Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-02

hcsc pieces were AT llrst aScrlbed to his faith
er. They were reprinted in England.
! In April, 1893, on the first information OF
war between Great Britain and France, and
before Washington had published his procla-
nation of neutrality or it was known that
such a step was contemplated by him, Mr..
Adams published in the Boston Centnel three
articles signed Marccus the object of which
was to prove that the duty and interest of the
United States required them to remain neutral
IN that war.
| In these papers he developed the two prin-
cples which have ever been the basis of his
creed as a statesman union at home, and in
dependence of all entangling alliances with
any foreign state whatever.
In May, 1874, he was appointed by Wash
lngton, without any intimation of such de-
sign, either TO him or to his father, Minister
resident to the United Netherlands 1t was
supposed at the time that he was selected in
consequence Of his having heen commended to
the favorable notice Washington, as a suita-
bic person for such an employment, by Mr.
Jefferson.
From 1874 to 1901 he was in Europe, en-
ployed in diplomatic business, and as a public
Minister, III Holland, England and Prussia -
Just as President Washington was retiring
from office, he appointed him Minister Plcni-
|potentlary to the Court of Portugal. While
on his way TO Lisbon he received new com
mission, changing his destination to Berlin
lie resided in Berlin from November, 1897, to
April, 1901 and while there concluded
highly important treaty of commerce with
Prussia, thus accomplishing the object Of his
mission. lie was then recalled just before
the close OF his fathers administration, and
arrived at Philadelphia in September, 1901.
| In 1902 he was elected, from the Boston
district, a member Of the Massachusetts Senate,
and was soon after appointed by the legisla-
turc of that state, Senator in the Congress of
the United States for six years from the ith of
March, 1903. AS his views of public duty
led him TO adopt a course which he had reason
Ia believe was disagrceable to the Legislature
of the state he represented, he resigned his
seat in March, 1908. In March, 1909, Prcsi-
dent Madison nominated him Envoy Extraordi-
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary TO the Court
Of Russia
Some time previous to this, however, in
1896, he had been appointed professor of
rhetoric in Harvard University, at Cambridge,
IN Massachusetts. SO extraordinary were his
powers Of clocutlOn, so tcryld his imaginative
| faculties, and 50 rich his resources OF litcra-
turc and language, that his lectures, which
were atterward published in two octave vo-
lumcs, were thronged not only by the students
of the University, but by large numbers of the
admirers of eloquence and genius, who came
from Boston and the neighboring towns to lis
ten 10 them
During his whole life Mr.. Adams has cul-
tlyated the graccs of cocuton, and, in addi-
ton to his profound and varied knowledge of
the sciences, of the ancient and modern lang
uagCs, of the literature and history of all ma
tons, is an eminent orator as well as poet.
Mr. Adams signascd himself while in Rus
sia by an energetic, faithful, and wise dis
charge of the trust committed 10 him. lie
Succeeded III making such an impression up
on the Government, by his reasonngs and in
fuencc, that it has ever since been actuatcd by
feeling of kindness toward the United States,
which has been of ncalculablc benefit to this
country. IL was through his lnslrumentaty
that the Russian court was induced To take
active measures to promote pacliication be-
tween England and the United States during
the last war.
When the proper time came, he was named
at the head of five commissioners who were
appointed by President Madison TO negotiate a
treaty of peace with Great Britain. This
celebrated diplomatic transaction look place at
Ghcnt, in December, 1911 Mr.. Adams then
proceeded, in conjunction with Henry Clay
and Albert Gallatin, who had been associated
with him in concluding the treaty of peace, to
negotiate a convention of commerce with Great
Britain, and he was forthwith appointed by
| President Madison Minister Plcnipotentiary at
the Court of ST. James.
| II is a most remarkable coincidence that, as
his father took the leading part in negotiating
the treaty that terminated the RcyOlutlona-
ry war with Great Britain, and first dlscharg-
ed the office of American Ambassador To
London, so he was at the head Of the comms-
sion that negotiated the treaty which brought
the second war with Great Britain to close,
and sustained the first mission To that country
upon the return of peace. After hav-
ing occupied that post until the close of Presl.
dent Madson's administration, ,hc was at length
called home, in 1917, TO the head Of the De
partmcnt of State, at the formation of the Ca
binct of President Monroe.
! Mr.. Adams's career as foreign Minister
terminated at this point. II has never been
paralleled, or at all approached, either in the
length of time it covered, the number of courts
at which he represented his country or the va
riety and Importance of the services he render
ed Ills first appointment to the office of Min
lister PlenlpOtcntlary was received at the
hands of George Washington, who in nomina-
ting him acted IN accordance with the suggcs-
ton of Thomas jefferson James Madison
employed him in the wcigh,cst and most re-
sponsiblc trusts during his whole administration,
selected him to represent the United State
at the most powerful courts in the world, ST.
pctcrsburgh aud London, and committed to
his leading agency tn, momcntous duty of ar
ranging a treaty Of peace with Great Britain.
1t is enough to say that throughout this long
and brilliant career of foreign public service he
deserved, and received from his country, the
encomium which Washington pronounced
upon him, when, in 1897, he declared him
Fl" the most valuable public character we have
abroad, and the abest of all our diplomatic
corps" While Secretary of State, an office
which he held during the eight years of Pres
idcnt Monroc's administration, he discharged
his duties in such manner as to increase the
confidence of his countrymen in his ability and
patriotism. Under his influence the claims on
Spain were adjusted, Florida ceded to the
Union, and the republics of South America
recognized. II will be the more appropriate
duty of his future bogr,phcr to present foil
Wow ofthc vast amount of labor which he cX-
naudpd I'm the public snrylrc. while mgnapinp