ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION, 1825-1829.
[Sidenote: John Quincy Adams.]
The new President was a man of the highest attainments in literature
and statesmanship. At the age of eleven years he accompanied his
father, John Adams, to Europe. At Paris, and Amsterdam, and St.
Petersburg the son continued his studies, and became acquainted with
the politics of the Old World. In his riper years, he served as
ambassador to the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, and England.
He had also held the offices of United States Senator, and Secretary of
State.
[Illustration: John Quincy Adams.]
2. The new administration was a time of peace; but the spirit of
party manifested itself with much violence. The adherents of General
Jackson and Mr. Crawford united in opposition to the President. In the
Senate the political friends of Mr. Adams were in the minority, and
their majority in the lower House lasted for only one session. In his
inaugural address the President strongly advocated the doctrine of
internal improvements.
[Sidenote: The Creek Cession.]
3. When, in the year 1802, Georgia relinquished her claim to
Mississippi Territory, the general government agreed to purchase for
the State all the Creek lands lying within her borders. This pledge
the United States had never fulfilled, and Georgia complained of bad
faith. Finally, in March of 1826, a treaty was concluded between the
Creek chiefs and the President, by which a cession of all their lands
in Georgia was obtained. At the same time, the Creeks agreed to remove
beyond the Mississippi.
4. On the 4th July, 1826--fifty years after the Declaration of
Independence--John Adams, second President, and his successor, Thomas
Jefferson, died. Both had lifted their voices for freedom in the days
of the Revolution. One had written, and both had signed, the great
Declaration. Both had lived to see their country's independence. Both
had reached extreme old age: Adams was ninety; Jefferson, eighty-two.
[Sidenote: The Protective Tariff.]
5. The question of the tariff was much discussed in Congress at this
time. By a tariff is understood a duty levied on imported goods. The
object is--_first_, to produce a revenue for the government; and,
_secondly_, to raise the price of the article on which the duty is
laid, in order that the domestic manufacturer of the thing taxed may be
able to compete with the foreign producer. When the duty is levied for
the latter purpose it is called a _protective tariff_. Mr. Adams and
his friends favored the tariff; and in 1828 protective duties were laid
on fabrics made of wool, cotton, linen and silk; and those on articles
manufactured of iron, lead, etc., were much increased.
6. With the fall of 1828, Mr. Adams, supported by Mr. Clay, was put
forward for reelection. General Jackson appeared as the candidate of
the opposition. In the previous election Jackson had received more
electoral votes than Adams, but the House of Representatives had chosen
the latter. Now the people had their way. Jackson was triumphantly
elected, receiving one hundred and seventy-eight electoral votes
against eighty-three for his opponent.