Welcome to part six! We’re onto a new post-Founding Fathers era with the original nepo baby. Let’s dive into the administration of John Quincy Adams:
Inauguration – 4th March 1825
John Quincy Adams was inaugurated on this date in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol. He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Marshall, whilst Vice President John C. Calhoun was sworn in by Andrew Jackson. The election of 1824 has been a contentious one to say the least, having gone to a House vote. The new president’s father, John Adams, was still alive, but his advanced age prevented him from being present.
Henry Clay is appointed Secretary of State – 7th March 1825
Henry Clay had been an essential part of Adams’ victory, having essentially ensured that the House voted for him on the first ballot. As a reward for this, Clay was given the very plum position of Secretary of States. Andrew Jackson and his supporters decried this as a ‘Corrupt Bargain.’ Jackson would later say that one of his greatest regrets was being ‘unable to shoot Henry Clay.’ Clay would nevertheless become a major part of the administration and one of the most famous Secretaries of State. He and Adams enjoyed a good working and personal relationship, and shaped the policies of the administration together.
First State of the Union – 6th December 1825
Adams delivered his first State of the Union Address on this day. The address struck quite a conciliatory tone, contrasting with the hardships of his administration and the longtime enmity with Andrew Jackson.
Commodore David Porter is court martialed- 7th July 1825
Commodore David Porter was a famed Naval officer whose exploits as captain of the USS Essex had made him a hero in the United States. After Porter invaded a Puerto Rican town, he was court-martialed by the Navy. Charges included disobedience of orders, insubordinate conduct and conduct unbecoming. As a result, Porter was suspended for six months. The media and public were in uproar at this action. Porter then joined the Republic of Mexico as a commander, but returned to the fold under Andrew Jackson- who probably enjoyed acting against Adams- and was revered as hero throughout his life.
Andrew Jackson is renominated – 1st October 1825
Nominations for the presidency usually happen only a few months before an election, even today, but Andrew Jackson was renominated by the Tennessee legislature a record three years before 1828. It showed that many were still smarting from the controversial 1824 election and that Jackson’s personal popularity was still incredibly high. The stage was set for a rematch, as no Democrat challenged him in the next few years.
Erie Canal Opens – 26th October 1825
The Erie Canal opened on this date. Its opening permitted faster, cheaper travel that would lead to the increasing Westward expansion and the increased importance of New York City.
Treaty of Washington signed – 24th January 1826
Relations between the government and Native Americans were still tense during this time. In an attempt to make peace, the Treaty of Washington was signed on this day. In exchange for the Creek people ceding their land which bordered Georgia, they were to be given fair restitution and the ability to keep the areas which they had not yet given away. Whilst John Quincy Adams did not see the treaty as valid, it was nevertheless a flawed but peaceful attempt at harmony. The Creek people received a one-off payment of $217,600 as well as a yearly sum of $20,000. Sadly, the Creek people would be removed from their land in later years.
John Randolph and Henry Clay duel – 8th April 1826
Aaron Burr was a sitting Vice President when he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Henry Clay was Secretary of State when he met Senator John Randolph, a second cousin of Thomas Jefferson, for a duel on the 8th April 1826. The two men met in Virginia. Randolph had no intention of shooting Clay, so purposefully shot wildly. He then shot in the air during his second attempt, which made it clear that he did not intend to hurt or kill his opponent. The two men then shook hands and were friends once again. Clay’s career was unhurt, though that could have been different had one of the men been killed.
Calhoun supports Jackson – 4th June 1826
John C. Calhoun had become vice president under Adams. He nevertheless disagreed with making Clay Secretary of State, and he became disillusioned with the president. On this date, he took the plunge and openly supported Jackson. Calhoun didn’t personally like or even trust Calhoun, and the feeling was mutual, but he was so upset with Adams that he decided to support his enemy. This was a major blow to Adams and showed the cracks in his administration. Calhoun nevertheless remained an unhappy vice president under Adams- and we’ll learn more about his time under Jackson next week.
Death of Adams and Jefferson – 4th July 1826
“Thomas Jefferson survives.” This was the last thing that the ninety year-old John Adams said before he died on the 4th July 1826. He was unaware that hours earlier, Thomas Jefferson had died. Both had passed on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This was a blow to the country, who greatly mourned two of the last Founding Fathers. It was even more of a personal blow to Quincy Adams, who had lost his father. Whilst most of his family had stayed in America, Quincy had spent his early years with his father in Europe and had learned a lot from him. He signed an executive order to lower the flags to half-mast in mourning of the two deceased presidents and would mention them in the State of the Union later that year.
Resolution of War Damages – 1st November 1826
The Treaty of Ghent may have ended the War of 1812, but it left a lot hanging. Both the British and Americans got together under the mediation of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia to discuss a resolution over war damages. It would eventually include compensation for 2,400 slaves whom the British had freed.
Second State of the Union – 5th December 1826
Adams’ second State of the Union was one of mixed messages. He talked of renewed prosperity, paying off a large amount of the national debt and memories of his father and Jefferson, along with concerns over commerce with France and Britain.
