Novanglus, No. 7
John Adams
John Adams was writing against the backdrop of colonial unrest and a growing desire for independence from British rule. In this atmosphere, the concentration of power in distant hands was seen as inherently risky. Adams insisted that even the most trusted leaders are potential threats to liberty if unchecked. His argument was sharpened against Massachusettensis and others who underestimated or ignored the dangers of centralized power.