PREFACE. THERE are few persons who can read this record of the Lives of the Presidents of the United States without the conviction, that there is no other nation which can present a consecutive series of eighteen rulers of equal excellence of character and administrative ability. Probably the least worthy of all our presidents would rank among the best of the kings whom the accident of birth has placed upon hereditary thrones; and not an individual has popular suf rage elevated to the presidential chair, whom one would think of ranking with those many royal monsters who have in turn disgraced all the courts of Europe. This record settles the question, that popular suffrage, in the choice of rulers, is a far safer relance than hereditary descent. With us, the freedom of the press is so unlimited, and political partisanship so intense, that few persons have been able to take really an impartial view of the characters of those who have been by one party so inordinately lauded, and by the other so inten.perately assailed. But, as we now dispassionately review the past, most readers will probably find many old prejudices dispelled. In writing these sketches, the author has endeavored to be thoroughly impartial, and to place himself in the posi tion which the subject of the sketch occupied, so as to look from his stand-point upon the great questions which he was called to consider. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were in political antagonism; but no man can read a true record of their lives, and not be convinced that both were inspired with the noblest zeal to promote the best interests of their country and of the human race. The writer has not thought that impartiality requires that he should refrain from a frank expression of his own views. It is an essential part of biography, that faults as well as virtues should be honestly detailed. No man is perfect. There have certainly been errors and wrong-doings in the past administration of this Government. It is not the duty of the impartial historical biographer to ignore such, or to gloss them over. They should be distinctly brought to light as instruction for the future. The materials from which the writer has drawn these biographical sketches are very abundant. Whatever of merit they possess must consist mainly in the skill which may be exhibited in selecting from the great mass those incidents which will give one the most vivid conception. of the individual. The writer has attempted, with much labor, to present a miniature likeness of each character which shall be faithful and striking. If he has failed, he can only say that he has honestly done his best. He has not deemed it expedient to encumber these pages with footnotes, as most of the important facts here stated, it is believed, are unquestioned; and all will be found substantiated in the memoirs and works, more or less voluminous, of our Chief Magistrates, contained in most of our large libraries. We have just passed through one of the most terrible storms which ever desolated a nation. Its surging billows have not yet subsided. Every reader will appreciate the delicacy of the task of writing now, in the midst of all the excitements which agitate our country, an account of the characters, which necessarily involves the administrations of Presidents Buchanan, Lincoln, and Johnson; and yet the writer feels such a consciousness that he has endeavored to be just to all, and at the same time to be faithful to the principles of a true democracy, that he cannot doubt that the final verdict will sustain his record. Neither can he doubt that every candid reader must admit that there is no government upon this globe better adapted to promote the great interests of humanity than our own. With these few words, the author submits to the public these results of many months of incessant yet delightful labor. FAIR HAVEN, CONN., May, 1869. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. CONTENTS. Ancestry of Washington — His Birth and Ch 1!hood - Anecdotes. — The Youthful Engineer. - The Farfax Famly. Life in the Wilderness. — War with the In- dians. — Ikimestır Griefs, — The French War - Washington's Heroism at Brad- docks. Defeat – Scenes of We – Marriage — Inheritance of M unt Vernon. — Domestic Habita, — American Revolution - Patriotism of Washingt in — Ap- pointed Conmanser in chief – Expa's, in of the British from Boston. — Batties of the Revolutam — Perp exities and Suferi: gs. — Spirit of de.f sacrifice. — Alliance with France — Capture of Cornwallis — Attacks upon the Caracter of Washing- ton. — The Tomahawk and Sexiping-krife. — Cione of the War. — Washington chomen Presid`at. — Ha Retirement. — Peaceful Life at Mount Vernon. --- Sickness JOHN ADAM& Ancestry of John A fams. — Aneed to of his Borhood. — State of the Country. — Mar- CHAPTER IIL Birth and Ch-fhond. — College-¦‚fe. — A Law-etu Se-st. — Earnest Scholarship. — Mar- Childhood. - College-life. — Studious Habits. - Enters Public Life. - Mental Charac- teristics. — Aid in framing the Constitution.-In Congress. Marriage. Mrs. Madison. - Alien and Sedition Laws. Secretary of State. The White House. — Life in Washington. — Friendship with Jefferson. — Abrogation of Titles. — An- ecdote. Chosen President. Right of Search. War with England. - Re-elected. -Treaty of Ghent.- Arrival of the News. Retirement to Montpelier. - Old Parentage and Birth.- Education.- Enters the Army. - A Legislator.-A Senator.- Political Views - Mission to France. - Bonaparte.- Purchase of Louisiana. - Un- friendliness of England. - Prospective Greatness of America.- Washington's Views of the French Revolution. - Col. Monroe, Governor. - Secretary both of War and of State. Elected to the Presidency. - Northern Tour. - Purchase of Spain. - Sym- pathy with Revolutionary Soldiers. - The Monroe Doctrine. Retirement and Birth and Childhood.-Education in Europe. - Private Secretary. - Enters Harvard - Birth and Education.-A Bad Boy. Keeps School. Studies Law. - Emigrates Frontier Life. Low Tastes. A Representative. - Senator. - Judge. Shop- keeper. — Major-General. — Quarrels and Duels. - Marriage and its Romance.- Fight with the Bentons. War with the Indians. - Defence of New Orleans. — Passion and Violence. - President of the United States. - Administration.- Retire Birth and Childhood. Studies Law. - Talents and Industry.- Political Principles. - - 24 Birth and Ancestry. - Enters United States Ariov — Is promoted. - Resigns his Com- fission. — heat to Congress — Governor of Indiana Territory. His Scrupulous Integr tv. — Ini.an Trabes. - Battle of Tippecanoe. — War with Great Britain. — Gov. Harrison's Perplexities and Labors. — The British repu.sed. — Tecumseh s min. — § also. Arensations. — Speech in Congress — Rep ́y to Randolph. — Letter to President Id, var. - Temperance Principles. — Views respecting Slavery. — Duel- Na Parentage –– Education and Scholarsh p. – Early Distinction. — Success at the Bar and in Political Life - Democratie Principes. - Course in the Senate. — Elected Vice-President. — Accession to the Presidency — False Position, and Embarrass- menta. — Retirement from Office —Joins in the Rebelim. – Death.. Ancestry of Mr. Polk. — His Farly Distinction. — His Success as a Lawyer - Political Life - Long Service in Congress. — Speaker in the House — Governor of Ten- nessee. — Anecdote — Poi,tical Views. — Texas Annexation - Candidate for the Presidency. — Mexican War —Its Object and Results. — Retirement. — Sickness. BACHAST TATLOR Berth — Em gration to Kentucky. - Neglected Elaration. — Enters the Army. — Life on the Frontier. —- Batties with the Indians — Campa gn in Florida. — The Mexican War. - Paio Alto - Resaca de la Palma. — Mxterey. — Boros Vata. — Nomi- Ha Low!y Birth — Struggles with Aiversity. — I im ted Filucation. — Eagernes for In- aracter of his Father - His Promise in Boyband — College life — Political Viowa. - Sanness as a Lawyer - Entrance upon Public Life - Service in the Mexican War - Landing in Mex.00. — March through the Country.— Incidents of the March. — Anecdotes. — Nomination for the Presidency. — Election. — Administration. — |