The whole Union was highly agitated on the subject of the tariff.

The friends of domestic manufactures at the North insisted upon high protective duties, to sustain the mechanical and manufacturing interests of the country against a ruinous foreign competition.

The Southern States resisted these measures as destructive to their interests, and remonstrated with the utmost vehemence against them--in which they were joined by a large portion of the Democratic party throughout the North.
Mr.Adams, with enlarged views of national unity and general prosperity, counselled moderation to both parties.

As Chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, he strove to produce such a compromise between the conflicting interests, as should yield each section a fair protection, and restore harmony and fraternity among the people.
So important were Mr.Adams' services deemed in the Committee on Manufactures, that, on proposing to resign his post as Chairman, to fulfil other duties which claimed his attention, he was besought by all parties to relinquish his purpose.

Mr.Cambreleng, of N.Y., a political opponent of Mr.Adams, said, "It was not a pleasant duty to oppose the request of any member of the House, particularly one of his character.