CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION by the Editor

CHAPTER I.

Introductory Remarks-Biography of President John Adams

-Review of his Political Tenets-Causes of his election

CHAPTER II.

Speech of President Adams-Speech of Thomas Jefferson-

Remarks British Piracy-Mr. Monroe's Embassy

Page

7

25

33

CHAPTER III.

Speech of President Adams-Answer from the House of

Representatives-Proceedings of Congress

CHAPTER IV.

Remarks on the Meeting of Congress-History of the Al-

gerine Treaty-Blount's Conspiracy Investigated-British

Piracy

CHAPTER V.

Speech of President Adams-Address from the Senate-

Blount's Conspiracy-Quarrel between Mr. Lyon and

Mr. Griswold-Instances of a similar nature in the Par-

61

81

Page

liament of Scotland--The House of Commons in Eng-

land, and the Senate of Lucerne in Switzerland-Com-

munication of President Adams relative to the negotiation

with France-Acts passed by Congress

97

CHAPTER VI.

Reflections on the Conduct of President Adams-Dismissal

of Mr. Gardner of New Hampshire-Spies encouraged-

Anecdote of the spy Oram-Treatment of General Sump-

ter of South Carolina, at the New Circus, Philadelphia-

Federal mob on the 9th of May, 1798-Dismission of Dr.

James Reynolds from the Dispensary at Philadelphia-

Persecution by the Dunkards-Federal Addresses-Vanity

of President Adams-Remarks of Mr. Callender on the

President's answer to the New Jersey Militia-Procession

of President Adams from Quincy to Boston-Bostonian

Honours-Reception given to President Adams at Faneuil

Hall-Characters of the Senators and Members of the

House of Representatives

-

124

CHAPTER VII.

Observations upon the Alien and Sedition Bills-Arrest of

Dr. Smith and Mr. Burk-Origin of Dr. Smith's acquaint-

ance with President Adams-Trial of Colonel Matthew

Lyon-Barbarous Treatment towards French Prisoners-

Case of Joseph Ball and others

CHAPTER VIII.

Meeting of Congress-Speech of President Adams-Re-

marks-Impeachment of Blount-Gerry's Despatches-

Story of the Female Spy and her tubs of Seditious Papers

-Acts passed by Congress

160

. 171

CHAPTER IX.

Dr. Logan-Capture of L'Insurgente-Murder of Neale

Harvey-Trial of Dr. Reynolds-William Duane and

others-Attack upon the Aurora office-Case of Ebenezer

Giles

Page

191

CHAPTER X.

Trial of John Fries for High Treason

199

CHAPTER XI.

Trials of Jonathan Robbins, Isaac Williams, and William

Frothingham.

212

CHAPTER XII.

Remarks upon an Aristocratical Form of Government—The

administration of President Adams compared to an Aris-

tocracy-Quarrel at Trenton between Mr. Adams and his

Cabinet-Alexander Hamilton's Letter respecting their

difference-Appointment of an embassy to France-Cha-

racters of the Envoys-Anecdotes of President Adams and

Dr. Franklin-President Adams' jealousy and dislike to

Dr. Franklin-President Adams endeavours to calumniate

Dr. Franklin-Memoirs of Alexander Hamilton

222

CHAPTER XIII.

Meeting of the Sixth Congress-President Adams's Speech

-Death of General Washington-Proceedings of Con-

gress-John Randolph insulted at the Theatre, Philadel-

phia-Acts passed by Congress

238

CHAPTER XIV.

Remarks on the Constitution of Connecticut-Trials of

Cooper, Fries, Callender, and Holt-General Observa-

tions

CHAPTER XV.

Page

254

Lives and Characters of Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

CHAPTER XVI.

Meeting of Congress-President Adams's Speech-French

Treaty Proceedings of the House of Representatives-

Anecdote of Mr. Adams-Election of the President and

Vice-President-Observations on the Dismission of Timo-

thy Pickering and McHenry-Conclusion

APPENDIX

287

311

337

INTRODUCTION.

As it is in the revolution of empires when truly great men make themselves known, so it may be amid the turbulent strife that at times agitates the political world-when a people tired, and borne away by a ruthless intriguing faction, to save themselves from ruin, make a bold, determined stand in vindication of their sacred rights, and in defence of their liberties—it is when such powerful sentiments animate the hearts of a people born to be free, and truly enlightened views direct them to the easy attainment of benefits calculated to secure their freedom, happiness, and future prosperity, that their inmost souls expand, their mental faculties assume their natural proportion and energy, and, in defiance, come forth determined to assert those rights so important and essential to their welfare, and call to their aid those whom they are convinced will save them and their devoted country from anarchy, dissolution, and lasting disgrace.