Charles Adams

Charles Adams was the son of President John Adams and the brother of President John Quincy Adams. He lived a short tragic life. While young, he traveled in Europe. He later went to Harvard and became a lawyer. He married and had two daughters. However, he was a chronic alcoholic and he died from this condition at 30.

The John Adams series on HBO dealt with this on the most recent episode. It showed Charles in a drunken stupor begging his father for forgiveness as John Adams disowned him. It also showed Abigail Adams visiting her sick son begging him to "come back to us."

The final scene dealing with Charles Adams is when his parents receive word that he has died. Abigail is shown as being shaken by the news but President Adams is unmoved. Instead, he said, "I still will not forgive him."

This made me very curious about Charles Adams. There is not a lot on the Web about him. I hit some books dealing with John Adams and learned more. Charles is not covered in detail in any of them but glimpses of his childhood, his time in Europe, his relationship with his family, and his dying days do come through.

I found a letter from John Adams on the topic of the death of Charles Adams in John Adams: A Biography in His Own Words (1973) which was edited by James Bishop Peabody. President Adams had written a letter to his friend Adriaan Van der Kemp on December 28th, 1800. He wrote, "The affliction in my family from the melancholy death of a once beloved son, has been very great, and has required the consolation of religion, as well as philosophy, to enable to support us. The prospects of that unfortunate youth were very pleasing and promising, but have been cut off."

It is easy to see that President Adams was dealing with both grief for his son as well as his anger towards him too. 1800 was a tough year for John Adams. He lost the Presidency to Thomas Jefferson and he lost a son as well. The manner of his son's death made it even harder to take. I do not know if there is enough source material out there but a biography of Charles Adams would certainly be interesting. I hope someone writes one someday.

The Kent State Shootings and the Boston Massacre: Parallels?

I was happy to watch the first two episodes of John Adams on HBO Sunday night. This was some great TV! I really liked how John Adams was portrayed.

The first episode deals with the Boston Massacre. It was an incident involving the deaths of five civilians at the hands of British troops on March 5, 1770. John Adams made an unpopular but principled choice to defend the British soldiers. Despite great odds, he was able to get the soldiers acquitted. This episode of the HBO series shows how difficult this was for the future American President.

As I watched, I was reminded of the Kent State shootings of 1970. On May 4th of that year, four students were killed by Ohio National Guard soldiers. In both the Boston Massacre and the Kent State shootings, a crowd of civilians were engaged in violent protest. Soldiers were outnumbered and the crowds were throwing items at the soldiers. In each case, there are reports that members of the crowd were taunting for the soldiers to shoot.

In both cases, shots were fired resulting in death. Both the American revolutionaries of the 18th century and the anti-war opposition of the 20th century used the shootings to make a case against the government. However, with all honesty, it is hard to blame the soldiers in each incident. It is understandable why the shootings occurred even if they could have been avoided.

This parallel had not occurred to me before watching this new series on HBO. I expect more great things from this show. John Adams lived an interesting life and this show is proving equally interesting.

Inaugural Absences

The polite way for a President to leave the White House is to go to his successor’s inauguration. But there have been several presidents who have refused to attend their successor’s inaugurations.

The first President to avoid his successor was John Adams, after the rather nasty election of 1800:
The night before the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, the lights burned late in the White House. President Adams’ belongings were packed into several wagons, and at four in the morning, President and Mrs. Adams boarded their coach and left the city. President Adams, taking his defeat personally, could not bring himself to attend the festivities attached to his defeat.

The next President was John Quincy Adams, after another bitter election loss, this time to Andrew Jackson:
During the days before the inauguration of Andrew Jackson, wagons were constantly shuttling between the White House and the mansion on Meridian Hill that Adams had rented after he and his wife decided to remain in Washington. During his lame-duck period (between the election and the inauguration of his successor), President Adams and his wife remained in the White House, trying not to notice the continuous celebrations being held to honor Jackson’s victory, and Adams’ defeat. After moving to his rented house on March 3rd, the day before the inauguration, they remained in their mansion. He did not attend or participate in any of the inaugural festivities.

The last one was Andrew Johnson, who was feuding with his successor, Ulysses Grant.

