John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

1. IV:15. Saturday. Sun rose beclouded— Swam alone 1/2 an hour.

Govr. Barbour has received a very courteous Letter from Govr. Troup of Georgia upon the interest taken by the Government of U.S. in the running of the boundary line between Georgia and Alabama— Also professing great personal esteem for him— Govr. Barbour proposes that on the 4th. instt. after the usual ceremonies at the Capitol he should address the Audience and invite an immediate subscription for the benefit of Mr Jefferson— Says he proposes to give 100 dollars himself— Mr Rush came in while we speaking of it— I doubted the expediency of the measure and its success; and thought it would be more likely to succeed, if a meeting should be called and a subscription raised as elsewhere. Govr. Barbour says the late rains have done immense and irreparable damage to his Estate— His loss many thousands— Mr Rush is preparing to answer a Resolution of H.R. for a manual concerning the cultivation of silk finds the Subject grow upon him—proposes postponing the Report at least until the first Session of the 20th. Congress, and thinks of sending a person to visit the principal silk manufactures of Europe— I agreed upon the necessity of postponing the Report—but advised waiting at least till the next Session before sending an Agent, the expence of which I thought would be great. Mentioned to him the case of Hassler who was sent to Europe to procure Instruments for the Survey of the Coast—who purchased Books and Instruments to the amount of about 17000 dollars, with a charge of more than 20000 dollars additional for his compensation and expenses— Brent came with a petition for the discharge of W. Lovejoy, imprisoned for assault and battery. I signed the order. Genl. Brown came to converse upon New-York and Georgia Politics. Has nothing new. Dr Huntt brought a second, and conditional Report of the Commissioners to select sites for a Penitentiary in the District, and for a Jail in the County of Alexandria. They now have fixed the latter— Received a Letter from R. C. Weightman, the mayor of Washington, with notice that De Vaughn, the murderer of Tobias Martin was taken and in custody— After dinner I rode with John round by S. H. Smith’s and the College; and collected in the woods, twigs of seven different varieties of Oaks, which after returning I compared with the Plates in Michaux’s first Volume— One or two of them seem different from any of those described by him— We found also the Shell-bark Hickory. Mary Hellen was confined by illness to her chamber.

2. IV. Sun rose 4:36— By my Chronometer (French) 4:41.

Swam from the Boat— 20 Minutes— with symbols

Heard at Hawleys R. Darneille an Address to promote the Civilization of the Indians— The preacher said he was going to settle with his family in the Arkansas Territory, and devote the remainder of his Life to the cause. He solicited contributions; but the collection was for the colonization Society. Baker, from 1. Peter 3.15. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”— Before he had got through, a thunder shower was coming up, and he dismissed the auditory with a blessing— After dinner I rode with Mrs Adams to the Navy-Yard and Eastern Branch— On the Capitol Hill I alighted, and heard Mr Little, from Titus 2.8. “Sound Speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” This was the second of Mr Littles Discourses against the deistical scheme of a Mr Schulze, backed by Alexander Smyth, proposing simple deism and Seneca’s Morals, as a substitute for Christianity. He began by apologizing for the apparent levity of his first reply to these persons last Sunday. Offering as in part an excuse that there were sometimes things so absurd, that ridicule was the only suitable answer to them— He offered an argument to prove that it was easier to believe the existence of an omnipotent Spirit capable of creating matter and its properties;—than that matter and its properties were eternal— He then replied to Genl. Smyth’s invective against Priests—and shewed the utility of such an order of men— He also presented a parallel between certain passages of Seneca’s Morals, which he read from a Translation by Sir Roger Lestrange; and the doctrines on the same Subjects, of Christ and his Apostle, illustrating the incomparable superiority of the Gospel— Admitting that there were in Seneca’s Morals many very good thinks; but commenting with severity upon the character and history of Seneca himself— And challenging all antiquity to produce any system of morals, comparable to the 5th. 6th. and 7th. Chapters of Matthew, and the 12th Chapter of the Romans— He is to sum and conclude next Sunday eve. Mr Hawley this morning baptized a woman, and three female children.

3. IV:30. Sun rose 4:36— French 4:41—40— Swam from Rock 1/2 an hour

Mr Darneille brought a subscription paper for a discourse to be published by him, containing his plan for civilizing the Indians— His plan embraces a farm and a school; and his object is to civilize the Indians by securing to them Settlement on the soil. I asked him if he had communicated his plan to the Secretary of War— He said he had, and that he had a Letter from Mr Hamilton the Clerk in the Department charged during Mr. M’Kenney’s absence with Indian Affairs, to the Governor of Arkansas requesting his assistance to promote his contemplated establishment. I told him that his object was laudable; but the means were not approved by the white people settled in Arkansas, their very earnest object being the removal of the Indians from their neighbourhood. I advised him to see the Secretary of War again and make known to him his whole plan— Barnes came on a visit— Much dissatisfied with Knight for deciding against carrying the continuation of the Cumberland Road through Barnesville— Beverley Randolph Marshal of the Arrangements for the celebration of tomorrow brought me a note from Genl. Walter Smith, with notice that the volunteer Corps of the Brigade under his command, would if agreeable pay me a passing salute at my door at 9 O’Clock to-morrow Morning. I desired Major Randolph to return verbally my thanks to Genl. Smith for the compliment. Dr Watkins called to say that he and Mr Asbury Dickins two members of the Committee of Arrangements would attend me to the Capitol to-morrow— He also shewed me the answers from the surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Ex-Presidents, declining the invitations to attend the celebration here. Mr Jefferson’s is in his freest Style— My fathers is signed with his own hand— Mr Carroll’s apparently written with his own hand; as are Mr. Madison’s and Mr Monroe’s— Watkins shewed me likewise a Letter from Govr. . . . recommending W. G. D. Worthington. T. Ringgold the Marshal came to take directions for the arrangements of police tomorrow. T. Law, to recommend attention to the national currency— Rush with Letters from C. J. Ingersoll and Conard the Marshal at Philadelphia, concerning the second abortive attempt to sell two of E. Thompson’s Ships— I thought no further attempt should be made till after the sitting of the Court. Rush doubted much the expediency of Governor Barbour’s projected address tomorrow—but as it was announced in the papers this morning, it is best to carry it through.

4. IV:30. Independence Jubilee— Sun rose beclouded— Light Showers.

Mr Rush and Governor Barbour came about nine in the Morning; Mr M’Lean, the Postmaster General, and the Revd. Messrs. Baker and Hawley. The Volunteer Companies assembled on the Square fronting the house; and paid the passing Salute, by marching through the yard— I then joined in the procession. Mr Ringgold the Marshal, and Messrs. Watkins and Dickins two of the members of the Committee of Arrangements riding in the Carriage with me. Genl. Philip Stuart, with Commodore Bainbridge on his right and Genl Jesup on his left, immediately preceded on horseback my Carriage, bearing the Standard of the United States— Vice President Calhoun in his Carriage followed mine— Arriving at the door of the Capitol I was there met by Mr Anderson the Comptroller, with whom we entered the Hall of the House of Representatives. The Revd. Mr Ryland made an Introductory Prayer

Joseph Anderson the Comptroller, read the Declaration of Independence. Walter Jones delivered an Oration commemorative of the 50th. Anniversary The Revd. Mr Post Chaplain H.R.U.S. made a concluding prayer.

After which Governor Barbour delivered an Address to the Citizens assembled, soliciting subscriptions for the relief of Mr Jefferson— Mr Rush also upon the floor of the House made a short address to the same purpose— Not more than four or five subscribers were obtained, and notice was given by Governor Barbour, that others would have the opportunity to subscribe afterwards. The procession, with the exception of the military companies returned to the President’s House, where we received visitors till about 3. O’Clock, when I withdrew to my Cabinet— The company was far less numerous than the last year— Miss Pleasonton dined with us—and we celebrated my Son John’s twenty-third birth day. There were fire works in the Evening— Mr and Mrs W. S. Smith were here— I retired between 9 and 10. much fatigued. Jones’s Oration was ingenious, and far wide from the commonplaces of the day— But he had written it in loose fragments without much connection, and had not committed it to memory— So he read from his notes, and commented upon them extemporaneously, which made a desultory composition full of interesting matter, but producing little effect as a whole. Governor Barbour’s Address was the overflowing of a generous, benevolent and patriotic heart respectable even in its inefficiency— Mr Rush spoke also very impressively, and with correct elocution— I received a Letter from Mr Gallatin, who is not satisfied with his Instructions— He sailed on the first of this Month from New-York, on his Mission to Great-Britain.

