The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-24
INNER LIFE OF MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION
Sketches Of the Men and
the Time.
The Missouri Question and the Opening OF
the Slavery Agitation.
SHADOWS OF THE REBELLION

lions OF his Diary from 1913 10 lS4S. Eultsu oJ
Charles Francis Adams. VOL ~. PniiaoeIpnla:
j. b. Llppincott co.
When we closed the last volume OF THIS most
interesting contribution to the political history OF
America John Quincy Adams had accepted the
ONCE OF Secretary OF State under President Mon
roe. 81 nave,n he says, snow completely brought
up the arrears OF this journal. which during my
last residence in Europe, and most especially
rom the tune when I lett st. Petersburg
TO attend the negotiation OF the Peace
OF Client, has occupied so large a portion
Of my time. On my return 10 my native
country new and for some time 1T least a busy
and laborious scene threatens TO open before me
scene so laborious and full OF peris and perpeX-
tiles that a stouter heart than mine would be APP
palled at the prospect. My whole time must be
devoted to the performance OF duties, and may
the blessings OF Heaven assist me TO duly dis
charge them" on the 9th OF August. 1877, Mr.
Adams arrived at Sandy Hook, atser passage OF
over six weeks. He had been absent for eight
years, and during that time had been Minister to
Russia. Commissioner Tor the negotiation of the
Peace OF Client and Minister at the Convention OF
Commerce with Great Britain. He was in the
hftieth year or his age, and In learning, accom-
plishments, experience ana knowledge or puoc
affairs at home and abroad, the foremost man OF
ais time. he had been in the public service since
lis boyhood, for he was only fifteen years OF age
when be accompanied his father to Russia as his
private secretary. He mad been Minister In Hol-
and, England, sweden and Russia; member Of
The United States Senate for five years, state SeL
ltor in Massachusetts; now, in. the prime and
iuness OF life, he returned to take the chief posi-
ton in the Cabinet Of President Monroe.
OUR FOURTH DECADE
When Monroe became President the country
vas about to enter into the fourth decade OF Its
existence. II had increased in population from
1000 900 to seOo 600; from thirteen States to nine
ieen. Indiana had just been admitted into the
Union with o population OF about 10000,
while Mississippi was knocking at the door.
Illinois was q sparsely settled prairie ter
ritory, with $1,000 inhabitants, while Maine,
Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, Texas
and Wisconsin were still fragments OF our
vast territorial dominion; James Monroe was In
the nfty-nnth year OF his age. Daniel D. Tomp-
kins, OIL New York, was Vice President Henry
Clay, then a fiery young man OF forty, was Speaker
OF the House; William Il. Crawford, or Georgia,
afterward to De the rival OF Adams for the Pres-
dency. was Secretary Of the Treasury John C.
Calhoun, then an austere young statesman Of
thirty.nve was Secretary OF War; BENJAMIN W.
Crowninshield, name famous in Its time, bat
long since forgotten, was Secretary OF the Navy,
wnile Return J. Meigs, OF Connecticut, who had
been Congressman and Governor. was Postmaster
General. The Attorney General was the brilliant
william Writ. In the Senate there were Rufus P.
King. from New York, in the closing years Of
his lie, and John J. Crittenden. begin.
ming his career as Senator from Ken.
lucky. Nathaniel Macon represented North
Carolina and Harrison Gray OTIS Massa.
cnusetts. In the House we observe John c. Spen
Ger, from New York; Samuel D. lngham, from
Pennsylvania. who was 10 be Jackson's Score
tary or the Treasury; John Tyler, rom virginia
sterward to be the President OF the United States
John Forsyth, OF Georgia, afterward to be Minis
ter TO Spain and Secretary OF State under Jack
son and Van Buren,; Richard N. Johnson, OF Ken
tucky, sterward TO be Vice President with Var
Buren,. and William Henry Harrison, OF Ohio who
became President
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
Among the early duties after lis arrival was
dinner at Tammany Hall, Mr.. Aston being one o
che committee and De Witt Clinton among tn,
yuests. Without delaying after accepting thes'
Ind other courtesies, he hurried TO Quincy, ant
Hbsd the inexpressible happiness OF nndlng hi
Gear and venerable father and mother In per &c
health" Then came dinner at Boston
Judge Story prominent hosp, and rh
journey TO Washington. where he ARRIVED
IN the goth OF September. and met the President
who mad just returned from a four months tou
through the country. The White House. whic
shed, and the President was apprenensive OF th
effects oil the ''iresh painting and plastering
Although 1t was an ''era oil good feeling" accord
ing 10 the historical accounts, Mr.. Adams wa
very much disturbed on his first view Of his new
oface, and his diary gives expression to bis emo
uons in some verses OF the Following character: =
O.God nv only trust was Thou
Lol at hy throne again bow
New mercies 70 implore
And guide 6y Thy control.
Extend, al seeing God, Thy hand;
In mercy still decree.
And nass, 70 bless my native land
Prom information given me by Boyd" h
srites, ''rne path before me Is peset BY thorns
and it becomes more doubtful than eveS whether
snan continue long 10 IL. At two distinct periods
OF my life heretofore my position has been perilou
and fell OF ANXIOUS forecast, out never SO precari
ous as at this time.
HENRY CLAY AND THE OPPOSITION.
II seems there were troubles with Spain In ref.
erence TO the revolt OF her colonies IN South
America Henry Clay was leading the movement,
taxing occasion 70 leave the cnalr as speaker OF
the House 10 make an earnest appeal In penali oil
intervention, the speech reminding Us very muc n
OF the addresses We occasionally aear ABOUT CUBA.
he compared the condIaon OF the spanish prov.
inces IN south America TO those OF our own
colonies during the Revolution, and began a.
tacK on the administration in favor OF their imme
date recognition. M. Gays course Ia this mat
ter annoyed Mr.. Adams VINO says, ''clay has ear s
mounted hts south American great horse" Anc
AGAIN, "clay's project IS that IN wnicn Jonn Ran
dolph failed, TO control or overthrow the Executive
py swaying the House OF Representatives" HI
plan was to force from the government recoQ
milton OF Buenos Ayres and perhaps chit. Tn
- mr. %
sustained by Calhoun, strongly opposed. A
Q dinner party with Crawford "Cla
came out with great violence against tn
course pursued In south American Affairs
"He 10 a. rancorousy maevolent as John Ran
dolph.n Crawford told NE tie other day tina
Clay, being gay and warm with wine. told him
meant TO follow up his attack ana added WI
beat you, b. -" THIS opposition OF Clay cor
tinusd, not only Ia the Cabinet but out OF th