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That misses the best part of the chicle story! Adams had met up with the exiled General Santa Anna on Staten Island. He bought a ton of chicle to help fund the general's return to power. When Adams figured out he could not make carriage tires from the stuff, he was worried about being high and dry. Adams conceived of selling it for chewing, but was uncertain it would sell. Then he saw a kid in the street chewing on a piece of wax paper.