John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

6. IV: New-York— I rose immediately after day-light this Morning. The ship was within three miles of the highlands of Neversink, and the new Sandy Hook Lighthouse in full sight, as well as the two old ones; all the lights were still burning. The morning was fine, and almost all the passengers soon came upon deck. The Sun rose clear, and Venus was visible more than a quarter of an hour after he had risen— Air and Water both at 67. There were a number of vessels in sight and among the rest a Pilot-Boat Schooner from which a Pilot, named Bird, came on board at six. we had a fair and light breeze, which took us up to the wharf at New-York, where we landed at one in the afternoon immediately from the Ship. Several persons from the Custom-House came on board just before we reached the City; but they had been preceded by persons from the Newspaper Printing-Offices, who came for news. I gave Lang the Copy of the British Treasury Order which I had received from the Collector at Cowes. The approach to New-York, was slow, and the termination of the Voyage as agreeable as could be wished— The Sentiments with which after an absence of eight full and eventful years I touched once more, my native Land were of a mingled nature— Of the deepest gratitude to the Supreme disposer, for all the enjoyments and preservations of that long period, and particularly for the safe and happy close of the voyage just completed; together with an anxious forecast of the cares and perils of the new Scene upon which I am about to enter. The latter of these feelings was greater and more oppressive than it had ever been on returning to my Country heretofore. So keen indeed was the emotion of contemplating the probabilities of the future time that nothing but a firm reliance upon him who has ever been my preserver and the dispenser of every blessing, supported me from despondency. We left Antoine on board the ship to take care of our baggage and effects, for the delivery of which an Order from the Collector of the Customs will be necessary. On stepping from the wharf we met Mr Saltus whom we had known at St. Petersburg, and shortly after Mr Moses— We took lodgings at Mrs Bradish’s, on the Battery, where we found as fellow lodgers Captain Biddle of our Navy, Commodores Rogers and Decatur, Mr Graham, late chief Clerk in the Department of State, Mr John R. Livingston, and his Son, Montgomery Livingston who was last year in London; and several others. Captain Warrington of the Navy, with his Lady came in while we were at dinner, just arrived in three days from Norfolk. Immediately after dinner Mr Slade, whom we knew at St. Petersburg came in— He is also a lodger at this house. Early in the Evening he walked out with us, and I deposited many letters at the Post-Office. In Broadway we were overtaken by Mr Edward Coles just arrived from Liverpool, which he sailed from 21. June. He gave me some despatches from J. A. Smith, and among them a letter of 17—June; with some additional papers from Mr Bentham. In the Evening I had some conversation with Mr Graham, who has resigned his situation as Chief Clerk in the Department of State, and is now going with Mr Rodney to South America on a special mission concerning which he is to speak further with me to-morrow.