John Adams Miniseries

As March approaches I’m getting very excited about the HBO Films miniseries John Adams. Colin Callender, the president of HBO Films, describes the miniseries, based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer-winning biography, as a moving love story, a gripping narrative and a facinating study of human nature.

Filming occurred in many different locations including Budapest, Hungary, but four locations in Virginia were also used including Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and locations around Richmond, Virginia.

An extensive list of the actors and the roles they will be playing are listed at the IMDB site including Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Laura Linney as Abigail Adams. David Morse will play George Washington, Tom Wilkinson will take on the role of Ben Franklin, and Stephen Dillane will play the part of Thomas Jefferson. Many of the features of the IMDB site are currently empty; however, there are already several interesting tidbits in the trivia section for the miniseries including the fact that many of the civilian costumes were previously used in British television productions. Many of the costumes were maked with the letters “BBC” on the interior. I think that’s kind of ironic!

In an interview with Paul Giamatti published at the website Rotten Tomatoes he states:

“[John Adams] was a weird guy. For people who come to these things expecting this sort of iconic, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, white, marble bust kind of thing. He was kind of a lunatic. He was a hypochondriac, he [had a] violent temper, he was constantly sticking his foot in his mouth. He was a nightmare of a guy.”

“He was this huge figure to people and there was a lot of weird political maneuvering around that went on. Hamilton and all those guys maneuvered around to get him elected. He was a terrible president. He was a terrible politician. So, we are making a thing about a guy who was basically a failure as a politician. So it will be interesting.”

“It’s much more a kind of political history because he sat the war out. There are no battle scenes in it. It’s all about him wandering around begging for money. I don’t know how interesting that will be, but that’s what he did the whole war. He kind of traveled around Europe trying to get people to give money to finance the war. And he was sick all the time and out of his mind and depressed. He was a really weird guy.”

Laura Linney prepared for her role by getting her hands on as many books as she could. She stated in an interview for Entertainment Weekly, “At the moment I’m steeped in books about [John Adams’] wife, Abigail Adams. I’ve read about five of them. There’s the McCullough [biography], and [McCullough’s] 1776, and the Joseph Ellis book, American Sphinx, which is about Thomas Jefferson. It’s coming out my pores, all this stuff. American history is wasted on high school sophomores. I remembered not a thing.”

When HBO Programming group president Michael Lombardo and co-president Richard Piepler traveled to show it to David McCullough, Piepler reported they had natural trepidation that you are showing it to the master, [but McCullough] had tears in his eyes.

I found all of the comments above interesting, however, if folks rely simply on Giamatti’s thoughts that Adams was weird, and he isn’t sure the miniseries will be interesting, they might opt to watch something else.

I just hope the tears Richard Piepler saw in David McCullough’s eyes were tears of joy and not anger and frustration.

Poll: Which presidential couple had the best marriage?

The poll has closed for the question, "Which presidential couple had the best marriage?" Thanks to all who participated by voting in the poll.

John and Abigail Adams had the highest vote with 40%. A close second was recorded by Ronald and Nancy Reagan at 36%. Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower got 11% while Ulysses and Julia Grant received 6%. James and Sarah Polk finished last with 5%.

My thanks to Jennie Weber for the question.

Poll: Who was the most effective early President?

The poll has closed for the question, "Who was the most effective early President?" Thanks to those who participated by voting.

George Washington won handily with 60%. Thomas Jefferson came in a distant second with 18%. James Monroe received 11% and John Adams got 5%. James Madison came in last with 3%.

Alien and Sedition Act

The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Adams administration in response to fear that the US would soon be going to war with France. The PBS film, John & Abigail Adams, has a nice segment on these laws (I just watched this film last week - a little cheesy, but not bad and it has very good historian guests). The PBS site talks about why Adams passed these laws, which were extremely unpopular:
The pressure on Adams was relentless. The Republican press savaged him, attacking his character and his policies with increasing frequency and virulence. Abigail Adams, who supported her husband's signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, feared for her husband's physical safety. Adams himself feared riots, and the High Federalists (the ultra-conservative wing of the party with which Adams was not aligned) feared bloody revolution of the French sort.

