Independence Day thoughts from John Adams

John Adams, who has become a better-understood founding father as of late due to the wonderful David McCullough book and HBO Miniseries, had the following predictions some 232 years ago.  He envisioned future generations celebrating the 2nd of July, the date on which the Continental Congress actually voted for independence:

 The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

Some striking predictions.  But did John Adams ever predict that he would have been able to run his law practice, in Boston, Braintree, and Philadelphia, via web-based legal practice management and time and billing software? I guess that would have been more in Franklin’s court.