28 February 1817
adams-john10 Neal Millikan
147

28. VI: Began a Letter to Jos. Hall at Boston. I have still a considerable file of unanswered Letters, received before the close of the last year, but none of the present year, except such as there are reasons for deferring to answer. Walked from home and was overtaken by the Carriage at the Hammersmith Turnpike. Called at the Whitehall Carpet Manufactory and purchased two Brussels Carpets for G. Boyd. They were to be sent to Feltham’s N. 105. where I called (St. Martin’s Lane) and gave directions to have them shipp’d with other Articles Boyd had ordered there— Then at Christian’s to change the flannel gowns; and at Silvester’s for the Seal which was not yet ready— At Craven Street I found Cards from Mr Descaves, who returns immediately to France, and from Mr Bostwick an American, who is going next week for the United States. A man named Redman, a Lithographic Printer, or Printer upon Stone, came and shewed me many specimens of his Art. He is desirous of going to America. Smith wrote a Note to F. Freeling the Secretary of the general Post-Office, asking him to send me the Packet from Gravesend, which had been charged £10. Postage, which he had reduced to £1.— I went with Smith, and dined at Mrs A. Porter’s 56. Upper-Norton-Street. The company were, William Elliot Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Selkirkshire, a Mr and Mrs Curry of Liverpool; Mr and Mrs Lawson, Mr Boswell, and two or three others. Mr Lawson is an Inspector at the Mint. I mentioned to him that Mr Morrison the Deputy Master and worker of the Mint had sent me a Card to see it last Thursday week, which being the day of the Queen’s Drawing Room, I could not then go— I wished therefore to have the day changed. He said that Thursdays were the usual days for visitors, but I could see all the works by coming to-morrow, upon which I accordingly determined. There was a Lady Lowrie, who came in the Evening. Mrs Lawson sung a Scotch or Irish, and an Italian Song. Mr Lockhart left the table and went away immediately after dinner to attend the house of Commons. I told Mrs Porter that my Son George wished to take a copy of Sir Robert Liston’s Letter to Mr Ewart, but I could not indulge him without her permission which she readily gave. We came away between ten and eleven. I left Smith at Craven Street and reached home about half past twelve.

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