The administration of Adams was not eventful, but to his credit he made only four removals from office during his term of service, and these for good cause; he followed out the policy of his predecessors, even under pressure from his cabinet refusing to recognize either friends or enemies as such, but simply holding public officers to their duty.  So, too, in his foreign policy, which was conservative and prudent, and free from entangling alliances, at a time when the struggle for independence among the South American republics presented an occasion for interference, and when the debates on the Panama mission—­a proposed council of South and Central American republics at Panama, to which the United States were invited to send representatives—­were embarrassing to the Executive.

The services of Mr. Clay as Secretary of State were not distinguished.  He made a number of satisfactory treaties with foreign powers, and exhibited great catholicity of mind; but he was embroiled in quarrels and disputes anything but glorious, and he further found his situation irksome.  His field was the legislature; as an executive officer he was out of place.  It may be doubted whether he would have made as good a President as many inferior politicians.  He detested office labor, and was sensitive to hostile criticism.  His acceptance of the office of Secretary of State was probably a blunder, as his appointment was (though unjustly) thought by many to be in fulfilment of a bargain, and it did not advance his popularity.  He was subject to slanders and misrepresentations.  The secretaryship, instead of being a step to the presidency, was thus rather an impediment in his way.  It was not even a position of as much power as the speakership.  It gave him no excitement, and did not keep him before the eyes of the people.  His health failed.  He even thought of resignation.

The supporters of the Adams administration, those who more and more came to rank themselves as promoters of tariffs and internal improvements, with liberal views as to the constitutional powers of the national government, gradually consolidated in opposition to the party headed by Jackson.  The former called themselves National Republicans, and the latter, Democratic Republicans.  During the Jacksonian administrations they became known more simply as Whigs and Democrats.

On the accession of General Jackson to the presidency in 1829, Mr. Clay retired to his farm at Ashland; but while he amused himself by raising fine cattle and horses, and straightening out his embarrassed finances, he was still the recognized leader of the National Republican party.  He was then fifty-two years of age, at his very best and strongest period.  He took more interest in politics than in agriculture or in literary matters.  He was not a learned man, nor a great reader, but a close observer of men and of all political movements.  He was a great favorite, and received perpetual ovations whenever