Part 2, Chapter 7 Summary

King George III had much in common with John Adams. Both were devotees of farming, books and talking. His Majesty was two years older than Adams, taller, obstinate, affectionate and devoted to his wife and fifteen children. He was deeply religious and sincerely patriotic. With Franklin's retirement, Adams was America's most experienced diplomat, and he looked upon the London assignment as the pinnacle of his career. In London, Adams learned he would be expected to deliver a brief, complimentary speech to the King on June 1. He rehearsed at length and arrived nervous at St. James' Palace, recalling that "The Presence" he would reverence had once intended to hang him. Adams' voice quaked as he spoke of the new epoch beginning and of his good fortune to help establish the old good nature and humor between the two nations. The monarch appeared...