Abigail Adams, who was usually quite politically savvy supported these measures because she hated what the press was doing to her husband. So what did these laws say? The Alien Act tried to control the foreigners and their movements within the US - aimed mostly at the French who we were nearly at war with. The Sedition Act's goal was to control the press and their barrage of bad press against Adams. The Alien Act was never used. The Sedition Act however was used - some publishers choose to moderate their publications in reponse while others continued and were fined and arrested:
Sixteen indictments resulted from the Sedition Act, and five out of six of the leading Republican papers were tried for libel. James Callender, a journalist and a paid operative of Jefferson commissioned to smear Adams in the press, was arrested and jailed, as was Benjamin Franklin Bache, the editor of the Aurora and grandson of Benjamin Franklin.

The backlash of negative publicity from these acts as well as problems with France seriously hindered Adams' attempt for reelection in 1800. Now you might see a parallel to more modern events - some journalists have compared the Alien & Sedition Acts with with the current PATRIOT Act.

Classical Antiquity And the Politics of America: From George Washington to George W. Bush

Here is an excerpt from the introduction to CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY AND THE POLITICS OF AMERICA: FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GEORGE W. BUSH (published by Baylor University Press). My thanks to Michael Meckler for permission to post this excerpt.
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Although retired from public office after leaving the presidency in 1809, Thomas Jefferson continued keenly to follow political news that reached his home at Monticello. In December 1819, Jefferson was increasingly troubled by the conflict in Congress over whether Missouri should be admitted to the Union as a state where slavery was permitted. The 76-year-old statesman had long since resumed a regular correspondence with his predecessor and one-time rival, John Adams. Now in the crisis over the Missouri question, Jefferson wrote to Adams of his concerns that the issue of slavery would tear the still young nation asunder.

Jefferson’s letter also contained musings over the correspondence of the Roman orator Cicero. Cicero, too, had lived in tumultuous times, witnessing the collapse of the Roman republic, Julius Caesar’s rise to absolute power, and the immediate aftermath of Caesar’s own assassination. Yet Jefferson was hesitant to draw too many similarities between the Roman and American republics.

“When the enthusiasm however kindled by Cicero’s pen and principles,” wrote Jefferson, “subsides into cool reflection, I ask myself What was that government which the virtues of Cicero were so zealous to restore, and the ambition of Caesar to subvert? And if Caesar had been as virtuous as he was daring and sagacious, what could he, even in the plenitude of his usurped power have done to lead his fellow citizens into good government? I do not say restore it, because they never had it, from the rape of the Sabines to the ravages of the Caesars.”

The 84-year-old Adams agreed with Jefferson about the nature of the Roman republic. Concerning the Romans, Adams wrote in reply, “I never could discover that they possessed much Virtue, or real Liberty there. Patricians were in general griping Usurers and Tyrannical Creditors in all ages. Pride, Strength and Courage were all the Virtues that composed their National Characters. A few of their Nobles, effecting simplicity frugality and Piety, perhaps really possessing them, acquired Popularity amongst the Plebeians and extended the power and Dominions of the Republic and advanced in Glory till Riches and Luxury came in, sat like an incubus on the Republic, victamque ulcissitur orbem.”

The Latin phrase with which Adams ended this section of his letter was taken, with not the best memory of grammar and syntax, from a line in the sixth satire of the Roman poet Juvenal, luxuria incubuit victumque ulciscitur orbem (“Luxury has rested upon and avenged a conquered world.”). Throughout this letter Adams expressed a dark concern that the hard work that resulted in prosperity in turn created luxury and moral decay. This pessimism extended even to the American republic’s own future.

“I am sometimes Cassandra enough to dream,” Adams wrote in the paragraph preceding his just described judgment on the Romans, “that another Hamilton, another Burr might rend this mighty Fabric in twain, or perhaps into a leash, and few more choice Spirits of the same Stamp, might produce as many Nations in North America as there are in Europe.”

The joining in a single sentence of Cassandra, the unheeded Trojan prophetess of doom from ancient literature, with the names of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr demonstrates how integral classical antiquity was to the foundation and interpretation of the governing principles of the United States. The concerns over tensions tearing at the United States in 1819 naturally evoked contemplation of the tensions that destroyed the polities — both real and mythic — of the ancient Mediterranean.