5. V. Walk— Plucked leaves from Oaks at the foot of College-Hill.

The morning was showery, and succeeded by a North-east Storm, and copious floods of Rain— The youth who came with Mr Bouligny is a native of Louisiana, now a Student at the University of Virginia. Mr Brissenio is a Citizen of the Republic of Colombia. He has two Sons who have been sometime in this Country for their Education, and with whom he is now going to France. He brought Letters from Mr Anderson to Mr Clay and Mr Letcher— Mr Robertson who came with Govr. Barbour is Collector of the Port of Petersburg— I received and answered a Letter from my Son George— As on many other occasions I have betaken myself to a pursuit, which already absorbs too much of my Time, and would if indulged soon engross it all— The Resolution of H.R.U.S. looking to the cultivation and manufacture of Silk, and the wish to promote the plantation of live and White Oak, and perhaps other forest trees has driven me to consult at once the Books and the Forests:—and to shew me again how much I have yet to learn— The leaves that I took from three lofty and beautiful Oaks standing side by side of each other, were of three different varieties of the Tree— Two of them not described or represented by Michaux, and several of those described by him are so much alike, that I cannot determine to which of several varieties those that I find belong— I propose to commence a nursery the next Autumn, and to plant Acorns, Hickory Nuts and Chesnuts— But what is the Season for planting, and how is the nursery to be managed? I should have commenced this process at least thirty years since, but I have never had a permanent residence; and now I shall plant if at-all more for the public than for myself. Mrs Adams and Elizabeth made drawings from the leaves of the loftiest of the trees which I had visited— The leaves are of various forms on the same tree; corresponding more with the Spanish Oak of Michaux than with any other; but not well with that. I now perceive the use of teaching young Ladies to draw leaves and flowers from nature— This study is one which ought to be commenced young and pursued through a whole life— But I had had no opportunities for it. I received and answered a Letter from George. Wrote also yesterday a Letter to Mr Clay, concerning Mr Gallatin’s Instructions.

VI. III.45. Sun rose 4:38. Walk to the Race-ground.

Governor Barbour brought information of the decease of Mr Jefferson at Monticello on the 4th. instt. at 10 minutes past one. in the afternoon. A strange, and very striking coincidence. It became a question, whether the event should not be noticed by some act of the Administration. Several measures suggested themselves and were taken for further Consideration. The Precedent in the case of General Washington’s decease was adverted to and examined— But the Congress were then in Session, and excepting the orders for military honours, all was done at the recommendation and by Resolutions of that body— We now concluded that general orders to the army and navy would be proper and indispensable, and would reflect till to-morrow on the expediency of issuing a proclamation to the People— Govr. Barbour will prepare the order to the army—and Mr Rush in the absence of Mr Southard that to the Navy— And I prepared this evening the draft of a Proclamation, but after writing it became convinced in my own mind that no such paper should issue— Genl Brown introduced to me three Quakers from Ohio, one of whom Elisha Bates gave me a book of his composition containing a Summary of the doctrines of that Society, and an exhortation which appeared to be an outpouring of the Spirit— Mr Conard the Marshal of Eastern Pennsylvania came to attempt some new arrangement respecting Edward Thomson’s Ships and their Cargoes— The Insurance Companies have not carried their agreement into execution, and now wish for another. Mr Conard will confer with the Secretary of the Treasury— In my walk this morning to the Race-ground I found a number of five large Oaks with very variegated foliage, and several fine Hickories both—Shellbark, and pignut— The prevailing Oaks, are the white, Post, Red, Black, Pin, and various Nondescripts—perhaps the Spanish—

7. IV:15.— Sun rose 4:39.

I walked again through the Oak shrubbery, and selected various leaves, none however different from those I had found before— There was a meeting of the members of the Administration; Mr Southard having returned from his visit in Virginia. It was upon full consideration that there should be no proclamation, upon the occasion of the decease of Mr Jefferson, but I mentioned my opinion that it should be noticed in the next annual Message to Congress which was approved— General Orders from the War and Navy Departments, for the exhibition of funeral honours to the deceased were deemed proper— Governor Barbour prepared such an order to be sent to General Brown, and transmitted by him as Commander in Chief— Mr Southard undertook to prepare a similar order to be sent to all the naval Stations— It was also thought proper that the Inhabitants of Washington, at the Call of the Mayor and City Authorities, should take measures appropriate to the occasion— A funeral Service at the Capitol, at which the Chaplains of both Houses of Congress should officiate, occurred to me as very proper, and the selection of a person connected with the Administration, and of distinguished talents, to pronounce a funeral Eulogy, was suggested by Governor Barbour, and Mr Rush, who mentioned Mr Wirt the Attorney General as well qualified for the task. General Brown was also here, and upon receiving the Order from the War Department will prepare an order to be sent to all the Military Stations— Henry Lee called and told me that he had been last week to Monticello, to consult some papers relating to the revolutionary War, in Mr Jefferson’s possession, and of which he had promised Mr Lee the perusal— He was there last week on Thursday, when Mr Jefferson was though ill, yet able to converse with him on the subject, and hoped to be able to examine the papers with him in a few days— But from that time Mr Jefferson grew worse, and on Sunday Lee gave up all expectation of seeing the papers, and left Monticello and Charlottesville—and returned. Mr Southard came a second time, with papers relating to the purchase of one of the Greek frigates building at New-York. Contostavlo and the contracting Houses, have left the questions about their Accounts to an arbitration— Mary Roberdeau was here this Evening.

8. IV:5. Sun rose 4:38— Swam 45 minutes from the Boat.

The mail this morning brought me three Letters— One dated the 3d. from my brother Charles’s daughter, Mrs Susan B. Clarke, informing me that my father’s end was approaching—that she wrote me, because my brother was absent in Boston— That Dr Holbrook who was attending as his Physician thought he would probably not survive two days, and certainly not more than a fortnight— The second was from my brother written on the morning of the fourth, announcing that in the opinion of those who surrounded my father’s couch, he was rapidly sinking— That they were sending an Express for my Son George, in Boston, who might perhaps arrive in time to receive his last breath— The third was from my brother’s wife to her daughter Elizabeth, to the same purport, and written in much distress. I immediately took the determination to proceed as speedily as possible to Quincy, and the remainder of the day was occupied in making preparations for my departure to-morrow Morning. Mr Southard, Mr Rush, and Mr Barbour were here separately in the course of the day, and together in the Evening; as was Mr Brent of the Department of State— I left the Affairs of each Department in charge of the Officer at its head; and had not even time to give directions with regard to any special business of either Department. I signed an Order for the discharge of Harry Thomas from prison upon a forfeited Recognizance; and had conversation with Mr Rush upon the applications of the Insurance Companies respecting the Sales of Edward Thomson’s Ships and their Cargoes— It was agreed that the Security of the Insurance Companies should be taken for one another— Mr. Southard is to purchase one of the Greek Ships, if the Agent Contostavlo, is desirous of making the Sale— The further proceedings of funeral honours to Mr Jefferson I left altogether to be settled by the Heads of the Departments. Mrs Frye and Mrs W. S. Smith were with us this Evening, and I was up in anxiety and apprehension till near Midnight. The suddenness of the notice of my father’s danger was quite unexpected. Some weeks since my brother had written to me that he was declining, though not so as to occasion immediate alarm, and my intention had been to visit him, about the beginning of the next Month. I had flattered myself that he would survive this Summer and even other years.

