Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-12-23
The day was beautiful. I received from my father a long letter upon politics. He does not print his Address until after the election of Governor which avoids one great difficulty I had apprehended, influence upon the Electors. In other respects I must wait for his decision. His account of affairs at Washington and especially Mr. Rush’s course is unpleasant enough.1
Read the remainder of Burke’s speech upon conciliation with America, and took a walk. Afternoon, Bacon, Sylva Silvarum, a collection of subjects for experiment. Read several passages pointed out by Mackintosh, one in Pascal, one in Montaigne and Sir Samuel Romilly’s Essay on Codification in the Edinburgh Review.2 Evening, Walpole. My Wife suffering under a severe cold.
JQA to CFA, 19 Dec. (Adams Papers). By giving his support to Jackson’s attack on the Bank of the United States, Richard Rush had created consternation in JQA and confirmed for him the indications he had observed in the Boston Daily Advocate and other antimasonic organs of a developing adherence among Antimasons to the policies of Jackson and his party. The immediate effect upon JQA was to make his opposition to the election of the Democratic candidate in Massachusetts, Marcus Morton, absolute. However, contrary to the earlier impressions of his intentions held by CFA and by Hallett, JQA in the present letter, and again in another to CFA on the 21st (Adams Papers), gave explicit directions that the Address stating his support of Davis in preference to Morton was not to be published until after the Governor had been chosen by the State Senate: “My declared preference then will have had no effect upon the election. But afterwards, if Davis is elected it will shew that my opinion was in his favour, and if Morton is elected it will shew why I was opposed to his election. The chief reason is at least of no partial or temporary character; but such as I am willing to stand and abide by, under any possible event. You will understand that this determination is the result of my own convictions.”
For 1817 (vol. 29).