The Election of 1800

Georgians can’t turn on the radio or television these days without political commericals. At some point within the last few days everyone in my house from 13 to 46 has stated, “I hate this time of year.” It’s probably the same where you live as well.

Candidates are accusing each other of all sorts of things. Allegations of lying, using the tax-payer’s money for private use, associations with the wrong kind of people, and misuse of government resources are just some of the wonderful things being said about those who are running for office. Voting records are brought up with the candidate in question voting against bills that would help children in some way yet what the voter doesn’t know is some ridiculous rider had been attached to the legislation which necessitated the candidate to vote against it. Things aren’t always as they seem.

A recent Republican debate between Georgia’s Lt. Governor candidates was a continual barb-fest. There were very few issues brought up or discussed without personal attacks being part of the candidates, response.

One of the responsibilities I’m charged with as a history teacher is to help students connect the past to their current lives. I think we do irreparable damage to our collective national memory when we place our Founding Fathers on too high a pedestal. These men did do wonderful things, but they also were not perfect. While we have to remember they lived in much different times than we do today, we also must realize things really haven’t changed when you examine the facts.

The Election of 1800 shows us that many of the men dedicated to the formation of this country were also very cutthroat in their efforts to maintain power for themselves and their friends. Political in-fighting and outragous behavior is not anything new.

Generally educators stick to the basics. The Election of 1800 shows us that the Constitution worked to a point and then presented a slight glitch that was settled by the twelth amendment. Studying this election gives students more knowledge regarding the rise of political parties. This election also shows us how peaceful the change of power is between different leaders and most importantly between political parties. However, a look at historical documents including journals and letters from this time can give students insight into the adversarial relationships which is in direction opposition to what they generally learn.

Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were the leading electoral vote getters in 1800, however, they were both tied with 73 electoral votes. This meant the incumbent, John Adams, was out in the cold. Sectionalism was already raring its ugly head as Adams received 86% of his votes from the north while Thomas Jefferson received three-fourths of his votes from the South.

Though most Americans have become used to the mud slinging and political strategies using accusations I think they would be surprised at some of the methods used in 1800. An article from historycentral.com relates Federalist newspapers claimed the election of Jefferson would cause “teachings of murder, robbery, rape, adultary, and incest.” There were also charges of strange ritualistic rites being performed at Monticello.

Alexander Hamiliton claimed John Adams was unstable, impulsive and made irrational decisions in a pamphlet Hamilton published. Others said Adams was a poor judge of character and was senile. Republicans claimed Adams was a monarchist and even suggested there was a plot to marry his son to one of King George III’s daughters, however, George Washington had shown up just in time to quash the plot.

The Federalists claimed Jefferson was godless, an athiest nonbeliever, and a reign of terror would be unleashed if he was elected.

Thomas Jefferson, who most modern Americans hold in such high esteem, said the Federalists were a “reign of witches” and they were the party “adverse to liberty.”

This countered his critics who accused Jefferson of being a coward, used his political record while governor of Virginia against him, and accused him of being a Jacobin---the most radical faction during the French Revolution.

The Constitution directed those involved to allow the House of Representatives to settle things. In an web article from Smithsonian Magazine found here, John Ferling correctly states, “Federalist and Republicans appeared to agree on one thing only: that the victor in 1800 would set America’s course for generations to come, perhaps forever.”

During the debates in the House of Representatives there was even talk of disunion and civil war. Two states organized their milita in case Jefferson did not prevail. It took thirty-six different ballots before the tie was broken. Thomas Jefferson was finally named president and as was the custom in those days, the runner up, Burr, became the vice president.

Is it any wonder then that Jefferson would call for reconciliation and a smooth change in power during his inaugural address? Read it here.

Mr Ferling was correct in his idea that the Election of 1800 would set America’s course for generations to come. It gave birth to the modern campaign strategies we see today.

John Adams and the XYZ Affair

What do the letters XYZ and John Adams have to do with each other? If you are not sure, do not feel bad. I have a hunch that most people have no idea as to the answer.

