USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 2
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 2
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Of the call again made on this illustrious
chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon and take command of all the United States forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing need here be stated, except to note the fact a, an unmistakable testimc- nial of the high regard in which he was still held by his countrymen, of all shades of po- litical opinion. He patriotically accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where, after a short and severe illness, he died December 14. 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The whole country was filled with gloom by this sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- tics and creeds in religion, in every State in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- ing honor to the man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- men."
IIis remains were deposited in a family vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount Vernon, where they still lie entombed.
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
seized young Adams, and for a time he studied over the question whether he
OHN ADAMS, the second President of the United States, 1797 to 1801, was ; should take to the law, to politics or the born in the present town 'army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a friend, making prophecies concerning the future greatness of this country which have since been more than fulfilled. For two years he taught school and studied law, wasting no odd moments, and at the early age of twenty-two years he opened a law .office in his native town. His inherited powers of mind and untiring devotion to his profession caused him to rise rapidly in public esteem. of Quincy, then a portion of Braintree, Massachu- setts, October 30, 1735. His father was a farmer of mod- crate means, a worthy and industrious man. He was a deacon in the church, and was very desirous of giving his son a collegiate educa- tion, hoping that he would become a minister of the gospel. But, as up to this time, the age of fourteen, he had been only a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had no taste for books, he chose farming. On being set to work, however, by his father out in the field, the very first day con- verted the boy into a lover of books.
In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy- man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per- sonal and intellectual endowments, who afterward contributed much to her hus- I band's celebrity.
Soon the oppression of the British in America reached its climax. The Boston Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1755, at the age of twenty, highly offerented having no capital but his clocation, be started out into the et amay wald at a time of great political excitement, as I rince q.] England were then engaged in their great seven years struggle for the matery of0 the New World. The fire of partird a merchants employed an attorney by the minne of James Ouis to argue the legality of oppressive tax law before the Superior for integrity, energy and ability. Thus, Conft. Adams heard the areamed, and efterword wrote to a friend concerning the ality di phyol, as follows: " Otis was a fun of fire. With a promptitude of clasica allusion, a depth of research, a rapid summary : historical events and det tag must ry di local authorities and a
John Adams
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prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried away all before him. America bel geydeve was then and there torn. Every man of an immensely crowded audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take up arms."
Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be read before the literary club of his town, upon the state of affairs, which was so able as to attract public attention. It was pub- lished in American journals, republished in England, and was pronounced by the friends of the colonists there as " one of the very best productions ever seen from North America."
li birg the principle that the infamous royal prerogative of impressment could have no existence in the colonial code. But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah Quincy defended a party of British soldiers who had been arrested for murder when they had been only obeying Governmental orders; and when reproached for thus ap- parently deserting the cause of popular liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a thousandfoll rather live under the domina- tion of the worst of England's kings than under that of a lawless mob. Next, after serving a term as a member of the Colonial Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find- ing his health affected by too great labor,
The memorable Stamp Act was now issued, and Adams entered with all the ' retired to his native home at Braintree.
ardor of his soul into political life in order The year 17744 soon arrived, with its fa- to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- mous Boston " Tea Party," the first open lutions remonstrating against the act, which were adopted at a public meeting of the citizens of Braintree, and which were sub- sequently adopted, word for word, by more than forty towns in the State. Popular commotion prevented the landing of the Stamp Act papers, and the English author- ities then closed the courts. The town of Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid- ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a petition before the Governor and council for the re-opening of the courts; and while the two first mentioned attorneys based their argument upon the distress caused to the people by the measure, Adams boldly claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation both of the English Constitution and the charter of the Provinces. It is sail that this was the first direct denial of the un- limited right of Porkament over the colo nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was repealed.
