John Quincy Adams Spares Assassin

One night at the White House, President John Quincy Adams faced a would-be assassin when George P. Todsen walked up intending to kill him. Instead of calling for force, Adams spoke with Todsen long enough to talk him out of the plan and defuse the confrontation. He then arranged a job for Todsen. Adams stayed in contact with him for the rest of Todsen’s life.

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