[Footnote 146: The practice has been to celebrate the 4th of July, the
day upon which the form of the Declaration of Independence was agreed
to, rather than the 2d, the day upon which the resolution making that
declaration was determined upon by the Congress. A friend of Mr. Adams,
who had during his lifetime an opportunity to read the two letters dated
on the 3d, was so much struck with them, that he procured the liberty to
publish them. But thinking, probably, that a slight alteration would
better fit them for the taste of the day, and gain for them a higher
character for prophecy, than if printed as they were, he obtained leave
to put together only the most remarkable paragraphs, and make one letter
out of the two. He then changed the date from the 3d to the 5th, and the
word second to fourth, and published it, the public being made aware of
these alterations. In this form, and as connected with the anniversary
of our National Independence, these letters have ever since enjoyed
great popularity. The editor at first entertained some doubt of the
expediency of making a variation by printing them in their original
shape. But upon considering the matter maturely, his determination to
adhere, in all cases, to the text prevailed. If any injury to the
reputation of Mr. Adams for prophecy should ensue, it will be more in
form than in substance, and will not be, perhaps, without compensation
in the restoration of the unpublished portion. This friend was a nephew,
William S. Shaw. But the letters had been correctly and fully printed
before. See Niles's _Principles and Acts of the Revolution_, p. 330.]