He was charged with basely forsaking his party--with the most corrupt venality--with the low motive of seeking to promote ambitious longings and selfish ends.

But those who made these charges in sincerity labored under an entire misapprehension of his character and principles of action.

At this day, aided by the instructive history of his life, and by a perfect knowledge of his patriotism and devotion to truth and principle, as developed in his long and spotless career, it is clearly seen that in the event under consideration he but acted up to the high rule he had adopted, of making party and sectional considerations secondary to the honor and interest of the nation--an example which no pure and high-minded statesman can hesitate to follow.
The Legislature of Massachusetts disapproved the course of Mr.Adams.By a small majority of Federal votes, it elected another person to take his place in the Senate at the expiration of his term, and passed resolutions instructing its Senators in Congress to oppose the measures of Mr.
Jefferson.

Mr.Adams could not, consistently with his views of duty, obey these instructions; and having no disposition to represent a body whose confidence he did not retain, he resigned his seat in the Senate, in March, 1808.
Although Mr.Adams gave most of his days to the service of his country, yet he was fond of literary pursuits, and acquired, during his hours of relaxation from sterner duties, a vast fund of classic lore and useful learning.

At an early day, he had become distinguished as a ripe scholar, and an impressive, dignified, and eloquent public speaker.