John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

21. V:30. Wednesday.

An Italian by the name of Pinistri came with a plan for improving the Hall of the House of Representatives, so that the Speakers may be more easily heard. He said Mr Verplanck was Chairman of a Committee to which his memorial had at the last Session of Congress been referred— I told him he must then go to Mr Verplanck again— He said that would be of no avail that Mr Verplanck had nothing to say against the plan, but that he thought it would cost too much— I said he must reason with Mr Verplanck and convince him that it would not— I returned to Mr Doup his Indenture which I had examined, and could find no claim of title to the descendants of Dillon, unless by a reversion as heirs of the grantee John Blunden. He said Mr. Lawless of Missouri knew the land described in the Indenture, and said that it was whole square in the City of Kilkenny, covered with dwelling houses, and certainly worth several hundred thousands of dollars— He said what had first called the attention of his relatives to the subject was that a Gentleman, who came a year or two since from Ireland had said that it was understood there that the heirs to this Estate were in America— He then asked my advice what they should do—observing that the persons who would be benefited by the recovery of the property, if it could be recovered, had met with misfortunes, and were in straitened circumstances— I told him I could not upon the conveyance and the facts as he had submitted them to me, recommend to the parties interested, any measure which would involve expence— They might perhaps by a Correspondence in Ireland, ascertain more of the present state of the property and they might see if they could trace the lineage down regularly to the claimant— These were the first things to be done and the result of them might lead to the expediency of them doing something more— Mr Doup asked me, what was my charge for my advice—and upon my answering, nothing; expressed himself as very grateful for it— I attended the Commencement of the Columbian College, at Dr Post’s Church— I found them already in the church at half past ten, and gave to President Chapin while in the pulpit the Letter for him which I received last Evening from George Sullivan— I explained also the error in which I had been that his Son still retained the name of Sullivan— His name is now George, Richard, James Bowdoin. The President promised that the degree should be conferred accordingly. 330I remained until the performances of the Candidates for degrees were completed but could not wait to witness the conferring of the degrees— It was past twelve when I left the Church and I found the house had been in Session about half an hour— The turn of the members from Massachusetts for presenting Petitions was passed, but after the States and Territories had been all called I found an opportunity to present the Petition from sundry inhabitants of Scituate and the neighbouring Towns, for the improvement of North-river; which at my motion was referred to the Committee on internal improvement. Mr Everett invited me to attend at his lodgings this Evening a small Meeting of friends to consider the question with regard to the Modification of the Tariff— I had some conversation, with Mr C. F. Mercer on the same Subject; and intimated to him a wish that there might be about five Millions of Revenue reserved, annually for specific purposes of internal improvement. He said that he should be entirely in favour of it, but thought it doubtful whether it could be carried through— I have the same doubts perhaps in higher degree— Mr Francis Johnson of Kentucky with a Mr Willis called upon me this afternoon— The were members of the late Baltimore President-making Convention. At seven in the Evening I went to Mr Everett’s lodgings, and there met Messrs. Appleton, I. C. Bates, L. Condict, Dearborn, Ellsworth, Evans of Maine, Holmes, Huntington, Jenifer, Letcher, Pendleton, Tracy John W. Taylor, Whittlesey of Ohio, and one other— Much conversation ensued, with regard to the course to be taken by the friends of domestic Industry— It resulted in an Agreement to hold another and larger Meeting next Monday Evening, and in the meantime a Committee not to be confined to the members of the present Meeting, to be appointed by the Chairman, Taylor, to report an opinion for discussion as to what further is to be done— I came home about ten— My Son John’s youngest child is much recovered; but the eldest is very unwell.