Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1836-02-23
Another mild spring like day with the Streets under water. I went to the Office as usual and passed my time in Accounts. Mr. Ayer, Carpenter, came in for account of his annual settlement which I made with him. Then Mr. W. Speare from Quincy about rents and the farm at Penn’s Hill. He went out for the proposed Lessee, Harvey Field and we had a talk without however agreeing. He became stubborn and finally declined the contract. Thus we are left to pursue our old plan. Mr. Jones from Weston came in and made a payment on his note. Thus the time past so that I did not even get a walk. But this was rendered hardly practicable by the state of the Streets.
Home where I read Livy. My Wife seemed quite unwell and in low spirits. Afternoon, engaged in the MS papers and accomplished the arrangement of the papers of Mr. Lovell. But there are a great many deficiencies. Some very important letters are however among the number preserved, especially relating to the appointments in Congress, to the foreign Commissions. Read also Cook’s Life of Bolingbroke—A very partial work. But still a desirable one in the singular vacuum which has existed respecting him. Evening at home. Read aloud. Madame Junot, fourth volume, skipping the third as not gettable. Afterwards German.