defense, Rex v. Wemms (Boston Massacre trials), December 1770
In full
“Facts are stubborn things…”
Status
Public domain in the United States
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About this line
Adams said it defending the British soldiers charged in the Boston Massacre — as their lawyer. A committed patriot, he took the most unpopular case in Boston because he believed the facts outranked the mob’s wishes, and he won acquittals for six of the eight soldiers. It cost him socially. He considered it one of the best things he ever did.
Why we carry this line
My hubby and I have been watching Ken Burns documentaries on the founding fathers. Adams had quite the story. He handled a case for people he felt needed representation. The facts won. In an age where everyone brings their own facts, I knew this passage needed to be seen.
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