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the Congress at Philadelphia; and when the Attorney-General announced that Great 1 Britain had " determined on her system, and that her power to execute it was irre- sistible," Adams replied : "I know that Great Britain has determined on her sys- tem, and that very determination deter- mines me on mine. You know that I have been constant in my opposition to her measures. The die is now cast. I have passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or die, with my country, is my unalterable determination." The rumor beginning to i prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress had indepen lence in view, Adams foresaw that it was too soon to declare it openly. Be advised every one to remain quiet in the respect; and as soon as it became ale parent that he kitas It was for isdepes I- ence, he wa advi-el to hide binissif, which
Directly Mr. Adams was complexe lt Thenew year the gaet Revolutionary defend Ansell Nickerson, who had kill dan Englishman in the act of impressing him F & Barn Branco boat her hands! (Nickerson) into the King's sersin, and his Mind be here the event tempting client was acquift. J, the court the estab- . in ber vicistry. The board of Dank: ]Bill
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
came on. Congress had to do something immediately. The first thing was to ! choose a commander-in-chief for the-we i can't say "army " -- the fighting men of the colonies. The New England delegation was almost unanimous in favor of appoint- ing General Ward, then at the head of the Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged the appointment of George Washington, then almost unknown outside of his own State. He was appointed without oppo- sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution, which was adopted, annulling all the royal authority in the colonies. Having thus prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz., June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir- ginia, who a few months before had declared that the British Government would aban- don its oppressive measures, now offered the memorable resolution, seconded by Adams, "that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent." Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and Livingston were then appointed a commit- tee to draught a declaration of independ- ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams to draw up the bold document, but the latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform that responsible task. The Declaration drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost defender on the floor of Congress. It was signed by all the fifty-five members present, and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his wife how great a deed was done, and how proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued! to be the leading man of Congress, and the leading advocate of American inde- pendente. Above all other Americans, he was considered by every one the prin- cipal shining mark for British vengeance. Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to the most dangerous task of crossing the ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the British, who knew of his mission, which was to visit Paris and solicit the coopera- tion of the French. Besides, to take lin .-
self away from the country of which he was the most prominent defender, at that critical time, was an act of the greatest self- sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the sea, he had two very narrow escapes from capture ; and the transit was otherwise a stormy and eventful one. During the summer of 1779 he returned home, but was immediately dispatched back to France, to be in readiness there to negotiate terms of peace and commerce with Great Britain as soon as the latter power was ready for such business. But as Dr. Franklin was more popular than heat the court of France, Mr. Adams repaired to Holland, where he was far more successful as a diplomatist.
The treaty of peace between the United States and England was finally signed at Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had so long been experiencing threw him into a dangerous fever. Before he fully re- covered he was in London, whencc he was dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti- ate another loan. Compliance with this order undermined his physical constitution for life.
In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy to the court of St. James, to meet face to face the very king who had regarded him as an arch traitor! Accordingly he re- paired thither, where he did actually meet and converse with George Ill .! After a residence there for about three years, he obtained permission to return to America. While in London he wrote and published an able work, in three volumes, whiled: " A Defense of the American Constitution."
The Articles of Confederation proving inefficient, as Adams ball prophesi'd. a cucfully changhied Constitution adopted in 1780 when George Washiugou was elected President of the new media. and Alom Vite-Pr. Blant. Com pas quet
SOON ID.A.V.S.
1
uildings should be erected at the new pital in the District of Columbia. Mr. -lams then moved his family to Phila- Iphia. Toward the close of his term of fice the French Revolution culminated. hen Adams and Washington rather mpathized with England, and Jefferson ith France. The Presidential election of 96 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first ace by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- on the second place.
Mr. Adams's administration was consci- ntious, patriotic and able. The period 'as a turbulent one, and even an archangel build not have reconciled the hostile par- es. Partisanism with reference to Eng- ind and France was bitter, and for four vars Mr. Adams struggled through almost constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he as not truly a popular man, and his cha- 'in at not receiving a re-election was so cat that he did not even remain at Phila- Iphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. fferson, his successor. The friendly stimacy between these two men was interrupted for about thirteen years of their fe. Adams finally made the first advances ward a restoration of their mutual friend- nip, which were gratefully accepted by : fferson.
Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity retire to private life, where he could rest 's mind and enjoy the comforts of home. y a thousand bitter experiences he found ic path of public duty a thorny one. For renty-six years his service of the public as as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted sever fell to the lot of man. In one im- ortant sense he was as much the " Father , forever." Aboat two o'clock in the after- f his Country" as was Washington in uother sense. During these long years of hxiety and toil, in which he was laying. Land in a few minutes he had breathed his road and deep, the foundations of the last.
greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he received from his impoverished country a meager support. The only privilege he carried with him into his retirement was that of franking his letters.
