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| John Quincy Adams |
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After graduating from Harvard College, he became a lawyer. At age 26 he was appointed
Minister to the Netherlands, then promoted to the Berlin Legation. In 1802 he was elected to
the United States Senate. Six years later President Madison appointed him Minister to Russia.
Serving under President Monroe, Adams was one of America's great Secretaries of State,
arranging with England for the joint occupation of the Oregon country, obtaining from Spain
the cession of the Floridas, and formulating with the President the Monroe Doctrine.
In the political tradition of the early 19th century, Adams as Secretary of State was
considered the political heir to the Presidency. But the old ways of choosing a President were
giving way in 1824 before the clamor for a popular choice.
Within the one and only party--the Republican--sectionalism and factionalism were
developing, and each section put up its own candidate for the Presidency. Adams, the
candidate of the North, fell behind Gen. Andrew Jackson in both popular and electoral votes,
but received more than William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Since no candidate had a
majority of electoral votes, the election was decided among the top three by the House of
Representatives. Clay, who favored a program similar to that of Adams, threw his crucial
support in the House to the New Englander.
Upon becoming President, Adams appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Jackson and his angry
followers charged that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place and immediately began their
campaign to wrest the Presidency from Adams in 1828.
Well aware that he would face hostility in Congress, Adams nevertheless proclaimed in his
first Annual Message a spectacular national program. He proposed that the Federal
Government bring the sections together with a network of highways and canals, and that it
develop and conserve the public domain, using funds from the sale of public lands. In 1828,
he broke ground for the 185-mile C & 0 Canal.
Adams also urged the United States to take a lead in the development of the arts and
sciences through the establishment of a national university, the financing of scientific
expeditions, and the erection of an observatory. His critics declared such measures
transcended constitutional limitations.
The campaign of 1828, in which his Jacksonian opponents charged him with corruption and
public plunder, was an ordeal Adams did not easily bear. After his defeat he returned to
Massachusetts, expecting to spend the remainder of his life enjoying his farm and his books.
Unexpectedly, in 1830, the Plymouth district elected him to the House of Representatives,
and there for the remainder of his life he served as a powerful leader. Above all, he fought
against circumscription of civil liberties.
In 1836 southern Congressmen passed a "gag rule" providing that the House automatically
table petitions against slavery. Adams tirelessly fought the rule for eight years until finally he
obtained its repeal.
In 1848, he collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke and was carried to the
Speaker's Room, where two days later he died. He was buried--as were his father, mother,
and wife--at First Parish Church in Quincy. To the end, "Old Man Eloquent" had fought for
what he considered right.
Minister to the Netherlands, then promoted to the Berlin Legation. In 1802 he was elected to
the United States Senate. Six years later President Madison appointed him Minister to Russia.
Serving under President Monroe, Adams was one of America's great Secretaries of State,
arranging with England for the joint occupation of the Oregon country, obtaining from Spain
the cession of the Floridas, and formulating with the President the Monroe Doctrine.
In the political tradition of the early 19th century, Adams as Secretary of State was
considered the political heir to the Presidency. But the old ways of choosing a President were
giving way in 1824 before the clamor for a popular choice.
Within the one and only party--the Republican--sectionalism and factionalism were
developing, and each section put up its own candidate for the Presidency. Adams, the
candidate of the North, fell behind Gen. Andrew Jackson in both popular and electoral votes,
but received more than William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Since no candidate had a
majority of electoral votes, the election was decided among the top three by the House of
Representatives. Clay, who favored a program similar to that of Adams, threw his crucial
support in the House to the New Englander.
Upon becoming President, Adams appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Jackson and his angry
followers charged that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place and immediately began their
campaign to wrest the Presidency from Adams in 1828.
Well aware that he would face hostility in Congress, Adams nevertheless proclaimed in his
first Annual Message a spectacular national program. He proposed that the Federal
Government bring the sections together with a network of highways and canals, and that it
develop and conserve the public domain, using funds from the sale of public lands. In 1828,
he broke ground for the 185-mile C & 0 Canal.
Adams also urged the United States to take a lead in the development of the arts and
sciences through the establishment of a national university, the financing of scientific
expeditions, and the erection of an observatory. His critics declared such measures
transcended constitutional limitations.
The campaign of 1828, in which his Jacksonian opponents charged him with corruption and
public plunder, was an ordeal Adams did not easily bear. After his defeat he returned to
Massachusetts, expecting to spend the remainder of his life enjoying his farm and his books.
Unexpectedly, in 1830, the Plymouth district elected him to the House of Representatives,
and there for the remainder of his life he served as a powerful leader. Above all, he fought
against circumscription of civil liberties.
In 1836 southern Congressmen passed a "gag rule" providing that the House automatically
table petitions against slavery. Adams tirelessly fought the rule for eight years until finally he
obtained its repeal.
In 1848, he collapsed on the floor of the House from a stroke and was carried to the
Speaker's Room, where two days later he died. He was buried--as were his father, mother,
and wife--at First Parish Church in Quincy. To the end, "Old Man Eloquent" had fought for
what he considered right.
Born on July 11th, 1767, John
Quincy Adams was the 6th
President of the United States.
The first President who was the son
of a President, John Quincy Adams
in many respects paralleled the
career as well as the temperament
and viewpoints of his illustrious
father. Born in Braintree,
Massachusetts, in 1767, he watched
the Battle of Bunker Hill from the
top of Penn's Hill above the family
farm. As secretary to his father in
Europe, he became an accomplished
linguist and assiduous diarist.
Quincy Adams was the 6th
President of the United States.
The first President who was the son
of a President, John Quincy Adams
in many respects paralleled the
career as well as the temperament
and viewpoints of his illustrious
father. Born in Braintree,
Massachusetts, in 1767, he watched
the Battle of Bunker Hill from the
top of Penn's Hill above the family
farm. As secretary to his father in
Europe, he became an accomplished
linguist and assiduous diarist.