The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-03-22
Fciiogp Citizens,


.Jor little recrinnation.
Fciioyv Citisens,
Although the unsought appoint
Iuents TO the numerous offices detailed in my last
address, will, by ali candid men, be admitted as
strong evidence of my possessing some portion
of ability to execute them, and of my fidelity to
my country yet the manner in which was fl
pall, removed from Office. laving, among the I'M
informed, excited douhts, it may be necessary
for me TO clear them away
held the office of Secretary of State near five
years. In May 1900, was dismissed by Presi-
dent Adams On this dismisson $50 little did
1t excite my sensibility) should have remained
forever silent, had it not been made a subject of
reproach. The dismssion deprived me of no
friends on the contrary it Increased the ardor
and added to the number OF those | had before
OF the friends common to both of us, it contri-
buted to produce u general alienation from Mr..
Adams.
knew this gentleman was liable to ntempe-
rate passions: was the subject of paroxlsm
of his rage the afternoon before he sent me notice
that might resign, " wishing me TO name the
day when the resignation should take place.
This tempest, however was not displayed to me,
bu to a friend of mine: member of Congress,
who was going home and called on Mr. Adams
20 take4eave. To me, who 'iBring more than s
years. held the office OF Secretary of State under
him, Mr.. Adams once only exhibited any passi-
on and that All occasion which furnished no
cause for the slightest emotion. II was this 49,
His son, John Quincy Adams, in 1894, was APP
pointed Charge d'Affarss, or minister resident
of the u States at the Hague. Just before
General Washlngton's last presidency expired,
he "aised John Q. Adams to the highest grade.
of minister plenipotentiary to the court of LIS
bon l had now to make out a new commission
In the draught called John O Adams, lace mi
mister resident of the United States at the Haet,e
doubling whether it would be correct IT, call
him Iate minister pIeaiPatentfarY ofhe u. States
at the court Of Lisbon seeing that not having
gone thither, OF course he had not been received
I'm that character. 1 concluded, however, before
"a fair copy of the commission should be made,
60 wait on the President, that he might direct
the forra of it to be altered, If he thought fit
He reSd on till he came to "late minister re-
sident oftEe u S. at the Hague" when he burst
into a passion and with loud and rapid voice
exclaimed, "not late minister resident at the
Hague, but late m?is er plenipotentiary of the
A. =, at the Court of Lisbon, to which Office he
cas- ann, .,inted Ivy Gen VFashington--not by me
and ~ he - hall be called :" Then lowering
his tone. bnt snea, ling with carnestness, he adj
ded-" am sorry IN. It my son ever went abroad
as n minister / wish he had stad at home
for there was not pen in |. We u 5. OF which the
Iacobins were so much afrsin as OF my sou's."-
The father and the son and these very JacobIns,
have since shaken hands together
have said that Mr.. Adams gave me notice
that might resign, and wished me To ,1ame the
day This transaction having excited co,7side-
rsble interest, the public curiosity may be grs l.
fled by the perusal of our correspondence :,
entire -
PHILAD LPHIA, May 10, 1900
Sir--As perceive a necessity Of introducing
u change in the administrator of the effice of |
state, think IT proper to- make this cOmmunica- |
zion of 1t to the present secretary of state, thai
ne may have an opportunity of resigning, If lie |
chooses. ! should wish the day on which IN |
resignation is TO take place to be named by him
self wish for an answer to this letter on or BE-.
fore Monday morning, because the nomination Of
successor must be sent to senate as soon as they
sit
With esteem, ana sir,
Your most ob't humb seFv't
JoHN ADAAs.
Honorable Timothy Pickering,
Secretary Of STATE"
IA required no great ssgacity to discover the
ktent object Of this seemingly mild proposal. -
Il was the first notice the President gave me Of
bis intentions, Mr. Adams imagined that
would resign, to avoid the apparent sgrace of
sdis1Hissio1 He wished me to commit 6oLifi-
cal smciae to screen himself from the od'un Of
beirg my %ecpioney----Preferring a disinission
b. which knew it was not in lie power To dis
bonor me, sent him the following answer
Department of STATE, q.
Phi'adeLbGa, Monday 7,aoraiTg
May 12th, 1900
sp-l have to acknowledge the receipt of