Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams by William H. Seward (easy books to read txt) 📕

"THIS IS THE END OF EARTH - I AM CONTENT."

AUBURN: DERBY, MILLER AND COMPANY. 1849.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by DERBY, MILLER & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office for the Northern District of New York.


ADVERTISEMENT.

The Publishers apologize for the delay in issuing this volume, which was announced by them as in press, more than one year since, shortly after the decease of its illustrious subject. Gov. Seward, in undertaking its preparation, was well aware of the engrossing attention which his professional duties required, but looked constantly for relaxation from his multiplied business engagements, in the hope that he might be able to complete the work commenced by him. It however became necessary for its timely completion, to obtain the literary assistance of an able writer, who has, under his auspices, completed the work. The Publishers confidently believe, that it will in all respects, be received as a faithful and impartial history of the Life of the "Old Man Eloquent," and worthy a place in the library of every friend of liberty and humanity.
AUBURN, April, 1849.


PREFACE.

The claims of this volume are humble. For more than half a century JOHN QUINCY ADAMS had occupied a prominent position before the American people, and filled a large space in his country's history. His career was protracted to extreme old age. He outlived political enmity and party rancor. His purity of life - his elevated and patriotic principles of action - his love of country, and devotion to its interests - his advocacy of human freedom, and the rights of man - brought all to honor and love him. Admiring legislators hung with rapture on the lips of "the Old Man Eloquent," and millions eagerly perused the sentiments he uttered, as they were scattered by the press in every town and hamlet of the Western Continent. At his decease, there was a general desire expressed for a history of his life and times. A work of this description was understood to be in preparation by his family. It was not probable, however, that this could appear under several years, and when published, would undoubtedly be placed, by its size and cost, beyond the reach of the great mass of readers. In view of these circumstances, there was an evident want of a volume of more limited compass - a book which would come within the means of the people generally, - and adapted not only for libraries, and the higher classes of society, but would find its way into the midst of those moving in the humbler walks of life. To supply this want, the present work has been prepared. The endeavor has been made to compress within a brief compass, the principal events of the life of Mr. Adams, and the scenes in which he participated; and to portray the leading traits of character which distinguished him from his contemporaries. It has been the aim to present such an aspect of the history and principles of this wonderful man, as shall do justice to his memory, and afford an example which the youth of America may profitably imitate in seeking for a model by which to shape their course through life. How far this end has been attained, an intelligent and candid public must determine.


CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Ancestry, Birth, and Childhood of John Quincy Adams.

CHAPTER II.

John Quincy Adams studies Law - His Practice - Engages in Public Life
- Appointed Minister to the Hague.

CHAPTER III.

Mr. Adams transferred to Berlin - His Marriage - Literary Pursuits - Travels in Silesia - Negotiates Treaties with Sweden and Prussia - Recalled to the United States.

CHAPTER IV.

Mr. Adams' Return to the United States - Elected to the Massachusetts Senate - Appointed U. S. Senator - Supports Mr. Jefferson - Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres - Appointed Minister to Russia.

CHAPTER V.

Mr. Adams' arrival at St. Petersburg - His Letters to his Son on the Bible - His Religious Opinions - Russia offers Mediation between Great Britain and the United States - Proceeds to Ghent to negotiate for Peace - Visits Paris - Appointed Minister at St. James-Arrives in London.

CHAPTER VI.

Mr. Adams appointed Secretary of State - Arrives in the United States - Public Dinners in New York and Boston - Takes up his Residence in Washington - Defends Gen. Jackson in the Florida Invasion - Recognition of South American Independence - Greek Revolution.

CHAPTER VII.

Mr. Adams' nomination to the Presidency - Spirited Presidential Campaign - No choice by the People - Election goes to the House of Representatives - Mr. Adams elected President - His Inauguration - Forms his Cabinet.

CHAPTER VIII.

Charges of Corruption against Mr. Clay and Mr. Adams - Mr. Adams enters upon his duties as President - Visit of La Fayette - Tour through the United Slates - Mr. Adams delivers him a Farewell Address - Departs from the United States.

CHAPTER IX.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson - Their Correspondence - Their Death - Mr. Webster's Eulogy - John Q. Adams visits Quincy - His Speech at the Public School Dinner in Faneuil Hall.

CHAPTER X.

Mr. Adams' Administration - Refuses to remove political opposers from office - Urges the importance of Internal Improvements - Appoints Commissioners to the Congress of Panama - His policy toward the Indian Tribes - His Speech on breaking ground for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal - Bitter opposition to his Administration - Fails of re-election to the Presidency - Retires from office.

CHAPTER XI.