9. IV.— Sun rose 4:39— Washington— Baltimore— Frenchtown.

At 5 this morning I left Washington, with my Son John, in my own Carriage with four horses— Yesterday had been one of the hottest days of the Summer, and there was every prospect that this day would be not less so. A light easterly breeze however came up as the Sun rose, and continued through the day— The heat of the Sun was however intense— My Servant William Pote was sent with our trunks of heavy baggage in the Stage— We stopp’d half an hour between seven and eight at Ross’s tavern; and reached Merrill’s at Waterloo, where we breakfasted, before eleven— Mr Merrill told me that he had come this morning out from Baltimore, and was informed there that my father died on the fourth of this Month, about five o’clock in the afternoon. From the Letters which I had yesterday received this event was so much expected by me, that it had no sudden and violent effect on my feelings— My father had nearly closed the ninety-first year of his life: A life illustrious in the Annals of his Country, and of the World— He had served to great and useful purpose his Nation, his Age, and his God— He is gone, and may the blessing of Almighty Grace have attended him to his Account— I say not, may my last End be like his! it were presumptuous— The time, the manner, the coincidence with the decease of Jefferson, are visible and palpable marks of divine favour, for which I would humble myself in grateful and silent adoration before the Ruler of the Universe— For myself all that I dare to ask is that I may live the remnant of my days in a manner worthy of him from whom I came, and at the appointed hour of my maker die as my father has died; in peace with God and man, sped to the regions of futurity with the blessings of my fellow men— We proceeded on to Baltimore, and dined at Barnum’s tavern— I wrote a short Letter to my wife to be taken by the Coachman, who returns with the Carriage and Horses to Washington— At Baltimore I saw the New-York Evening-Post of Friday the 7th. containing a hand-bill of the 5th. issued from the Courier Office at Boston; with an Account of the proceedings of the Governor and Council of Massachusetts, and of the City Authorities of Boston, upon the decease of my father— Coll. Bentalou the U.S. Marshal called upon me and accompanied me to the Steam-boat Constitution Captain Thomas— We left the wharf at 5 in the afternoon, with a bright and fervent Sun;—and a very gentle breeze. Passengers in the boat few. I slept from 8 in the Evening till we arrived at Frenchtown at Midnight: There I took a Stage to Newcastle.

10. We had rather a tedious ride to Newcastle, where we arrived about four in the morning— The latter part of the Night was chilly— We embarked at Newcastle, in the Steam-boat Baltimore Captain Wheldon, who gave me the Berth in his own Cabin where I slept a couple of hours. We arrived at Philadelphia about 9. I called upon Mr John Sergeant, and then upon C. J. Ingersoll, where I found R. Peters junr and Dr. John Hopkinson— I spoke to Mr Ingersoll concerning the case of E. Thomson and his teas, and particularly the claim of Nevins. I said I thought the Security of the Insurance companies for one another should be taken— That every measure consistent with indispensable regard to the public interest, should be taken to avoid all unnecessary pressure upon that of Individuals, and that the sales of the Teas and the ships should be made in such manner as would be most conducive to the interest of all parties concerned. I said he might consider himself so far authorised to act, by me, as he would in two or three days receive a communication to the like effect from The Secretary of the Treasury. I asked R. Peters to procure for me some Chesnuts from the trees in his fathers Garden, planted by his father and by President Washington— He promised to furnish me both with nuts and with young trees from them. At Noon I embarked in the Steam-boat Philadelphia for Trenton. John Sergeant determined to go with me to New-York— Peters came as far as Trenton; and J. Connell to Bristol— We had also as fellow-Passengers in the Boat Judge King, Charles Shaler, and Dr. Joel B. Sutherland going on a tour Eastward as Commissioners, appointed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, to report upon a Penitentiary system. Mr Wharton and G. Clymer were also Passengers in the Boat. We grounded two or three times before reaching Trenton, and were delayed about an hour; but got to the wharf about 5. P.M— I invited Messrs. King, Shaler and Sutherland to ride with me to Brunswick— Shaler having his wife with him, declined— The others, with Sergeant came with me. The day was intensely warm, with a bright Sun; but after his setting we had a cool evening ride, and alighted at the Steam-boat Hotel in Brunswick, about ten at Night— The House was very full, and the accommodations indifferent— My Son John and I had a very small chamber with two beds between us— Commodore Bainbridge’s daughter, Mrs Hays, with her husband Captain Hays were also passengers in the Boat, and I ought to have recognized them, but did not till they were named to me.

11. IV. Brunswick. New-York. Long Island Sound. My age 59.

Embarked at Brunswick in the Steam-boat Emerald at 5 in the morning an hour earlier than we had been told last night; whereby several of the passengers narrowly missed losing their passage— The Boat grounded three times, and we were detained nearly two hours— We reached New-York at half past eleven— George Sullivan met us at the Boat. I stopp’d and dined at the City Hotel— Sergeant, King, Shaler, Sutherland, Wharton, G. Sullivan, Charles King and Joseph Blunt dined with us. I received visits from P. Hone the Mayor, and two Aldermen of the City with friendly condolence from the city authorities on the decease of my father— The Mayor delivered to me a Letter from himself, with a copy of the Resolutions, for which I requested him to assure the Aldermen and common Council of my sensibility and gratitude; and promised to send him at an early day a written answer— I had visits also from Coll. Tattnall of Georgia, C. C. Cambreleng, Stephen M. White of Salem: Mr Vose, arrived this morning by water from New-Orleans, and who gave me a Letter from my brother’s wife’s brother Charles Harrod to her— Mr Bogert the Russian Consul, and some others also called upon me— I wrote a short Letter to my wife, and at three in the afternoon took leave of my friends, and embarked in the Steam-Boat Connecticut, Captain Comstock. I found as fellow Passengers, Mr Henry Wheaton with two Children, a Mr Church of Providence, and many others, all Strangers— The weather was intensely warm, and when we came to the passage of Hell-gate, the Water was scarcely at half-tide— We had no small difficulty in stemming the current, and laboured slowly through the passage. Mr Wheaton introduced to me a Mr Parmentier, a Frenchman, engaged in cultivating a vineyard upon Long-Island. He is going to Boston, and shewed me several Letters of Introduction to highly respectable persons there. He raises only European grapes, from a theory opposite to that of Mr Adlum— He was very communicative according to the French manner, and very sangwine of success— The Evening was fair, with a cooling breeze, and our boat made rapid progress up the Sound. I was left much of the Evening to my reflections upon this return of my birth-day, and the peculiar circumstances with which it is attended. The duty of weaning myself from the world, and all which it inherits is that which impressed itself most forcibly upon my mind; not without the consciousness of my own frailty, and of the need of assistance and support from the Spirit of Truth.

12. V. Off Gull-Island Light-House. Newport. Providence. Boston.

The day was fine, and on rising this Morning the Steam-boat was off the Gull-Island Light— Before I left the Boat, two passengers introduced themselves to me— Henry Swett, aged 38. Son of the late Dr Swett of Newbury-Port— He is now a resident of Philadelphia— And a manufacturer from Bolton in England named Orrell—who as well as his father mother and six or seven brothers and Sisters have emigrated as manufacturers to this Country— His father is dead, but all the rest have prospered, and are established— Some in New-York— Others in Rhode-Island, where he himself is going— We touched at Newport at half past ten. Mr D. J. Pearce came on board, and gave me a pressing invitation to stop there on my return— At half past one we arrived at Providence, and I took immediately a Carriage to proceed to Boston— I invited Mr Davis, a Son of Jonathan Davis of Boston, and his Cousin Miss Deblois to ride with me— Mr Wheaton and his children went no farther than Providence. At Attleborough we saw Coll. Hatch. Dined at Fuller’s at Waltham, and at 1/2 past 9 in the Evening alighted at Hamilton’s Exchange Hotel, at Boston— Four days from Washington— The weather all the time fine; but the heat intense— Fahrenheit’s Thermometer this day at 96. Immediately after arriving, I sent for my Son George to Dr. Welsh’s— He was then out, and after waiting for him till past eleven I retired to bed— He came in shortly after, and was with me till near one in the morning. He informed me of the circumstances of my father’s last moments, and of those attending the funeral— George himself was on the 4th at Boston, expecting to attend with his company at the celebration of the day; an Express was sent for him, and he came out about noon— My father recognized him, looked upon him, and made an effort to speak, but without success— George was with him at the moment when he expired, a few minutes before Six in the Evening— Mr Quincy who on the 4th delivered an Oration at Boston came out the next Morning— The arrangements for the funeral were made with his concurrence— It took place on Friday the 7th. There was a great concourse of people from this and the neighbouring Towns— Mr Whitney delivered a Sermon, from 1. Chron. 29.28. [“]He died in a good old age, full of days and honor.” About two thousand persons took a last look, at his lifeless face; and all that was mortal of John Adams was deposited in the Tomb.

