ADAMS, JOHN, the second President of the United States; was born at Braintree, near Boston, on Oct. 19, 1735. He practiced as a lawyer, and, in 1770, he was one of the selectmen deputed by the several towns of the province, who met in convention at Boston. In 1773, he became a member of the Council of State. He advocated and seconded the Declaration of Independence. In 1780 he represented the United States in Holland, and in 1782 co-operated with Franklin and the other American commissioners in negotiating a treaty of peace with England. In 1785 he became the first Minister Residentiary to the court of St. James, and stayed in England till 1788. In 1789, when Washington was elected President, he was made Vice-President, and in 1793 had the same office again conferred upon him. In 1797, on the retirement of Washington, he was chosen President, and at the close of his term of four years, being defeated for re-election by a majority of eight votes, given to his Democratic adversary, Jefferson, he retired from public life, and died at Quincy, July 4, 1826.
JOHN ADAMS