Adams, John

(1735-1826), second President of the United States, was born in Brain tree (Quincy), Ma ., October 19, 1735, the son of a emall farmer. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1755, then taught school and studied law in Worcester. Taking up practice in Boston, he soon acquired prominence as a politician and writer, especially against the Stamp Act and other injurious acts of the British government. All his writings were spirited, terse, clear and pungent. In ~ 1774 he was a delegate to the Continental Congre and was active in its work and that of the Provincial Congre of Ma achusetts. In the Congre of 1775 he urged independence, and was made chairman of the Board of War. He was one of the committee of five which drew up the Declaration of Independence. After a brief mi ion to France in 1778, he was again sent out, in 1779, as one of the commi ioners to negotiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain, which was signed in 1783. He also negotiated a loan with the Dutch. In 1785 he was appointed the first Minister of the United States to Great Britain, in which. capacity he showed himself, as always, active, boid and patriotic, but. could not negotiate a treaty of commerce. Returning in 1788, he was in 1789 chosen the first Vice-President of the United States, and soon became, in opposition to Jefferson, a leader of the Federalist party. In 1797 he became President, with Jefferson as Vice-President, Timothy Pick ering Secretary of State (1800, John Marshall}, Oliver Wolcott Secretary of the Treasury (1800, Samuel Dexter), James McHenry Secretary of War (1800, S. Dexter), and Charles Lee, Attorney-General (1798, Benjamin Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy). The administration had many difficulties, arising partly from the unfriendly course of the French Directory toward the ministers sent to them (see Directory; Pinckney, C. C.; X. Y¥. Z. Mi ion), partly from the Cabinet, partly from the rivalry of Hamilton, and partly from the President’s own warmth of temper, vanity and hasty indiscretion in speech and writing. Popular with the ma of his party by reason of his integrity and patriotism, he alienated the leaders by concluding an agreement with France and by reconstructing his Cabinet. These di ensions, and the unpopularity of the Alien and Sedition Acts (see arts.), gave the election of 1800 to Jefferson and the Democrats. Adams retired to private life in Quincy, Ma , In retirement he wrote much, vivaciously, often wittily, sometimes with impulsive bitterne , on public affairs, past and current. He became reconciled with Jefferson, and died on the same day with him, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration, July 4, 1826. Lives by J. T. Morse and C. F. Adams. Writings edited by C. F. A. 20