13. IV:30. Boston. Quincy.— Night of intense heat.

I know not that I ever experienced at Washington a warmer Night. The morning however was cooler— Mr Edward Cruft, Dr. T. Welsh, Mr D. Webster, Judge Joseph Hall, and Mr F. C. Gray called upon me this morning— After breakfast, I came out with my two sons, George and John to Quincy— I found at my fathers House, my brother with his family, consisting of his wife, his daughter Abigail Smith, his sons Thomas Boylston junr. a Cadet on the establishment at West Point, but now here on a furlough—John Quincy, and Joseph Harrod—his second daughter, Elizabeth Coombs, being now with my wife at Washington, and his second Son, at School at Roxbury— Louisa C. Smith is also here and my brother Charles’s eldest daughter, the widow Susan B. Clarke, with her only daughter Susan: all well— Mrs Hall, once Elizabeth Smith, youngest daughter of my Uncle, my mother’s Uncle, Isaac, came out and spent the day here; and returned this Evening to Boston— General H. A. S. Dearborn also came out in the Evening, and W. H. Adams son of Elihu Adams of Abington— At. 6 this afternoon, with my brother, my two, and his three Sons, I went and bathed at Mr Daniel Greenleaf’s wharf— Water very warm— But that eruptive efflorescence on my skin, which was troublesome to me before I left Washington, has not yet passed off. I swam from the upper to the lower wharf and returned. Coming back I stopped at Mr Daniel Greenleaf’s. Mr and Mrs Whitney, and their Son George were there— A Mr Ingraham a brother to the one whom we saw in Russia, with his wife, and some other persons also— The weather turned cool this Evening— The family remains here still, as it was before— Every thing about the house is the same. I was not fully sensible of the change till I entered his bed-chamber, the place where I had last taken leave of him; and where I had most sat with him at my two last yearly visits to him at this place— That moment was inexpressibly painful, and struck me as if it had been an arrow to the heart. My father and my mother have departed. The charm which has always made this house to me an abode of enchantment is dissolved: and yet my attachment to it, and to the whole region round is stronger than I ever felt it before— I feel it is time for me to begin to set my house in order, and to prepare for the Church-yard myself— Other duties in the meantime devolve upon me from this recent event, the full extent of which I pray that I may know— As I do for the holy Spirit of grace to discharge them.

14. IV. Sun rose 4: Bath

Bathed this Morning with the same party as last Evening— I swam from wharf to wharf— But the same eruptive heat which was troublesome to me before I left Washington, continues, and seems to be more irritated by the Salt water, than by that of the River. The company occupied most of the day— My reflections upon my own situation and duties engrossed the remainder, so that I found barely time for writing to my wife— My father by his Will has given me the option of taking this House, and about 93. Acres of Land round it, upon securing the payment of ten thousand dollars with interest in three years from the time of his decease— After making this bequest he made a donation to the town of part of the Lands; detaching eight Acres on the road, of the grounds opposite to the house, but leaving the condition unaltered. It is repugnant to my feelings, to abandon this place where for near forty years he has resided, and where I have passed many of the happiest days of my life— I shall within two or three years if indulged with life and health need a place of retirement— Where else should I go— This will be a safe and pleasant retreat where I may pursue literary occupations, as long and as much as I can take pleasure in them— I cannot sufficiently anticipate my own dispositions to know, whether the Country will for the whole remnant of my days fill up my time and attention so much as to sustain the interest of existence— From an active and much agitated life, to pass suddenly and forever to a condition of total retirement and almost of Solitude, is a trial to which I cannot look without some concern and with far more for my immediate family connections than for myself. Perhaps I shall find that in the Winter Season, the excitement of a City will prove to be a necessary of Life— But even in that case the Country will be not less indispensable as a Residence for the Summer— By taking this place I avoid the necessity of building a house which would be a heavy aggravation of expence— It is also no small object to me to secure to my brother and his family the means of remaining here, at least until he can look round him to find a residence more suitable to him— This he probably could not do before the ensuing Spring— Mr Gimbrede is an Engraver, and Instructor of drawing at West-Point— He wishes to engrave a Design, embracing Portraits of my father, and of Mr Jefferson, in one picture; to which I gave him strong encouragement. He asked permission to copy for engraving, the Portrait of my father last painted by Stuart, for me, which is at Mr Cruft’s—and I consented—

15. V:30— Cool— Cloudy— Little Rain.

Read my father’s Will, with my brother— We examined partly the papers left by him, and compared the devises with the subsequent donations to the Town of Quincy— Many deeds of Real Estate the location of which is to be ascertained.— Mr Quincy came at 3. this afternoon, and we looked over the papers together— Several Questions arise as to the meaning of the Will— Mr Quincy thinks the Sales directed by the Will must be at Auction— Bonds are to be given by him and me to the Judge of Probate, both as Executors and as Trustees— How is the Will affected by the subsequent devise to the Town? How by his donations to me? Meaning of the Term Family Pictures— I agreed to see the Judge of Probate, and make arrangements with him for the Probate of the Will, and the Execution of the Bonds: and then give notice to Mr Quincy— I spoke with T. Greenleaf concerning the building of the Temple, directed by my father’s donations— And of my wish to have a vault under it where the remains of my father and mother may be deposited, with a marble slab with a commemorative Inscription— He said he would have a meeting of the Parish called to consider of the subject, and thought they would readily agree to this proposal— T. J. Hellen is going to pass his vacation at Washington— His Expenses exceed the sum of 500 dollars a year which was his allowance; and he has contracted some debts. Andrew Adams a man of 91. is a relation of the family born at Milton, and now residing at Lancaster New Hampshire. He came to visit my father, but arrived too late— I walked up with George to the graveyard and visited the Sepulchres of my forefathers— John and T. B. junr. went to Boston and returned at Night bringing Letters from R. Rush and Jas Barbour— Coll. J. B. Davis had brought me this morning a Letter of condolence and compliment from Governor Lincoln— I answered that which I had received from the Major of N. York.

16. V.— Sun rose beclouded— Cleared off warm.

Heard Mr Whitney from 1. Corinthians 15.19. [“]If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”— A discourse somewhat occasional, upon the decease of my father— But he preached a Sermon at the funeral— I have at no time felt more deeply affected by that Event, than on entering the Meeting House, and taking in his pew the Seat which he used to occupy— Having directly before me, the pew at the left of the pulpit which was his father’s, and where the earliest devotions of my childhood were performed— The memory of my father and mother, of their tender and affectionate care, of the times of peril in which we then lived, and of the hopes and fears which left their impressions on my mind came over me, till involuntary tears started from my eyes— I looked around the house, with enquiring thoughts—where were those whom I was then wont to meet in this house— The aged of that time; the Pastor by whom I had been baptized, the deacons who sat before the communion table, have all long since departed— Those then in the Meridian of life have all followed them— Five or six persons then children like myself, under the period of youth were all that I could discern, with grey hairs and furrowed cheeks, two or three of them with families of a succeeding generation around them. The house was not crowded, but well filled—though with almost another race of men and women— It was a comforting reflection that they had the external marks of a Condition much improved upon that of the former age— Mr Brooks of Hingham preached in the afternoon from Revelations 2.10. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life”— Also an occasional Sermon, intelligent and affecting. Mr Brooks called after church for about half an hour, but could not stay to tea— I answered Governor Barbour’s Letter— I had agreed to go this afternoon with Mr Quincy to the judge of Probate’s, to ascertain when he would grant Probate of my father’s Will, but in consequence of Mr Brooks’s visit, postponed it. I walked with my Son George down to Mr Quincy’s and spent the Evening with his family. His daughter lately married, Mrs Green, was not there and an elderly Lady, Mrs Jackson were there. Miss Quincy shewed me her drawings of views in Quincy, among which are the houses at the foot of Penn’s Hill, in which my father and my self were born— Mr Quincy and his Son Josiah walked with us, part of the way home.

