The Abolitionist: #6 John Quincy Adams

1. Stats: 
1. Born July 11, 1767. 
2. Died Feb 23 1848
3. Married Louisa Johnson on July 26 1797
2. Suffered from depression most of his life. 
3. Served as Secretary of state for 8 years under President Monroe. 
4. He was the chief negotiator between US and GB for the end of the War of 1812.
5. Minister to Great Britain after the war of 1812.
6. His nickname "The Abolitionist" came about due to his insistence of ending slavery, despite congress telling him to stop bringing it up.
7. First Father/Son combo to both become Presidents (his father was #2, John Adams). 
1. There's only been one other Father/Son combo to date: George HW Bush and George W Bush.
8. He was the first President with a Middle name. 
9. He used his middle name in public life as a way to ensure he was not confused with his father. 
10. JQ Adams became the Minister to the Netherlands, a position he was appointed to by George Washington
11. 1796 He became the Minister to Portugal. 
12. He didn't have the drive for public service and only took his initial posting in the Netherlands at his father's insisting. 
13. He was praised on his diplomatic talents but was not still sold on the idea of being a civil servant until he heard how highly he was praised by the man himself, George Washington. 
1. Washington had called him the "most valuable of America's officials abroad." 
14. Speaking of George, JQA's eldest son was named George Washington Adams. 
15. During his Father's presidency, he was appointed Minister to Prussia. 
16. JQ was appointed Commissioner on Monetary Affairs, but Thomas Jefferson rescinded the appointment. 
17. He is the only President to have married a woman not born in the US. 
18. President Adams was a federalist but resigned his party membership after being replaced for breaking with the party and supporting the Louisiana Purchase and the Embargo Act. At this point he became Republican.
19. Served as a Professor of logic at Brown University. 
20. Madison Appointed Adams as the first Minister to Russia
21. On their way to Russia, The Adams' were delayed off the coast of Norway by the Gunboat War
22. During their time detained in Norway, Adams' learned of 38 US boats being held up and negotiated for the release of all ships. 
23. He was the only former President to serve in the House of Representatives
24. Argued the US v Amistad case to the Supreme court--and won.
25. Witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill...He and his mother watched from a hill near their house.
26. Was involved in one of the most contentious/bitter elections in history (2016s seems like competition for that title)
27. in the Election of 1824, there was no electoral majority and the decision was made in the House of Representatives. 
1. Despite Andrew Jackson winning the popular vote. 
28. Due to how he was elected, he accomplished very little in his time as President.
29. Adams was in Russia to witness Napoleon's Attack on Russia and the retreat that followed. 
30. As a diplomat, he hated the parties and balls and such hosted by European royalty and politicians. He felt they were unnecessary and took time away from important work.
31. He negotiated the Treaty of 1818 between the US and GB. The treaty was to negotiate the land borders between the US and Canada. 
32. Adams authored the Monroe Doctrine. 
33. At his Inauguration, President JQ Adams swore in on a book of Constitutional law rather than the Bible.
34. Of early presidents, he was generous toward the native americans and this caused him lots of trouble. 
35. While in the White House, he owned a pet alligator (given to him by Marquis de Lafayette)
36. First President to have his photograph taken.
37. Was offered the position of associate justice on the Supreme Court and turned it down to remain in Russia. 
38. During the war of 1812, Russia's Imperial Chancellor Nikolay Petrovich Rumyantsev offered to ask Alexander I to mediate peace between the US and Great Britain. The US agreed and Britain declined. 
39. As President, he was once locked out of the White House. He had left for church and came back to find the doors locked.
40. He was a fan of nude swimming...in the Potomac...at 5am. 
41. He did not attend Jackson's Inauguration.  
42. Had a stroke while on the floor of the House of Representatives. 
43. He died in the Speaker's chamber a few days later. 
44. One of his pallbearers was a freshman congressman from Illinois: Abraham Lincoln. 

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2016/07/10-fascinating-facts-about-john-quincy-adams-for-his-248th-birthday/

http://www.john-adams-heritage.com/john-quincy-adams-facts/

http://www.fun-facts.org.uk/american-presidents/john-quincy-adams.htm
https://www.capitol.gov/html/VGN_2010061424948.html

Presidential Fact book revised and updated (Martuz, 2009)