Although taking no active part in public affairs, both himself and his son, John Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of England, who persisted in searching American ships on the high seas and dragging from them any sailors that might be designated by any pert lieutenant as British subjects. Even for this noble sup- port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- sands of bitter enemies! On this occasion, for the first time since his retirement, he broke silence and drew up a very able paper, exposing the atrocity of the British pretensions.
Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family. Though his physical frame began to give way many years before his death, his mental powers retained their strength and vigor to the last. In his ninetieth year he was gladdened by the popular elevation of his son to the Presidential office, the highest in the gift of the people. Afew months more passed away and the 4th of July, 1826, arrived. The people, unaware of the near approach of the end of two great lives- that of Adams and Jefferson-were making unusual preparations for a national holiday. Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial music and the roar of cannon, with silent emotion. Only four days before, he had given for a public toast, " Independence noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives." But he was mistaken by an hour or so;
buildings should be erected at the new "greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he capital in the District of Colinabia. Mr. "received from his impoverished country a meager support. The only privilege he carried with him into his retirement was that of franking his letters. Adams then moved his family to Phila- delphia. Toward the close of his term of office the French Revolution culminated. when Adams and Washington rather sympathized with England, and Jefferson with France. The Presidential election of 1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- son the second place.
Although taking no active part in public affairs, both himself and his son, John Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of England, who persisted in searching American ships on the high seas and dragging from them any sailors that might be designated by any pert lieutenant as British subjects. Even for this noble sup- port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion, for the first time since his retirement, he broke silence and drew up a very able paper, exposing the atrocity of the British pretensions.
Mr. Adams's administration was consci- entious, patriotic and able. The perio-l was a turbulent one, and even an archangel could not have reconciled the hostile par- ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng- land and France was bitter, and for four years Mr. Adams struggled through almost a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he was not truly a popular man, and his cha- grin at not receiving a re-election was so great that he did not even remain at Phila- delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. Jefferson, his successor. intimacy between these two men was interrupted for about thirteen years of their life. Adams finally made the first advances toward a restoration of their mutual friend- ship, which were gratefully accepted by Jefferson.
Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family. Though his physical frame began to give way many years before his death, his ment: 1
The friendly | powers retained their strength and vigor to the last. In his ninetieth year he was gladdened by the popular elevation of his son to the Presidential office, the highest in the gift of the people. Afew months inore passed away and the 4th of July, 18_6, arrived. The people, unaware of the near approach of the end of two great lives- that of Adams and Jeffers m-were making
Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity to retire to private life, where he could rest his mind and enjoy the comforts of home. . unusual preparations for a national holiday. By a thousand bitter experiences he found Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial music and the roar of coannen, with silent emotion. Only four days infore, he 1. given for a public tout. " Independence forever." About two o'clock in the after- noon he said, "And Je ker . still survive." the path of public duty a thorny onc. For twenty-six years his service of the public was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im- portant sense he was as much the - Father of his Country" as was Washington in another sense. During these long years of But he was mistaken to an hour or ); anxiety and toil, in which he was kaine, and in a few minutes he had breathed Wie broad and deep, the foundations of the last.
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Domio Jemanson. 1
IIOMAS JEFFER- son, the third Presi- dent of the United States, ISOI-'9, was born April 2, 1743. the eldest child of his parents, Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jef- ferson, near Charlottes- ville, Albemarle County, Virginia, upon the slopes of the Blue Ridge. When he. was fourteen years of age, his father died, leav- ing a widow and cight children. She was a beau- tiful and accomplished lady, a good letter-writer, with a iund of humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His parents belonged to the Church of England. and arc said to be of Welch origin. But little is known of them, however.
society, his horses and even his favorite violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen hours a day to hard study, becoming ex- traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek authors.
On leaving college, before he was twenty- one, he commenced the study of law, and pursued it diligently until he was well qualified for practice, upon which he entered in 1767. By this time he was also versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine arts. Being very polite and polished in his manners, he won the friendship of all whom he met. Though able with his pen, he was not fluent in public speech.