17. IV:30— Sun rose beclouded. Rain-storm from Noon till Night.

Mrs. Miller widow of the late Charles Miller was the daughter of a German Physician, who came to this Country before or during the War of our Revolution and settled at Newbury-Port. I was there acquainted with him and his family from 1787 to 1790. while reading Law in the Office of Theophilus Parsons, afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of this Commonwealth— Mrs. Miller’s father’s name was Schmidt, which in this Country he changed to Smith— This daughter was named Hannah Smith— She afterwards married Charles Miller, a Son of a former Minister of the Episcopal Church in this town; born here; and after residing many years as a merchant in Boston, removed back and deceased here— Edward Miller is a Son of Charles by a former wife— Joseph Smith a brother of Mrs. C. Miller and his wife was a Miss Mary Ann Glyde, a relative of the Miller family. George W. Beale is I believe the only surviving Son of Captain Benjamin Beale, late my father’s next door neighbour—excepting my Classmate Benjamin Beale who has resided many years in France— I bathed at ten this Morning with my Son George, at D. Greenleaf’s wharf, and swam about 20 minutes— The remainder of the day I was occupied in making some arrangement of my father’s papers relating to his Estate, and in making a list of the Deeds of Conveyance which he left, which I did not complete— My Sons were at the same time making out lists of the books, furniture and Plate— I had intended to go this afternoon over to the judge of Probate’s Robbins, but was prevented by the weather— I answered the Letter of condolence of Governor Lincoln— Finding among my father’s Books, a pamphlet Catalogue of the Plants and Trees in Prince’s Nursery at Flushing on Long Island, I spent an hour in a cursory examination of its contents— I find even here a diversity of occupation which leaves me not sufficient time to devote to any one of the them. The Settlement of my father’s Estate is the first and most urgent of them; but visitors are constantly presenting themselves, and necessarily engage time, and I must expect to have many Letters to answer— This is not yet retirement; nor a sample of the trial for which I must be prepared.

18. IV. Sun rose beclouded.— Afterwards clear and warm—

Continued but did not finish the List of my fathers deeds of Conveyance— My brother’s wife and Mrs Clark went to Boston and returned this Evening— I bathed and Swam with my Sons George and John from 10 to 11. Dr and Mrs Waterhouse dined here— The Doctor at 72 is lively, social, and full of wit and good humour, and of odd fancies— He has settled it in his own mind that Lord Chatham was the author of the Letters of Junius, but says he cannot talk well to prove it because he has written a book to the same purpose— They left us after dinner; and I rode with George to judge Robbins’s at Milton, but he was gone to Boston— Returning I stopped at Mr Thomas Greenleaf’s; with whom and his wife and their Son Price, I had some conversation upon the subject of fruit trees— He cultivates them with assiduity and success— Walking home just before reaching the gate I met Mr John Welles who had called to pay me a visit and Mr John Bailey of Dorchester the member of the House of Representatives, spent an hour of the Evening with me— The Night was beautiful, and the Full Moon brought to mind a wish for the Telescope at Washington— But from the hour of noon when Dr Waterhouse came, the day was consumed in visitings; and lost to business— George plucked some Oak twigs for me on our way back from Milton. I received this Morning Letters from my wife of 11 and 12. instt— From the Vice-President and Secretary of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, with a copy of the proceedings of the Society upon the decease of my father; and of Mr Jefferson— From Coll. R. Jones Adjutant General, with the order of General Brown to the Army— From Jos. Hopkinson, R. Peters junr. Mrs Ann Frances Humphreys— One of 8. July from Mr Quincy containing an Account of my father’s funeral; which went to Washington, and is from thence returned—also one from Dr Waterhouse, with a newspaper publication written by him. A joint Letter from A. Robbins and D. J. Pearce of Newport Rhode-Island, requesting me to visit that place: and Letters from S. H. Smith, D. Hugunin junr. and John D. Dickinson upon various public business— Most of these Letters must be answered. I note that there is an Althea tree on each side of the Eastern most door of this house which commenced blossoming the day after I arrived here the eastern most of them has now many open flowers— One this day opened upon the other.

19. IV.— Sun rose clear.

Mr Greenleaf brought me a plan of a vault and monument, made for Mr H. Wood, who sent it to me as I had desired— Mr Greenleaf spoke of the building of the Church as likely to be soon undertaken. Ann French comes from Vermont and wanted employment— Mr Winthrop invited me to spend a week at his house. Mr Robbins, the judge of Probate for this County came in consequence of my call at his House yesterday— I read my father’s Will to him and suggested some of the questions which arise from it. He was not prepared to give definitive opinions upon them, and said he should hold a Court of Probate at Dedham on Tuesday the 1st. of August at Dedham, and on the 8th. at Quincy— That the Will might be proved at either, but not before— He said he would take Mr Quincy’s Son and mine, as our bondsmen, both for the return of the Inventory as Executors, and as Trustees of the Devise to my brother and his children— I gave him a copy of the Will to take with him; requesting him to be prepared to give his opinion upon the questions arising from it at the time of the Probate— Waters, Child, Whiston and Draper came as a Committee of the Washington Society in Boston with a Letter of Condolence, for which I desired them to return my thanks to the Society, with promise of an answer— Mr Jarvis is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mr Mitchell the Treasurer of the Commonwealth— They came out this afternoon— I rode with my brother and his two Sons, John Quincy, and Joseph Harrod to the Rail-Road from Neponset River to the Rocky Hills of Quincy, which is already very far advanced— They began on the 8th. of May, and have about 200 men at work upon it. Mr Bryant the superintendant accompanied is round the places upon which they are labouring. We returned soon after Sunset— Their road leads to two ledges; one for the general extraction of the rock—the other the Bunker hill ledge, for the monument to be erected there— My brother and my Son John went this morning to Boston, and returned to dinner— I bathed with George and T. B. jr. at the Beach below Maremont, where I found several old Lime-trees and on a twig of one of them I found a large green worm which I brought home.

20. IV:15. Sun rose beclouded

I asked Mr Whitney to favour me with the perusal of his Sermon delivered at my father’s funeral, which he did— I walked to the burying ground with my Son George, and saw there Josiah Adams jr. at work covering the Tomb, to protect it from the weather. I visited the four Granite Monuments erected by my father to the Memory of his Ancestors—Henry Adams, Joseph Adams Senior and his wife, Elizabeth Baxter—Joseph Adams junr and his wife Hannah Bass—and John Adams and his wife Susanna Boylston my father’s Parents— There is a mistake in the inscription, naming Hannah as the daughter of Thomas (which should be John Bass[)]— The whole Inscription is of ambiguous purport, not being engraved in the proper, lapidary manner— I found also in the yard the grave-Stone of Joanna Quinsey, wife of Edmund Quinsey; with this Inscription— “Here lyeth buried ye Body of Mrs Joanna Quinsey Wife of Mr Edmund Quinsey. Aged 55 years Dyed ye 16th. of May 1680.”— And upon the copy of the town Records I found Edmund Quinsy and Joanna Hoar, married 26.5. July 1648. the names of 12 Children born of them from June 1649. to March 1667— And then Edmund, Son of Edmund and Elizabeth his wife born 14. Octr. 1681. and Mary born 7. Decr 1684. Of the children born of Joanna, Daniel was the second, born 12 Septr. 1650. And he was the father of my Great-Grandfather from whom I was named John Quincy— From the graveyard, I went and bathed at the wharf, alone— Mr Read, the member of Congress, with his wife, Mr Thayer and Mr Strong paid morning visits— Thayer spoke of a project for connecting Weymouth and Taunton rivers by a Canal. After dinner I rode with my brother down to the Mount Wollaston. From where I collected some twigs of Oaks, but were so much annoyed with insects that we were obliged to return sooner than I had intended— I found here the white, black, and red Oaks, with one or two other varieties; but none of the Post-Oaks so common about Washington, and so useful! There are not more I think than seven or eight varieties in this vicinity—and of them two or three Scrubs— Mr and Mrs Quincy were here in the Evening; and I informed him of the discovery I had this morning made in the burying yard— I also mentioned to him the arrangements to which judge Robbins had assented with regard to the Execution of my father’s Will— I finished this day the list of Deeds and conveyances of Real Estate left by him—and began the list of personal securities.

