Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) to Aaron Hobart
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06313.01 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 March 1836 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses disagreements in Congress over his positions at a time when, in his capacity as congressman, he was opposing patronage policies and the proposed "Gag Rule." Comments that "It was unfortunate for Mr. [Daniel] Webster that in the position he occupied on the 3d of March 1835 he hurried the Senate of the United States into a desperate quarrel with the House...upon principles so utterly untenable, and so unpatriotic, that they are sinking him and the Senate, under an unparalleled load of public odium." Although Webster and his followers are trying to take him down, Adams reports, "that Satisfaction will also be denied them." Adams was referring to Webster's successful scuttling of Roger B. Taney's nomination to replace Gabriel Duvall on the Supreme Court. On 3 March 1835, the last day of the Senate session, Webster postponed Taney's nomination by passing a bill that the House refused to agree to, thus starting the quarrel Adams mentioned.
Benjamin Hobart was Aaron's uncle.
Aaron Hobart, lawyer, jurist, state senator, and congressman, was born in Abington, Massachusetts and graduated from Brown University in 1805. He was admitted to the bar in 1809 and commenced practice in Abington, Massachusetts. In 1824, he moved to East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1814; a state senator in 1819; and in 1820 was elected a representative in the 16th congress to fill a vacancy. He was re-elected to the 17th, 18th, & 19th congresses, serving from 1820-1827. He was a member of the governor's council, 1827-31, and a probate judge from 1843-58.
[Draft Excerpt:]
I have also received advice from other quarters, of the profusion with which the Speeches recently made in both Houses of Congress pointed specially against me, are poured by the Senatorial frank into my district...Nor have I yet had the opportunity of replying even to those of them made in the House of Representatives in Revenge for my Resolution, offered for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the loss of the fortification bill. It was unfortunate for Mr. [Daniel] Webster that in the position which he occupied on the 3d of March 1835 he hurried the Senate of the United States into a desperate quarrel with the House...upon principles so utterly untenable, and so unpatriotic, that they are sinking him and the Senate, under an unparalleled load of public odium. His struggles and those of his fellow-sufferers are proportionally convulsive to retrieve their standing in the public estimation, but the die is cast. They must fall - They do their worst to demolish me as they go down, but that Satisfaction will also be denied them - I stand beyond their reach as far as the principles upon which I have acted are beyond their ken.... your friend and kinsman John Quincy Adams
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