Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1836-01-30
The Accounts from Florida are fearful, the national troops appear to be by far too weak to resist the force and fury of the Indians. The account of the massacre of two companies of Infantry on their way from Tampa bay to Camp King is confirmed.1 Poor Thomas Adams escapes this time but he is at Tampa bay and there is still much hazard. God prosper him for he is a worthy fellow.
320I went to the Office. Visits from T. Adams, Tax Collector of Quincy, W. Spear, and Mr. George Veazie of Quincy. Accounts and Quincy affairs.
My father at Washington is in the midst of a painful struggle which his unfortunate permanency in public life brings upon him.2 My judgment was not mistaken when I dissuaded from it. But as he is in it, I must do my best to help him out.
Walk. Athenaeum and home to read Livy. Afternoon, at work upon my Grandfather’s papers. Finished a volume of Franklin and Lee’s letters, also arranged some pamphlets for binding. Evening very quietly at home, finished Gil Blas that charming book of books and Goethe.
A report of the disaster suffered at the hands of the Seminoles on 28 Dec. 1835 had appeared on the preceding day in the Boston papers. Maj. Helton’s official report was printed in the morning papers of the present day (Columbian Centinel, 29 Jan., p. 2. col. 2; 30 Jan., p. 2, cols, 2–5).
JQA for more than a month had been trying unsuccessfully in the House to present petitions asking for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery in the District of Columbia. He had been met by refusal to entertain the petitions or by motions to lay them upon the table. Columbian Centinel, 30 Jan., p. 2, cols. 1–2.