John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

14. III:30.Washington. Our passage from Elkton to Baltimore was very rapid; for at half past three O’Clock in the Morning we were along side of the wharf. The opposition line has abridged nearly by one half the time of performing the Journey between Philadelphia and Baltimore—for last year I left Philadelphia at Noon and reached Baltimore the next day at five in the afternoon—29. hours. but now, leaving Philadelphia, at the same hour of Noon, we reached Baltimore, between three and four O’Clock the next Morning; less than sixteen hours. After waiting in the Boat till near five O’Clock, we walked up to Gadsby’s tavern, and were three hours in ascertaining whether we could have a room there— The house being upon our arrival entirely full. Mrs Adams had written from New-York, directing that our Coachman Harry should come with our light Coaches to Baltimore, to be there last Evening. We found he had not arrived; and supposing either that the Letter had not been received; or that some accident had prevented the Carriage from arriving, I was engaging Seats for us all in the eight O’Clock Stage; when Harry came in with our Horses and Carriage. The bad weather of yesterday had made such heavy roads, that he had broken the Pole, and a glass of the Carriage, and had been obliged to travel all night to reach Baltimore thus early this morning. I took Seats therefore in the Stage, only for myself and Philip, and left Mrs Adams and Mary Hellen to come on in our own Carriage this afternoon or to-morrow. Judge Johnson of South Carolina, with his Sister and daughter, were leaving Gadsby’s house, and left a vacant chamber for Mrs Adams. We met at Baltimore, Mr Roth, Secretary to the French legation, just embarking for France, on a leave of absence. ten Cate, the late Dutch Charge d’Affaires he told us had been with him and intended to embark with him; but yesterday suddenly went off for New-York, he believed to fight a duel, with Mr Willink, a Dutchman 414who had been the occasion of ten Cate’s being recalled, and had affronted him, by paying a Bill of Exchange, drawn by ten Cate, and which had come back protested; and endorsing upon it Paid for the honour of Holland— I had several travelling companions in the Stage; and among them Mr Latrobe the Architect, a very pleasant and social one— The roads were still heavy from the rains of yesterday. We dined at Cokendorfers, formerly Ross’s; and just at five O’Clock in the afternoon, I alighted at my house in Washington; and spent the Evening alone, in reading and writing.