Fredonian Rebellion Ends – 31st January 1827
In late December 1826, a group of white settlers in Texas attempted to create their own short-lived republic independent of Mexico. Many of the other settlers, along with local Natives and the Texas government were not thrilled by this, not least because of the behaviour of the rebel leader Haden Edwards. Edwards and his brothers were forced to flee, but were forced to flee. The Fredonian Rebellion may have been short lived, but the initial support of local Natives caused many white settlers and Mexicans to distrust them. It’s also considered by some as part of the spark that led to the Texas Revolution, Lone Star state and later joining the Union.
Closed ports to British – 1st March 1827
On this day, John Quincy Adams announced Proclamation 33. This closed American ports to British vessels in response to problems with Britain over trade. Whilst the War of 1812 had been the lowest point of Anglo-American relations since the Revolution, it showed that the two countries had not quite reached that famous ‘Special Relationship’ just yet.
MFN Trade System – 1st December 1827
On this date, a number of European nations were added to the ‘mutually favoured nation/MFN’ trade system. This showed American attempts to forge closer trading links with non-British nations, as well as an attempt to anger the mother nation.
Third State of the Union – 4th December 1827
Adams delivered his third State of the Union Address to Congress on this date. He spoke positively of international allies, though discussed tensions with Britain. Other issues discussed include infrastructure projects, finances and defense.
The Democratic Party is founded – 8th January 1828
On this date, The Democratic Party is considered to have officially been founded. It replaced the dying Democratic-Republican Party, which fielded its last candidates in 1828 (Quincy Adams and Jackson). Its initial rivals were the National Republicans and Whigs, but since the 1850s, this has been the Republican. Sixteen presidents have been Democrats, the earliest being Andrew Jackson and the latest being Joe Biden.
Treaty of Limits signed – 12th January 1828
The Treaty of Limits was a treaty that confirmed the borders between the United States and Mexico. It would be replaced in 1848 following the Mexican-American War.
Nicaraguan Canal is proposed – 1st February 1828
The idea of a canal across the geographically advantageous Nicaragua has been in the works for generations, but it was first proposed by the Guatemalan Minister to the United States, Antonio José Caóaz, on this date. The Americans were intrigued by the proposal and started efforts to make this happen, but it was never to be. Plans have been variously drawn up and shut down over the centuries.
Work begins on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad – 4th July 1828
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the oldest in the United States, and work began on it on this date. It was opened in 1830, and was active until 1987 when it was merged into a different system. The B&O was a hugely important commercial and passenger railroad and was also influential during the American Civil War.
Signed the Tariff of 1828 – 19th May 1828
The Tariff of 1824 had angered Southerners, but it was the Tariff of 1828, signed on this date, that caused major anger. Known as the ‘Tariff of Abominations,’ it saw 38% tariffs on some imported goods and 45% for certain imported raw materials. This increased the price of imports by 50% in some cases, which would be devastating for a Southern agricultural economy but more beneficial for a Northern industrial one, though New Englanders suffered under it too. This was a major part in Adams’ failed reelection and the Nullification crisis, discussed later and next week.
Death of Robert Trimble – 25th August 1828
Supreme Court Justice Robert Trimble died aged fifty-two on this date. Seeing as the death was only months from an election, it was going to be hard to confirm him. Attempts to replace him with John J. Crittenden failed, as allies of Jackson refused to see him confirmed. Crittenden would never become a justice.
Loses reelection – 2nd December 1828
With the chaos of the Tariff of 1828 and other factors, Adams’ popularity had sunk to new depths by the time the election rolled around. John C. Calhoun jumped ship and became Jackson’s ticket mate, and was replaced by Richard Rush. The election mirrored 1800 in its unmitigated mudslinging and depraved campaigning, which Jackson blamed for the early death of his beloved wife Rachel. In the end, Jackson succeeded in the rematch, making Adams only the second US president to not win re-election, the other being his father,
South Carolina Exposition and Proclamation – 19th December 1828
The unpopularity of the Tariff of 1828 didn’t end when Adams signed it. An anonymous pamphlet entitled ‘The South Carolina Exposition and Proclamation’ was circulated on this day. It argued that a state could nullify ‘unconstitutional’ federal laws. The writer was actually Vice President/Vice President-elect John C. Calhoun, who submitted the idea to the South Carolina House of Representatives. The lengthy document was an immediate precursor to the Nullification Crisis that happened under Jackson.
Left Office – 4th March 1829
After four years in office, John Quincy Adams handed the keys to the White House over to Andrew Jackson. He’d actually left Washington the night before, refusing to be part of Jackson’s inauguration- unsurprising, considering his stubborn personality and strong dislike of Jackson. Interestingly, he stayed at the house of one Commodore David Porter. Adams quickly became bored in retirement, and upset his wife by running for Congress, and winning. He was in office for the Nullification Crisis and was the lawyer representing the slaves in the Amistad case. His biggest passion was abolitionism, something he’d inherited from his parents, and was a strong opponent of the gag rule that prevented discussion about slavery. Adams was answering a question in the House when he suddenly collapsed on the 21st February 1848. He died two days later at the age of eighty, in the Speaker’s Room at Capitol Hill, with his wife and others, including a young Abraham Lincoln by his side. His ghost is said to haunt the Capitol Building.
That’s it for John Quincy Adams. Tune in next week for Andrew Jackson, in which we’ll see him deal with nullification, tariffs and those darn banks.