21. IV:15. Sun rose clear.

Mr Quincy called this Morning, and took my Son George with him to Boston— George returned in the afternoon and brought out Michaux’s North American Sylva, with Dr Bigelow’s Medical Botany and his Plants of Boston, all which he had borrowed of the Doctor himself— Abigail S. Adams has painted for me leaves of the Scrub Oak which I found on the Bunker Hill Ledge, and which I took for the Bear Oak of Michaux. I still think it so, although the form of the leaf differs from that in the plate of Michaux. Vol 1. p. 82 or 99— Dr. Holbrook, who as a physician attended my father, gave me some particulars of his last days. He retained his faculties till life itself failed. On Saturday the first of this Month he had rode down to Mr Quincy’s, and after his return dined below—on Sunday he was much distressed by his cough, but neither then, nor on Monday kept his bed— My brother that day went to Boston— Mrs S. B. Clarke, my brother Charles’s daughter on Monday asked my father, whether she should write to me— He said at first “no—why trouble my Son”—but after a momentary pause, said yes; write to him— She wrote accordingly— In the Night of Monday, he suffered much— On Tuesday Morning, an express was sent for my Son George, who was at Boston attending on the celebration of the day— He came out immediately was here between Noon and One— He was recognized by my father, who made an effort to speak to him, but without success— George received his expiring breath between five and six in the afternoon— He had in the morning been removed from one bed to another and then back— Mrs Clarke said to him that it was the 4th of July, the 50th. Anniversary of Independence— He answered— “It is a great day— It is a good day.”— About one afternoon he said “Thomas Jefferson survives,” but the last word was indistinctly and imperfectly uttered. He spoke no more— He had sent as a toast to the celebration at Quincy—“Independence forever.”— Dr Holbrook said his death was the mere cessation of the functions of Nature by old age—without disease— W. Smith is the brother of Mrs Ch. Miller— Mr Cutler the Episcopal Clergyman of this place— Judge Davis and his brother came out this afternoon from Boston.— I bathed before dinner at the lower wharf, but the water chafes and inflames my skin so that I must suspend my baths, at least for two days— In the Evening I walked alone, to Mr John Greenleaf’s, and afterwards called at Mr Marston’s— Met at both places Miss Elizabeth Apthorp, and William, Son of the late G. W. Apthorp, who is a Student in the Freshman Class at Cambridge— Judge Davis promised me some Acorns of English Oaks.

22. IV:30. Sun rose beclouded—

I was engage all the morning in examining the papers left by my father and completed the lists of the Vouchers and Securities of personal Estate— I also assorted and filed most of the obsolete and useless papers. This led me to an attentive reperusal, of the Wills of my Grandfather John Adams Senior, proved 10 July 1761. with the probate annexed, and an Inventory of the Estate— Of my Great-grandfather, Joseph Adams junr. dated 23. July 1731—the copy of which, without probate, and unexecuted is in the hand-writing of his Son, my Grandfather— And of my Great-grandfather Joseph Adams Senior;—an Office Copy, attested by William Cooper Register of Probate— This Will is dated 18. July 1694— On each of these three Wills, is an endorsement in my fathers hand-writing, subscribed with his name, dated Boston April 29. 1774. giving short notices of the Testators, and marking where they lived in Braintree— Under which, upon each are the following Lines

On the Will of Joseph Adams Senior, is another endorsement; without date but evidently written at the same time with the others, tracing from this Joseph Adams the descent of Samuel Adams, then a Representative from Boston, and Clerk of the House in the Colonial Legislature; with a high eulogy upon him as a writer, politician and patriot— These papers awaken again an ardent curiosity to know more of those forefathers who lived, and died in obscure and humble life; but every one of whom from the first Settlement of the Country, raised numerous families of children, and had something to leave by Will— There could indeed be nothing found of them but the short and simple annals of the Poor— Mr John Marston, Mr Phineas Foster and his wife, a Sister of my brother’s wife and Ann Harrod a daughter of one of her brother’s dined with us. General H. A. S. Dearborn came and passed the afternoon with me— I had received a Letter from him this morning soliciting some appointment for Joseph Wingate, his Sister’s husband; with Letters from both of them— I answered verbally that I should be glad to serve General Wingate, if an opportunity should occur— My Son John and T. B. Adams junr went this afternoon to Boston, and returned— The latter part of the Evening, I spent at Mr Quincy’s, where we were to have met Mr. Gardner Greene and his family— His Son Benjamin having recently married Mr Quincy’s fourth daughter, Margaret— But we arrived so late that Mr Greene and family had already gone, before we came.

23. IV:30— Sun rose beclouded—

The President of Harvard University Dr Kirkland came from Cambridge, and preached two Sermons, occasional on the decease of my father— That of the morning was from Proverbs 10.7.— “The memory of the just is blessed:” and was a warm, animated and affectionate tribute to the character of my father. It was a discourse, well composed, written in an elegant style, which after enumerating the various sources from which blessedness becomes an attribute of the memory of the just, applied them to the character, conduct, and life of the deceased. There was no particular allusion to any special incident of his history—nothing merely chronological—but the distinguishing traits of his character, were presented in general language—pointing rather to the results than to the facts by which their progress was indicated— Many parts of it were to me, deeply pathetic, but towards the close he introduced a few sentences of direct reference to my almost adored mother, which agitated me more than I was aware it was in the power of human speech to do— He also concluded in a very affecting manner, by a quotation of that eloquent appeal to the virtue and patriotism, of the youth of America, in the last Letter of the Defence of the Constitutions.— The Afternoon Sermon was from Hebrews 11.13. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” It was a continuation of the same subject as in the morning; but with reference to the prospects and promises of a future life— Less pathetic, but still more solemn than the discourse of the morning— The Doctor dined with us, and also spent the afternoon here from the issue of the service, till near Sunset, when he went to pass the Night at his Sisters at Milton— He promised me copies of both his Sermons, and told me that the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, had elected him to deliver a discourse before them, upon this Event; at a Meeting to be held on the 30th. of October, my father’s birth-day, and he asked me many questions concerning his literary and scientific tastes and pursued, on which I gave him all the information in my power. He is going for some weeks on a visit to Utica, in the State of New-York. Mr George Whitney, his two Sisters and a Mr Richardson were here in the Evening— The Althea trees before the Eastern door of the house are now in full flower, and much frequented by Humming birds.— I give some attention also to the plants and insects which are swarming at this Season and the Natural History of which is full of wonders.

24. IV:15. To the wharf— Tide out. No Bath

Francis Dana, is the eldest Son of my old friend and Patron, of the same name. His life has been wandering, various and not fortunate— I have met him at St. Petersburg; seen him in London, and heard of him elsewhere— About five years since, he was some days at Washington, returning from the territory of Arkansas, where he told me it was his purpose to go again. He did not go, however, but says he has since been two voyages to Hamburg, and since last January has been living at Cambridge again. His two brothers and two Sisters are also living there—the latter to useful purpose, as they are keeping a School. He came now to solicit an Office, which he said he needed to maintain his family; but which I have not to give— Before the battle of the Britons with Agricola, Galgacus tells his Countrymen to think of their fathers and of their children— Why is it, that from the days of Pericles the Sons of eminent men have almost universally been mindless of both— My Classmate of Cambridge, Mr Harris, Minister of the first Church at Dorchester paid me a short afternoon visit— Mr. Pollard, with Marshall Harris came with an invitation from the Aldermen and Common Council of Boston, of my attendance at the Oration to be delivered by Mr Webster at Faneuil Hall at Boston, on Wednesday the second of August— I promised to attend— I was going this Evening with George to call upon some friends, but met at our gate Mr and Mrs Greenleaf, and the two Misses Lamb— Mr Beale and his Niece Miss Wales. They all were here so much of the Evening that we had no time left for visiting. I wrote this morning to R. Rush—to Govr Barbour, and to my wife; but my correspondence is running in arrear— Visitors consume unreasonable portions of Time, and besides my father’s papers, Plants, Insects, the Stars, and endless genealogies distract attention, and waste hour after hour— I spent also this morning about two hours, where another Parterre employed me like the humming bird in the Althea trees before my window— They fly from flower to flower, always on the wing, inserting their long bills into the cup, and never remaining more than from five to ten seconds at any one flower— I still find in the town records occasional notices of family Births, Marriages, and Deaths.

