7 August 1825
adams-john10 Neal Millikan
898

7. IV:30. Soon after five we left Fairfax Court-house, where I had found a very tolerable lodging, and rode seven Miles to a Mr Mitchell’s, where we breakfasted—not a regular tavern. Mitchell was an old man, who had been in the war of the Revolution, and is now a lame invalide— Continuing our road about six Miles before reaching Mr Monroe’s, one of the cross pieces of wood over the fore axel tree of our Carriage and upon which one of the Springs of the Carriage rested, snapped short off. Mr G. W. La Fayette and Mr Ringgold then left the Carriage to the General and me, after splicing the wounded cross-piece, as it could be done at the moment, and they went on alternately walking, and riding in my Son’s tandem gig, changeably with John and Le Vasseur. About 3 miles short of Mr Monroe’s house we met Mr George Hay taking a morning ride on horseback to meet us— We got to Mr Monroe’s house, just before noon: and our fellow travellers joined us there about an hour later. We found Mr Monroe in good health and Spirits— Mrs Hay and her daughter 899daughter Hortensia were there; but Mrs Monroe is at New-York with her daughter Mrs Gouverneur— We found there also Doctor Wallace an eccentric personage, who spent great part of last Winter at Washington with Mr Monroe, and had now just arrived here upon a visit— There was also a Mr Noland heretofore a neighbour of Mr Monroe’s—lately removed to the Arkansas Territory, and receiver of Public monies at Batesville— There were several other visitors in the course of the day whose names escape my recollection. There was a heavy thunder shower, about the dining hour, and the Evening was fresh and cool— It was questionable whether the Carriage could be adequately repaired at the neighbouring village of Aldie, and to provide for the more than probable contingency of other and graver accidents I was desirous of sending off the groom William, to Washington, this Evening, to order my old coachman Joseph Abbott to come here, with his Hack. He would arrive on Tuesday Morning in Season to bear us company the remainder of our way— But my son John persuaded me to give up this purpose

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