Wikipedia's notes that, "The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic scandal that lasted from March of 1797 to 1800. Three French agents, originally only publicly referred to as X, Y, and Z, but later revealed as Jean Conrad Hottinguer, Pierre Bellamy and Lucien Hauteval, demanded enormous concessions from the United States as a condition for continuing bilateral peace negotiations. The concessions demanded by the French included 50,000 pounds sterling, a $10 million loan from the United States, a $250,000 personal bribe to French foreign minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, and a formal apology for comments made by U.S. President John Adams."

By the time the affair was over, France and the USA had actually engaged in what is now called the Quasi-War. Although termed quasi, the fighting was real. The French seized over 300 American ships. The US retaliated by capturing 22 French ships off the American coast and in the West Indies.

President John Adams had to deal with the XYZ Affair during his term in office. In the XYZ Affair Speech, which he delivered on May 16th, 1797, he summarized what was happening and called on Congress to fund a navy.

Adams said, "A naval power, next to the militia, is the natural defense of the United States. The experience of the last war would be sufficient to shew that a moderate naval force, such as would be easily within the present abilities of the Union, would have been sufficient to have baffled many formidable transportations of troops from one state to another, which were then practiced. Our sea coasts, from their great extent, are more easily annoyed and more easily defended by a naval force than any other. With all the materials our country abounds; in skill our naval architects and navigators are equal to any, and commanders and sea men will not be wanting. But although the establishment of a permanent system of naval defense appears to be requisite, I am sensible it can not be formed so speedily and extensively as the present crisis demands."

The whole "quasi" conflict and diplomatic affair ended with the Convention of 1800. However, President Adams showed Europe that the new American nation was ready to defend itself and could not be bullied. The naval program Adams helped to stimulate would also help the USA defeat the Barbary pirates in the First (1801-1805) and Second Barbary War (1815) as well as aiding in the War of 1812.

Adams Family Papers

John and Abigail Adams have always been one of my favorite first couples. They are an excellent example of a good marriage. Louise Young wrote that “Abigail Adams’ importance in the evolution of women’s roles rests, not on her views of women’s liberation, but on the model she furnished for a participant’s roles in a husband-wife political partnership.” (Young, Journal of Politics v. 38, Issue 3 (Aug 1976), pg. 304)

A great resource on John and Abigail is the electric archive of Adams Family Papers from the Massachusetts Historical Society. You can read (and see the original copy as well) of all their correspondence, John’s diary and autobiography. It is also fully searchable so you can look for certain words or terms. This is an invaluable research tool as well as being a lot of fun to browse through to learn more about John and Abigail. Both John and Abigail were eloquent writers who had a lot of important events to recount as well as the daily business of their lives.

I thought I would include on my favorite letters from Abigail to John from the website. I like it for what it says about Abigail Adams not because of the important matters discussed. With all their letters, make sure to consider what was going on in the US at the and where John Adams was when Abigail wrote the letter.

From the Adams Family Papers:
“June 23 1777

I have just retird to my Chamber, but an impulce seazes me to write you a few lines before I close my Eye's. Here I often come and sit myself down alone to think of my absent Friend, to ruminate over past scenes, to read over Letters, journals &c.

Tis a melancholy kind of pleasure I find in this amusement, whilst the weighty cares of state scarcly leave room for a tender recollection or sentiment to steal into the Bosome of my Friend.

In my last I expressd some fears least the Enemy should soon invade us here. My apprehensions are in a great measure abated by late accounts received from the General.

We have a very fine Season here, rather cold for a fortnight, but nothing like a drought. You would smile to see what a Farmer our Brother C--h [Cranch] makes, his whole attention is as much engaged in it, as it ever was in Spermacity Works, Watch Work, or Prophesies. You must know he has purchased, (in spight of the C--ls [Colonels] Threats) that Farm he talkd of. He gave a large price for it tis True, but tis a neat, profitable place, 300 sterling, but money is lookd upon of very little value, and you can scarcly purchase any article now but by Barter. You shall have wool for flax or flax for wool, you shall have veal,Beaf or pork for salt, for sugar, for Rum, &c. but mony we will not take, is the daily language. I will work for you for Corn, for flax or wool, but if I work for money you must give a cart load of it be sure.

