Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/264

Rh War of 1812 between England and the United States broke out meanwhile, cutting off almost completely all communication with her native land, thereby intensifying her anxiety and distress on account of her separation from her children. Mr. Adams was indefatigable in his efforts in behalf of his struggling country, and by his diplomacy, culture, fine talents and loyalty so impressed Emperor Alexander that he offered to be a mediator between England and the United States. Unfortunately, this munificent offer was unsuccessful, but probably opened the way for the Treaty at Ghent, December 24, 1814. Mr. Adams represented the United States at Ghent, and was obliged to leave Mrs. Adams in St. Petersburg while he attended the commission. She had lost a baby born in St. Petersburg, and but for her remarkable courage and admirable character would have been most unhappy and a greater anxiety to her husband, already overburdened with affairs which threatened dire disaster to his country. After the signing of the Treaty she set out for Paris to join Mr. Adams and return to the United States. It was an heroic undertaking to make this long journey with her child and attendants overland through a country recently overrun by contending armies. She often told her experiences, and related incidents which taxed her genius to avoid serious embarrassment and detention. Prudence and tact finally enabled her to reach Paris on the 21st of March, 1815, immediately after the arrival of Napoleon and the flight of the Bourbons. Mrs. Adams appreciated the fact that these events were momentous, but her children were on the sea, and she was impatient to proceed to London to meet them, after being separated from them six long years. On the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Adams in London, May 25, 181 5, Mr. Adams learned that he had been appointed Minister to the Court of St. James. Hence, they again took up their residence in Great Britain, Mrs. Adams, as ever before, supplementing her illustri-