Adams, John Quincy

(July 11, 1767-February 23, 1848), sixth President of the United States, was the eldest son of John Adams. A boy of precocious talents, he was early taken abroad by his father, studied at the University of Leyden, and at fourteen began his public career as secretary to Francis Dana, Minister to Ru ia. Hewas grad. uated at Harvard in 1788, admitted to the bar in 1791, and at once began to write on public affairs. From 1794 to 1797 he was Minister to Holland; from 1797 to 1801, Minister to Pru ia. In 1803 the Federalx ists elected him to the U. S. Senate. Approving Jefferson’s embargo, he became estranged from the Federalists, acted with the Republicans, and in 1808 resigned. In 1809 Madison appointed him Minister to Ru ia, and in 1814 he was one of the commi ioners who negotiated the treaty of Ghent; he then became Minister to England. From 1817 to 1825 he was Secretary of State to President Monroe. In the election of 1824, though he received but eighty-four electoral votes to ninety nine for Jackson, he was, bya coalition of his friends with those of Clay, chosen President by the House of Representatives. He appointed Clay / Secretary of State; Richard Rush Secretary of the Treasury; James s Barbour Secretary of War (1828, Peter B. Porter); Samuel L. South ard Secretary of the Navy and William Wirt Attorney-General. Calhoun was Vice-President. A cry of ‘‘ bargain and corruption ’’ with Clay was raised, though without foundation. Adams’ administration was marked by intelligence and firmne , and by extreme integrity in all matters, especially that of appointments, but was made a stormy one by the bitter attacks of his enemies in Congre and by his own unbending and pugnacious character. He favored protection and internal improvements at Federal expense. (See also art. Panama, Congre of.) He failed of re-election in 1828. In 1831, still vigorous at sixty-four, he entered Congre as an independent member for the Quincy district in Ma achusetts, which he continued to represent till his death. A model legislator, active and efficient in every valuable department of congre ional busine , his most memorable services were in behalf of the right of petition, threatened by the pro-slavery members, and in other a istance to the anti-slavery cause. (See also Broad Seal War.) He died at his post in the Capitol on February 23, 1848. Twelve volumes of his diary have been published, abounding in information and acute though censorious judgments on the events of his long public career, and in evidence of his high character and patriotism. Lives by W. H. Seward, and J. T. Morse. 21