The desperate valor displayed at Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, at Fort Erie and Plattsburgh, and the brilliant victories won in contests between single ships of war on the ocean and armed fleets on the lakes, vindicated the military prowess of the United States, but brought us no decisive advantage.  A suspension of the conflict in Europe followed Napoleon’s disastrous invasion of Russia, and left America alone opposed to her great adversary.  Peace was necessary, because the national credit was exhausted—­because the fortunes of the war were inclining against us—­and because the opposition to it was ripening into disorganizing councils.  Adams had prepared the way by securing the mediation of Alexander.  Then, in that critical period, associated with Russell, Bayard, the learned and versatile Gallatin, and the eloquent and chivalric Clay, he negotiated with firmness, with assiduity, with patience, and with consummate ability, a definitive treaty of peace—­a treaty of peace which, although it omitted the causes of the war already obsolete, saved and established and confirmed in its whole integrity the independence of the Republic—­a treaty of peace that yet endures, and, we willingly hope, may endure forever.

After fulfilling a subsequent mission at the Court of St. James, the pacificator entered the domestic service of the country as Secretary of State in the administration of James Monroe; and at the expiration of that administration became President of the United States.  He attained the honors of the Republic at the age of fifty-seven, in the forty-ninth year of independence.  He was sixth in the succession, and with him closed the line of Chief Magistrates who had rendered to their country some tribute of their talents in civil or military service in the war of independence.

John Quincy Adams, on entering civil life, had found the Republic unstable.  He retired in 1829, leaving it firmly established.  It was thus his happy fortune to preside at the completion of that work of consolidation, the beginning of which was the end of the labors of Washington.

John Quincy Adams engaged in this great work while yet in private life, in 1793.  He showed to his fellow-citizens, in a series of essays, the inability of the French people to maintain free institutions at that time, and the consequent necessity of American neutrality in the European war.  These publications aided Washington so much the more because they anticipated his own decision.  Adams sustained the same great cause when he strengthened the administration of Jefferson against the preponderating influence of Great Britain.  His diplomatic services in Holland and Russia secured, at a critical period, a favorable consideration in the Courts of those countries, which conduced to the same end; and his brilliant success in restoring peace to the country so sorely pressed, relieved her from her enemies, reassured her, and gave to sceptical Europe conclusive proof that her republican institutions were destined to endure.