Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-11-01
It rained this morning but the weather was very mild and pleasant. I went to the Office and regulated my Accounts for last Month, bringing up my Bank balances. Mr. Ayer my Carpenter called upon me to see about my instructions respecting the Tenements. I told him to repair as well as he could, but not do more than was absolutely necessary. This was the day for the election of a member of Congress in 353this District and throughout the State. I went and gave my solitary suffrage for Mr. Appleton.1 Not that I admire the Candidate but in a choice between two lines of policy and principle there can be no hesitation. Mr. Tenney called and paid me a Quarter’s rent about which he is always punctual. My Tenants are on the whole very excellent.
My father sent me my Article with a Letter speaking well of it. I sat about to correct it and alter exceptionable passages for Mr. Everett.2 On the whole if he will take it, I can do nothing better. I was about it all the Afternoon.
Dr. Stevenson called at my request and I conversed with him about my Wife’s state of health. She suffers so much that something must be done for her. He talked very openly with me. But he evidently appeared puzzled. Evening, Corinne, and writing with two Numbers of the Tatler. I was today under the operation of Medicine.
Election returns began to appear in newspapers on the 4th, but it was not until 8 Nov. that the winners in each of the thirteen districts were listed. Appleton was the winner in the Suffolk district.
JQA’s election in the Plymouth district was one of the first announced as certain (Boston Daily Advertiser, 4 Nov., p. 2, col. 1). When the count was complete, he had received 1,817 votes out of 2,565 cast (JQA, Diary, 6 Nov.). After an evening spent in reflecting on the event and its significance, JQA concluded “My Election as President of the United States was not half so gratifying to my inmost Soul. No election or appointment conferred upon me ever gave me so much pleasure. I say this to record my Sentiments, but no Stranger intermeddleth with my Joys, and the dearest of my friends have no sympathy with my Sensations” (same, 7 Nov.).
In his letter accompanying CFA’s MS, JQA wrote: “It is not only well written, but well composed. The opinions and Sentiments contained in it, differ in some respects from mine, but ... a young man ... should think for himself.” He advised that sarcastic reflections upon “4th of July Orations” be eliminated and that some comment be added upon those sections of Grahame’s book which treat of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York (31 Oct., Adams Papers).