17761972

Lewis Morris:
[as John Hancock is about to swat a fly] Mr. Secretary, New York abstains, courteously.

[Hancock raises his fly swatter at Morris, then draws back]

John Hancock:
Mr. Morris, [pause, then shouts] WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?

Lewis Morris:
I'm sorry Mr. President, but the simple fact is that our legislature has never sent us explicit instructions on anything!

John Hancock:
NEVER? [slams fly swatter onto his desk] That's impossible!

Lewis Morris:
Mr. President, have you ever been present at a meeting of the New York legislature?

[Hancock shakes his head "No"]

Lewis Morris:
They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done. [turns to the Congress as he returns to his seat] I beg the Congress's pardon.

John Hancock:
[grimly] My sympathies, Mr. Morris.