25. IV.15. Swam from the Beach—with—George. T. B. jr. J. Q. and Jos. H.

My Son George went into Boston this morning, to return here next Friday, Evening— And Thomas B. junr. and Abigail S. my brother’s Son and daughter went on a visit to their Mothers Parents at Haverhill— I received a multitude of letters and despatches, and answered immediately a Letter of the 17th. from my wife— Mr Thayer and Deacon Hunt came as a Committee from two united Parishes of Braintree and Weymouth and invited me to attend an Oration to be delivered by Mr Storrs, on Thursday of next week, in Weymouth—which invitation I accepted— Deacon Hunt, whom I had never seen, told me that his wife said, she remembered having gone to School, with me, to Mr Shaw at Weymouth, in 1774— Her name was Pratt— I remember not her, but going to the School very well— Mrs Quincy brought and lent me, the second Edmund Quincy’s Will— She spoke of the Temple, for the building of which in this Town my father had provided in part, and of some proceedings of the Inhabitants towards commencing it— She suggested the idea of having, apartments in it for depositing in it the Library given by my father to the Town, which is worthy of grave consideration— This afternoon Mr Thompson Chairman of a Committee of Arrangements at Charlestown came out with Mr Jarvis, and invited me to attend at the delivery of an Oration by Mr Edward Everett, next Tuesday at 3 in the afternoon, at that place— I mentioned the necessity of my personal attendance at the Probate Court in Dedham on Tuesday Morning; but presuming I should be but a short time detained there, I accepted the invitation to Charlestown, for the afternoon—and engaging to give them notice, if I should find it impracticable— Mr Gimbrede came out with a drawing copied from Stuart’s last Portrait of my father, from which he intends to engrave a Print— It is very well done; and the Portrait, is thought to be the best Stuart ever painted. Gimbrede spoke also of his design to execute a historical print to include the portraits of my father and, of Mr Jefferson, with reference to their death; which I urged him warmly to undertake— I called this Evening with my brother at Mr T. Greenleaf’s, but he was gone out of Town— I gave my brother my List of the Deeds of real Estate left by my father; and all the Deeds to be compared with it; and I had a long conversation of two hours with him, concerning what is to be done by him on the final disposal of this Estate— He is quite unprepared for the change which must take place; and I made him certain proposals which he is to take into Consideration.

26. III:45. Sun rose 4:45. Horizon partly beclouded.— No bath.

I am again obliged to suspend my baths, and my swimming, in consequence of which I this day almost entirely lost my exercise— I wrote Letters to the Secretary of War Barbour, the Commissioner of the public buildings Elgar, to P. S. Duponceau and R. Walsh, for the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, to Dr. David Hosack, for the New-York Historical Society, and to Genl. H. A. S. Dearborn— Mr Orcut lives at Weymouth—was a naval pensioner, but was struck from the list by the Act of Congress of 1820. He wishes to be restored, and enquired if I thought it expedient that he and others should send a memorial to Congress—which I advised— He had been here last year but I did not remember him— Mr Vose whom I had met at New-York, and who there gave me a Letter to my brother’s wife from her brother Charles Harrod at New-Orleans called this day with his Sister who resides at Milton— Mrs. Cushing, widow of the late Judge Cushing came to spend some days here. A Mr Hammett, her nephew and his daughter came with her; but proceeded to Boston; to return and take her on Friday or Saturday— I called at Peter Turner’s, but he was gone to Boston— The morning was very warm; but just after dinner there was a thunder shower, followed by steady rain till late in the evening; which confined us all to the house— Mrs Cushing entertained us with many anecdotes of antient days, from the time of my fathers Law studies with Mr Putnam at Worcester, down to the decease of her husband in 1811— Among the rest she says that, on the day when my father argued his first Cause in the Superior Court, some of the judges were afterwards enquiring at dinner, who he was—and Governor Hutchinson, then chief Justice said, that whoever should live to see it, would find in him a great man. She also told of the last meeting of the Judges of the Superior Court under the king’s Government in 1774—to which her husband had then just been appointed in the place of her father—when at the dinners given to the judges by Sheriff Greenleaf and others she heard much political conversation, and Mrs Putnam said that 500 red-coats would set all the minute men throughout the Colony a-scampering— We took yesterday morning three different sets of insects from the Lime-trees on the beach, all of which have this day undergone changes— The eggs have hatched—a small bug has cast off his cowl, and seven caterpillars, each about an inch long, lying apparently torpid side by side, upon one leaf have cast off an outer skin with a brush of dark hair, and come out with a white brushed Coat.

27. III:30— Walk, round by Edward Miller’s— 50 minutes. Cloudy.

I received this Morning, Letters from the Secretary of War, Barbour, and the Commissioner of the Land-Office, G. Graham— The former enclosed a Letter from Govr. Troup of Georgia, complaining that the Cherokees, had stopp’d certain Surveys, ordered by the State authority, in the unsettled parts of the State, meaning within the Lands of the Cherokees, and a Letter from Mr Fulton the State Surveyor, to him containing the Statement of his being stop’d by Hicks— Troup says no more in his Letter, but Govr Barbour mentions, what has appeared in the Newspapers that Troup has ordered out the Militia of the State, to proceed with his Surveys; the object of which is to make a Canal— The members of the Administration at Washington, referred to me, what was in this case to be done, the Secretary of War having prepared and sent me the draft of a Letter to Hugh Montgomery U.S. agent with the Cherokee Indians, directing him to urge them, by reasoning, to permit the surveys to be made— Deprived of the benefit of advising with the members of the Administration, I was now compelled to take Counsel from my own reflections only— After much meditation, I prepared the draft of an Answer to Governor Troup’s Letter, to be signed, with such modification or alteration, by the Secretary of War, as he shall deem advisable— Mr Barbour was unwell, and was to leave Washington for Barboursville in Virginia, immediately after he wrote me— Mr Graham’s Letter enclosed two Proclamations for the Sale of Lands in the Territory of Arkansas, for my signature— I signed them, filled the Blank dates with the first of August, and answered his Letter— John received and answered a Letter from Frank Johnson— This public business painfully occupied a great part of the day— Mr Richards came with an invitation to me to attend, at an Oration to be delivered next Monday at Dedham in honour of my father and Mr Jefferson, which I accepted— I lent to Mr S. A. Welles the copy of Joseph Adams Senior’s Will, with the endorsements upon it made by my father on the 29th. of April 1774— Mr Welles’s Mother was a daughter of Samuel Adams. He says that the name of Samuel Adams’s mother was Byfield; he believes of Scottish origin— Messrs. Loring, Stephens as a Committee from a Meeting of the Young Men of Boston, to invite me to attend an Oration to be delivered to them, by Mr S. A. Knap, next Wednesday Morning at seven O’Clock, which I accepted.

