Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-05
Visit TO John Quincy Adams.

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Every lover of his country and her free institutions
will read with deep interest the following account of
recent visit to the most remarkable man now living
1t IS from the pen of Hon. E. S. Hambn, late mem
Der of Congress from Ohio and now editor Of the Clev
Gland True Democrat Mr.. II. we believe, accompa-
med MIR. Gddings in his late tour, as far as Boston,
BosToN June 3D. l847.
To day have had the pleasure, in company
with others, of visiting Quincy, and conversing
once more with the purest statesman Of the age
was rcoiced to find Mr.. Adams improved in
health since he left Washington city. From
what had read in the papers, expected to find
him very feeble He has indeed failed much
since | saw him last, about one year ago, but is
still much better than | expected to find him.
He converses with much cheerfulness, and on
political and other Subjects with great freedom.
Living, as he did, in the days of the Revolution,
and having his heart early and wildly impressed
with a sense and value of the rights of man, he
has never fallen away from his first love, or be-
come cold and lukewarm but his heart glows
still with the love of freedom and he hates slay-
cry with perfect hatred lie is deeply impress
sed with the present movements of our govern
ment for the extension of slavery; and looks with
alarm upon the apparent apathy Of the North
upon their dangers He regards the advances
now making in favor ofGen. Taylor for the pres
idency, simply upon the ground of his military
achievements, and those, too, performed in an
unrighteous war, together with the necessity
there is likely to be created for a standing army
by our conquests in Mexico, as forebodng dark
days to the Republic, threatening its overthrow
by the same means which have caused the des-
truction Of Republics in former days Though
times are dark, and portcnd evil, he thinks that
every lover of freedom, and his country, should
arise and unite to preserve our free institutions
81 said he, 'am treading on the verge of Eterni-
ty, | shall shore but IA little longer in either the
prosperity or misfortune of my country But
your all ofearthIy good depends upon your coun-
try's welfare. 1t is your duty to labor-to toll
for its salvaton.' These words, expressed with
that emphasis of which he alone is master, made
a deep mpression-one that will long be remem-
bcred.
Mr. Adams thinks that treaty of some kind
will be patched up Ito use his own words) with
Mexico Mr.. Polk promises every one who Wis
its him, that the war will soon be concluded 1t
is now supposed that the plan is, for Gen Scott,
when he reaches Mexico, to arganze govern
ment there, and then form treaty with this gov
eminent of his own making, ceding to US to the
Rio Grande, and thence, up that river, to Passo
Del Nortc, and from thence to the Pacific. Our
army will then be withdrawn within this new
boundary, except a sufficient number to protect
the government formed by Scott; and thus, the
war apparently ended say apparently for there
can be no doubt that the preparation of such
an outrage, would cause frequent outbreaks of
Mnyicouc and than y,ybo,, IL Il
arrive would form sufficient pretext for our TAX
ing possession of the whole country. In the
mean time, the troops we should leave in Mexico
and those which would be necessary to maintain
this boundary, and keep the Indians in subjec-
ton, would at all times be ready prepared to
complete the conquest of Mexico, whenever
shareholders should be prepared to take posses
sion ofthe country and populate it with slaves
1t is true, that it is laid down in the Declaration
of independence, that the people Of every coun-
try have right to form their own government;
but that Declaration is now regarded by slave
holders as a mere rhetorical flourish, and they
heed it no more than the idle wind. 1t stands
in the way of slavery and that institution they
regard as paramount to all laws, human and d.
vine. Thus to dismember Mexico, we all know,
would be a crime. But what of that! Crime is
sancthed when committed to sustain slavery
Through God-iorsaken priest we once formed a
like treaty with the Indians, and on the strength
Of it, robbed them of their country, and the
graves of their fathers. And it is always much
easier to commit the second act of robbery
than the first
In the course of my conversation with Mr.. Ad-
ANS | expressed the gratitude we felt at the
West, and especially that many democrats feel
towards him, for his fearless and patriotic course
in maintaing our rights to the whole of Oregon
Mr. Adams replied that he had always been con
sistent on that matter. He had done what he
could to preserve that countrG to the North, but
that it had fallen a sacrifice to the Moloch OF
slayery-that the sacrifice offree territory in Or.
t egon and the acquisition of slave territory in
Mexico we're part and parcel of the same
scheme. The one had been completed to the
dishonor of the nation and at the expence OF
freedom; the other was on the point of compile.
ton for Strengthening the slave-power. Per.
| haps your readers are not aware, that we acquir
ed our chief title to Oregon from Spain, she hav-
ing quit-claimed all her rights to it, to us in the
Florida treaty, and that this clause of the treat,
; was inserted at Mr. Adams suggestion, he al
that time being member of Mr. Monroe's Cab
) met.
, This much of the conversation, which took
place on this interesting occasion, have ventur
ed to communicate for your readers After ar
hour thus spent, we took our leave of Mr.. Ad
ans. As, on parting, we took his trembling
!; hand, that hand which, uplifted in debate haC
often caused Others to tremble more, we coulC
not but feel, that very probably we pressed it fol
the last time He has lived now to good ole
age His time of departure must be near at
( hand, All his children but one have gone be
sore him. That one is now laboring manfull,
: in the cause of freedom, He seems to be i'm
5 bued with his fathers spirit independence anC
S love of Liberty. Heaven grant that his father
mantle may fall upon him, in the day of his as
2 cension, and that he may prove true prophet
leading the American people to correct observ
ance of the precepts and converts of our Faith
: ers,