1776 (1972) - 5 quotes

Edward Rutledge: Mr. Adams is now calling our black slaves "Americans". Are they, now?

John Adams: Yes, they are. They're people, and they're here. If there's any other requirement, I've never heard of it.

Edward Rutledge: They are here, yes. But they are not people, sir, they are property.

Thomas Jefferson: No, sir, they are people who are being treated as property!

Benjamin Franklin: Revolutions come into this world like bastard children, Mr. Dickinson; half improvised and half compromised.

John Adams: At a stage in life when other men prosper, I'm reduced to living in Philadelphia.

[After hearing Dickinson bang on a desk.]

Benjamin Franklin: Please, Mr. Dickinson, but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep?

John Dickinson: Forgive me, Doctor Franklin, but must you start speaking? How is a man to stay awake?

John Dickinson: We'll promise to be quiet, sir. I'm sure everyone prefers that you remain asleep.

Benjamin Franklin: If I'm to hear myself called an Englishman, sir, I assure I prefer I'd remained asleep.

John Dickinson: What's so terrible about being called an Englishman? The English don't seem to mind.

Benjamin Franklin: Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He's thankful for the honor, but he'd much rather have restored what's rightfully his.

John Dickinson: When did you first notice they were missing, sir?

John Hancock: I'm concerned over the continued absence of one-thirteenth of this Congress. Where is New Jersey?

John Dickinson: Somewhere between New York and Pennsylvania.

John Hancock: Thank you very much.