It was a plain and simple design, consisting of a tablet, having recessed pilasters at the sides, with a base moulding and cornice; the whole supported by trusses at the base.

The material of which it was made was Italian marble; and the whole was surmounted by a fine bust of John Adams, from the chisel of Greenough, the American artist, then at Rome.

The inscription, one of the most feeling, appropriate, and classical specimens extant, was as follows:-- "LIBERTATEM AMICITTAM FIDEM RETINEBIS.
D.O.

M.[Footnote: Deo, Optimo, Maximo--to God, the Best and Greatest.] Beneath these Walls Are deposited the Mortal Remains of JOHN ADAMS, Son of John and Susanna (Boyalston) Adams, Second President of the United States.
Born 19-30 October, 1735.
On the fourth of July, 1776, He pledged his Life, Fortune, and Sacred Honor To the INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY.
On the third of September, 1783, Be affixed his Seal to the definitive Treaty with Great Britain Which acknowledged that Independence, And consummated the redemption of his pledge.
On the fourth of July, 1826, He was summoned To the Independence of Immortality And to the JUDGEMENT OF HIS GOD This House will bear witness to his Piety.
This Town, his Birth-place, to his Munificence: History to his Patriotism; Posterity to the Depth and Compass of his Mind.
At his side Sleeps till the Trump shall sound, ABIGAIL, His beloved and only Wife, Daughter of William and Elizabeth (Quincy) Smith.
In every relation of Life, a pattern Of Filial, Conjugal, Maternal, and Social Virtue.
Born 11-22 November, 1744.
Deceased 28 October, 1818, Aged 74.
-- -------- Married 25 October, 1764.
During a union of more than half a century, They survived, in Harmony of Sentiment, Principle and Affection, The Tempests of Civil Commotion; Meeting undaunted, and surmounting The Terrors and Trials of that Revolution Which secured the Freedom of their Country; Improved the Condition of their Times; And brightened the Prospects of Futurity To the Race of Man upon Earth.
-- --------- PILGRIM: From lives thus spent thy earthly Duties learn; From Fancy's Dreams to active Virtue turn: Let Freedom, Friendship, Faith thy Soul engage, And serve, like them, thy Country and thy Age." Mr.Adams had remained in the retirement of Quincy but little more than a single year, when the following paragraph appeared in the public prints throughout the country:-- "Mr.Adams, late President of the United States, is named as a candidate for Congress, from the district of Massachusetts now represented by Mr.
Richardson, who declines a re-election." It would be difficult to describe the surprise created by this announcement, in every quarter of the Union.

Speculation was at fault.
Would he accept or reject such a nomination?
By a large class it was deemed impossible that one who had occupied positions so elevated--who had received the highest honors the nation could bestow upon him--would consent to serve the people of a single district, in a capacity so humble, comparatively, as a Representative in Congress.