and political engagements, at home and abroad—­attempt, in the leisure of two or three summers—­his mind filled with all the great political topics of the day—­to prepare a full course of lectures on any branch of literature, to be delivered to a difficult and scrutinizing, though in part a youthful audience, and then trust them to the ordeal of the press, and he will be prepared to estimate the task which was performed by Mr. Adams.” [Footnote:  Edward Everett’s Eulogy on the Life and Character of John Quincy Adams.]

Mr. Adams’s devotion to literary pursuits was destined to an early termination.  On the 4th of March, 1809, Mr. Madison was inducted into the office of President of the United Slates.  It was at that time far from being an enviable position.  At home the country was rent into contending factions.  Our foreign affairs were in a condition of the utmost perplexity, and evidently approaching a dangerous crisis.  The murky clouds of war, which had for years overshadowed Europe, seemed rolling hitherward, filling the most sanguine and hopeful minds with deep apprehension.  Russia, under its youthful Emperor Alexander, was rising to a prominent and influential position among the nations of Europe.  Mr. Madison deemed it of great importance that the United States should be represented at that court by some individual eminent alike for talents, experience, and influence.  John Quincy Adams was selected for the mission.  In March, 1809, he was appointed Minister to Russia, and the summer following, sailed for St. Petersburgh.

In the meantime, our relations with Great Britain became every day more dubious.  While striving, in every honorable manner, to come to terms of reconciliation, President Madison was making rapid preparations for war.  The people of the United States, deprived by the non-intercourse act of the cheap productions of England, began to turn their attention and capital to domestic manufactures.  At length the American Government demanded peremptorily, that the restrictions of Great Britain and France on our commerce should be abrogated; war being the alternative of a refusal.  The French emperor gave satisfactory assurances that the Berlin decree should be withdrawn.  The English government hesitated, equivocated, and showed evident disinclination to take any decided step.

“In this doubtful state of connexion between America and England, an accidental collision took place between vessels of the respective countries, tending much to inflame and widen the existing differences.  An English sloop-of-war, the Little Belt, commanded by Capt.  Bingham, descried a ship off the American coast, and made sail to come up with it; but finding it a frigate, and dubious of its nation, he retired.  The other, which proved to be American, the President, under Capt.  Rogers, pursued in turn.  Both captains hailed nearly together; and both, instead of replying, hailed again; and from words, as it were, came to blows, without explanation.  Capt.