John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

21. IV. Tuesday— Boston— Fishing party— Cohasset Rocks— Return to Quincy

Mr Edward Cruft had sent me an invitation from the President and Directors of the Atlas Insurance company in Boston, to go this day upon a fishing excursion below the Boston Light-House, and although there was a shower of rain this morning and the aspect of the weather was unpromising, I went into Boston with Wilson, in a Horse and Chaise of Gillets— At 8 O’Clock I reached Mr Cruft’s house, and thence walked with him to the Place of rendez-vous, Commercial wharf— We found the company already there, in a very neat small pleasure boat, belonging to Mr Cushing, called the Sylph— The company consisted of Samuel Adams Welles, President of the Atlas Insurance Company, Edward Cruft, Richard Devens, Harris, Joseph W. Lewis, Phineas Sprague, and Rezin D. Shepherd Directors of the Company, a Mr Cayler, Edward Everett, Peleg Sprague, Dr Wainwright and Mr James Walker a Minister of Charlestown— Just at nine O’Clock we left the wharf and in two hours we were beyond the Light-house rock and Point Alderton. After trying unsuccessfully two places for fishing grounds we found one near Cohasset rocks where the fish were in abundance, and in the course of two hours we caught about fifty Cod and Haddock, of which my own captures were three fine Cod— Soon after two O’Clock 47there was a threatening appearance of an approaching squall, and it was thought prudent to leave the fishing ground, and return into the harbour, to be under the protection of the shore— The squall proved however merely a light shower of rain, succeeded by a fresh and pleasant breeze, and a clear sky— We dined upon Chowder and fried fish, after two luncheons of Cold roast, and salt Beef, Ham and Tongue, with Madeira, Sherry, Champagne, and Haut-Brion wines and Lemonade made by Mr Shepherd consisting of a Gallon of Water, a Bottle of Jamaica Rum, a bottle of Cognac Brandy, a Bottle of Champagne wine, a pint of lemon juice and a pound of loaf-sugar.— We came to anchor between 4 and 5. O’Clock, off Rainsford or Hospital Island the place of Quarantine— Several of us went on shore and visited Dr Smith now the Physician of the Island—the place so long occupied by Doctor T. Welsh. It was I believe thirty years, of not more since I was last upon the Island; but when I resided in Boston, after my return from Prussia, I went more than once, with the Selectmen of Boston, upon their annual dining party there. The appearance of the Island is now so different from what it was then, that I should scarcely have known it for the same. There is a new and neat hospital, built within the last five years—but there is now not a single vessel under Quarantine, nor a single Patient at the Hospital— Mr John Minot, the keeper of the Hospital together with Dr Jerome V. C. Smith, received and greeted us as visitors— Mr Minot told me that he had lost his place in the Custom-house for his zeal to promote my election as President of the United-States— After a short view of the Island, we returned on board of the Sylph, and reached our point of departure at Commercial wharf, about seven O’Clock. Wilson whom I had ordered to be there at that hour was waiting for me, with the Horse and Chaise— I parted from my companions, went to Charles’s House, and sent him the key of his Office, which he had lent me, and which I had forgotten to leave with Wilson for him— Charles had returned to Boston this morning, after I had left him this morning at Quincy— I came round by Mr Cruft’s house, took my fishing lines and umbrella which I had left there this morning, and in a short hour came home to Quincy— The day was pleasantly passed; though with a continual memento mori, in being reminded of the Multitudes of men of former generations with whom I have made similar excursions, or sailed up and down this harbour since the 10th. of February 1778 when I embarked on board the Boston Frigate in Nantasket roads, from the Beach at Mount Wollaston— My grand-child Mary-Louisa, returned this Evening with Elizabeth C. Adams, and Mary Harrod, from their visit at Mr John Angier’s in Medford— The fifth number of the Appeal from the new to the Old Whigs was this day published in the Boston Advocate, and in the Centinel.