ADAMS, GEORGE.

He was a Senator in Congress, from Adams County, Mississippi, from 1829 to 1830.

ADAMS, GREEN.

Born in Barborville, Knox County, Kentucky, August 20, 1812; was bred a farmer, but read law and adopted that profession; in 1839, he was elected to the State Legislature, and re-elected; he was a Representative in Congress, from Kentucky, from 1847 to 1849, and was a member of the Committee on Engraving. He was also a Presidential Elector in 1844, and since he left Congress, has been a Judge of the Circuit Court.

ADAMS, JOHN.

Born at Braintree, Massachusetts, October 30, 1735; graduated at Harvard University in 1755; instructed a class of scholars in Latin and Greek for a subsistence; studied law, and having been admitted to the bar, settled at Quincy to practice his profession. As a member

of the Old Congress, he was among the foremost in recommending an independent government. In 1777, he was chosen Commissioner to the Court of Versailles. On his return he was chosen a member of the Convention called to prepare a form of government for Massachusetts. In September, 1779, he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate a peace, and had authority to form a commercial treaty with Great Britain. In June, 1780,

he was appointed Ambassador to Holland; and, in 1782, he went to Paris to engage in the negotiation for peace, having previously obtained assurance that Great Britain would recognize the independence of the United States. After serving on two or three commissions to form treaties of amity and commerce with foreign powers, in 1785 he was appointed first Minister to London; and, in 1788, having been absent nine years, he returned to America. In March, 1789, the new Constitution of the United States went into operation, and he became the first Vice-President, which office he held during the whole of Washington's administration. On the resignation of Washington, he became, March 4, 1797, President of the United States. This was the termination of his public functions; and he spent the remainder of his days upon his farm in Quincy, occupying himself with agriculture, and obtaining amusement from the literature and politics of the day. He died on the fourth of July, 1826, with the same words on his lips which, fifty years before, on that day, he had uttered on the floor of Congress:-"Independence forever!" His principal publications are"Letters on the American Revolution," "Defence of the American Constitution," an "Essay on Canon and Federal Laws," a series of letters under the signature of Novanglus, and Discourses on Davila. It was as Vice-President that he had a seat in the Senate.