Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-12-11
Fine day. Usual division of time.
I was at the Office, but the Editor of the Courier sent me an article from the Globe bringing up the whole story of my papers of the Conservative criticizing the doctrine much in the manner it formerly did.1 I think it a good opportunity for throwing in another dose to rectify public opinion, which has been operated upon, I perceive although without any immediate outward demonstration, by what I have already written. I therefore occupied myself both morning and afternoon in producing something which I think would answer.2
Went also with my Wife to make a formal call upon Mr. and Mrs. Webster, he having left a card for me when he returned my father’s visit. This is a poor business. Also called upon Mr. and Mrs. Seaver at Mrs. Carter’s. And did not omit Alcestis. In the evening continued a goodly portion of Miss Martineau who is amusing and egotistical. And sat up late doing the revise of my Article.
The Globe, on 4 Dec. (p. 3, cols. 4–5), reasserted the interpretation of CFA’s papers it had made earlier (cf. the entries for 15 and 17 Aug.).
To The Globe’s reiterated charge that “A Conservative’s” articles in the Courier were an expression of Webster’s views and were representative of northern whig positions generally, CFA, again signing as “A Conservative,” replied that the administration organ lumps together all varieties of whig opinion “to drive the South into a concentrated support of the only Northern man who dares in high office to think and act as if he was a slaveholder.” To demonstrate the lack of validity in The Globe’s position, he reveals his support of Van Buren over Webster in the last presidential election. That support ended, however, when Van Buren, in his inaugural address and after, “made himself the instrument for perpetuating the slaveholding policy” (Boston Courier, 14 Dec., p. 2, cols. 1–2).