Mr.Adams had made a covert but angry attack on Mr.Webster for his opposition to the Fortification Bill in the preceding Congress, when President Jackson was making such energetic demonstrations of his readiness to go to war with France.

To the surprise of his best friends, Mr.Adams warmly sustained Jackson in his belligerent correspondence with the government of Louis Philippe.

His position probably cost him a seat in the United States Senate for which he was then a candidate.
Mr.Webster preferred John Davis, who had the preceding year beaten Mr.Adams in the contest for governor of Massachusetts.

These circumstances were believed at the time to be the inciting cause for the assault on Mr.Webster.

The duty of replying devolved on Mr.Evans.