Front matter
Reading edition
Produced by Don Kostuch
L I F E AND PUBLIC SERVICES of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WITH THE EULOGY DELIVERED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK.
BY WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
[Transcriber's Notes:] This text is an accurate reproduction of the original book with the following exceptions. Obvious misspellings and typos have been corrected but contemporary usage is unchanged, e.g. "centre". Sentences spanning pages have been joined to facilitate searches and analysis.
I encourage you to forgive the verbose style that suggests authors were paid by the word. The gems of character description and contemporary viewpoints are worth the effort.
The book supports the observation "The news never changes, just the names." I am encouraged that the tone of politics is not much different today than it was at Adams' time. Things are no worse. In spite of continual bickering, a few persons with good will, careful planning, hard work and a thick skin can achieve wonderful results.
The following glossary contains unfamiliar (to me) terms.
abjuration Renounce under oath; forswear. Recant solemnly; repudiate. Give up. Abstain from.
abstemious Eating and drinking in moderation. Sparingly used. Restricted to bare necessities.
Aceldama A place with dreadful associations.
animadversion Strong criticism.
approbate Sanction officially; authorize.
arbitrament Arbitrating; arbitration. Judgment of an arbitrator or arbiter.
assiduity Persistent application or diligence; unflagging effort. Constant personal attention.
(a)thymy (Not) abounding with thyme; fragrant.
barouche Four-wheeled carriage with a collapsible top, two double seats inside opposite each other, and a box seat outside in front for the driver.
barque Sailing ship with three to five square-rigged masts, except the after mast, which is fore-and-aft rigged. Small vessel propelled by oars or sails.
benison Blessing; a benediction.
cesural Pause in a line of verse dictated by sense or natural speech rhythm rather than by metrics. Pause in conversation.
chaplet Wreath or garland for the head.
Circean (Circe) A Greek goddess who turned Odysseus's men temporarily into swine but later gave him directions for their journey home.
coeval Originating or existing during the same period; lasting through the same era. One of the same era or period; a contemporary.
condign Deserved; adequate.
contemned Viewed with contempt; despised.
contumelies Rudeness or contempt arising from arrogance. Insolent or arrogant remarks or acts.
cortege Train of attendants of a distinguished person; a retinue. Ceremonial procession. Funeral procession.
demurrage Detention of a cargo conveyance during loading or unloading beyond the scheduled time of departure. Compensation paid for such detention.
deputed Appoint or authorize as a representative. Assign (authority or duties) to another; delegate.
descant Ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme. Highest part sung in part music. Discussion or discourse on a theme.
descried Catch sight of (something difficult to discern). Discover by careful observation or scrutiny; detect:
didactic Intended to instruct. Morally instructive.
dilatory Intended to delay. Tending to postpone or delay.
discomfited Make uneasy or perplexed; disconcert. Thwart plans; frustrate.
disquisitions Formal discourse, often in writing.
doit Dutch coin, worth about half a farthing. A thing of small value.
effulgence Brilliant radiance.
elegiac Mourning for that which is irrecoverably past.
emoluments Payment for an office or employment; compensation.
encomiums Warm, glowing praise. Formal expression of praise; a tribute.
enervate Weaken or destroy strength or vitality.
ephemeral Lasting for a brief time. Living or lasting only for a day, as some plants or insects.
Episcopal Church governed by a bishop.
epithet Term to characterize a person or thing or as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person. Abusive or contemptuous word or phrase.
erudition Deep, extensive learning.
escutcheon Shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms. Plate inscribed with a ship's name.
eternize Make eternal. Protract for an indefinite period. Make perpetually famous; immortalize.
eulogium Formal eulogy.
evanescent Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.
execration The act of cursing. A curse. Something cursed or loathed.
exigency Requiring much effort or immediate action. Pressing or urgent situation.
extirpate Pull up by the roots. Destroy totally; exterminate. Remove by surgery.
fain Happily; gladly.
garniture Garnish; embellishment.
gratulation To congratulate.
green withes Cords or bowstrings used to bind Samson; Judges 16:8.
habiliments Special dress or garb associated with an occasion or office.
hecatomb Large-scale sacrifice; sacrifice to the ancient Greek and Roman gods of 100 oxen.
importunity Importunate request; an insistent or pressing demand.
indefeasible Cannot be annulled or made void.
ineffably Incapable of being expressed; indescribable, unutterable, unspeakable, taboo.
ingenuously Lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness; artless. Openly straightforward or frank; candid.
importunate Troublesomely urgent or persistent in requesting.
intendant Administrative official serving a French, Spanish, or Portuguese monarch.
Jacobin Radical or extreme leftist. Radical republican during the French Revolution.
meed Fitting recompense. Merited gift or wage.
mensuration Process of measuring. Measurement of geometric quantities.
mole Massive stone wall constructed in the sea as a breakwater to protect an anchorage or a harbor. Anchorage or harbor enclosed by a mole.
munificence Liberal in giving; generous. Showing great generosity.
