Evening journal., 1910-03-24


equally authoritative sources. AS Inn
portant contributions OF the Human In
terest' sort TO American history, these
articles have distinctive value all their
own.
10 Is doubtless the general opinion that
the descendants OF John Adams second
President OF the United States, are olso
those who are descendants Of John
Quincy Adams, who became President
twenty-five years after his fathers re-
tirement from tho once. Yet It is a
fact that there are many descendants IN
direct line from John Adams; some OF
them live IN the Western part Of New
York State. some in the midwest, and
few in the far West. And It is one Of
these direct descendants OF John Adams
that the anecdots I am now about to
relate was told me by a lady who Is her
self a great-great-grandda Of John
Adams.
"I presume" said this lady, who
asked that her name be not used, that
very few persons In the United States
realize how popular the Fourth OF July
receptions, given by our Ambassador to
the Court OF st, James Whitelaw Reid
have become. The number Of Americans
who arc In Europe al that time OF the
year is usually very large: all Of them
are anxious 10 receive invitations TO the
reception, and II has been necessary, In
order 10 prevent too great crush to
limit the invitations TO those who are OF
American birth or citizenship.
'It was about three years ago that
lady, Mrs Frederick Jones, who Is
relative Of mine applied to a Secretary
OF the legation for cards of invitation
for herself and daughter 10 Mr., Reid 8
Fourth OF July reception Of that year.
The secretary was very courteous, yet
ne insisted u1on knowing some OF the
- tails OF Mrs. Jones family history
For instance, he asked her II she
were an American citizen, and she re-
piled that her home had been from early
childhood either IN France, Bermuda OF
IN England. Then he asked her II her
husband we're an English citizen, and
she replied that he was, and that her
daughter was born in England. There
upon, the Secretary told her that he
greatly regretted that he wpuld be
obliged 10 refuse her application FOL
cards 10 the reception. and he explained
that II was limited strictly 10 American
citizens.
well Mrs. Jones was a good deal
disturbed by this refusal yet the more
she thought about It. the more strongly
persuaded she was that she had righl
to he given the invitation she sought
so at last she determined to write tt
AIr Reid, and this Is what she told
him
my grandfather, Alexander John
yton. Of Utica, New York. married :
daughter OF John Adams and sister o
John Quincy Adams When John Quin
cy Adams was President he visited hi
sister In Utica. Ny father, whose nam
was williams married a daughter o
Mr. aud Mrs. Johnston. He was ap
pointed by Secretary Seward Unite
states consul at Rouen, France. That
the reason why ] ~ always Live
abroad. for my father remained Il
Europe after his term as csnsul expired
NV first husband was an 1nglishman O
the name OF Watson, and he was IN
father OF my daughter. My second hus
band, Mr.. Jones. is also an Englishmar
"T am. therefore, the great-grand
daughter OF one President, who was ais
Minister to England, and the grand
niece Of another President My daughte
Is observation-disclosures Of
President and great-grand-niece q
another. Don't you think that / and m
daughter. by this lineage. are justified
Joining with those who will celebrate IT
dependence Day with your
"a day or two later there came
reply a most charming note from NJ
Reid. With consummate tact and eoul
tesy. he acknowledged the right OF th
descendant OF John Adams and he
daughter to share in the Fourth OF Jul
festivities. And at the reception he WI
especially considerate and courteous
both ladies'"
Copyright. 1910 by r. ]. Edwards.)
, To.norrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
aThe Pioneer Who Showed His Gorat
tude."