John Adams

John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was the first (1789–1797) Vice President of the United States, and the second (1797–1801) President of the United States. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the sixth President of the United States (1825–1829).

Post-Continental Congress

In 1778, Adams sailed for France to supersede Silas Deane in the American commission there. However, as soon as he embarked, that commission concluded the desired treaty of alliance, and he returned home in time to be elected a member of the convention which framed the Massachusetts constitution of 1780. He penned the first draft along with James Bowdoin and Samuel Adams.

Related Topics:
1778 - France - Silas Deane - Massachusetts constitution - 1780 - James Bowdoin

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Before this work had been completed, he was chosen as minister plenipotentiary for negotiating a treaty of peace and a treaty of commerce with Great Britain and again sent to Europe in September 1779. The French government, however, did not approve of Adams? appointment and subsequently, on Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes? insistence, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay and Henry Laurens were appointed to cooperate with Adams. Since Jefferson did not leave the United States for the task and Laurens played a minor role, Jay, Adams and Franklin played the major part in the negotiations. Overruling Franklin?s vote, Jay and Adams decided to break their instructions, which required them to "make the most candid confidential communications on all subjects to the ministers of our generous ally, the king of France; to undertake nothing in the negotiations for peace or truce without their knowledge or concurrence; and ultimately to govern yourself by their advice and opinion.? Instead, they dealt directly with the British commissioners, without consulting the French ministers.

Related Topics:
Minister plenipotentiary - 1779 - French - Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes? - John Jay - Henry Laurens

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Throughout the negotiations Adams was especially determined that the right of the United States to the fisheries along the British-American coast should be recognized. Eventually the American negotiators were able to secure a favorable treaty, which was signed on November 30, 1782. Before these negotiations began, Adams had spent some time in the Netherlands. In July 1780, he had been authorized to execute the duties previously assigned to Laurens. With the aid of the Dutch patriot leader Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol, Adams secured the recognition of the United States as an independent government at The Hague on April 19, 1782. During this trip he also negotiated a loan and, in October 1782, a treaty of amity and commerce, the first of such treaties between the United States and foreign powers after that of February 1778 with France.

Related Topics:
United States - November 30 - 1782 - Netherlands - 1780 - Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol - The Hague - April 19

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In 1785 John Adams was appointed the first American minister to the court of St. James's. When he was presented to his former sovereign, George III, the King intimated that he was aware of Adams's lack of confidence in the French government. Adams admitted this, stating: "I must avow to your Majesty that I have no attachment but to my own country.? While in London, Adams published a work entitled A Defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States (1787), in which he repudiated the views of Turgot and other European writers as to the viciousness of the framework of state governments. In this work, he made the controversial statement that "the rich, the well-born and the able" should be set apart from other men in a senate.

Related Topics:
1785 - Court of St. James's - Sovereign - George III - London - 1787 - Turgot - Senate

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Partly for this reason, Adams received only thirty-four out of sixty-nine votes in the presidential election of 1789. As this was the second largest number, he was declared vice-president. His vice-presidency was colored by the suspicion of many of his colleagues and made notable by the formation of two well-defined political groups—the Federalists (which Adams led along with Alexander Hamilton), and the Democratic-Republicans.

Related Topics:
Presidential election of 1789 - Federalists - Alexander Hamilton - Democratic-Republicans

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