In availing the country of the benefit of the “Smithsonian Bequest,” and in founding the “Smithsonian Institute” at Washington, Mr. Adams took an active part.  He repeatedly called the attention of Congress to the subject, until he succeeded in causing a bill to be passed providing for the establishment of the Institute.  He was appointed one of the Regents of the Institute, which office he held until his death.

In the summer of 1843, Mr. Adams visited Lebanon Springs, N. Y., for the benefit of his health, which had become somewhat impaired, and also the health of a cherished member of his family.  He designed to devote only four or five days to this journey; but he was so highly pleased with the small portion of the State of New York he saw at Lebanon Springs, that he was induced to proceed further.  He visited Saratoga, Lake Georgia, Lower Canada, Montreal and Quebec.  Returning, he ascended the St. Lawrence and the Lakes as far as Niagara Falls and Buffalo, and by the way of Rochester, Auburn, Utica and Albany, sought his home in Quincy with health greatly improved.

Although Mr. Adams had many bitter enemies—­made so by his fearless independence, and the stern integrity with which he discharged the public duties entrusted to him—­yet in the hearts of the people he ever occupied the highest position.  They not only respected and admired the politician, the statesman, but they venerated the man! they loved him for his purity, his philanthropy, his disinterested patriotism, his devotion to freedom and human rights.  All this was manifested during his tour through New York.  It was marked in its whole extent by demonstrations of the highest attention and respect from people of all parties.  Public greetings, processions, celebrations, met him and accompanied him at every step of his journey.  Never since the visit of La Fayette, had such an anxious desire to honor a great and good man been manifested by the entire mass of the people.  His progress was one continued triumphal procession.  “I may say,” exclaimed Mr. Adams, near the close of his tour, “without being charged with pride or vanity, I have come not alone, for the whole people of the State of New York have been my companions!”

At Buffalo he was received with every possible demonstration of respect.  The national ensign was streaming from an hundred masts, and the wharves, and the decks and rigging of the vessels, were crowded by thousands anxious to catch a glimpse of the renowned statesman and patriot, who was greeted by repeated cheers.  Hon. Millard Fillmore addressed him with great eloquence.  The following is the conclusion of his speech:—­