What can be done, and which way shall we help ourselves? Every article and necessary of life is rising daily. Gold dear Gold would soon lessen the Evils. I was offerd an article the other day for two dollors in silver for which they askd me six in paper. I have no more to purchase with than if every dollor was a silver one. Every paper dollor cost a silver one, why then cannot it be eaquelly valuable? You will refer me to Lord Kames I know, [illegible] who solves the matter. I hope in favour you will not Emit any more paper, till what we have at least becomes more valuable.

Nothing remarkable has occurd since I wrote you last. You do not in your last Letters mention how you do -- I will hope better. I want a companion a Nights, many of them are wakefull and Lonesome, and "tierd Natures sweet restorer, Balmy Sleep," flies me. How hard it is to reconcile myself to six months longer absence! Do you feel it urksome? Do you sigh for Home? And would you willingly share with me what I have to pass through? Perhaps before this reaches you and meets with a Return, I wish the day passt, yet dread its arrival. -- Adieu most sincerely most affectionately Yours.”

1796: The First Real Election

1796: The First Real Election. When George Washington announced that he would retire from office, he set the stage for the nation's first two-party presidential campaign.

From the site:

The first signs of such factionalism appeared early in Washington's presidency. On one side were the Federalists who yearned for an American society and national government established on the British model. Skeptical of the growing democratization of the new nation, the Federalists desired a centralized national government that would have the strength both to aid merchants and manufacturers and to safeguard America's traditional hierarchical society.

By 1792, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Congressman James Madison--both, like Washington, from Virginia--had taken steps to fashion an opposition party. Jefferson became the acknowledged leader of the new Anti-Federalists, a group soon known as the Democratic-Republican Party because of its empathy for the struggling republic that had emerged from the French Revolution of 1789. This party looked irreverently upon the past, was devoted to republican institutions, sought to give property-owning citizens greater control over their lives, and dreamt of an agrarian nation in which government would be small and weak.

The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre. The is an essay which looks at the Boston Massacre from the perspective of John Adams. He wrote in his journal of the event, "Never in more misery my whole life."

From the site:

The Boston Massacre was the act of British soldiers firing into a mob of Boston citizens. When the smoke had cleared, five citizens of the mob were dead, including Crispus Attucks. The captain of the troops was Thomas Preston. After the troops had stop firing, Captain Preston noticed a Boston citizen walking directly up to soldiers. The citizen, Benjamin Burdick told Captain Preston, "I want to see some faces that I may swear to another day." Captain Preston, realizing that there would soon be a trial, answered, "Perhaps, sir, you may."

The next morning John Adams was in his law office in Boston. The anti-British fever in Boston was rampant. Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty were already calling the event the Boston Massacre. Paul Revere turned out an engraving that depicted Captain Preston ordering the troops to fire at point blank range on a defenseless crowd. To help calmed the mobs, Governor Hutchinson ordered that the soldiers arrested and promised the crowds that a trial would be held. That afternoon in Faneuil Hall a meeting of the Sons of Liberty demanded that all British must be removed from Boston.

James Forrest, a successful merchant and staunch Tory, brought a message to Adams. With tears streaming down his cheeks, Forrest explained that the message was from Captain Thomas Preston. Captain Preston was in jail and needed legal council. Forrest had spoke to several other lawyers and none of them would take the case. Captain Preston asked if Adams would take the case. Adams and another young lawyer, Josiah Quincy accepted Captain Preston request.

John Adams: Unsung Hero of the American Revolution

John Adams: Unsung Hero of the American Revolution - Examines the role Adams played during the Independence movement.

From the site:

So John Adams has apparently not received his fair share of credit, and glory, in the birth of the United States of America, in light of his contribution to the most important event in its history. This was mostly because he spent his political career situated precariously between two opposing factions represented by some of the greatest men in early American history, the Hamilton Arch-Federalists, and the Jefferson/Madison/Monroe Republicans. Because of this, he was slighted, criticized, insulted, and denied his rightful place and credit in American history, simply because he stood up for what he thought was right for the people of this nation and the precepts and ideals which that nation stood for, a nation which he helped create. The result has been that Independence Day in the United States is celebrated on July 4th, instead of July 2nd.

