Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-05-15

! viz treaty VI Sihance OF l1Io obliged US to
AXE part in the wars Of France. But the pro
ciamation OF neutrality by General Washington.
sanctioned BY all his cabinet, with Mr.. Jefferson
al ITS head, ives shortly made public, and con
hrned the justice Of the views which Mr.. Ad.
ans had been ut is belieged) the first to express
before INC public, on this new aud difficult, To.
pic oFnatonal Law.
"in the winter Of 1898 aud 1874, the public
mind OF America was extensively sgtated. by
me 'n1amuatory appeals Of the French minis
ter Genet. 1t is known to all with what power
and skill this foreign emissary was resisted. in
| he official correspondence of the then secrets
~ Of state. Thomas Jefferson. Among those
WHO co-operated in the public prints. in the
same patriotic cause none was more CONSPICUOUS
than MIR. Adams, whose essays in supper, Of
the administration, were read and admired
throughout the country.
Ills reputation was now established as an A
nerican statesman, patriot and political writer
Oh the hrst order. Before his retirement from
| he department of state, Mr.. J,fferson reoom.
mended him to Gen. Washington, as proper
person to be introduced into the public service
OF the country. The acquaintance between Mr..
| Jefferson and Mr.. Adams, which had hea,
formed in France, bad lately been rene wed on
The occasions of visit of Mr. Adams to PHI.
deiphia in 1872; and the promptiluee and a.
hhlty, with which he had just seconded the
efforts Of the secretary of state j, enforc;n,
The principles of public law on the turbulen,
French envoy, 10 doub, led Mr.. Jefferson Tins
to recommend him to Gen. Washington.
"Gen Washinston's own notice had been
drawn to the publication OF Mt. Adams above
alluded to- He had in private expressed the
highest opinion OF them. and bad made par,ic
aiar enquiries with respect 20 their author.
Thus honorsbIy ,dentlfed, at The early age
OF ", with'the frs, greA, and decisive stem of
ne foreign policy of the United States. and
thus early attracting the notice and ENJOYING the
co.. hdence OF Washington and Jeiit rson MFR.
ADAMS was IN 1894 appointed aai,aister resfo.t 20
me Netherlands, an Office correspondng -
ana and salary with that of a charge 4, stFa;rs
at the present day. The father of Mr. Adm.
was at TINS time vice president of the United
states; but 1t is unnecessary 10 saw. 10 ,hoae
acquainted with the character of these great
men, tha' the appointment of his son was made
by General Washington une xpectedIy 10 the
vice president, and without previous nt;ma,ion
that IT would take place.
"Mr. Adams remained al his DOS, in Holland
t''i near the close of Gen Washington's ADM
n'stration. He was an attentive observer of
The great events then occurring in Europe. and
his official correspondence with the government
was regarded by Gen. Washington as of the
highest importance.
"one of the last acts of Gen Washington's
'dmini'tration was the appointment of Mr.. A
dams as minister plenipotentrary TO Portugal
On his way from the Hague to Lisbon, he re.
ceived new commission. changing his lestina
ton to Berlin This latter appointment was
made by Mr.. Adams father, then president of
the United States, and in manner highly honor
able TO the restraint of bis parental feelings,
IN the discharge Of an act of public duty. AL
though Mr.. Adams appointment to Portugal
was made by ten. Washington, and Mr.. A.
dams father did 10 more than propose his
transfer to Berlin, yet feelings of delioscy led
him 60 hesitate, before he even took this
step. He consulted the beloved father of his
country, then retired from office, and placed in
situation beyond the reach of any of the mo
tives which can POSSIBLY prejudice the minds IF
men in power. The following letter from Gen
washingt'n is the reply to president Adams
inquiry. and will ever Eeman an honorable ties
timony to the character OF Mr.. Adams.
Monday Fs5r4ary ooh, 1897.
Dear Sir:--i thank you for giving me the
perusal of the enclosed. The sentiments DO
honor to the head and heart of the writer; and
i my wish $ would be of any avail, they should
20 to YOU in astrong hope, that YOU will not
withhold merited promotion from John @ A
dams, because he is your son.---For without
intending to compliment the father or mother.
or to oensuse any others give it as my decided
opinion, that Mr.. adams is the alos valua5le
public character zue haus al, Dad, and that there
remains no dsa5t m my mind that he wiR PROVE
anSeT 20 be the abteSt of all our diplomatic corps.
II he was not 20 be brouph iato the line, or any
Other public walk could not. upon the prin