Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-12

closed his mortal career, viewing, do Pa'i'a.o"
of old, before his closing eyes, the expanding
glories Of his country, the fruits OF his exer-
lions, and the blessings purchased by Dim LOT
posterity. The ideas which occupy our MINDS
in contemplating his character and the PERIOD
allotted by heaven for gathering him to his Ia
theirs, fill our hearts with such feelings as dis
able us from searching in books for the record
Of the many memorable incidents Of his HE,
and we can only present such facts as are pre-
sent to our memory His virtues and services
will employ the most eloquent tongues III lhe
nation, and his history be written by It's aoleSt
historian His life and history are the history
of liberty and the rights OF man, triumphlng o.
We. oppression, and founding lasting empire
on the broad foundation of the peoples VIII,
and the happiness OF the governed
President Adams was educated al Cambridge,
and 10 the profession of the law 30 eminent
was his standing in that profession, that at an
early age he was appointed Chief Justice OF the
State, but he declined this Office. Amid the
force of excitement produced by the Boston
massacre, he dared to undertake the defence oil
the British troops His success in This trial was
complete: Itevinced his talents and his strong
sense Of Justice and official duty. A less in,re-
pd spirit would not have dared 70 stem the cur
rent of popular indignation byengaging in such
a cause. But it is not in his professional lie
but his political, that we are 10 trace his siorl'
Gus career. He soon sacrificed his profession and
every thing to the liberties Of his fellow citizens
aud the independence Of his country. In i77o
he was elected representative from Boston,
and in IVA member of the Council, but was
negatived by Gov. Gage from the part he took
Ia, p md I,rp
l776, he was constantly engaged, * took lead
inp part in all the measures which were adopted
10 defend the colonies from the un Just attacks OF
the British Parliament. He was one of the ear
lest that contemplated the independence OF the
country. 8, her seperation from the mother coun-
try. No man in the Congress OF l776 did so
much as he did to procure the declaration OF
Independence 1t is believed that the motion
was made by member from Virginia at his
suggestion, that he seconded the motion ana
sustained ii by most powerful and rtsistless ar
gument By his influence also, Mr.. Jefferson
was placed at the head Of the committee who
framed the declaration. His reason Tor Proeur.
ing the motion TO come from Virginia, and OF
placing one Of her.delegaton al the head Of the
Committee, was 10 engage the hearty co-opera-
ton Of that great State in the work OF indepen-
dence. By the committee who were appointed
on the subject Of separation from the mother
country, Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Adams were
annointed Subcommittee to frame declara-
ton of Independence. The draft reported, was
that of Mr.. Jefferson, and he has deservedly re-
ceived great credit for il. But those who con-
slider how much easier it is 10 draft report
than TO procure its passage and adoption, and
who reflect. that Mr.. Jefferson never spoke in
pubic, and that John Adams was the bold and
daring spirit Of the Congress OF l776, and the
ELOQUENT al vooate Of its boldest measures, can
not fail TO award him the highest honor which
the adoption Of that declaration could confer.
From the declaration Of independence until the
neace. Mr.. Adams was employed in the same
glorious cause. Whilst Washington, at the
head of our armies was fighting the battles OF
Liberty, and defending our country from the
ravages of the enemy, Adams was employed
in service less brilliant, but scarcely less I'M
portant. Through the whole war, he was eX-
erting his talents at the various courts OF Eu-
rope, 10 obtain loans and alliances, and every
succor to sustain our armies and the cause OF
Liberty and our Independence. Nor did MS
labors cease until he had accomplished every
object for which he was sent abroa1, nor until
he had sealed our Independence by Treaty OF
Peace, which he signed, with Great Britain
Immediately after the Treaty OF Peace, he
was appointed Ambassador to Great Britain;
on the adoption Of the Constitution he was G.
lected frs, Vice President O. the United States.
During the whole period Of the Presidency OF
WASHINGTON, Mr.. Adams was Vice President.
He was as uniformly consulted by Washington
as though he had been member OF his caol-
net, on all important questions. On the death
of Washington, Mr.. Adams was elected his
successor.
During the administration of Mr. Adams,
party spirit ragged without restraint. loo IN
dependent him self 10 wear the trammels OF ell
Their party, he was warmly supported by neither.
Too open for conceament, and perfectly void
of guile and intrigue, he pEactised no arts TO
secure himself in power. AT the expiration oil
the first term, Mr. Jefferson, TIE candidate OF
the Republican party, and his successful com
peti,or received foar votes more than MIR
Adams. Mr.. Adams then retired to private
life at his seat in Quincy.
When the foreign aspect'ot our country be-
came cloudcd, and difficulties overshadowed II,
he came forth the warmest advocate OF the
rights of the country, and OF those measures
of the adm inis,raton calculated 10 sustain them.
His letter in defence Of our searnen against TO-
reign impressment, is one of the ablest and
most irresistible arguments in the English lam
guage. So satisfied were those who had been