7 January 1804
adams-john10 Neal Millikan Recreation
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7. Committee met and agreed upon their report— Curious Conversation between S. Smith, Breckenridge, Armstrong and Baldwin, about “Smith’s nephew, the first Consul’s brother”— Smith swells upon it, to very extraordinary dimensions— Call’d in at the House where they decided for the Committee of inquiry 80 and 40.— I went with Mr: Tracy to his chamber and had a conversation with him, upon some resolutions which I propose to offer the Senate— It is another feather against a whirlwind— A desperate, and fearful cause, in which I have embarked— But I must pursue it; or feel myself either a coward or a traitor— Mr: Tracy approves my purpose, promises his support, and suggested to me some important ideas 61for the modification of my resolutions— Tea and spent the Evening at Mr: Pichon’s— Citizen Jerome Bonaparte, and his wife there— Also the Vice-President, Secretaries and several frenchmen— Played chess with one of them who beat me one game and gave me another— Pichon is profoundly mortified at the marriage of Jerome— He says it is impossible the first Consul should put up with it. Tis a marriage against many laws, many usages, many opinions, and many prejudices, personal, official and national, of the first Consul— Jerome is not of age; he is an Officer— He is the first Consul’s brother— The marriage will undoubtedly be broken— But P. hopes it will not affect the national honour— He has given express warning of all these facts to the Ladies parents— But they have all such an inconceivable infatuation, they and the whole family of the Smith’s for the match that make it they must, and it was really the young man who was seduced— Sam: Smith’s wife and Miss Patterson’s mother were Sisters— Spear’s— And even the sound sense of Mr: Nicholas, who he believes also married a Spear, had not been proof against this ridiculous Vanity— Pichon’s fears may be carried too far— The first Consul may think it politic to make the best of what has happened, but all the chances of rational probability are the other way.— I have not heard Nicholas say any thing on this subject, but the Smith’s are so elated with their supposed elevation by this adventure, that one step more would fit them for the discipline of Dr: Willis.—

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