So then, if you were a proud American citizen, or if you were someone like, let's say, Todd Zeile of the New York Mets baseball team (who has been claimed to be a direct descendant of both John Adams and John Quincy Adams), then you'll be lighting up an old stogie on July 4th every year, and on July 2nd also. And you'll be remembering John Adams and the Adams Family of Massachusetts, the real Adams Family, America's First Family in politics for the first century of its life.

Inaugural Address of John Adams

Inaugural Address of John Adams. When John Adams gave this speech in 1797, it was the first time anyone other than George Washington had spoken as the American President. The pressure was on to deliver!

From the site:

When it was first perceived, in early times, that no middle course for America remained between unlimited submission to a foreign legislature and a total independence of its claims, men of reflection were less apprehensive of danger from the formidable power of fleets and armies they must determine to resist than from those contests and dissensions which would certainly arise concerning the forms of government to be instituted over the whole and over the parts of this extensive country. Relying, however, on the purity of their intentions, the justice of their cause, and the integrity and intelligence of the people, under an overruling Providence which had so signally protected this country from the first, the representatives of this nation, then consisting of little more than half its present number, not only broke to pieces the chains which were forging and the rod of iron that was lifted up, but frankly cut asunder the ties which had bound them, and launched into an ocean of uncertainty.

The zeal and ardor of the people during the Revolutionary war, supplying the place of government, commanded a degree of order sufficient at least for the temporary preservation of society. The Confederation which was early felt to be necessary was prepared from the models of the Batavian and Helvetic confederacies, the only examples which remain with any detail and precision in history, and certainly the only ones which the people at large had ever considered. But reflecting on the striking difference in so many particulars between this country and those where a courier may go from the seat of government to the frontier in a single day, it was then certainly foreseen by some who assisted in Congress at the formation of it that it could not be durable.

Biography of John Adams Childhood

Biography of John Adams Childhood. This is a brief account which takes a look at the events in President John Adam's childhood. It is from a larger site which has a bibliography and essays on other parts of his life.

From the site:

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, (new style) in Braintree, (now known as Quincy) Massachusetts on the family farm. John was named after his father, a deacon of the church. His father was also, at times, the town's tax collector, selectman, constable and lieutenant of the militia. His father's occupation was farming. The senior Adams was John's role model in life. John's father passed away in the flu epidemic of 1761.

Of all the famous people in the Adams' life, comparatively little is known about John's mother, Susanna Boylston Adams. She was known to have a fiery temper. She remarried in 1766 to Lt. John Hall. Apparently, John did not get along with his stepfather. Susanna Adams died in 1797, while John was serving his first year as President.

John had two younger brothers, Peter and Elihu. John Adams was the second cousin of Samuel Adams, fellow revolutionary and John was the third cousin to his future wife, Abigail Smith.
Growing up, John took advantage of the freedom given by his parents. In his autobiography, John wrote that he cared little for school and enjoyed all types of outdoor activities. John's favorite activity was hunting. After a while, John began to bring a gun along with him to school. This way he could begin hunting even before he got home from school!

John Adams' Inaugural

John Adams' Inaugural The inaugural address of John Adams in Philadelphia in March 1797.

From the site:

When it was first perceived, in early times, that no middle course for America remained between unlimited submission to a foreign legislature and a total independence of its claims, men of reflection were less apprehensive of danger from the formidable power of fleets and armies they must determine to resist than from those contests and dissensions which would certainly arise concerning the forms of government to be instituted over the whole and over the parts of this extensive country. Relying, however, on the purity of their intentions, the justice of their cause, and the integrity and intelligence of the people, under an overruling Providence which had so signally protected this country from the first, the representatives of this nation, then consisting of little more than half its present number, not only broke to pieces the chains which were forging and the rod of iron that was lifted up, but frankly cut asunder the ties which had bound them, and launched into an ocean of uncertainty.
The zeal and ardor of the people during the Revolutionary war, supplying the place of government, commanded a degree of order sufficient at least for the temporary preservation of society. The Confederation which was early felt to be necessary was prepared from the models of the Batavian and Helvetic confederacies, the only examples which remain with any detail and precision in history, and certainly the only ones which the people at large had ever considered. But reflecting on the striking difference in so many particulars between this country and those where a courier may go from the seat of government to the frontier in a single day, it was then certainly foreseen by some who assisted in Congress at the formation of it that it could not be durable.

