John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

30. V:30. Thursday.

Morning walk round the Capitol Square. I received visits from Mr Burrows of New-York, and from Mr Vaughan the British Minister. Burrows told me that he came here to see if he could not prevail upon Congress to pass the bill now before them in favour of Mr Monroe— Ten or eleven years ago, Burrows being then barely of age, was employed I believe as a bearer of despatches to Sweden. I heard nothing of him from that time till some two or three years since the Newspapers gave notice, that Mr Burrows had generously lent a thousand dollars to Mr Monroe, to enable him with his family to visit his daughter at New-York. About four Months since, the Corvette which Baron Krudener had purchased for the Emperor of Russia, having sailed from New-York with the Baron on board was overtaken by a Gale or Hurricane, which made her a perfect wreck. In this condition, she was picked up, by a vessel belonging to Mr Burrows and brought 73back to New-York. For the Service rendered on that occasion Mr Burrows declined receiving any compensation—in consequence of which, by the direction of the President, a Letter was written to Mr Burrows by Mr Van Buren presenting to him the thanks of the Government of the United States for this signal instance of humanity and disinterested magnanimity— Mr Burrows said it was well known he was for Mr Clay for next President of the United States, and he fully believed the whole electoral vote of the State of New-York would be for Clay— That on his arrival here he immediately received an invitation to a private dinner at the Presidents and had dined with him yesterday— That he was to dine this day with Mr Van Buren; who had also sent him a card of invitation from Mr Vaughan to his Ball to-morrow, and Mrs Van Buren had invited him to go with him in his Carriage— But he was not to be bought, and he had expressed his Sentiments so freely to the President that he told him he was the most Independent man he had seen since he was President— Last week Captain Law the Collector of the Port of New London was removed and a man from New-Hampshire appointed in his place— Burrows said he had told the President it was the most unpopular act he had ever done— That Law was a man of most respectable character; universally beloved, an old Revolutionary Officer, and one of the very few survivors from the old Jersey Prison ship— The President told him that he had been prevailed upon to remove Captain Law, at the unanimous and earnest representations of all the friends of the Administration in New Hampshire but that he would give him another Office better than the one he had taken from him. Burrows spoke of a line of communication which he had established by regular packets from New-York to Carthagena. From thence to Chagres, and thence across the Isthmus to Panama— Also of his having volunteered to give bond for Samuel Swartwout, when he was appointed Collector, at New-York, and could not otherwise have made up the amount of bonds required by Law; and could not have held the Office. Swartwout had refused to remove any of the friends of the last Administration from their places in the Custom house, and last week was attacked for this forbearance in Mr Van Burens paper the New-York Courier and Enquirer. He wished me to speak to J. W. Taylor in behalf of Mr Monroe, which I promised to do, and said he had persuaded Mr Mallary of Vermont to support the Bill—but that the great difficulty was with the members from Virginia— Mr Vaughan brought a couple of Vials of black drops which he had received from England— I returned the visits of Mr J. D. Dickinson and B. O. Tayloe, of J. W. Taylor and Vance—Matthew L. Davis and Gouverneur; only the last of whom I found at his lodgings— With him were Marshal Ringgold Mr Ward formerly a member of Congress from the State of New York, and also a member elect of the next Congress from the District of Sleepy Hollow as he said— There was also a Mr Magennis from Missouri, one of the witnesses on the trial now before the Senate of judge Peck, and as I perceived a willing witness against him— I called at the shop of W. J. Stone the Engraver to enquire concerning a copper-plate which I wish to have engraved. He shewed me a number of complicated machines of his own invention, for the exercise of his art as an Engraver; also collections of precious Stones and of Minerals which he said he had imported from Heidelberg in Germany; all proving his ingenuity, and his turn to philosophical enquiries— Stone is an English Artist, whom I employed much, while I was in the 74department of State, and who engraved the fac-simile of the Declaration of Independence— With Mrs Adams I attended this Evening a Concert by Mrs Knight, at the Unitarian Church— She sang “Comfort ye my People”—and “Angels ever bright and fair”—remarkably well— Mrs Franklin’s “Let the bright Seraphim” was less succesful— The company was very thin—not exceeding 30 persons.