correspondence with his fellow-commissioner, Mr.
Jefferson, then at Paris, on the subject of the Barbary powers and the
return of the Americans held captive by them. But his most engrossing
occupation at this time was the preparation of his "Defence of the
American Constitution," the object of which was the justification of
balanced governments and a division of powers, especially the
legislative, against the idea of a single assembly and a pure democracy,
which had begun to find many advocates, especially on the continent. The
greater part, however, of this book--the most voluminous of his
publications--consists of summaries of the histories of the Italian
republics, which, by the way, was not essential to the argument.

Although it afterward subjugated the author to charges of monarchical
and anti-republican tendencies, this book was not without its influence
on the adoption of the federal constitution; during the discussion of
which the first volume appeared. Great Britain not having reciprocated
the compliment by sending a minister to the United States, and there
being no prospects of his accomplishing any of the objects of his
mission, Adams had requested a recall, which was sent to him in
February, 1788, accompanied by a resolution of Congress conveying the
thanks of that body for 'The patriotism, perseverance, integrity and
diligence' which he had displayed in his ten years' experience abroad.

Immediately upon his arrival at home, Mr. Adams was RE-APPOINTED by
Massachusetts as a delegate to the continental congress; but he never
resumed his seat in that body, which was now just about to expire. When
the new government came to be organized under the newly adopted
constitution, as all were agreed to make Washington president, attention
was turned to New England for a vice-president. This office was then
held with much more regard than now. In fact, as the constitution
originally stood, the candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency
were voted for without any distinct specification as to rank, the second
office falling to the person having the second highest vote. Out of
sixty-nine electors, John Adams received the votes of thirty-four; and
this being the second highest number, he was declared vice-president.
The thirty-five votes were scattered upon some ten different other
candidates.

By virtue of his new office he became president of the senate, a
position not very agreeable to his active and leading t