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“ Washington appointed him minister to the Netherlands in 1794, and to Portugal in 1796, though his father's election to the presidency at this juncture interfered with his acceptance of the latter office. On July 26, 1797, he was married to Louisa Catherine, daughter of Joshua Johnson of Maryland, consular agent of the United States at London, and in the same year he was appointed minister to the court of Berlin. This appointment was made by his father after consultation with Washington, who strongly advised the promotion. ”

“ Adams's wise diplomacy, special fishery advantages were secured to the United States. A new commercial treaty was negotiated July 13, 1815, about six weeks after his appointment as minister to England. He remained in Great Britain till he received from President Monroe an appointment as secretary of state. During his occupancy of this office he secured the cession of Florida through the Spanish minister, Senor Onis, in consideration of the payment of $5,000,000 to liquidate claims against Spain by American merchants. ”

“ This is the only case on record where so young a person was entrusted with so responsible a government position. Leaving St. Petersburg he made an extended tour through Norway, Sweden, northern Germany, and Holland to France, where he joined his father, who had returned to Paris after successfully accomplishing the business which had taken him to Holland. Acting as his father's secretary, he assisted in preparing the document which later "dispersed all possible doubt of the independence of his country," and he was present on the occasion of the signing of that document. ”

“ A politician in this country must be the man of a party. I would fain be the man of my whole country." While he favored the acquisition of Louisiana, which Mr. Jefferson desired, he denied the justice and constitutionality of the methods proposed. The resolutions he offered were rejected. In the trial of Samuel Chase of the United States supreme court, and of John Pickering, district judge of New Hampshire, he was stanchly for acquittal, and held that Mr. ”

“ Adams taking a position similar to the practice of civil service afterward adopted, but Jackson claiming that "to the victors belong the spoils." During President Adams's administration General Lafayette was the nation's guest ”