In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was the largest slave-holding member of that body. He introduced a bill empowering slave-holders to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected by an overwhelming vote.
Thomas was naturally of a serious turn In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great loss; his house at Shade Il was burnel, and his valuable library of 2.000 volumes w> consumed. But he was wealthy crunch to replace the most of it, as Both in 5,000 acres tilled by shoes and his practice at the bar b's income athountel t ) of mind, apt to karn, and a favorite af school, his choice studies being math mat- ics and the classics. At the age of seven- teen he entered William and Mary College, in an advanced class, and lived in i chier .. b expensive style, consequently beinge Brach caressel by gay society. That he was that part of the Date ... ruined, is proud of his tamina of .. .. 10. :1 1752 hemmadie ! Mrs. Mark . Skole. But during his second year he Membri a british working and auton lelked
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THOMAS SUFFRAKOV.
young widow, who owned 40,000 acres il land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu- ously for the abolition of slavery. For his new home he selected a majestic rise of land upon his large estate at Shadwell, called Monticello, whereon he erected a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture. Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste in magnificent, high-blooded horses.
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At this period the British Government gradually became more insolent and op- pressive toward the American colonies, and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most foremost to resist its encroachments. From time to time he drew up resolutions of re- monstrance, which were finally adopted, thus proving his ability as a statesman and as a Icader. By the year 1774 he became quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- fending the right of the colonies to defend themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A Summary View of the Rights of British America," attracted much attention in Eng- land. The following year he, in company with George Washington, served as an ex- ecutive committee in measures to defend by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- maker, yet in conversation and upon committees he was so frank and decisive that he always made a favorable impression .. But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- mained in hopes of reconciliation with the parent country.
At length, however, the hour arrived ier draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- dence," and this responsible task wes de- volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and Adams suggested a few verbal corrections before it was submitted to Congress, which was June 28, 1776, only six days before it was adopted. During the three days of the fiery ordeal of criticism through which it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opene ! not his lips, John Adams was the main champion of the Declaration on the Hour be never would recover? Serend week.
of Congress. The signing of this document was one of the most solemn and momentous occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer and silence reigned throughout the hall, and cach signer realized that if American independence was not finally sustained by arms he was doomed to the scaffold.
After the colonies became independent States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat in Congress in order to aid in organizing the government of Virginia, of which State he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he was thirty-six years of age. At this time the British had possession of Georgia and were invading South Carolina, and at one time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- sion was in possession of the enemy ! The British troops also destroyed his valuable plantation on the James River. " Had they carried off the slaves," said Jefferson. with characteristic magnanimity, " to give them freedom, they would have done right."
The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the Virginia Governor. While confined to his secluded home in the forest by a sick and dying wife, a party arose against hitn throughout the State, severely criticizing his course as Governor. Being very sensi- tive to reproach, this touched him to the quick, and the heap of troubles then sur. rounding him nealy crushed him. He re- solved, in despair, to retire from public life for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr. Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed heart, at the bedside of Lis sick wife, during which time undfooling letters were sent to him, accusing him of weakness and unfit'. fainese to daty. All this, affer he hal los. si pilch property and at the same tous done so much for his country! After her goth the actualy fainted awww. and re-
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passed before he could fully recover his equilibrium. He was never married a second time.
In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- land compelled their king to make to the Americans overtures of peace, and in No- vember following. Mr. Jefferson was reap- pointed by Congress, unanimously and without a single adverse remark, minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty.
In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap- pointed on a committee to draught a plan . for the government of the Northwestern Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause in that plan was stricken ont by the pro- slavery majority of the committee; but amid all the controversies and wrangles of poli- ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- dict anybody or engage in any discussion as a debater.
In company with Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary in the negotiation of treaties of commerce with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his mission. The suavity and high bearing of his manner made all the French his friends; and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote to her sister that he was " the chosen of the earth." But all the honors that he received, both at home and abroad, seemed to make no change in the simplicity of his republican tastes. On his return to America, he found two parties respecting the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams sylapatladingy with dad hdfavor of England and hunodf favoring: France.
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