28 May 1817
adams-john10 Neal Millikan
203

28. VII:15. Took the morning walk through Hyde Park, and Kensington garden, with J. Bentham. I found he had already been informed of the conversation which I had yesterday with Sir Richard Philips, and he approved the answer which I gave to the proposal for setting up an American Newspaper in London. He said it was a foolish idea of Sir Richard’s, and he was very glad to hear that the American Government expended so little money upon secret service. He sent me some days ago a printed statement of the sums employed in that manner by the British Government, which amount to about half a million Sterling a year— On returning from my walk I found Mr Samuel Williams at my Office— I gave him an order upon the Brothers Baring, in favour of Jas. Maury, to discharge his last Accounts of expenditures for destitute Seamen, and took of him a check upon his bankers, for my private account— On returning to the United States, I have after some hesitation concluded to take with me most of the household furniture for a family establishment at Washington. My final determination was contrary to my own sentiment of discretion and regard to economy, and solely in compliance with the inclinations of my wife. The expence in which it has already involved me is embarrassing to my Affairs. I have reason to fear it will be much more so, in America— I am also making considerable purchases of Books, for the State and War Departments; for most of which I employ a Bookbinder named Pratt 20. Russell Court, where I called this day to bespeak a set of the new Editions of the State Trials and Parliamentary Debates— I called with Smith and George upon Winthrop, and with tickets that he had procured, went and saw the Marquis of Stafford’s collection of Pictures, said to be the most precious private collection in England— They are all of the Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and Flemish schools— No English Pictures; of which there are a number in Earl Grosvenor’s collection. The Apartments are larger and more magnificent than Lord Grosvenor’s and there are perhaps a greater number of Pictures by the first Italian Masters; but the general effect of the collection, and the particular impression of some individual pictures was greater upon my mind, at the view of Lord Grosvenor’s house last Summer, than at that of the Marquis’s now. The apartments were crowded with visitors, and we met several persons of our acquaintance— Among the rest Mr Carr, the rector of Ealing and his two daughters— From thence I went and called upon Mr Robertson; viewed his model of the Parthenon; and told him it had been already copied in the riding school of the horse guards at St. Petersburg; a piece of information which appeared to surprize more than it pleased him. I dined at the Portuguese Minister Count Palmella’s, with a diplomatic company; about twenty-persons; among whom was Lord Strangford— Accounts have within these two or three days been received of an insurrection at Pernambuco in Brezil. The information leaves it uncertain how far it has extended. Count Palmella and Lord Strangford are both of opinion, that it could be neither extensive nor formidable to the Government. They say there was neither the cause; nor the materials for a dangerous revolt— No signal misgovernment; no general discontent; Dumouriez however in the last conversation that I had with him spoke otherwise, and predicted a dangerous insurrection in Brezil.— I agreed with Count Palmella to call upon him next Monday at one, and with Prince Esterhazy to receive him at Craven-Street next Sunday at Noon— I received Letters this day, from R. W. Fox, enclosing documents to support his accounts—from Coll. Aspinwall, from Jas B Church at Cork, about his petition for the Consulate—from my Mother; from Mrs M. Manners, and from W. R. Wilson, proposing to me to visit the Lancaster school in the Borough. Also from N. G. Ingraham his corrected account.

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