He took the oath of office on a book of constitutional law, instead of the more traditional Bible.[98] In his inaugural address, he adopted a post-partisan tone, promising that he would avoid party-building and politically motivated appointments. He also proposed an elaborate program of "internal improvements": roads, ports, and canals. Though some were worried about the constitutionality of such federal projects, Adams argued that the General Welfare Clause provided for broad constitutional authority. He promised that he would ask Congress to authorize many such projects.[99]

Administration
The Adams cabinetOfficeNameTermPresidentJohn Quincy Adams1825–1829Vice PresidentJohn C. Calhoun1825–1829Secretary of StateHenry Clay1825–1829Secretary of the TreasuryRichard Rush1825–1829Secretary of WarJames Barbour1825–1828Peter Buell Porter1828–1829Attorney GeneralWilliam Wirt1825–1829Secretary of the NavySamuel L. Southard1825–1829
Adams presided over a harmonious and productive cabinet that he met with on a weekly basis.[100] Like Monroe, Adams sought a geographically balanced cabinet that would represent the various party factions, and he asked the members of the Monroe cabinet to remain in place for his own administration.