He held until he retired from the presidency in 1801. many offices, beginning with that of Representative to the General court (legislature), ardently working with tongue and pen for what he believed to be the best good of the country. He was a vigorous speaker, a terse and pointed, though not eloquent, writer, and being naturally somewhat pugnacious, he found plenty of occasion for the use of his best ability. As the difficulties with the mother country increased, and the future of the colonies became more uncertain, Adams was one of the first to conclude that a final rupture was inevitable; and as soon as he had come to this conclusion, threw himself with all the ardor and energy of his nature into the work of preparing the country for the impending conflict. It was mainly through his efforts that the important Congress of 1775, which sent a final petition for rights to King George III, also passed a bill to put the colonies in a state of defense, in the event of the threatened war. It was he also who perceived the importance of making Washington Commander-in-Chief, although he suggested it rather from the politic motive of binding the southern States to the interests of the Revolution, than because he then regarded him as the greatest colonial General. About this time, some of his private letters, full of candid expressions concerning men and measures, fell into hands for which they were not intended, and their publication caused considerable excitement, and roused some distrust of him, though not enough to compel him in any way to abandon his public career. Indeed, throughout his life, Adams' inclination to unwise letterwriting frequently got him into trouble, and finally sent him out of the presidential office under a peculiarly unhappy cloud. When the Revolution was finally entered upon, Adams and Jefferson were appointed a committee to draw up articles of war to govern the army; but the principal labor of preparation fell upon Adams, as did also the work of getting the necessary legislation in Congress, the latter being by far the harder part. In spite of the impulsiveness of his acts and the frequent intemperance of his speech, Adams' opinion and advice were constantly in demand, and he was ever one of the foremost figures of that important period. His really clear head and integrity of purpose were always patent, and he was called upon to fill the most important positions. He was sent to Paris on the delicate mission of securing the alliance of France for the revolting colonies; to England to treat for peace and negotiate a commercial treaty; to Holland to raise a loan for the almost bankrupt States. His services in Europe were so important to his country that he was kept there in one and another capacity for fully ten years, closing his career there at last in the capacity of Minister to the Court of St. James. Almost immediately upon his return to America, he was elected Vice-President, and occupied that office for the two terms of Washington's presidency. During Adams' presidency, the antagonism between the Federal and anti-Federal parties became so intense, and party feeling ran so high that the President, an ardent Federalist, was led into many injudicious public acts that lessened the general confidence in his judgment, and, in connection with foreign complications, ultimately overthrew the party of which he was the distinguished head. After his second nomination, he was so thoroughly beaten by his chief antagonist, Thomas Jefferson, the leader of the anti-Federalists, that he quitted the capital in bitterness of spirit and deep disappointment before the newly-elected Executive was inaugurated. Although, to a certain extent, Adams brought his defeat distinctly upon himself, still he was largely justified in considering that his country had made him a poor return for more than a quarter of a century's absolute self-devotion to its interests. He was as honest and true a patriot as a man could be; and united to a large mind a character, which, while it was not lovable, commanded always the highest esteem and respect. Adams lived twenty-five years longer in retirement at his home in Braintree, dying on the 4th of July, 1826, at the age of ninety, within an hour or two of the demise of his old friend and old rival, Thomas Jefferson. Both died on the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence. Within the last dozen years of their lives, the breach between them, caused by Adams' final political overthrow, was healed, and they opened a correspondence which was to each a great consolation during their last inactive years. CHAPTER XXXIX. THOMAS JEFFERSON, THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. His Pride in the Authorship of the Declaration of Independence – The First Genuine Democrat - His Radical Revision of the Laws of Virginia – The Final Treaty of Peace - His Views Opposed to Hamilton's Genest's Extraordinary Conduct as French Minister Love of France and French Institutions Jefferson and Aaron Burr Receive the Same Number of Votes for President Simplification of Customs and Manners His Dislike of Titles - His Personal Appearance and Delightful Companionship. T HOMAS JEFFERSON, the third President, will be remembered in history as the author of the Declaration of Independence, when his presidency has been forgotten. He was much prouder of having written that immortal document than of having held any office, and desired that the fact should be inscribed on his tomb. "The Declaration is equal," says Edward Everett, “to anything ever born on parchment, or expressed in the visible signs of thought." "The heart of Jefferson in writing it," remarks George Bancroft, "beat for all humanity." Jefferson was born at Shadwell, Va., not far from Monticello, the place associated with his name and death, April 2, 1743, and was the oldest of eight children. His parents were Peter Jefferson, a man of great mental and |