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1825]

CLOSE OF HIS TERM.

397

of France wept long over the dust of the great patriot of America. La Fayette lived till 1834, prominent in the po. litical history of his country, and to the last the consistent friend of virtue and freedom.

526. The close of Monroe's second term found the country still more prosperous than its commencement. Military and naval defences had been constructed; the rights and character of the nation had been sustained abroad; the dominion of the U. S. had extended on the south and west; civilization had spread among the Indians, and $60,000,000 of the national debt had been paid. It now became necessary to choose a successor to the presidency. Four candidates appeared in the field: Gen. Jackson, of Tenn.; John Quincy Adams, of Mass.; William H. Crawford, of Ga.; and Henry Clay, of Kentucky. The first received 99 electoral votes; but, this not being a majority, the choice devolved on the house of representatives. This body conferred the presidency on Mr. Adams, who was inaugurated March 4th, 1825. John C. Calhoun, of S. C., had been chosen vice-president by the electoral college.

CHAPTER IX.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION, 1825-9.

527. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was born at Braintree, Mass., on the 11th of July, 1767. At the age of nine, he heard the Declaration of Independence read from the state-house in Boston. Two years afterwards he started for the old world with his father, John Adams, whose patriotic career we have already traced. Accompanying his father to France and Holland, thence traversing the continent to St. Petersburg where he acted as secretary to the American minister,

La Fayette live? 526. What was the state of the country at the close of Monroe's second term? What had been effected? Name the candidates for the presidency in 1824. Who received the most votes? On whom did the choice devolve? Who was elected president? Who, vice-president?

and on his return passing through Sweden and Denmark, the young Adams, though his education was thus irregular, enjoyed unusual opportunities of becoming acquainted with men and manners, and learning the routine of diplomatic business. On the appointment of his father as minister to England, he returned to his native country, and entered Harvard University, where he was graduated with distinction in 1787. The study and practice of law next engaged his attention; but, improving his leisure to publish some political papers, he became known as a statesman, was appointed by Washington minister to Netherlands and Portugal, was transferred by his father to Prussia, was sent to the senate of Massachusetts and afterwards to the U. S. senate, was made minister to Russia by Madison, and afterwards, as we have seen, served as minister at the court of St. James, and secretary of state under Monroe. By this extended experience was Mr. Adams qualified for the high office to which he was called; and though, soon after his inauguration, the friends of Crawford and Jackson combined to oppose the administration and party-spirit once more became violent, yet the country enjoyed undiminished prosperity. Henry Clay served as secretary of state throughout the whole of Mr. Adams' term.

528. On the 4th of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of that independence which they had helped to establish, among the rejoicings of their countrymen, and while their own names were on every tongue, expired two of the truest benefactors of America, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the former at the age of 90; the latter, 82. Adams had been invited to participate in the celebration at Quincy; but his weakness would not permit, and he could only send as a toast his own words uttered half a century before, "Independence forever!" Before the day was over, he had ceased to breathe, his last words being "Jefferson survives!"

527. Give a sketch of John Quincy Adams' early life. What did he do on the appointment of his father to the court of St. James? What profession did he study? Give au account of his diplomatic career. By whom was his administration opposed? Who

1826]

EXCITEMENT AGAINST THE FREE-MASONS.

399

Jefferson did live, but it was beyond the grave; he had died at an earlier hour the same day. For some time before, his strength had been failing, but the wish which he had earnestly expressed to see another 4th of July was gratified. His last words were, "I resign my soul to my God and my daughter to my country." A bereaved nation received the tidings of these blows with every evidence of sorrow. Tears fell in all parts of the Union. "It is right," said Webster, "that it should be thus; the tears which flow, and the honors that are paid, when the friends of the Republic die, give hope that the Republic itself may be immortal."

529. Adams renewed a proposition which had been made by his predecessor, to purchase the lands of the Indians still left in the several states, and remove them west of the Mississippi. Some of the tribes objected to parting with their territory; but in February, 1826, a deputation from the Creeks ceded all their lands in Georgia to the U. S. except a million of acres; and these also were afterwards purchased.

