John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

5. VII. D. P. Cook called this morning as he had promised— I reminded him of what he had told me of Ingham’s conversations with him respecting the Government of Arkansas; and of M’Duffie’s talk with him in Ingham’s chamber; and I asked him to put in writing the substance of all those Conversations— I said I did not ask him to do this for me; but for himself. I told him that all this would be history hereafter, and that those Conversations would be an important part of History. He said he regretted not having written them down at the time— I said it would have been better then; but the time being still very recent; little would now be lost of the substance; and the longer it should be delayed the less full and correct would the statement be— He said he would write it— The substance was that Ingham knowing Cook to be a Candidate for 72for the appointment of Governor of Arkansas; urged him to declare openly that he would vote for Jackson, and intimated that he should then have the appointment— Cook says he offended Ingham by his answer to this proffer, and Ingham has said nothing of it since— M’Duffie’s argument was to the same purpose— That General Jackson’s election would depend upon his, Cook’s vote. That there was a moral obligation to vote for him who had the greatest number of electoral votes— That if I should be elected it would only be by Clay’s corrupt coalition with me—and that the People would be so disgusted with this that there would be a systematic and determined opposition from the beginning so that the Administration could not get along— It would be overthrown and he would be involved in its ruin— Cook says that T. J. Rogers last evening after the party at M’Lean’s came to Cook’s lodgings, and declared that if I should be elected Pennsylvania would cordially support my Administration. That he could answer for three Presses himself; and that before he left Harrisburg, Mowry the State Printer there told him, it was nearly certain I should be elected, and he was d— glad of it. Cook says too that last Night when Ingham came home after the failure of the attempt to effect an accommodation of the affair between Clay and Kremer; he said the sword was drawn, and the scabbard thrown away— Tracy and Crowninshield were here this morning; and gave accounts of the attempt at accommodation— An apology was drawn up disclaiming any intention of imputing corruption to Clay, and declaring that he knew no fact, ascertaining that any bargain had been made; which Kremer professed himself ready to sign; and which Clay declared would be satisfactory to him. But Kremer after consulting the Pennsylvania delegation or that part of them by whom he is moved, declined signing the paper— Kremer is said to be an intemperate man; and to have acknowledged that he scarcely knew whether he had written the Letter or not— At half past eleven I attended at the Capitol the Meeting of the Commissioners of the sinking fund to make their annual report— Mr Gaillard, the President of the Senate pro Tempore, and Mr Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury were present. The Chief Justice and Attorney General absent— Mr Crawford received a note from Mr Wirt saying that he was confined to the house by indisposition. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury to the board was read by me at Mr Crawford’s request— The report of the board to the two houses of Congress was also read and then signed in triplicates— A slight error was detected in the Report of the board and corrected. The accompanying statements were read, with the exception of part of one of them; a list of payments by certain banks, which was long and Mr Crawford said had been fully examined at the Treasury. The finances of the Country are in a very flourishing condition— On signing the papers, Mr Crawford observed that he had yet so much rhumatism in the hand, that he wrote with difficulty— He had asked me to read the papers, and Mr Wirt’s note, as he could not easily read, himself. His speech is more distinct in articulation than it was. The business of the board occupied about an hour— I then went into the Senate chamber; it being Saturday the Senate were not in Session— The House of Representatives were engaged in balloting for a Committee of seven, upon the appeal of the Speaker, in his collision with George Kremer. I have always on this annual day for making the Report of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, passed two or three hours afterwards in the House 73House—witnessing their debates— From motives of delicacy, I abstained this day from going in— I returned to my house, and afterwards attended at the Office of the Department. W. Sturges called and had some conversation with me concerning his claim upon the Russian Government. He had sent me a reply to a paper of remarks delivered to me by the Baron de Tuyll— I received a note from H. R. Warfield M.H.R. from Maryland; dated yesterday, and asking me to appoint a time when I could see him this day: but it was too late. I dined with Mrs Adams at the Baron de Mareuil’s, the French Minister. Mr and Mrs Calhoun were there— Mr and Madame Durant St. André, Mr Baker the British Consul General, and his sister; and the small Corps Diplomatique, now at this place; and Genl. Dearborn— Madame St André was taken unwell at table and retired— Mrs Adams left me at Mr Pleasonton’s where there was a small Evening party. I had a free conversation with General Brown.