DICKINSON: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hopkins, Dr. Franklin, why have you joined this — incendiary little man, this BOSTON radical? This demagogue, this MADMAN?

ADAMS: Are you calling me a madman, you, you — you FRIBBLE!

FRANKLIN: Easy, John.

ADAMS: You cool, considerate men — you hang to the rear on every issue so that if we should go under, you’ll still remain afloat!

DICKINSON: Are you calling me a coward?

ADAMS: Yes — coward!

DICKINSON: Madman!

ADAMS: Landlord!

DICKINSON: LAWYER!

[A brawl breaks out]

Peter Stone (1930-2003) American writer for theater, television, movies

1776, play (1969) [with Sherman Edwards]