From Presidential Anecdotes by Paul Boller, Jr.:

Jefferson did not regard the Presidency as the major happening of his long life. To him the biggest event was drafting the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson’s “peculiar felicity of expression,” according to John Adams, made him the logical choice for writing the Great Declaration.
In June 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee of five to draft a statement of reasons for American independence; it included Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and two other Congressmen. “The committee met,” according to Adams, “discussed the subject, and then appointed Jefferson and me to make the draught, I suppose because we were the two first on the list.”
When the subcommittee met, Jefferson suggested that Adams prepare a draft.
“I will not,” said Adams.
“You should do it,” said Jefferson.
“Oh! no,” exclaimed Adams.
”Why will you not?” asked Jefferson. “You ought to do it.”
“I will not,” said Adams stubbornly.
“Why?” asked Jefferson.
“Reasons enough,” said Adams.
“What can be your reasons?” Jefferson wanted to know.
“Reason first—you are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business,” explained Adams. “Reason second—I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular. You are very much otherwise. Reason third—you can write ten times better than I can.”
“Well,” said Jefferson, “if you are decided, I will do as well as I can.”
“Very well,” said Adams, “when you have drawn it up, we will have a meeting.”

Here’s how Sherman Edwards (music and lyrics), Peter Stone (libretto), Peter Hunt (director), and Onna White (choreography) turned that bit of history into musical theater in the movie version of the 1776 musical, which featured most of the original Broadway cast, including William Daniels as Adams, Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson, and Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin.

William Daniels, of course, went on to play the obnoxious and disliked Dr. Mark Craig in the TV show St. Elsewhere. Howard Da Silva first came to fame playing the villainous Judd in the original production of Oklahoma!. Ken Howard would later become the White Shadow.

And here is William Daniels recalling what it was like to play John Adams.

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