John Adams
Anna N.
Louisa Catherine and Abigail Adams
John Adams was the first vice-president and the
second president of the United States of America, a young nation prospering
into the world. He believed strongly in independence and became a leader
in the movement for independence. He was extremely successful in his life
and career.
John Adams was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on October 30, 1735. He was
the oldest son. He had two younger brothers. John was more aggressive
and quick-minded than his brothers.
This is the house where John Adams grew up.
Since John was the oldest he had to receive the best education possible. That was an old New England tradition. John learned how to read, write and cipher in the one-room log school house of Dame Belcher. There was no tuition for that school. John enjoyed going to school. He was interested in his lessons. At the age of twelve John went to Latin school, where he was taught Latin, grammar, math and the "Westminster Catechism." John loved math but struggled with the "Westminster Catechism." He also did not do that well in Latin. His father was very disappointed in John. John told his father that the school was a torture for him. His father insisted that he go to college, so John went. John's young life revolved around his education.
John attended Harvard University at 1751. John's father sold thirty acres
of land to pay forty pounds a year for his son's education. His parents
wanted him to become a clergy man. Harvard was very strict and confined.
John missed the outdoor life in Braintree. Each morning John had to wake
up at five, that is when the bell rang. Then at six everyone had to go
to the chapel. Breakfast was held at seven. Classes began at eight. After
dinner the students had two hours of freedom. Afternoons at Harvard were
spent studying under the tutor's vigilant eye. Fines were imposed if anyone
was caught swearing or playing cards. John did not like his agenda. In
the end though John received a degree in arts.
After college John did not know what to do with his life. His parents
wanted him to become a minister. John agreed with his parents and went
to become a minister. After several months of studying ministry he decided
that he did not want to become a minister. John decided that he wanted
to become a lawyer. For the next couple of year's John's friend Putnam
would help him to read laws and prepare writs and briefs. In the spring
of 1756 John began his apprenticeship. 1756 was also the Seven Years'
War. On October 1, 1758 John finished his training. A friend of John's
warned him that building a law practice would be slow at times and displeasing.
On November 6 John went to Boston to be examined by the justices of the
Superior Court. He was being examined on how much knowledge he had of
the law. He had also been judged on sound of character, honorable and
God-fearing. John passed the examination. He became a confined lawyer.
His first case was held in Braintree. He tried very hard to win the case
but his efforts failed. After the trial was over the man the he was defending
called him a fine lawyer.
One of John's highest points in his law career was when he agreed to defend
Captain Thomas Preston. He wanted to defend Captain Preston for many different
reasons. One reason was that he wanted to give Captain Preston and the
eight British soldiers a fair trial. John also believed that Captain Preston
was not guilty of the crime. Another reason why he wanted to defend Captain
Preston was because that was his job. When he became a lawyer he had sworn
to give every man the right to a fair trial. He thought about his choice
for a long time but in the end he had no regrets.
After fulfilling many years of diplomatic services in Europe John Adams became the first vice-president. He became a vice-president because he ran second after George Washington in the electoral- college balloting in 1788 and 1792. Other reasons why he seemed to be the best person for the job were he helped draft the Declaration of Independence, peace treaty and helped with the formation of the Constitution. Adams had done nothing to promote his campaign. At the beginning of his vice-presidency he wanted to resign because he liked being at home, working on the farm and remodeling his house. He remained vice-president because he said that his pride would not interfere with his duty.
Adam's two terms as vice-president were not how he had envisioned them.
During his vice-presidency he would write many letters to his wife, Abigail
Adams about how his vice-presidency was going. In his letters he would
often complain to his wife about his many frustrations and troubling experiences.
In 1796 Adams won the presidency beating Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Pinckney.
He felt that he had finally been rewarded for his twelve years of public
service. He was so happy with his victory. He wished Abigail was with
him to experience this.
One of the things that Adams' is known for when he was president was the
actions he took in the French and English War. The war between France
and Britain was causing trouble for the colonists on the high seas. The
French had refused envoy and had suspended commercial relations between
the United States. John then decided to send three commissions to negotiate
with the French. The French refused unless the United States would pay
a substantial bribe. The French were referred to as the "X Y and
Z" by the Senate and Adams. After that the President and the Federalists
became very popular in America. Hostilities then began at sea. The United
States won many battles. Adams sent a peace mission to France to settle
the differences.
After his presidency Abigail and John returned to their house in Quincy,
Massachusetts. Later on they moved into a comfortable but unpretentious
house. At his house he would tend the fields, visit his neighbors. He
especially enjoyed seeing his family. His mind remained very sharp until
his death on July 4, 1826. The day John Adams died was the fiftieth anniversary
of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson also died on the
same day.
John Adams was a brilliant man that fulfilled his American Dream. He was a man that led America into independence. His courage and brilliance will always be remembered.
Bibliography
Butterfield, LH. Adams. Adams National Historical Park Quincy, Massachusetts:
U.S.
Department of Interior, National Park Service
Falkner, Leonard, ed. John Adams Reluctant
Patriot of the Revolution. Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1969.
Gardner, Joseph L. The Founding Fathers
John Adams A Biography in His Own Words.
New York: S. Arthur Dembner, 1973.
http://www.
Nps.gov/adam/
http://www.dell.
homestead.com/revwar/files/ADAM.HTM
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/presidents/html/jaz.html
http://www.commonconservative.com/library/pres2.html