Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5

Thursday. 3d.

Saturday. 5th.

185 Friday. 4th. CFA

1833-10-04

Friday. 4th. CFA
Friday. 4th.

Morning fine. I amended and altered my draught of last evening, and then called upon Quincy for the purpose of procuring his assent to the facts relating to J. B. Davis. After some conversation, he inclined to the opinion that he should make the statement and I accordingly left him to assure himself of the necessary facts, to write them in a letter to me for publication.

At the Office. Accounts. Mr. Edward Everett called upon me. His purpose to converse in consequence of the statement made by me of my father’s sentiments as expressed to me on the 14th of last month.1 He and his brother are placed in an extremely critical situation between the two nominations, and his object was to procure if possible the withdrawal of my father. He said that the Boston Antimasons would resist it violently but that the Country members of the party would listen to any recommendation my father would make. I repeated to him my belief of my father’s disposition to withdraw, provided he could obtain satisfactory assurances of it’s being agreeable to the party. He left me with a request that I would ask my father not at present further to commit himself. This incident is among the curious things of the day. I reflected upon it and bethought myself how it would answer for the Antimasonic party to go for Morton.2

I rode to Quincy in the Afternoon and conversed upon the Subject, stating at length Mr. Everett’s communication to me. His answer with which I was charged was this, that he acknowledged having said to A. H. Everett and to me, what he understood me to say, that in accordance with it he would do every thing consistent with honor and honesty. And that he would receive any distinct proposition on the subject, either in writing or verbally from Mr. Everett.3 Of all things in the world to try to break the Antimasonic party up is the very worst policy in this gentleman.

My mother seemed cheerful and my child quite lively. I took tea and returned although not until very late. Read a little of the Elgin Marbles and the Lounger. My Wife is yet nicely.

1.

That if the National Republican nomination went to someone acceptable to the Antimasons, JQA would withdraw as antimasonic nominee.

2.

Marcus Morton, the Democratic candidate for governor, was personally opposed to freemasonry, though not a political opponent. For JQA, Morton’s support of Jackson made him unacceptable when alliances were repeatedly proposed (Darling, Political Changes in Mass. , p. 95–120 passim).

3.

On the following day A. H. Everett visited JQA in pursuit of his plan (JQA, Diary, 5 Oct., and see entry for 7 Oct., below).