530. A new element was introduced into the political contests of the country by an occurrence which took place about this time in the state of New York. Free-masonry, an ancient institution of Europe, originating with architects and builders, but afterwards extended to all and supported by many of high rank, found its way to America in 1730. Lodges were multiplied; and Washington, De Witt Clinton, and other distinguished men became "free and accepted masons". In September, 1826, William Morgan, a member of the fraternity residing in western New York, having threatened to publish a work which would reveal the secrets of the order, was suddenly abducted from home, and never afterwards seen by his friends. He was traced to Lewiston, and thence to Fort Niagara; but no further clew to his fate could be obtained. A committee of the legislature, appoint

was his secretary of state? 528. What took place July 4, 1826? What were the ages of the two ex-presidents? Give an account of John Adams' death. Of Jefferson's. What did Webster say in allusion to these events? 529. What did Adams propose with respect to the Indians? What was done by the Creeks? 530. How was a new element introduced into the political contests of the country? What is said of free-masonry? Give an account of the occurrence in New York. What report was made by a com

ed to investigate the matter, reported that he had been mur dered, and such was the belief of many, though no positive evidence to that effect could ever be obtained. An intense excitement arose against the masons, on whom the crime was charged; and a party was formed with the avowed object of suppressing their secret organization in the United States, as dangerous to freedom of government and the safety of the community. Masonry was too strong to be thus put down; but feeling ran high against it, and for several years at the North the Anti-masons exercised a powerful influence, which they used freely for political purposes.

531. De Witt Clinton, one of the most prominent members of the fraternity at the time of this event, shared in the obloquy it occasioned; and before the excitement had subsided he died suddenly of disease of the heart, on the 11th of February, 1828. He had filled many high offices with great ability; had been mayor of the city of New York and governor of the state; had served in the U. S. senate; had done much for literature, science, and art, and worked with equal energy in the great cause of internal improvements. To none of her distinguished sons is the commonwealth of New York more largely indebted.

DE WITT CLINTON'S RESIDENCE, MASPETH, L. L.

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532. The two principal subjects which engaged the presi dent's attention were internal improvements and domestic manufactures. He was in favor of opening national roads

mittee of the legislature? What was the consequence? What is said of the antimasons? 581. Who was one of the most prominent masons? When did De Witt Clinton die? What is said of his career? 532. What were the two principal subjects

1828]

INCREASE OF THE TARIFF.

401

and canals, improving harbors and the channels of rivers, erecting light-houses, and making other provision for the safety of coast navigation. To advance the manufacturing interests, which had become important in the northern and eastern states, he recommended increasing the duties on imported goods. The necessity of such duties had been generally acknowledged, and in 1816, Lowndes and Calhoun, both of South Carolina, advocated a high protective tariff, or list of imposts. In 1828, in accordance with the views of the president, increased duties were laid on cotton, woollen, and linen fabrics, silks, iron, lead, &c. The North, largely engaged in the manufacture of some of these articles, was of course benefited by this new tariff, because it prevented foreign goods from selling lower than those at home; but southern statesmen, including Calhoun, violently opposed it, inasmuch as the South, an agricultural and not a manufacturing country, had to pay higher prices for articles it was obliged to use. Especially in South Carolina was this feeling exhibited; and the people of Charleston showed their disapprobation by placing their flags at half-mast.

533. Mr. Adams ran a second time for the presidency, but was defeated by Gen. Jackson. Calhoun was reëlected vice-president. On the 4th of March, 1829, Adams resigned the country, at peace with all the world, and still blessed with internal prosperity, into the hands of his successor.

CHAPTER X.

JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION, 1829-1837.

534. JACKSON's journey from his home near Nashville, known as "the Hermitage", to the federal capital, was a that engaged the president's attention? Of what internal improvements was he in favor? What measure did he advocate for the advancement of manufacturing interests? By whom was a high protective tariff recommended in 1816? What action was taken on this subject by Congress in 1828? How did the North feel towards the new tariff? How, the South? How did the people of Charleston show their disapprobation? 533. Who were the next candidates for the presidency? Who was elected? Who was chosen vice-president? On what day was Jackson inaugurated?

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