Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/50

ADAMS.ADAMS. move his great soul, but confirmed his independence in adhering to what he deemed to be right. He was especially vigorous in defence of the right of petition, and it was with reference to it that the infamous "gag law" was passed in 1836, which provided that "all petitions, memorials, resolutions or papers relating in any way or to any extent whatsoever to the subject of slavery, or the abolition of slavery, shall, without being either printed or referred, be laid upon the table, and that no further action whatever shall be had thereon." Mr. Adams not only voted against this rule but added a vehement protest, saying: "I hold the resolution to be a direct violation of the Constitution of the United States, the rules of this house, and the rights of my constituents." Not only at this time but at every subsequent session of the house, Mr. Adams was outspoken against it, and at last had the satisfaction of having it revoked in 1845. He did not hesitate to express his detestation of slavery, and whenever any opening offered he uttered no uncertain words against it. With an anticipation of the future, which was well-nigh prophetic, he uttered words which became very significant in view of the Emancipation act of 1863. Without any mental reservation or secret evasion of mind, he said in 1836 to the representatives of the slave-holding states, and their northern pro-slavery friends: "From the instant that your slave-holding states become the theatre of war — civil, servile, or foreign — from that instant the war powers of the constitution extend to interference with the institution of slavery in every way in which it can be interfered with."

A conspicuous instance of his ability to meet an unexpected crisis was given at the opening of the 26th Congress in December, 1839. There was a double delegation from New Jersey, and this was made use of as a stumbling block in the organisation of the house. When the house assembles for the first time in new session, having no officer, the clerk of the preceding congress calls the members to order, reads the roll, and serves until a speaker is chosen. On calling the roll when the clerk came to New Jersey, he refused to proceed. Motions were made, debate followed, but no organization could be effected. "Towards the close of the fourth day," says Edward Everett, "Mr. Adams rose, and expectation waited on his words. Having by a powerful appeal brought the yet unorganized assembly to a perception of its hazardous position, he submitted a motion requiring the acting clerk to proceed in calling the roll. This and similar motions had already been made by other members; the difficulty was, that the acting clerk declined to entertain them. Accordingly, Mr. Adams was immediately interrupted by a burst of voices demanding — "How shall the question be put?" "Who will put the question?" The voice of Mr. Adams was heard above the turmoil, "I intend to put the question myself!" That word brought order out of chaos. There was the master-mind. A distinguished member from South Carolina (Mr. Rhett) moved that Mr. Adams himself should act as chairman of the body till the house was organized; and suiting the action to the word, himself put the motion to the house. It prevailed unanimously, and Mr. Adams was conducted to the chair amidst the irrepressible acclamations of the spectators. Well did Mr. Wise of Virginia say: "Sir, I regard it as the proudest hour of your life; and if, when you shall be gathered to your fathers I were to select the words which, in my judgment, are best calculated to give at once the character of the man. I would inscribe upon your tomb this sentence — 'I will put the question myself.'"

In 1841, at the age of seventy-four, he appeared at the bar of the supreme court of the United States to plead the cause of Cinque and thirty other Africans who had been enslaved, sold in Cuba, and who slew the master of the "Amistad," which was deporting them to their owners' plantations, drifted into United States waters, and were claimed by the Spanish authorities. The "old man eloquent" made such a convincing plea for them that the captives were set at liberty, and were afterwards conveyed to their native shores through the contributions of generous philanthropists.

Mr. Adams was stricken with paralysis in November, 1846, and was confined to the house for four months. He recognized the fact that he had been sealed by the hand of death, and his letters and papers after this time were referred to by him as "posthumous." Recovering slightly, he resumed his attendance upon the sessions of the house, and on Feb. 21, 1848, while in his seat, experienced a second and fatal attack. He was removed from the representative hall to the speaker's room and lingered in an unconscious condition till the 23d, when just before his death, he revived and said, "This is the last of earth;" and after a pause added, — "I am content."

Many of his letters, public papers, lectures, speeches, and eulogies have been published. Among them his "Letters on Silesia" (1800-1804); "Letter to Harrison Gray Otis on the Present State of our National Affairs" (1808); "Review of the Works of Fisher Ames" (1809); "Lectures on Rhetoric and Oratory" (1810); "Letters to his son on the Bible" (1848-1849); "Reports on Weights and Measures" (1821); "Letter to the Virginians in Answer to Slanders of General Alexander Smythe" (1823); "Eulogy on the Life and Character of James Monroe" (1831); "Dermott MacMorrogh, or the Conquest of Ireland" (1832); "Letters to Edward Livingston (against