Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 4
1832-11-04
Morning windy but mild. I was occupied all day in finishing the various little occupations which have engaged me since my residence here and in returning to their places the various books, so as not to break up sets—A thing which in so large a library is exceedingly likely to happen.
Attended divine service and heard Mr. Whitney all day. My habit of inattention to him is very much fixed. Afternoon drew up the Records as Clerk of the Adams Temple and School Fund and put away the book for the Season.1 Read a part of Brown’s book on Antimasonry, the most extraordinary literary production of modern times. This is the book, that was sent to my father with these words in a fly leaf, “Read this and be cautious.”2
Mr. Degrand and Mr. W. W. Clapp, Proprietor of the Evening Gazette,3 came here and took tea and spent the evening. Much conversation upon Politics, the result of the Philadelphia Election, a movement of parties to bring Mr. Webster and my father into collision,4 and some scientific discussion.5 I read a few of the letters of Dr. Johnson and Mrs. Thrale.
The Book of Records of the Supervisors of the Adams Temple and School Fund, beginning 3 Feb. 1827, is now held by the City of Quincy as a part of its municipal records at the City Hall, in the keeping of the City Historian, William Churchill Edwards. For a facsimile reproduction of CFA’s first entry as clerk of the Supervisors see Descriptive List of Illustrations in the present volume p. ix–x.
JQA’s copy of the book is missing. The work referred to is probably that by Henry Brown, A Narrative of the Anti-Masonick Excitement in the Western Part of the State of New York, 1826–1829, Batavia, N.Y., 1829.
“In Mr. Clapp’s paper there are several extracts both from the preface
“They ... said something of a project talked of they knew not by whom, to place me in the Senate U.S. instead of Mr. Webster” (same).
See below, entry for 18 Nov., note.