Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-10-01
John Quincy Adams and James A
isaYnrd, tho " Elder"


John Quincy Adams nnd James A.
ESaYtrd, tho 50 Eidcr.D
Tho publication of tho first two volumoa OF
the diary OF John Quincy Adams, as odtod by his
son Charles Francis Adams, makes an intorost
ing and valuable contribution to our political and
biographical literature. No other American has
had moro distinguished public caroer than
John Quincy Adams, and worry fow have filled
tho highest ollicos of tho Republic during so
long period. Born in 1867, he had listonod to
the guns of Bunker Hill, and looked upon the
corpse of Warren, the beloved physician Of his
fathers family; and yet ho died in 1913, after tho
Mexican War was over, and tho Nation had en-
tered upon the last briof era of Peace preccd-
ing tho Great Rebellion. Companion to his faith
in diplomatic service in Europe, during all his
youth, and appointed minister to Holland at
twonty-sovon, his intervals of private life were
rare and very brief. lie had been Minister to
Holland, Minister to Prussia, United States Sem
ator, Minister to Russia Negotiator of tho Treaty
of Ghent, Secretary Of State, President of the
United States, and for seventeen years mem-
ber of the House of Representatives, when at
the age of cighty-one, he was seized with pa
the harness of public service, his last breath OK
piring within tho walls of tho Capitol itself
Amongst those who served in the United Statos
Senate contemporaneously with him was James
A. Bayard, "the eldor" of Delaware, and the o.
lusions which Mr.. Adams makes to him, in the
Diary, as found in the first of the published vol
umeH, will be os some interest to Delaware road
ers MIR. Adams camo to the Senate in 1903, and
Mr. Bayard in 1904, tho latter having boen ap-
pointed by tho Governor Of Delaware TO fill the
vacancy created by the resignation of Senator
Walls Both wero regarded as Fodoralists, al
though both were very far from boing steady
party men while Mr.. Adams developed soon and
repeatedly Thereafter the extreme Independence
of his character, and his pragmatical defiance of
supposed party claims upon him, Mr.. Dayard had
already been instrumental in the final adjustment
which secured the election of Jefferson over Burr
and the rejection of the Federaliat scheme of
preventing any election. At this time however
MIR. Jellcrsons personal following were in a
large majority in tho Senate and the members
of it showed decidedly enorgotic spin t of srun-
ne" things in their own way. Adams complains
bitterly OF the conclusions arrived at outside the
Senate ; independent Of any discussions on a
measure, itwould bo decided in tho Presidential
councils what should be done with it, and in the
favor Or opposition manifested by certain of the
Executive famliars, after they had had thcn
opportunity of being coached, its ultimate fate
could be quickly foroshadowod.
Mr.. Adams apparently expected Mr.. Bayart
eithor to follow his load or at least to take gon
orally similar views, but he was disappoipted
,kor
were read, and on tho 18th Of January following
he appeared and was sworn in. lie had pre-
viously served in tho House OF Representatives
though this was lis first torn in the Senate
He did not, therefore, lack legislaty,
experience, though he was not on,
to long keep an unbrokon sonco if he had
On tho 25th scycn OF eight legislative days af
ter he camo in. motion Of Mr.. Adams to III N
tho journals of tleimpeachmont trials, (thoso o
Judge Pickering and Judge Chase, both assault
by tho John Randolph Radical wing of the JEFF
fersonans OH the Fedoralist Judiciary and botl
exciting tremendous feeling was taken M an,
Mr.. Dayard opposed it, much to the mover
ehagrin. 1t was he says, IA quarter from whicl
had not expected opposition" On the sam,
day there came bill, reported with amend
MI
Adams had boon one, relating to tho Articles O
War AZ applied to tho American service. Up
on reading the amendments says the Diary
"Mr, Bayard opposed one, and / obiocte
against another. took no part in the discus
sion on tho article opposed by him but he sun
ported tho other article against my objection
From these circumstances conclude shall of
ten find myself in opposition with him. whic
increases considerably the difficulties of nv eit
nation. ........n
III nlne days observation had already lod d
this conclusion, subsequent experience strength
ened it, and ultimately Mr.. Adams felt a dee
sonse of personal grievance and piquo toward til
Delaware Senator, although in expressing judp
ment upon Judge .Chase,a the close of tho grea
trial, they agreed, both voting "Not Guilty.
regularly upon every one of the eight counts.
appears, too, that Mr.. Adams quickly and frank
ly acknowledged Mr.. Bayard's high qualities a
speaker; on January Both, somo petitions ha,
ing boon presented, 1t was moved that tloi
signers 'lia9e loave to Withdraw" thom, o
which, says the Diary, "Mr. Bayard mado tw
very eloquent speeches."
On March End, about six weoks after takin
his scat, (Which no had dono 80 tardily after re
ceying his appontmont,) and two days befor
the end OF tho session, Mr.. Bayard won't homt
lie probably had tho disposition of attending t
his private business and was anxious not to neg
loot his clients, for at the next session, wlic
convened Decombor End, he again did not az
pear until January 9th, QsOG,) when ho was
second time sworn in, having now boon olocto
by the Legislature of Delaware, and received hi
fresh credentials from their authority II
promptly entered, however, into the curren
business, and joined in the discussions of th
important measure then ponding in secret see
sions of the Senate bill placing at the dispos
al of the President two millions Of dollars to b