28. III.45— Walks to E. Millers and to the wharf.

This list of visitors indicates one of my excuses for a day nearly idle. Major Bailey is from Weymouth— Said he had a Son, who went ten or twelve years since to South-America, and some Months ago died between Guáyaquil and Lima, leaving some property, to which the major considers himself entitled as his sons heir— He enquired if a passage could be obtained for a person to go out in the Brandiwine Frigate which is going to the South Sea, for an answer to which I advised him to write to the Secretary of the Navy— Dr Welsh came out from Boston with his daughter Harriet, and returned to Boston leaving her here— Mr Whitney called and afterwards sent me the two Books of Parish Records which I requested him to lend me— Mary Greenleaf brought me several papers left by my uncle Richard Cranch, concerning the Quincy Family, which contain some particulars, with which I was not before acquainted. I asked some questions respecting the present reputation of Francis Dana. Fuller himself has recently purchased and now resides in the old mansion house of that family at Cambridge— Mr Jarvis and Mr Thomson came from Charlestown, to enquire if it would be agreable to me next Tuesday before the delivery of the Oration, to see any respectable citizens who may wish to be introduced to me—to which I readily assented, requesting only that no discrimination might be made, but every one introduced to me, who should come and desire it.— I answered the Letter of condolence from the Chairman of the Meeting of the Citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia— My Son John went into Boston, with my brothers youngest Son Joseph H. and a Chaise with which Thomas B. and Abigail were expected to come out on their return from Haverhill— They did not come, but John and George came out together this Evening— Among the papers left by Mr. Cranch in a Letter written in 1676 from    Hull to Daniel Quinsey, from which Mr Cranch erroneously thought that Edmund Quinsey the second, had married a Hull— Daniel Quinsey married Anne Shepherd a daughter of Thomas Shepherd of Charlestown. There is also an interesting Letter from judge Saml. Sewall, to his Son, written in 1720. containing many particulars of his family, which was also connected with the family of Quincy— And there are extracts of Letters from a Miss Anna Quincy in England to Samuel Quincy

29. IV. Sun rose beclouded. Bathed on the Beach. my brother, with John & J. Q.

We went to Mr Greenleaf’s wharf between six and seven this Morning and again between seven and eight. The height of the Tide had intervened, but the water was not high enough at either of the wharves for bathing— I never saw this there before, and although this is precisely the time of the Neap-tides, I am yet convinced that the ground is here gaining upon the Sea, as it has been long known it is constantly losing on the Islands in the harbour. We bathed at the Beach behind my Mount Wollaston-House, and in front of the row of old Lime-trees, where I found a large green Sphinx worm, which I brought home— My Son George began at my request, a descriptive list of the manuscript Letter and Account-Books given me by my father in September 1819— This work was somewhat interrupted by a question between us upon the true translation of the Inscription upon the second of the three Hermae, erected by Cimon, as related by Plutarch. I spoke of it to Mr Ticknor, and asked him who was the greatest Greek Scholar in the Commonwealth— He said John Pickering now— But that a German named Bode, a teacher at the Northampton School, would be hereafter— I dined with my Son John at Mr Quincy’s— Mr Webster, Mr Ticknor, and several members of the Aldermen and Common Council of Boston were there—Marshall, Welsh, Adan, Loring, Lodge, Oliver, Jackson, and two or three others. After dinner we visited Mr Quincy’s Salt-works; which are still the most profitable part of his farm— Plucked a couple of twigs from the white mulberry tree near his house— Walked home— Thomas B. and Abigail S. my brothers Son and daughter; returned this Evening from their visit to their Grand parents at Haverhill. The Evening was uncommonly clear Starlight, and I passed from one to two Hours with George and T. B. Adams jr. in the road fronting the House, shewing them the Constellations of the Zodiack, from Libra to Aries inclusive: the great and little Bear. Cassiopeia—the Swan, the Dolphin, Aquila Cepheus, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Andromeda—the Square of Pegasus, Lyra, Bootes, with Arcturus and his Sons, the Northern Crown with Gemma—and Fomalhaut of the Southern Fish— The Planets Jupiter and Venus, in near conjunction, had set in the Constellation of Virgo before nine— There was not a cloud visible above the Horizon; but luminous meteors were shooting from time to time in various directions. It was past eleven O’Clock before we came in. General H. A. S. Dearborn was here this afternoon, but went away before we returned from Mr Quincy’s. Mrs Cushing this day left us.

30. IV:15.

Heard the Revd. Mr Thomas Gray, Minister of Jamaica Plains, Roxbury, a Classmate of my brother at the University— His morning Sermon was from 1. Corinthians 16.13. “quit you like men”—and that of the afternoon from Matthew 16.24. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself.” Moral discourses upon the duties of active energy and self denial— Mr Gray dined with us— Josiah Quincy junr. and Alexr. H. Morton, a son of the late Washington Morton, brother of Mrs Quincy, were here this Evening, and I called afterwards at Mr Thomas Greenleaf’s, where I found Mr G. W. Beale and my brother— I told Mr Greenleaf that on Tuesday Morning, I proposed to meet Mr Quincy Co-Executor with me of my father’s Will, at the Probate Court in Dedham; and asked him as one of the Witnesses to the Will, to go with me, which he readily promised. Among the Books given me by my father, and of which my Son George is now making a descriptive list; I find a small Quarto Volume, containing my father’s Journal, kept from Friday 13. February 1778. when we embarked from the Mount Wollaston Beach, on Board the Boston Frigate Captain Samuel Tucker, till the 26th. of April 1779. when we were on board the Frigate Alliance at the mouth of the Loire, expecting to return in her to the United States— The journal is irregularly kept, at broken intervals, intermixed with drafts of Letters, exercises of writing in French, copies of French invitation Cards, and reflections written on the spur of the occasion, expressing the strongly excited feelings of the moment, on the whole deeply interesting to me, and leaving only the regret that it was not more regularly kept and longer continued—but altogether unfit for public inspection, and such as ought to be reserved from all eyes but those of affectionate descendents— My own Journals will be of the same character. I have lived in times less momentous in themselves, and have recorded much more— I have not however been able to keep an uninterrupted Journal. The Letter Books of my Father, will require much chronological arrangement— In his Travels and Removals from place to place, he had many different Books— Two thirds of them are not one quarter filled, and some of them contain only two or three Letters— In 1829. if by the Will and blessing of God, I am here and in health, I propose to take up these books in the Spirit of filial piety, due to such a father, and may no aid from above then be wanting!

31. IV:15 Sun rose beclouded

General Boyd came out with Miss Little, daughter of the Officer of the Customs in Boston, and Miss Storer, daughter of the late Woodbury Storer of Portland to pay Morning. After dining at Noon, I went with my brother, his son T. B. and my sons G. W. and John to Dedham— We stopp’d at Alden’s Tavern, where about 200 persons, inhabitants of that place and of the other Towns of the County were introduced to me. Between 3. and 4. we went in procession to the Meeting House, where the funeral Solemnities were performed— Mr Boyle an Episcopal Clergyman read Select portions of Scripture— Mr.    made the opening and Mr White the concluding Prayer— Two Anthems, a Dirge, and an original occasional Hymn, written by Herman Mann, were performed by a Choir of Singers, accompanied by the Organ, and an Eulogy, upon John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, was pronounced by Horace Mann, of splendid composition and lofty Eloquence— The last Anthem was Pope’s Dying Christian— The house was full, without being crowded; at least half the company were Ladies— After returning in procession to the Tavern, I thanked the several performers of the day and we came back to Quincy— The day was fine— The judge of Probate Robbins was there, and said he would be ready to receive Mr Quincy and me, at nine O’Clock to-morrow Morning— In the Evening I called at Mr G. W. Beale’s to enquire if he would wish to go to Dedham as a witness to the Will; but he was not at home— I read to the family Mr Edward Everett’s Oration delivered at Cambridge on the 4th. of this Month— It is like all his writings full of thought, of argument, and of Eloquence—intermixed with a little humorous levity, and a few paradoxical fancies— There is at this Time in this Commonwealth a practical School of popular Oratory, of which I believe myself to be the principal founder, by my own Orations and Lectures, and which with the blessing of him who reigns, will redound to the honour and advantage of this Nation, and to the benefit of Mankind.

Day. On the 9th. of this Month, I left Washington, at a day’s notice summoned by the duty to perform the last Offices of filial Affection to my father— I arrived here on the 13th. his obsequies having been performed on the 7th. I have been occupied in making arrangements for the Execution of his Will— I rise between four and five— Bathe at the wharf or Beach, walk an hour, or write till breakfast between seven and eight. Read write and receive Visitors till half past two, when we dine. Read, write and receive Visitors again till the dusk of Evening. Take sometimes a short Evening walk, and pass an hour or two in conversation with the family, and retire between 9 and 10 for the Night.