Negligence of its regulations, inattention to its recommendations, if not disobedience to its authority, not only in individuals but in States, soon appeared with their melancholy consequences-- universal languor, jealousies and rivalries of States, decline of navigation and commerce, discouragement of necessary manufactures, universal fall in the value of lands and their produce, contempt of public and private faith, loss of consideration and credit with foreign nations, and at length in discontents, animosities, combinations, partial conventions, and insurrection, threatening some great national calamity.

The Adams Family Papers Editorial Project

The Adams Family Papers Editorial Project Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society comprised of over a quarter million manuscript pages of the letters and diaries of generations of John and Abigail Adams.

From the site:

The Adams Papers project was founded in 1954 to prepare a comprehensive published edition of the manuscripts written and received by the family of John Adams of Quincy, Massachusetts. The Adams Family Papers manuscript collection at the Massachusetts Historical Society forms the nucleus of the project. In addition, the editors have gathered over 27,000 copies of Adams items from hundreds of libraries, institutions, and individuals in the United States and abroad. The project's cut-off date is 1889, the year Abigail Brooks Adams died. The editors do not edit the Adamses words; rather, they continue the search for Adams documents, select the material to be included in the edition, provide a faithful transcription of the manuscripts, and supply annotation. To date, 36 volumes have been published by Harvard University Press.

The Adams Papers was funded originally by Time-Life Inc. and the Ford Foundation. At present funding is provided primarily by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional funding from the Lyn and Norman Lear Fund, the Packard Humanities Institute, and private donors. Over the years, these supporters have included The J. Howard Pew Freedom Trust, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and The Charles E. Culpeper Foundation through the Founding Fathers Papers, Inc.

Adams National Historical Park (National Park Service)

Adams National Historical Park (National Park Service) Overview of birthplace of John Adams, second U.S. president, and his son, John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. president. Information on activities, facilities, and how to reach the park located in Quincy, Massachusetts.

From the site:

Adams National Historical Park is located in the City of Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, approximately ten miles south of Boston. The Park comprises 11 historic structures and a cultural landscape totaling almost 14 acres.
The story encompasses five generations of the Adams family (from 1720 to 1927) including two Presidents and First Ladies, three U.S.Ministers, historians, writers and family members who supported and contributed to the success of these public figures. The site's main historic features include: John Adams Birthplace, where 2nd U.S. President John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, and less than 75 yards away the John Quincy Adams Birthplace, where his son, John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. President was born on July 11, 1767; the "Old House," home to four generations of the Adams family; the Stone Library contains more than 14,000 historic volumes and includes the book collection of John Quincy Adams; no tour is complete without a visit to the United First Parish Church, where both Presidents and the First Ladies are entombed in the Adams family crypt. There is an off-site visitor center located within one mile of the historic structures.

Regularly scheduled tours of the historic homes, are offered in season (April 19th - November 10th). The park provides a trolley bus that offers transportation between sites. You must be on a guided tour to enter the historic homes. Please be advised that tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

John Adams

John Adams This us a nice biography of President John Adams. It is from USA Presidents.

From the site:

John Adams ( October 30 , 1735 - July 4 , 1826 ) was the first ( 1789 - 1797 ) Vice President of the United States , and the second ( 1797 - 1801 ) President of the United States .

Adams was born on October 30 , 1735 in what is now the town of Quincy, Massachusetts . His father, a farmer, also named John, was a fourth generation descendant of Henry Adams, who emigrated from Devon , England , to Massachusetts about 1636 ; his mother was Susanna Boylston Adams.

Young Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1755 , and for a time taught school at Worcester and studied law in the office of Rufus Putnam. In 1758 , he was admitted to the bar. From an early age he developed the habit of writing descriptions of events and impressions of men. The earliest of these is his report of the argument of James Otis in the superior court of Massachusetts as to the constitutionality of writs of assistance. This was in 1761 , and the argument inspired him with zeal for the cause of the American colonies. Years later, when he was an old man, Adams undertook to write out, at length, his recollections of this scene; it is instructive to compare the two accounts.