Nestor Hero celebrated as an elderly and wise counselor to the Greeks at Troy
obsequies Funeral rites or ceremonies.
octavo Page size, from 5 by 8 inches to 6 by 9-1/2 inches, of a book composed of printer's sheets folded into eight leaves. A book composed of octavo pages.
odium Strong dislike, contempt, or aversion. State of disgrace resulting from hateful or detestable conduct.
panegyric Formal public compliment. Elaborate praise.
parsimony Unusual or excessive frugality; extreme economy or stinginess.
patronymic Derived from the name of one's father or a paternal ancestor.
pertinacity Persistent determination.
Plenipotentiary Diplomatic agent, such as an ambassador, fully authorized to represent his government.
Presbyterian Church governed by elected elders.
probity Complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness.
proconsular Provincial governor of consular rank in the Roman Empire.
pusillanimity Cowardice.
recusant One of the Roman Catholics in England who incurred legal and social penalties in the 16th century and afterward for refusing to attend services of the Church of England. Dissenter; a nonconformist.
Sabine (River) River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico just East of Houston, Texas.
sagacity Discerning, sound in judgment, farsighted; wisdom.
Silesia Region of central Europe in southwest Poland and northern Czech Republic.
sinecure Position or office that requires little work but provides a salary.
spoliations Despoiling or plundering. Seizure of neutral vessels at sea by a belligerent power in time of war.
stivers Nickel coin used in the Netherlands and worth 1/20 of a guilder (about 0.4 Euros in 2006). Something of small value.
TETE D'ARMEE Head of the Army.
thrall (thraldom) Held in bondage; servitude; intellectually or morally enslaved.
tittle Small diacritic mark, such as an accent, vowel mark, or dot over an i. Tiniest bit; an iota.
umbrage Offense; resentment. Something that affords shade or shade itself. Vague indication; hint.
unction Anointing as part of a religious, ceremonial, or healing ritual. Ointment or oil. Something that serves to soothe; a balm. Affected or exaggerated earnestness, especially in choice and use of language.
Unitarian Believes in the oneness of God as opposed to the Trinity. Historic Unitarians believed in the moral authority, but not the deity, of Jesus. Free thinkers and dissenters, evolving their beliefs by rationalism and humanism.
usurpation Usurping, especially the wrongful seizure of royal sovereignty. Wrongful seizure or exercise of authority. Encroachment.
vicissitudes Change or variation.
vituperation Abusive censure. Sustained, harshly abusive language.
votaries Persons bound by vows to live a life of religious worship or service. Devout adherents of a cult or religion. Persons fervently devoted to a leader or ideal; faithful followers. Persons filled with enthusiasm, as for a pursuit or hobby; enthusiasts.
[End of Transcriber's notes]
[Illustration: Portrait of John Quincy Adams.]
Engraved from a Painting by A.B. Durand.
John Quincy Adams
L I F E AND PUBLIC SERVICES of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WITH THE EULOGY DELIVERED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK.
BY WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
"THIS IS THE END OF EARTH—I AM CONTENT."
AUBURN: DERBY, MILLER AND COMPANY. 1849.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by DERBY, MILLER & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office for the Northern District of New York.
STEREOTYPED BY THOMAS B. SMITH, 216 WILLIAM: STREET, N.Y.
TO THE
FRIENDS OF EQUAL LIBERTY
AND HUMAN RIGHTS
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
This Volume
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Publishers apologize for the delay in issuing this volume, which was announced by them as in press, more than one year since, shortly after the decease of its illustrious subject. Gov. Seward, in undertaking its preparation, was well aware of the engrossing attention which his professional duties required, but looked constantly for relaxation from his multiplied business engagements, in the hope that he might be able to complete the work commenced by him. It however became necessary for its timely completion, to obtain the literary assistance of an able writer, who has, under his auspices, completed the work. The Publishers confidently believe, that it will in all respects, be received as a faithful and impartial history of the Life of the "Old Man Eloquent," and worthy a place in the library of every friend of liberty and humanity. AUBURN, April, 1849.
PREFACE.
The claims of this volume are humble. For more than half a century JOHN QUINCY ADAMS had occupied a prominent position before the American people, and filled a large space in his country's history. His career was protracted to extreme old age. He outlived political enmity and party rancor. His purity of life—his elevated and patriotic principles of action—his love of country, and devotion to its interests—his advocacy of human freedom, and the rights of man—brought all to honor and love him. Admiring legislators hung with rapture on the lips of "the Old Man Eloquent," and millions eagerly perused the sentiments he uttered, as they were scattered by the press in every town and hamlet of the Western Continent. At his decease, there was a general desire expressed for a history of his life and times. A work of this description was understood to be in preparation by his family. It was not probable, however, that this could appear under several years, and when published, would undoubtedly be placed, by its size and cost, beyond the reach of the great mass of readers. In view of these circumstances, there was an evident want of a volume of more limited compass—a book which would come within the means of the people generally,—and adapted not only for libraries, and the higher classes of society, but would find its way into the midst of those moving in the humbler walks of life. To supply this want, the present work has been prepared. The endeavor has been made to compress within a brief compass, the principal events of the life of Mr. Adams, and the scenes in which he participated; and to portray the leading traits of character which distinguished him from his contemporaries. It has been the aim to present such an aspect of the history and principles of this wonderful man, as shall do justice to his memory, and afford an example which the youth of America may profitably imitate in seeking for a model by which to shape their course through life. How far this end has been attained, an intelligent and candid public must determine.