5-64 - LXIV. Supposed Speech Of John Adams. - McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader (revised edition) Jane Earye Fryer

 This very interesting letter from John Quincy Adams on June the 2nd, 1777, to his father, John Adams, who was, during those years of course, away on diplomatic missions for the United States. This is ideal for supplementary material for Lesson LXIV of McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader: SUPPOSED SPEECH OFJOHN ADAMS. This is from his son, writing to his father.

"Dear Sir, I love to receive letters very well. (This was when he was 9 years old) Much better than I love to write them. I make a poor figure at composition, my head is too fickle, my thoughts are running after birds eggs, play and trifles, ‘til I get vexed with myself. I have just entered the third volume of {?}, though I had designed to have got it half read through by this time. I had determined this week to be more diligent. (They don’t read {?} except in the universities now) I have set myself a stint and determined to read the third volume half out. If I can but keep my resolution, I will write again at the end of the week and give a better account of myself. I wish sir you would give me some instructions with regard to my time. And advice me how to proportion my studies, my play, in writing. I will keep them by me and endeavor to follow them. I am, dear sir, with a present determination of growing better, yours, John Quincy Adams."

LXIV. SUPPOSED SPEECH OF JOHN ADAMS.

Daniel Webster (&. 1782, d. 1852) was born in Salisbury, N.H. He

spent a few months of his boyhood at Phillips Academy, Exeter, but fitted for college under Rev. Samuel Wood, of Boscawen, N.H. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801. He taught school several terms, during and after his college course. In 1805, he was admitted to the bar in Boston, and practiced law in New Hampshire for the succeeding eleven years. In 1812, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. In 1816, he removed to Boston, and in 1827 was elected to the United States Senate, which position he held for twelve years. In 1841, he was appointed Secretary of State. He returned to the Senate in 1845. In 1850, he was reappointed Secretary of State, and continued in office until his death. He died at his residence, in

Marshfield, Mass. Mr. Webster's fame rests chiefly on his state papers and speeches. As a speaker he was dignified and stately, using clear, pure English. During all his life he took great interest in agriculture, and was very fond of outdoor sports.

1. SINK or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart to this vote. It is true, indeed, that, in the beginning, we aimed not at independence. But " There 's a divinity that shapes our ends." The injustice of England has driven us to arms; and, blinded to her own interest, she has obstinately persisted, till independence is now within our grasp. We have but to reach forth to it, and it is ours. Why then should we ... www.mcguffeysonlinetutor.com