Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

BOSTON, November 5.

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

Saturday last being the birth day of the honorable John Adams, late president of the United States, the same was celebrated at Quincy, by a large number of gentlemen of that and the neighboring towns. A grateful remembrance of the important services rendered to his country by the late president, in the various scenes in which he has been called to act, particularly during his administration of the government of the United States, appeared to actuate every one present. And the unavoidable comparison between the conduct of the past and present administrations, could not but increase the interest felt upon the occasion.--The company assembled at an early hour, and waited upon Mr. Adams, at his seat, with the following address.

To the honorable John Adams, Esq.

SIR,

The return of this anniversary, cannot fail to awaken in our breasts the warmest sentiments of gratitude and esteem. It recalls to view the many important events of your public life. events intimately connected with those principles and proceedings which constitute the greatest glory of our country, and will form some of the most valuable pages in the history of nations.

We hope the liberty we have taken in personally waiting upon you on this occasion, will not be deemed an intrusion. And while we offer you our respectful congratulations, we must beg you to be assured than this visit is the result of feelings, and not of ceremony.

The early and decided part which you took in support of the liberties of America--The series of patriotic and successful exertions which distinguished you the firm, unwavering and able friend of these states. The many stations of high responsibility which you filled so much to the advantage of your fellow citizens through our revolution, gave you an honorable title to their veneration and love. But your Services to your country did not end with the accomplishment of our independence.--

Since that period, it has required and you have devoted to its cause all the energies of your mind. Your civil administration a-
President of the United States, at a crisis of peculiar difficulty and danger, warded off evils which seemed inevitable, and secured blessings that appeared unattainable. It vindicated the national honor, accommodated serious differences with two of the most powerful nations of Europe, and left the United States with the means of a speedy extinction of the public debt—a full treasury—and a flourishing commerce—to cultivate the arts of peace.

May these things be ever held in inestimable remembrance: may no untoward circumstance wholly take away the fair prospect we have had of national prosperity and greatness. For you, Sir, we offer our supplications to the Sovereign of the universe, that your invaluable life may be long preserved. In any critical conjuncture of affairs, may your countrymen yet have the benefit of that foresight, wisdom and experience, which have so often availed and supported them. And when you shall finally be called to bid adieu to this world, and its concerns, may the cheering words promised to the good and the faithful, hail you to the mansion of blessedness.

To which Mr. Adams was pleased to reply.

Gentlemen,

I should rejoice in the prolongation of my life for another year, were it only for the pleasure of seeing and embracing so many of my friends.

As every gentleman here is at least as independent of me, as I can pretend to be of him; as there is no imaginable motive of hope, apprehension, or any sinister or private interest, which, could have prompted you to a manifestation of your friendly sentiments, I am fully assured that this visit is the result of feeling and not of ceremony.

The performance of the parts which were cast to me, in the course of the revolution, though the scenes were in the secret conclave of a congress, without galleries and with closed doors, or at a thousand leagues distance beyond the seas, and the few spectators or witnesses are almost all dead, I shall leave to the candor of the public, & the judgment of posterity, with such traditionary lights as they may possess.

After as careful a review as I am capable of taking of the civil administration, during the period when I was President of the United States, I see nothing of any consequence to repent or regret. Some measures were the effect of imperious necessity, much against my inclinations. Others were measures of the legislature, which, although approved when passed, were never previously proposed or recommended by me. Some of them, left to my discretion, were never executed, because no necessity for them, in my judgment, ever occurred. I shall say no more upon this subject at present, but this, we were emancipated from two burdensome yokes, the French treaty and consular convention, which were grievous to us, and would have been intolerable to our children. The nation in future, unshackled with positive stipulations, will have only to consider her duties to sovereign powers by the law of nations, and to estimate her interest by an honest and impartial policy.

Let me add one observation more.—

Under the continual provocation, breaking and pouring in upon me from unexpected as well as expected quarters, during the two last years of my administration, he must have been more of a modern epicurean philosopher than I ever was, or ever will be, to have borne them all, without some incautious expressions at times, of an unutterable indignation. I have no other apology to make to individuals of the public.

The prospect of national greatness is as sure and certain as that of national existence. The union is our rock of safety as well as our pledge of grandeur. And for this reason I hesitate not to recommend to you as a sentiment—“A union of honest men."

I wish you, gentlemen, or the day, and for your lives, all the honest felicities, which you can possibly wish for yourselves.

JOHN ADAMS.

Quincy, Oct. 30, 1802.