of being stubborn and unflexable. He had no problems speaking out against issues he felt were unjust. He also spoke out against his own political party. "The son of a leading Federalist Party, Adams proved to be anything but a slavish devotee to that political cause. When he thought the party was in the wrong, he stood ready to oppose it. In fact, as he told his father, if he thought the country was in the wrong, he could not bring himself to solicit God's approval for its course." The final break from the Federalist Party came after Adams choice to support President Jefferson's Embargo act of 1807. "Adams, however, angered his fellow Federalists by insisting on considering each issue independently, rather than voting with the party. When he supported President Jefferson's Embargo act in 1807, the Massachusetts legislature elected his successor six months before his term expired." He later resigned in protest and returned to teach at Harvard. Despite his break with the Federalist Party, he remained active in politics. He was appointed Minister to Russia and later appointed as Secretary of State under President Monroe. President Monroe, like the Presidents before him served two consecutive terms. In 1824 he was ready to retire. The Presidential candidates were William Crawford of Georgia, Andrew Jackson of Tennessee. Henry Clay of Kentucky and John Quincy Adams, "Then Crawford was stricken, and his nomination by a small congressional caucuses was merely a gesture of respect and friendship." The four candidate race split the electoral votes. Although no one received majority needed to win the election, Jackson had received the most votes. "The four-candidate race split the electoral vote, and n one received the majority required to be elected. Jackson led Adams 99 to 84 votes, with Crawford and Clay receiving 41 and 37 votes, respectively. The stalemate drew the election into the House of Representatives. There Henry Clay, a powerful memb...
