John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

16. V:45. First day of the Washington City Races, and Dr Thornton’s horse Rattler, lost the race, to his great disappointment. I was not there— Mr Anderson the comptroller called on me. His wife and part of his family have been afflicted with the prevailing fever— Mr Joseph Nourse, the Register of the Treasury called at the Office, about an application which he made some time last Summer, for a namesake of his a Mr Henry Nourse, a British subject residing at the Cape of Good Hope and wishing for the appointment of American Consul there. I promised to remind the President of it. A young man by the name of Cooper, of Georgia, whose father lost a number of Slaves by capture from the British during the late war came to enquire into the State of the Negotiation upon the Subject. I told him that upon Mr Middleton’s arrival in Russia the Emperor had been absent, and very lately returned. We had as yet received no information that the subject of the arbitration had been brought before him; but I was assured Mr Middleton would not delay it. He asked upon what principle indemnity would be made if the decision should be in our favour— I said that indemnity for the mere value of the Slaves carried away, and only interest upon that value at the rate of six per Cent a year would be no adequate compensation for the loss. The increase of the Slave and the improvement of the 111plantation by his labour ought to be paid for— I told him I thought it would be difficult to ascertain; he said not at all. I said it was like a merchant’s claiming for indemnity, the profits of a voyage which he might have made; but he did not see the analogy— I asked him how he could say that any given slave would not have died, within a week after he had been carried away— He said he could not; but allowance might be made for that— I advised that his father should have his whole argument set forth in its utmost extent and forwarded to this Department, where all the use that could, would be made of it— He took leave giving me thanks for my attendance to the business. I called at Mr Calhoun’s Office— Mr George Hay came to pay me a visit, and found us not risen from dinner— His little daughter Hortensia, has been very dangerously ill of the fever; and he is yet deeply concerned for her. I received a Letter from my wife at Philadelphia; from which I expect her here to-morrow. Received also a Letter from the President, and wrote one to him, suggesting his return as soon as convenient to this city. He writes that he will come if desired.