“More than five millions of dollars were appropriated to solace the declining years of the surviving officers of the Revolution; and a million and a half expended in extinguishing the Indian title, and defraying the expense of the removal beyond the Mississippi of such tribes as were unqualified for a residence near civilized communities, and in promoting the civilization of those who, relying on the faith of the United States, preferred to remain on the lands which were the abodes of their fathers.

“In the condition which we have described—­in peace with all the world, with an increasing revenue, and with a surplus of $5,125,638 in the public treasury,—­the administration of the Government of the United States was surrendered by Mr. Adams on the 3d of March, 1829.” [Footnote:  American Annual Register.]

The “Georgia Constitutionalist” thus describes Mr. Adams’ retirement from office:—­“Mr. Adams is said to be to good health and spirits.  The manner in which this gentleman retired from office is so replete with propriety and dignity, that we are sure history will record it as a laudable example to those who shall hereafter be required by the sovereign people to descend from exalted stations.  It was a great matter with the ancients to die with decency, and there are some of our own day whose deaths are more admirable than their lives.  Mr. Adams’ deportment in the Presidency was lofty and proud; but the smile with which he throws aside the trappings of power, and the graceful propriety with which he takes leave of patronage and place, are truly commendable.”

CHAPTER XI.

MR. ADAMS’ MULTIPLIED ATTAINMENTS—­VISITED BY SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN—­HIS REPORT ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES—­HIS POETRY—­ERECTS A MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF HIS PARENTS—­ELECTED MEMBER OF CONGRESS—­LETTER TO THE BIBLE SOCIETY—­DELIVERS EULOGY ON DEATH OF EX-PRESIDENT MONROE.

Few public men in any country have possessed attainments more varied than were those of Mr. Adams.  Every department of literature and science received more or less of his attention—­every path of human improvement seems to have been explored by him.  As a statesman, he was unrivalled in the profundity of his knowledge.  His state papers—­given to the world while Minister, Secretary of State, President, and Member of Congress—­his numerous addresses, orations, and speeches, are astonishing in number, and in the learning they display. [Footnote:  Aside from his state papers, official correspondence, and speeches, which would make many volumes, the Literary World gives the following list of the published writings of Mr. Adams:—­ “1.  Oration at Boston, 1793; 2.  Answer to Paine’s Rights of Man, 1793; 3.  Address to the Members of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society; 4.  Letters on Silesia; 5.  Letters on Silesia, 1804; 6.  Inaugural Oration at Harvard College, 1806; 7.  Letters to H. G. Otis, in reply to Timothy Pickering,