Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams, Sixth President Of
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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 05680630 4 X /-. p , f\ s * LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WITH THE EULOGY DELIVERED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK. BY WILLIAM H. SEWARD. "THIS IS THE END OF EARTH I AM CONTENT." AUBURN: DERBY, MILLER AND COMPANY. 1849. V 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. STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, 216 WILLIAM STREET, N. T. TO THE FRIENDS OF EQUAL LIBERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 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 de- cease of its illustrious subject. Gov. Seward, in undertaking its preparation, was well aware of the engrossing attention which his professional duties re- quired, 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 \vorthy 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 occu- a pied prominent position before the American people, and filled a large space in his country's history- His career was to extreme old out- protracted1 age.O He lived 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 all to brought honor and love him. Admiring legis- lators hung with rapture on the lips of "the Old Man Eloquent," and millions eagerly perused the senti- ments 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 de- scription 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, be- Xll PREFACE. yond 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 pre- pared. The endeavor has been made to compress within a brief compass, the principal events of the life and the scenes in of Mr. Adams, 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 jus- tice 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 intelli- gent and candid public must determine. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAOE The Ancestry, Birth, and Childhood of John Quincy Adams. ... 17 CHAPTER II. John Quincy Adams studies Law His Practice Engages in Public Life Appointed Minister to the Hague. 45 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. 63 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. .82 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 XIV CONTENTS. PAGK Proceeds to Ghent to negotiate for Peace Visits Paris Appointed Minister at St. James Arrives in London. 97 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. .113 CHAPTER VII. Mr. Adams' nomination to the Presidency Spirited Presi- dential Campaign No choice by the People Election goes to the House of Representatives Mr. Adams elected Presi- dent His Inauguration Forms his Cabinet. .137 CHAPTER VIII. Charges of Corruption against Mr. Clay and Mr. Adams Mr. Adams enters upon his duties as President Visit of La Favette Tour through the United States Mr. Adams ui delivers him a Farewell Address Departs from the United States. ... .162 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. ... 187 CHAPTER X. Mr. Adams' Administration Refuses to remove political opposers from office Urges the importance of Internal Im- provements 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. 202 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XI. PAGE 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. 232 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 Sla- very Insurrection in Texas Mr. Adams makes known its ulterior object. ........ 254 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. ..... 280 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 Ob- servatory. ..... 300 CHAPTER XV. Mr. Adams' Last Appearance in Public at Boston His Health Lectures on his Journey to Washington Remote XVI CONTENTS. PAGE Cause of his Decease Struck with Paralysis Leaves Quincy for Washington for the last time His final Sick- ness in the House of Representatives His Death The Funeral at Washington Removal of the Body to Quincy Its Interment. ........ 325 EULOGY. , 357 THE LIFE OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 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 Massa- chusetts, 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 1639. On the organization of the town of Braintree, which com- prised 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, 18 LIFE OF JOHN ClUINCY ADAMS. by JOHN ADAMS, President of the United States, and bearing this inscription : MM illcmorrj or 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 towns two to Chelmsford. One neighboring ; 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, simpli- city, prudence, patience, temperance, frugality, industry, and persever- ance of his ancestors, jn 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 Decem- ber, 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 Dea- con 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 un- dying fame to his ancient family, but a new and powerful impulse to the cause of Human Freedom throughout the world.