21 January 1830
adams-john10 Neal Millikan Spoils System
354

21. VI.45. Thursday— Walk after Sun-rise—

Crowninshield B. W Scott Brown Gurley H. H Martin Dr Amory Rufus. G. Johnson Thomas B. Mrs Frye Webster Daniel

It was much to my Surprize broad day-light when I rose this morning, and I began my walk after Sunrise, instead of finishing it as usual before— This affected my occupations for the whole day— I am now reading Solomon’s Song in the third Volume of Scott’s Bible, and The Rhetorics to Herennius in Cicero’s Works— Mr Crowninshield came and introduced two young men from Kentucky by the names of Brown and Scott and Mr Gurley a Dr Martin from Louisiana— R. G. Amory paid me a long morning visit, and talked as usual upon the general state of politics. He has been many years pursuing a claim before Congress, and accommodates his opinions to the doctrines of the Times. He spoke of a conversation that he had last Evening with some persons from South Carolina who were very inquisitive about the consequences of a State’s seceding from the Union. Mr T. B. Johnson was here; and Mrs Frye— Mr Webster was here in the Evening, about half an hour before the Drawing Room at the Presidents— He said there would be a very earnest debate in the Senate upon the President’s nominations; and if it should prove, as he had been assured it would, that L. W. Tazewell one of the Senators from Virginia should not come, some of the nominations would be rejected— It was said to be ascertained that 22 Senators would vote against them— There is one vacancy by the Death of Mr Reed from Mississippi—one by the absence of G. M. Troup of Georgia suddenly called home by some domestic occurrence, and who has obtained leave of absence for the remainder of the Session— 23. Senators administration men remain, and the defection of one of them would turn the scale against the nominations— I told him if this was true the effect would be that they would purchase the attendance of Tazewell, who would sell it upon his own terms— As yet in spite of all their internal dissensions they hold together In party dissensions the profligate league together more closely than the honest for the very reason that individuals have no principle of their own to cling to. I believe that all the nominations of any importance will be confirmed— Mr Webster said he would call upon me again in a few days, as he wished to converse with me upon the Constitutional principles concerning removals from Office— I answered Letters from Mr Quincy President of Harvard University and from John Pierce Secretary to the Board of Overseers; and advised them of my acceptance of a Seat at the board

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