worth? Suppose such as christians call infidels should examine your arguments, which I have here noticed, could be persuaded to believe, that a Divine of your acknowledged talents and eminent standing, could possibly regard the Bible as otherwise valuable only as it serves the interest of that craft, which finds its use a matter of convenience? Far be it from me, Sir, to accuse you of any improper design; but I am obliged to submit to the humiliating conclusion, that talents and acquirements as shining and as valuable as yours, are, by the force of tradition, custom, habit, and fashion, employed in keeping mankind in ignorance, and in the practice of false reasoning, to their moral and religious disadvantage.

Altho I cannot persuade myself to believe, that I ought to make an apology for attempting to point out the erroneous reasoning of a fellow mortal, on the weighty subject of divine truth, I feel it to be my duty humbly to acknowledge my sense of my own fallibility, and the reason I have to be jealous of my own understanding. What I have written, therefore, must be considered, as in agreement with my honest judgment, which possibly may be as erroneous as I think the arguments are, which I have considered.

I am, Sir, with sentiments of respect and esteem, your most humble servant, HOSEA BALLOU

Death of John Adams.

Died at Quincy, Fourth of July, quarter before five o'clock, P. M. the venerable JOHN ADAMS, in his ninety-first year, Verily, we may say, he is gone "full of years and full of honors." The following obituary notice of him we take from the Essex Register.

President Adams was educated at Cambridge, and to the profession of the law.-So eminent was his standing

in that profession, that at an early age he was appointed Chief Justice of the State, but he declined this office. Amid the force of excitement produced by the Boston massacre, he dared to undertake the defence of the British troops. His success in this trial was complete. It evinced his talents and his strong sense of justice and official duty. A less intrepid spirit would not have dared to stem the current of popular indignation by engaging in such a cause. But it is not in his professional life but his political, that we are to trace his glorious career. He soon sacrificed his profession and every thing to the liberties of his fellow citizens and the independence of his country. In 1770 he was elected a representative from Boston, and in 1774 a member of the Council, but was negatived by Gov Gage, from the part he took in politics. From 1770 and previous, and until 1776, he was constantly engaged, and took a leading part in all the measures which were adopted to defend the colonies from the unjust attacks of the British parliament. He was one of the earliest that contemplated the independence of the country, and her separation from the mother country. No man in the Congress of 1776 did so much as he did to procure the declaration of Independence. It is believed that the motion was made by a member from Virginia at his suggestion, that he seconded the motion and sustained it by most powerful and resistless argument. By his influence also, Mr. Jefferson was placed at the head of the committee who framed the Declaration. His reason for procuring the motion to come from Virginia, and of placing one of ker delegation at the head of the Committee, was to engage the hearty co-operation of that great State in the work of independence. By the committee who were appointed on the subject of a separation from the mother country, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams were appointed as a sub-committee to frame a

Declaration of Independence. The draft reported, was that of Mr. Jefferson, and he has deservedly received great credit for it. But those who consider how much easier it is to draft a report than to procure its passage and adoption, and reflect that Mr. Jefferson never spoke in public, and that John Adams was the bold and daring spirit of the Congress of 1776, and the eloquent advocate of its boldest measures, cannot fail to award him the highest honor which the adoption of that declaration could confer. From the declaration of Independence until the peace, Mr. Adams was employed in the same glorious cause. Whilst Washington, at the head of our armies was fighting the battles of Liberty, and defending our country from the ravages of the enemy, Adams was employed in a service less brilliant, but scarcely less important. Through the whole war, he was exerting his talents at the various courts of Europe, to obtain loans and alliance, and every succor to sustain our armies and the cause of Liberty and our Independence. Nor did his labors cease until he had accomplished every object for which he was sent abroad, nor till he had sealed our Independence by a Treaty of Peace, which he signed with Great Britain.

Immediately after the Treaty of Peace, he was appointed Ambassador to Great Britain; on the adoption of the Constitution he was elected first Vice President of the United States. During the whole period of the Presidency of Washington, Mr. Adams was Vice President. He was as uniformly consulted by Washington as tho he had been a member of his cabinet, on all important questions. On the resignation of Washington, Mr. Adams was elected his successor.

During the administration of Mr. Adams, party spirit raged without restraint. Too independent himself to wear the trammels of either party, he was warmly supported by neither. Too open for concealment, and per

fectly void of guile and intrigue, he practised no arts to secure himself in power. At the expiration of the first term, Mr. Jefferson, the candidate of the republican party, and his successful competitor, received four votes. more than Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams then retired to pri

vate life at his seat in Quincy.

When the foreign aspect of our country became clouded, and difficulties overshadowed it, he came forth the warmest advocate of the rights of the country, and of those measures of the administration calculated to sustain them. His letter in defence of our seamen against foreign impressment, is one of the ablest and most irresistible arguments in the English language. So satisfied were those who had been politically opposed to him, of his merits and services, that he was selected by the republicans of Massachusetts, as their candidate for Governor, on the death of Gov. Sullivan-but he declined again entering into public life. He was one of the Electors, and President of the Electoral College, when Mr. Monroe was elected President of the United States. Having been the principal draftsman of the Constitution of this State, when the Convention was called to amend it in 1820, he was unanimously elected their President. On his declining this honor, unanimous resolutions were passed by this great assembly of five hundred, selected from all parties, expressive of their exalted sense of his merits and public services.

The private character of President Adams was perfectly pure, unsullied and unstained. There was no Christian or moral duty which he did not fulfil; the kindest of husbands and the best of fathers. To the excellent precepts and education which he gave his children, the nation are undoubtedly indebted for having at this time at their head his eldest son.

President Adams was serene and tranquil to the last. Conscious of having performed his duty, and of a life

well spent and devoted to his country, the blasts of calumny which assailed his declining years never ruffled the serenity of his mind. He regarded them as little as the troubled elements, for he knew that like them they would soon subside, and that then, every thing would be like his own bosom, peace and sunshine. To say that he had weak points and foibles, is but to say he was a man. But his defects were those of a bold and daring spirit, an open, generous, and confiding heart. He knew no guile, and he feared none. Having no selfish purpose to answer, he practised no arts to attain them. At the age of ninety, at the completion of a half century from the commencement of that revolution he had been so instrumental in effecting, he sunk by gradual decay into the arms of death. He lived to see his country's liberties placed on a firm and immovable basis, and the light of liberty which she diffused enlightening the whole earth. On the Jubilee of Independence his declining faculties were roused by the rejoicings in the metropolis. He inquired the cause of the salutes, and was told it was the fourth of July. He answered, “it is a great and glorious day.” He never spake more. Thus his thoughts and his latest words were like those of his whole life, thoughts and words which evinced a soul replete with love of country and interest in her welfare.

FUNERAL OF MR. ADAMS.

Agreeable to arrangements made, the remains of the Hon. JOHN ADAMS were entombed on Friday, 7th inst. at Quincy, with every token of veneration, respect and affection.

An immense body of citizens assembled from various parts of the State. Several carriages were from Salem and more remote towns.

A corps of Artillery, stationed on Mount Wallaston, fired minute guns, during the whole time of the funeral services, and several similar tokens of respect were