John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

23. Heard Mr: Allen this morning, and Mr: Emerson in the afternoon— After the service the members of the Society were detained to vote for joining in a petition with the Brattle-Street church, for a removal of the restraint limiting the power of taxation upon pews to two shillings by the week. The standing Committee were chosen agents for the purpose— Walk’d in the Mall towards evening. Call’d at Mr: Babcock’s, but did not find him at home— At Mr: Smith’s and shew’d him the Act of Incorporation I have drawn up for the Trustees of the Boylston donations— Call’d at the post-office— Rest of the Evening at home— Mr: Hall, came with Mr: B. Greene junr: to my house this morning; and with Mr: John Welles again at noon; upon the business of a new petition for an Insurance Company.— Just before dinner, Caroline came down from her chamber, and called me to look at the hearth, from the corners of which smoke was continually issuing— I had the stones and bricks of the hearth immediately taken up, and found a large beam crossing under the hearth, on fire, and burnt more than half through. We extinguished it immediately; and I sent for a mason to come to-morrow and alter the hearth.