(Updated June 24, 2025)
Fisher Ames (1758-1808) was an American Founder who advocated for the Constitution as a Federalist, served as Massachusetts’s first Representative in Congress, and strongly supported the financial program of the first US Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton.
Thomas McKean (1734-1817) was an American Founder who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and served as the President of Congress. He also served as the President of Delaware, and the Chief Justice and Governor of Pennsylvania.
Letters
Thomas McKean, To John Adams (September 19, 1777)
May the Almighty give the Congress and our Generals wisdom, fortitude and perseverance, and teach the fingers of our army to fight. Our cause is good, our army in health and high spirits, and more numerous than that of the enemy. May the divine Disposer of all events crown our virtuous endeavors with success and save our country; of this we may be confident, “for he delights in virtue, and that which he delights in must be happy” (Addison, Cato, Act V, scene i).
Thomas McKean, To John Adams (August 28, 1813)
Comfort for the Death of a Daughter
With sincerity I condole with you on the death of your daughter; I had five children who have died, three of whom have been married and left a numerous offspring. By these events we have sustained the deprivation of great comforts; but our loss is their ineffable gain, they are in the bosom of their father and their God. These are among the common calamities of life: resignation to the dispensations of Providence, and gratitude for all the blessings left us are indispensable duties.
Thomas McKean, To John Adams (October 15, 1814)
An omnipotent and benevolent Providence may, by permitting new broils and contests in Europe, or by other means furnish other employment for the British administration, besides planning the destruction or subjugation of an innocent people fighting for their independence and just rights. On God let us rely; he has been and still is our General in chief.
