Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-07-04
A SKETCH OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

Of the year 1777, John Adams, his father, was ap-
pointed JOINT Commissioner, with Benjamin Frank
lin and Arthur Lee, to the court of Versailles
John Adams sailed from Boston for France in Feb
ruary lIio, and took with him his son, John Qun-
cy Adams, then in his 9th year. During his stay
in France, about 1s months, young Adams was kept
in French school studying the French language
and the classics. The iplomatc arrangements hav-
ing been brought to fortunate close, the father
and son returned to America. They arrived in Bos.
ton on the LIST of August, 1870. Three months af-
forwards John Adams was despatched to Europe
again by Congress- and he took his son, John Qun-
cy, with him. The frgate they sailed in was COM
manded by Con-. Tucker. When on the voyage
it was pursued by British man. of-war All hands
were piped for action. II this occasion that
John Adams, casting aside his diplomatic character
stationed himself with the sailors by the side of a
cannon, resolved to fight to the last, rather than to
suffer the ship to be taken. The American vessel
escaped, and having sprung leak, they were fore
ed to put into port in Spain, and from thence John
Adams and his son pursued their journey by land
to Paris From Paris they went to Holland. The
younger Adams was placed IN a school in Paris,
afterwards in Amsterdam, and finally in the Uni
versity Of Leyden.
| In Juy,17Si, Francis Dana, father to the poet,
r. ii. Dano,) who was Secretary to the Embassy of
John Adams was commissioned as Plenipotentiary
to Russia, and he took with him John Quincy Ad-
ans then only Id years of age, his private Sec.
rotary. His letters thus early, displayed marked
intelligence and power of observation. He re.
manned in Russia till 1852, when he left St Peters
burgh and returned alone through Sweden and
Denmark, to Holland, spending the winter on the
route, and stopping sometime in Stockholm, Copen-
hagen and Hamburg. In Holland he stopped
some months, and left with his father for Paris,
where he was present at the signing of the treaty
Of Peace in 1888, and from that time ill 1855 he was
with his father in England Holland, as well as in
| France
While in England he had frequent opportunities
of being present in the British Parliament, and
of listening to the eloquence of Burke, Pitt, Fox,
Sheridan, and other British orators of that day,
whose wonderful talents adorned the British nation.
In his 18th year, he returned to his native land, and
entered Harvard University, and graduated in 1887
with distinguished honor. He then entered the Of
ice of Theophus Parsons at Newburyport. AT
ter completing his profession, he commenced the
practice of law in Boston, and remained there four
years. In the summer of l701 he wrote a series
of articles which appeared in the Centnel, under
the signature Of Pubiicold containing remarks up
on the LIST part Of Pane's Rights of Man. These
pieces were reprinted in England. In April, 1898,
before Washington had published his proclamation
OF Neutrality, or it was known he contemplated do
ing so, Mr. Adams published three articles under
the signature of yHarcellus, taking strong ground
that the United States ought to assume that ground
HIS motto was, "UNIoN among ourselves, and IN
DEPENDENCE OF all entangling alliances with for
e;gn powers" In the winter of 1884 he publish
ed another series of papers, vndicating the course
of President Washington in reference TO Genet, the
French Minister.
In 1894 he was appointed by Washington, Min
lister to the Netherlands. This was done without
the knowledge of his father 1t is said that Mr..
Jefferson was one who recommended the appoint
ment From 1894 to 1901 he in Europe, in
diplomatic missions to Holland England and Prus-
STA, and concluded important treaty with the lat
ter power. At the close of his fathers Admins
| tration he returned home, landing at PHILADELPHIA
| in September, 1901.
| In 1902, he was elected to the Massachusetts
Senate, and soon after elected by the Legisla-
ture United States Senator from the 4th Of March
1903. While u Senator in Congress, he was ap-
pointed Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory in Har-
ward University. His lectures were published in
2 volumes. They were delivered during the recess
ses of Congress. He resigned his seat in the U. S.
Senate in 1908. In 1909, Madison sent him Min
lister to Russia. While in Russia he wrote series
of letters, which published in the Port Folio
entitled journal Of tour through Silesia." They
were republished in England, reviewed in the lead
ing journals of the day, and afterwards translated
into French and German.
I By his instrumentality, the Emperor of Russia
was induced to mediate for peace, between Great
Britain and America. President Madison named
him at the head of the Commissioners to negotiate
u treaty which brought the of 1912 10 close.
This celebrated transaction took place at Client in
December 1914 His colleagues were Henry Clay
al Albert Gallatin. Mr.. Adams was then appoint.
ed Minister to England. In 1917 he was called
home by President Monroe, to be in his Cabinet as
Secretary of Stale. This was the close of Mr. Ad.
ans career foreign Minister. 1t was perhaps
the most brilliant, as it was the most varied, portion
of his life. No representative of our Government
has at all approached him in the length and variety
OF his services, or the importance Of those services
Il TO his country.
The Department of State wac held by Mr.. Ad-
ans the whole of Mr. Monroe's Presidential life
eight years. Mr.. Adams was one of the four can
didates for President in 1924 There was no choice
votes MIR. Adams "a, VIM II. Crawford a. ant
{ Henry Clay 81. The election devolved upon the
u House of Representatives. They were to selec
,. from the three highest candidates. Although Gen
5 Jackson had received more electoral votes than NJ
u Adams, yet Mr.. Adams had received as large
c popular vote rs Jackson. Thirteen States wer,
9 necessary to choice by the House. The ballots
were thrown, and Mr. Adams was elected Presi
dent of the United States. He received the votes
of the six New England States, with New Yorl
J. Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri anC
d observation-disclosures in all.
1t Mr. Adams was President four years. He retr
1t ed from the White House in 1899, to make room
It for the hero of New Orleans For the first tint
e in SO years, he retired to private life. In 1884, HI
!, was elected by nearly an unanimous vote, mem
Der of Congress- by the voters OF his native district
:: which post he has continued to hold and to adorn
e unto this day.
= We have thus briefly sketched, from an article
: in the American Review few of the promnen
d points in the career of this illustrious Statesman
y and patriot. Mr.. Adams is the most wonderful maj
y of the age. His career as statesman, common
. ced with the Revolution, and has continued will
ID but short period of repose, until now. What i'm
mense stores of knowledge he must have garneret
1t up in the vast treasure house of his mind lie ha
% been great from the beginning OF his career. Grea
e in the period in which h5 has lived; great in the
l. services he has rendered to his country great il
his youth, his manhood and his old age; great at
an orator and statesman and great in the purity o
J. his private character. Massachusetts has gveI
% birth TO race of great and good men; but to NJ
N one greater or,better than JoHN Quincy ADAMS
IL L.. 4 1.