Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2
1788-04-09
Dined with Pickman and Thompson, at Mr. Parsons's upon Salmon, which begin now to be caught in the river. We did not do much business in the afternoon. I called upon Putnam, after taking a walk with Thompson, but Putnam was engaged for the evening; so that I soon came home to my lodgings.
1788-04-10
From the divers interruptions which we met with in the course of the day, we did but little at the office. We met this evening at Pickman's chamber: he has joined us and is regularly with us. Stacey likewise pass'd the evening with us; and Mr. W. Farnham; I agreed to go with Pickman to Haverhill to-morrow. From thence I intend in the beginning of the next week, to proceed to Cambridge; attend at the exhibition there; and then go to Braintree and spend a few days. And I shall probably meet my brothers there. I have sometimes intended to wait for my father's arrival; before I should go that way; but it is almost six months since I saw my friends in Cambridge, Braintree &c. which makes me somewhat impatient; and if I wait for my father I know not whether I shall go in one month or two: as I have been so little absent through the winter, I may venture now to indulge myself for a fortnight.
1788-04-11
I set out with Pickman this morning at about nine o'clock: the weather was clear though rather windy: before twelve we arrived at Haverhill. I went immediately to Mr. Shaws; and Pickman, went to the tavern to meet a carriage, which he expected from Salem; but very unfortunately he found the Carriage, had past through the Town, not more than a quarter of an hour before he got there: such disappointments, are peculiarly teazing to Lover's, and felt perhaps more keenly than greater misfortunes. After dinner I went down to Mr. White's, and was sorry to find, that Leonard was gone to Hamstead with his mother. I call'd likewise at Mr. Thaxter's, but he was not at home. I sat, half an hour with Mrs. Thaxter, who has met with a misfortune, and been very unwell for some time past.
I thence went up to Judge Sargeant's to pay a visit there; And I 389found Mr. Thaxter with him; I returned soon and drank tea at Mr. Thaxter's; and soon after; went back to Mr. Shaw's.