Mr. Adams' multiplied attainments - Visited by Southern Gentlemen - His Report on Weights and Measures - His Poetry - Erects a Monument to the memory of his Parents - Elected Member of Congress - Letter to the Bible Society - Delivers Eulogy on Death of ex-President Monroe.

CHAPTER XII.

Mr. Adams takes his seat in Congress - His Position and Habits as a Member - His Independence of Party - His Eulogy on the Death of ex-President James Madison - His advocacy of the Right of Petition, and Opposition to Slavery - Insurrection in Texas - Mr. Adams makes known its ulterior object.

CHAPTER XIII.

Mr. Adams presents Petitions for the Abolishment of Slavery - Opposition of Southern Members - Exciting Scenes in the House of Representatives - Marks of confidence in Mr. Adams.

CHAPTER XIV.

Mr. Adams' firmness in discharge of duty - His exertions in behalf of the Amistad Slaves - His connection with the Smithsonian Bequest - Tour through Canada and New York - His reception at Buffalo - Visits Niagara Falls - Attends worship with the Tuscarora Indians - His reception at Rochester - at Auburn - at Albany - at Pittsfield - Visits Cincinnati - Assists in laying the Corner Stone of an Observatory.

CHAPTER XV.

Mr. Adams' Last Appearance in Public at Boston - His Health - Lectures on his Journey to Washington - Remote Cause of his Decease - Struck with Paralysis - Leaves Quincy for Washington for the last time - His final Sickness in the House of Representatives - His Death - The Funeral at Washington - Removal of the Body to Quincy - Its Interment.

EULOGY


CHAPTER I.

THE ANCESTRY, BIRTH, AND CHILDHOOD, OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

The Puritan Pilgrims of the May-Flower landed on Plymouth Rock, and founded the Colony of Massachusetts, on the 21st day of December, 1620.

HENRY ADAMS, the founder of the Adams family in America, fled from ecclesiastical oppression in England, and joined the Colony at a very early period, but at what precise time is not recorded. He erected his humble dwelling at a place within the present town of QUINCY, then known as MOUNT WOLLASTON, and is believed to have been an inhabitant when the first Christian Church was gathered there in 1630. On the organization of the town of Braintree, which comprised the place of his residence, he was elected Clerk of the Town. He died on the eighth day of October, 1646. His memory is preserved by a plain granite monument, erected in the burial-ground at Quincy, by JOHN ADAMS, President of the United States, and bearing this inscription: -

In Memory of HENRY ADAMS, Who took his flight from the Dragon Persecution in Devonshire, in England, and alighted with eight sons, near Mount Wollaston.
One of the sons returned to England, and after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns; two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here, who was an original pro- prietor in the Township of Braintree, incorporated in the year 1639.

This stone, and several others, have been placed in this yard, by a great-great-grandson, from a veneration of the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temperance; frugality, industry, and perseverance of his ancestors, in hopes of recommending an imitation of their virtues to their posterity.


Joseph Adams, the son of Henry Adams mentioned in the above inscription, died on the sixth of December, 1694, aged sixty-eight years. Joseph, the next in succession, died February 12th, 1736, at the age of eighty-four years. His son John Adams, was a Deacon of the Church at Quincy, and died May 25th, 1761, aged seventy years. This John Adams was the father of him who was destined to give not only undying fame to his ancient family, but a new and powerful impulse to the cause of Human Freedom throughout the world.

JOHN ADAMS, son of John Adams and Susannah Boylston Adams, was born at Quincy on the nineteenth day of October (old style), 1735. He received the honors of Harvard University in 1755, and then, in pursuance of a good old New England custom, which made those who had enjoyed the benefits of a public education, in turn impart those benefits to the public, he was occupied for a time in teaching.

It ought to encourage all young men in straitened circumstances, desirous of obtaining a profession and of rising to eminence, to know that John Adams, who became so illustrious by talents and achievement as to lend renown to the office of President of the United States, pursued the study of the law under the inconveniences resulting from his occupation as an instructor in a Grammar School.

John Adams was an eminent and successful lawyer, but it was not the design of his existence that his talents should be wasted in the contentions of the courts.

The British Parliament, as soon as the Colonies had attracted their notice, commenced a system of legislation known as the Colonial System, the object of which was to secure to the mother country a monopoly of their trade, and to prevent their rising to a condition of strength and independence. The effect of this system was to prevent all manufactures in the Colonies, and all trade with foreign countries, and even with the adjacent plantations.

The Colonies remonstrated in vain against this policy, but owing to popular dissatisfaction, the regulations were not rigidly enforced. At length an Order in Council was passed, which directed the officers of the customs in Massachusetts Bay, to execute the acts of trade. A question arose in the Supreme Court of that province in 1761, upon the constitutional right of the British Parliament to bind the Colonies. The trial produced great excitement. The cause was argued for the Crown by