Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/100

its triumph was decided, than ever had warmed his heart at any victory in war.

II.

In the winter of 1785, the Continental Congress had adjourned to New York, where all its subsequent sessions were held, until the organization of the constitutional government. Mr. Jefferson had been sent to fill the place of Franklin, at Paris; Mr. Adams was in London; and many of our leading characters, in affairs or in society, were in various parts of Europe, in the public service, or in pursuits of business or pleasure.

John Quincy Adams was now eighteen years of age. He had already commenced his diplomatic career, as Secretary to Mr. Dana, our Minister at St. Petersburg. He had lately returned, to complete his academical education at Harvard College, and before visiting his friends in Boston he sent back to his sister, in London, an account of his first impressions of society and politics in New York. He called on Mr. Jay, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and nest on Mr. Theodore Sedgwick, Mr. Rufus King, Mr. Nathan Dane, and other delegates in Congress from Massachusetts. Mr. Gerry, he says, was glad to see him, on account of friendship for his father; and Mr. King was very polite. They went with him to call on the President, Mr. Lee, who inquired with the kindest particularity concerning the ambassador. He also waited on Governor Clinton, and the Spanish minister, Don Diego Gardoqui. The next day President Lee, who met him at a breakfast party at Mr. Gerry's, invited him to take an apartment in his house; he endeavored to excuse himself, as well as he could, but the invitation being renewed at dinner, he consented, rather reluctantly, being doubtful whether his course would be altogether pleasing to his father, whom he regarded as the real object of the attentions