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John Adams, the Second
President of the United States. |
Biography of John Adams
Learned and thoughtful, John Adams was more remarkable as a political
philosopher than as a politician. "People and nations are forged
in the fires of adversity," he said, doubtless thinking of his
own as well as the American experience.
Adams was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735. A Harvard-educated
lawyer, he early became identified with the patriot cause; a delegate
to the First and Second Continental Congresses, he led in the movement
for independence.
During the Revolutionary War he served in France and Holland in diplomatic
roles, and helped negotiate the treaty of peace. From 1785 to 1788
he was minister to the Court of St. James's, returning to be elected
Vice President under George Washington. Adams' two terms as Vice President
were frustrating experiences for a man of his vigor, intellect, and
vanity. He complained to his wife Abigail, "My country has in
its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever
the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived."
When Adams became President, the war between the French and British
was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas
and intense partisanship among contending factions within the Nation.
His administration focused on France, where the Directory, the ruling
group, had refused to receive the American envoy and had suspended
commercial relations.
Adams sent three commissioners to France, but in the spring of 1798
word arrived that the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand and the Directory
had refused to negotiate with them unless they would first pay a substantial
bribe. Adams reported the insult to Congress, and the Senate printed
the correspondence, in which the Frenchmen were referred to only as
"X, Y, and Z."
The Nation broke out into what Jefferson called "the X. Y. Z.
fever," increased in intensity by Adams's exhortations. The populace
cheered itself hoarse wherever the President appeared. Never had the
Federalists been so popular.
Congress appropriated money to complete three new frigates and to
build additional ships, and authorized the raising of a provisional
army. It also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, intended to frighten
foreign agents out of the country and to stifle the attacks of Republican
editors.
President Adams did not call for a declaration of war, but hostilities
began at sea. At first, American shipping was almost defenseless against
French privateers, but by 1800 armed merchantmen and U.S. warships
were clearing the sea-lanes.
Despite several brilliant naval victories, war fever subsided. Word
came to Adams that France also had no stomach for war and would receive
an envoy with respect. Long negotiations ended the quasi war.
Sending a peace mission to France brought the full fury of the Hamiltonians
against Adams. In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united
and effective, the Federalists badly divided. Nevertheless, Adams
polled only a few less electoral votes than Jefferson, who became
President.
On November 1, 1800, just before the election, Adams arrived in the
new Capital City to take up his residence in the White House. On his
second evening in its damp, unfinished rooms, he wrote his wife, "Before
I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on
this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest
and wise Men ever rule under this roof."
Adams retired to his farm in Quincy. Here he penned his elaborate
letters to Thomas Jefferson. Here on July 4, 1826, he whispered his
last words: "Thomas Jefferson survives." But Jefferson had
died at Monticello a few hours earlier.
Source: The White House
Founding Fathers and Presidents
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