Quote Analysis
"I endeavored to excuse myself upon the plea of my age and inefficiency, of the oppressive
burden of my duties as a member of the House of Representatives, and of my inexperience,
after a lapse of more than thirty years, in the forms and technicals of argument before
tribunals...But they urged me so much and represented the case of those unfortunate men as so
critical, it being a case of life and death, that I yielded.." (John Quincy Adams, 1840).
1. Restate the quote in your own words.