John Quincy Adams Supreme Court nomination

In February 1811, diplomat and politician John Quincy Adams was nominated by U.S. President James Madison and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. However, upon receiving word of his appointment, Adams (who was serving as diplomat to the Russian Empire) declined the appointment. Joseph Story would later be appointed to the seat. Adams would continue to work as a diplomat and politician, and would later be elected president.

Adams' nomination came after two earlier successful attempts by Madison to fill the seat. His first nominee, Levi Lincoln Sr., had been quickly confirmed by the Senate, but declined to accept the judgeship. His second nominee, Alexander Wolcott, had his nomination overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate. Adams gave various reasons behind his decision to decline appointment, including that his wife, Louisa, was late into a pregnancy and that he could not make a timely return to the United States out of concern for the toll such a return trip might pose on a newborn's health. Overall, Adams was not comfortable accepting a judgeship, and preferred to continue his career in law and politics. After Adams declined, Madison nominated Joseph Story, who was confirmed by the Senate and accepted the judgeship.