John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

4. V. Wrote to my wife, and finished my letter before breakfast— This is precisely a full morning’s occupation when I rise at five; and I can accomplish it twice a week. Mr Eli called upon me—last Evening from Ostend— Informed me that the Chauncey sailed Tuesday the 1st: instant, and that Mr Todd was gone to Dunkirk— We had the meeting of the mission at eleven, and discussed all the Articles as drafted— Many alterations and amendments were agreed to. Mr Clay, of all the members had alone been urgent to present an Article stipulating the abolition of the practice of impressment— I had proposed the Article offered by our Instructions of June 25. which is to refer the whole question to commissioners after the peace— Mr Clay was so urgent to present previously an Article to settle the contest, that I acquiesced in which wishes— Mr Bayard and Mr Gallatin were against proposing it— Mr Russell declined voting until I declared myself with Mr Clay in favour of proposing Mr Clay’s Article, and then Mr Russell decided to propose it— But the great difficulty was with regard to the fisheries— Mr Gallatin’s draft proposed the renewal of the right of fishing and drying fish within the British Jurisdiction, together with the right of the British to navigate the Mississippi, both taken from the Peace of 1783— I was in favour of this— Mr Clay has an insuperable objection to the renewal of the right to the British of navigating the Mississippi— I then declared myself prepared either to propose Mr Gallatin’s Article, or to take the ground that the whole right to the Fisheries was recognized as a part of our National Independence; that it could not be abrogated by the War, and needed no stipulation for its renewal. Mr Gallatin argued that on the same principle the British right to navigate the Mississippi would also be established without needing to be reviewed— Mr Clay was averse to either of the courses proposed, and said that after all if the British Plenipotentiaries, should insist upon this point, we should all finally sign the Treaty, without the provision respecting the fishery. Mr Russell expressed some doubt whether he would sign without it; and I explicitly declared that I would not; without further instructions— I could not say that would, with them.— We had not got through this discussion, when Mr Boswell and another Gentleman came in, just arrived from London, and brought us a number of Dispatches, maps and volumes for which we had written to Mr Beasley— Mr Bentzon, who also arrived last Evening from London dined with us. In the Evening some of the Gentlemen attended the concert—others played whist in Mr Clay’s chamber, and I retired to mine, and wrote. Attempted then to walk on the place d’armes, but being overtaken with rain I went and passed the remainder of the Evening at Mr Smith’s chambers— He came in about nine, from the concert— By my neglect of exercise, I begin to feel the inconvenience of growing fat—the greatest of which is indolence.