John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

12. VI:30. A short despatch to the Secretary of State— John and Charles returned to school, and I went into London with George. We had not been more than five minutes on the road, when we met Mr Sanders the black man, with Mr Bryden, a young Gentleman whom he had brought out as an acquaintance for George— Sanders said he expected to go for France on Thursday, and wished me to be useful to him— He was desirous of having some conversation with me— I asked him and Mr Bryden, to stay and dine with us, and promised to be at home at six O’Clock— We went to the Office in Charles Street, where I found with Mr Grubb, a Mr an American, waiting for a Passport. There were afterwards three or four others who also applied for, and obtained Passports— The Clerk of Smith the Horse dealer came again to demand payment of his account— I answered him in anger—complained of imposition—asked him if he knew the situation I stood in here, when he threatened me with a solicitor, and perceiving that in his talk, he was endeavouring to entrap me into some concession of which he might take advantage I told him I saw his drift, and should abide only by what I had written— I would pay him no more— In all this, I spoke unadvisedly with my lips, because, although I deliberately think it a scandalous attempt to impose upon me, yet it is unworthy of me for such a trifle to suffer myself to be put out of temper— Mr Carroll came with a Certificate from Captain Joshua Knight, Master of the Ship John and Adam, that he should have a passage to New-York in that vessel, and I lent him ten pounds more upon his Bill on Alexander Orrok. I gave him also the despatches for the Secretary of State, and the packets for Boston, to be delivered to Mr Storer at the New-England Coffee-House. Mr Loyall came, and brought me a few American Newspapers, and Mr Rawle for a Passport to go to France. I wrote a Note to Lord Bathurst requesting an interview with him— He was at Putney and will have my note to-morrow. A Mr: Smith an Englishman came to ask me some questions about an Estate to which he supposes himself to be entitled, in Florida. I was so much engaged that he determined to call again. A French Lady, who called herself Fleury, came to enquire after Mr Gallatin and Mr Storrow, whom she said she and her mother had known at Ghent; and Mr Gallatin at Princess Dolgorouki’s at St Petersburg— They wished to write to those Gentlemen, and they wished also to go to America— I thought but was not sure that it was Madame Julien the actress— I had ordered the Carriage at four O’Clock, and until past that hour the Office was not a moment without company.— We hastened home, and found that Mr Sanders and Mr Bryden had concluded, not to dine with us this day, but to come again on Thursday.— Instead of writing in the Evening, I read over for the second time the Exposition of the causes, and character of the War, which Cobbett has contrived to get into extensive circulation here.