Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2
1827-07-03
My avocations as usual. No thing of particular interest. Feeling particularly affectionate I wrote a letter to Abby which is the first really deserving the title of love letter.1 We had a small party to dine consisting of Genl. Macomb and Cols. Roberdeau and Thayer of the Army, Count de Menou,2 and Mr. Frye, a small and rather pleasant dinner. In the evening, a ride, very warm.
CFA wrote: “I have been thinking of you in all the delightful views which my mind brings up, and I find that language is entirely too poor to give expression to them. It is impossible for me to repeat the . . . cant of every day love letters. . . . I could not call you ‘my angel’ if I thought you so. For all this is Common place. The most foolish trifler would use the same words in addressing the weakest of women” (CFA to Abigail B. Brooks, 3 July 1827, Adams Papers).
The French chargé d’affaires at Washington (Force, National Calendar, 1828, p. 283).