JOHN ADAMS,
Reading edition
THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
And whose fame as a patriot and statesman is imperishable, was born at Braintree, Massachusetts, October 19, 1735. He early displayed superior capacity for learning, and graduated at Cambridge College with great credit. After qualifying himself for the legal profession, he was admitted to practice in 1761, and soon attained that distinction to which his talents were entitled. From the commencement of the troubles with Great Britain, in 1769, he was among the most active in securing the freedom of his country. Being elected to the first Continental Congress, he took a prominent part in all the war measures that were then originated, and, subsequently, suggested the appointment of Washington as commander-in-chief of the army. He was one of the committee which reported the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, and the next year visited France, as commissioner, to form a treaty of alliance and commerce with that country. Although the object had been accomplished before his arrival, his visit had, otherwise, a favorable effect on the existing position of affairs; and he was afterward appointed to negotiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain, which, after many laborious and fruitless efforts, was finally accomplished in 1783. In 1785, he was sent to England as the first minister from this country, and, on his return, was elected first Vice-President, in which office he served two terms, and was then, in 1797, elected to succeed Washington as President. Many occurrences tended to embarrass his administration and to render it unpopular; but it is now generally admitted to have been characterized by patriotism and vigor equal to the emergencies which then existed. His political opponents, however, managed to defeat his reëlection, and he was succeeded in the Presidency by Mr. Jefferson, in 1801; after which he retired to his farm at Quincy, where his declining years were passed in the gratification of his unabated love for reading and contemplation, and where he was constantly cheered by an interesting circle of friendship and affection. The semi-centennial anniversary of American Independence (July 4, 1826) was remarkable, not merely for the event which it commemorated, but for the decease of two of the most active participants in the measures by which independence was achieved. On that day, Adams and Jefferson were both gathered to their fathers, within about four hours of each other, “cheered by the benediction of their country, to whom they left the inheritance of their fame and the memory of their bright example.”
Election for the Third Term, commencing March 4, 1797, and terminating March 3, 1801.
A STATES. B C D E F G H J K L M N O
6 New Hampshire 6 6
16 Massachusetts 16 13 1 2
4 Rhode Island 4 4
9 Connecticut 9 4 5
4 Vermont 4 4
12 New York 12 12
7 New Jersey 7 7
15 Pennsylvania 1 14 2 13
3 Delaware 3 3
11 Maryland 7 4 4 3 2
21 Virginia 1 20 1 1 15 3 1
4 Kentucky 4 4
12 North Carolina 1 11 1 6 3 1 1
8 South Carolina 8 8 1
4 Georgia 4 4
3 Tennessee 3 3
139 No. of Electors 71 68 59 30 15 11 5 7 2 3 2 1 2
Majority 70
COLUMN HEADINGS:
(A) = No. of Electors from each State.
(B) = John Adams, of Massachusetts.
(C) = Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia.
(D) = Thos. Pinckney, of South Carolina.
(E) = Aaron Burr, of New York.
(F) = Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts.
(G) = Oliver Ellsworth, of Connecticut.
(H) = John Jay, of New York.
(J) = George Clinton, of New York.
(K) = S. Johnston, of North Carolina.
(L) = James Iredell, of North Carolina.
(M) = Geo. Washington, of Virginia.
(N) = C. C. Pinckney, of South Carolina.
(O) = John Henry, of Maryland.
John Adams, elected President, took the oath of office, and entered upon his duties, March 4, 1797.
Thomas Jefferson, elected Vice-President, took the oath of office, and entered upon his duties in the Senate, March 4, 1797.
The administration of Mr. Adams encountered the most virulent opposition, both domestic and foreign. France, still in the confusion following her revolution, made improper demands on our country, which not being complied with, she commenced seizing American property on the high seas. Our people, taking different sides, were about equally divided—some approving and others deprecating the course pursued by France. Letters of marque and reprisal were issued by our government, and a navy was raised with surprising promptitude. This had the desired effect, peace being thereby secured; and the aggressor was taught that the Americans were friends in peace, but were not fearful of war when it could not be honorably averted.
The Indians on our western frontiers also caused much trouble; but at length, being severely chastised by General Wayne, they sued for peace, which was granted in 1795.
In 1800 the seat of government was removed from Philadelphia to Washington City, which had been designated by Washington, under a law of Congress, as the most central situation.
As has been noticed elsewhere, Mr. Adams deemed it prudent, in the early part of his administration, when impending difficulties with France seemed to render war inevitable, to offer Washington the commission of Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief of the army, which he accepted as a matter of duty, and held until his death, but fortunately never found it necessary to take the field.