Wrote several treatises under the name: Humphrey Ploughjogger.
Vehemently opposed the Stamp Act of 1765
Elected Delegate for Massachusetts in the first and second Continental Congress.
Only President of the first 5 presidents to not be a
slave holder.
Nominated George Washington as leader of the Continental Army.
Was also not an
abolitionist:he thought it would be destabilizing to the still young nation
As a lawyer, he defended two British soldiers who were accused of being responsible for the Boston Massacre. He believed that every person deserved a defense and took the case without hesitation.
He was able to get the Captain of the two soldiers acquitted as he cast doubt as to whether the Capt. gave the order to shoot.
As the Ambassador to The Dutch Republic, he was able to secure recognition of the US as an independent nation from the Hague in 1782. (France offered diplomatic recognition in 1778).
John Adams was the first Ambassador to Great Britain in 1785.
First President to live in the White House.
Of the first 5 Presidents, he was the only non-Virginian.
No one in his family attended his Inauguration.
For the first year of his Presidency, he refused security outside his home but relented after a rise in gang violence.
July 1798: He signed the Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen--authorizing the establishment of a government-fun marine hospital.
He had parts of his personal diary read aloud (and
laughed at) in Congress.
He sent the pages back to Congress as a report on his
trip to France. They were read aloud and were found hilarious.
In 1797, he helped to try and put out the house fire of
his harshest critic, Andrew Brown. Brown had been a heavy critic of Adams Vice
Presidency. At the time of the fire, Adams was already the President-elect.
He
created the US Marine Band in 1798. They are the oldest continuously active
professional musical organization in the country.
He
was a member of the federalist party.
His
cabinet opposed many of his policies.
June
18, 1798: First act of the Alien and Sedition Act passed.
This increased the residency requirements from 5 to 14
years before citizenship could be granted.
Alien
Act passed on June 25 1798. This allowed President Adams to deport any alien he
deemed dangerous to the country’s safety.
Alien
Enemies Act Passed July 6 1798. This allowed for the apprehension and
deportation of male aliens who were subjects or citizens of a hostile country
Sedition
Act: July 14 1798. Subjected Americans to a fine and/or imprisonment for
obstructing implementation of federal law, or for publishing malicious or false
writings against Congress, President, or the gov’t. .
Under
the Sedition Act, Ben Franklin’s Grandson was arrested for “libeling” President
Adams. (Ben Franklin Bache was the editor of a Philadelphia newspaper).
Jay’s
Treaty was seen as an alliance with Britain and France suspended diplomatic
relations with the US.
Avoided war with France by sending William Vans Murray to discuss diplomatic relations with Napoleon, ending the treaty of Alliance and breaking any lingering foreign entanglements.
April
4 1800: Adams signs the Federal Bankruptcy Act.
His nickname "Colossus of Independence came from Thomas Jefferson due to his efforts in the Continental Congress in efforts to work towards independence.
A member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence
Adams led the debate that ultimately ratified the Declaration.
Was on the team (with John Jay and Benjamin Franklin) that negotiated the Peace Treaty with Great Britain.
After Losing to Thomas Jefferson in 1800, he retired from Public office and spent the rest of his days on his land in Quincy.
John Adams was not on the British "pardon" list. If Great Britain won the war, he would have been hanged.
Thought of as the father of the Military Academy. It had been his idea in 1776, but West Point would not be created till after the war.
The final dinner he gave as President was for a Delegation of Native Americans.
Lived to be 90 years old.
Spent 15 years corresponding with Jefferson, and died merely hours after him.
His last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives."
Died on July 4, 1826- the 50 year anniversary of American Independence.
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