Diary and Autobiography of John Adams Volume 1, 1755–1770 Front Matter Title Page Copyright Page Sponsors of Print Edition Advisory Board Contents Illustrations Introduction Acknowledgments Guide to Editorial Apparatus Documents 1755 November 1755 18 November 1755November 18th. 1755.We had a severe Shock of an Earthquake. It continued near four minutes. I was then at my Fathers in Braintree, and awoke out of my sleep in the midst ... 1756 January 1756 14 January 1756January the 14th. 1756.At Worcester. A very rainy Day. Kept school in the forenoon; but not in the afternoon, because of the weather and my own indisposition. ... 15 January 175615.A fair morning and pretty warm. Kept school. Drank Tea at Mr. Swan’s, with Mr. Thayer. ... 16 January 175616 Fryday.A fine morning. A large white frost upon the ground. Reading Hutcheson’s Introduction to moral Phylosophy. A beautiful Day and Evening. Din’d with Maj... 17 January 175617 Saturday.A clowdy, dull, Day. Some snow about noon, and rain towards night. σπίζημαι, τα καθαρματα Ψυχησ. Plato. ... 18 January 175618 Sunday.A fair morning. Heard Mr. Maccarty. ... 19 January 175619 Monday.A rainy Day. ... 20 January 175620 Tuesday.A fair, warm spring like Day. Drank Tea and supped at Mr. Greenes. ... 21 January 175621 Wednesday.A very rainy day. Dined with Coll. Chandlers Jur. Spent the Eve at Mr. Maccarty’s. Kept school. Nothing more. ... 22 January 175622 Thurdsday.A fair morning. Fresh and lively Air. Drank Tea and supped at Mrs. Paine’s. ... 23 January 175623 Fryday.A fair and agreable Day. Kept School. Drank Tea, at Coll. Chandler’s Jur., and spent the Evening at Major Gardiners. ... 24 January 175624 Saturday.A very high west Wind. Warm and cloudy. P.M. warm and fair. ... 25 January 175625 Sunday.A cold Weather. Heard friend Thayer preach two ingenious discourses, from Jeremy 10th. 6. and 7. Supped att Coll. Chandlers. ... 26 January 175626 Monday.A sharp piercing Air. Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived 2’o clock. ... 27 January 175627 TuesdayAtt my Uncles. ... 28 January 175628 Wednesday.Ditto. Thick weather, and some rain. ... 29 January 175629 Thurdsday.Still, cloudy Weather. Set out for Worcester, Drank Tea in Sutton, with my class mate, Wheeler and arrived at Worcester about 7 o clock. Supped with M... 30 January 175630 Friday.Still, foggy, damp Weather. Kept School and dined at Mr. Greenes. ... 31 January 175631 Saturday.A warm, spring-like Day. Kept School. Lodged at Mr. Maccartys, at night. ... February 1756 1 February 1756February. 1756. 1 Sunday.Pretty cold. Staid at Home, A.M. P.M. heard Mr. Maccarty. Lodg’d with him at night. ... 2 February 17562 Monday.Wrote to John Wentworth by Coll. Josiah Willard. Spent the Eve, sup’d and lodg’d at Major Chandler’s, with that universal Scholar, gay Companion, and ... 3 February 17563 Tuesday.Breakfasted at Gardiners. This morn the Weather clear’d away. As warm and brilliant as May. Kept School all Day. ... 4 February 17564 Wednesday.A charming warm Day. Dined at Coll. Chandler’s with Mr. Pain, Abel Willard and Ebenr. Thayer. Drank Tea at Mr. Timothy Paines and supp’d and spent the... 5 February 17565 Thurdsday.A fair morning but some symptoms of a Change of Weather. Kept School. Spent the evening with Messrs. Paine, Putnam, Willard, Thayer, partly at home an... 6 February 17566 Fryday.A cloudy morning. About 10 the sun brake out. A warm Day. Dined at Mr. Paines. Kept school. Spent the Evening at home. A windy Evening. ... 7 February 17567 Saturday.A Fair warm, day. Dined at the Judges. Drank Tea at Major Gardiners. ... 8 February 17568 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty. Fine Weather. ... 9 February 17569 Monday.Fine Weather. Settled roads. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, very gaily, with much Company. ... 10 February 175610 Tuesday.Fair Weather. Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Major Greene and Mr. Maccarty. Charming Weather. Roads Setled. ... 11 February 175611 Wednesday.Serene Weather, but somewhat cool. I am constantly forming, but never executing good resolutions. I take great Pleasure, in viewing and examining the ... 12 February 175612 Thurdsday.A cool, but pleasant morning. Heard Mr. Welman Wellman preach the Lecture, and drank Tea, with him, at home where he made this observation, (viz.) Tha... 13 February 175613 Fryday.A pleasant morning. Saw my classmates Gardner, and Wheeler. Wheeler dined, spent the afternoon, and drank Tea with me. Supped at Major Gardiners, and ... 14 February 175614 Saturday.Good Weather. This afternoon took a Vomit of Tartar Emet. and Turbith mineral, that worked 7 Times, and wrecked me much. ... 15 February 175615 Sunday.Charming Weather. A.M. staid at home reading the Independent Whig. Very often Shepherds that are hired, to take care of their Masters sheep, go about ... 16 February 175616 Monday.A most beautiful morning. We have the most moderate Winter that ever was known in this country. For a long time together we have had serene and temper... 17 February 175617 Tuesday.A clowdy Day. Dined at Mr. Greenes. ... 18 February 175618 Wednesday.A charming morning. My Classmate Gardner drank Tea with me. Spent an Hour in the beginning of the evening at Major Gardiners, where it was thought tha... 19 February 175619 Thurdsday.No man is intirely free from weakness and imperfection in this life. Men of the most exalted Genius and active minds, are generally perfect slaves to ... 20 February 175620 Fryday.A dull Day. Symptoms of Snow. Writing Tillotson. ... 21 February 175621 Saturday.A Snowy day. Snow about ancle deep. I find by repeated experiment and observation, in my School, that human nature is more easily wrought upon and gov... 22 February 175622 Sunday.Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts th... 23 February 175623 Monday.Fair weather. Crawford spent the Evening here. ... 24 February 175624 Tuesday.A fine morning. We are told that Demosthenes transcribed the history of Thucidides 8 times, in order to imbibe and familiarize the elegance and streng... 25 February 175625 Wednesday.Fair and cold Weather. An extream cold night. ... 26 February 175626 Thurdsday.Fair cold morning. An extream cold Day. ... 27 February 175627 Fryday.A fair, cold day. Drank Tea at Mrs. Paines. All day, in high health, and spirits. Writing Tillotson. That Comet which appeared in 1682, is expected ag... 28 February 175628 Saturday.A raw cold day. Attended Mrs. Brown’s funeral. Let this, and every other Instance of human frailty and mortality, prompt me to endeavour after a tempe... 29 February 175629 Sunday.Went to Leicester with Thayer. Heard him preach all Day. Dined at Mr. Whitneys. Returned home and drank Tea, and spent the Evening at Mr. Paines. ... March 1756 1 March 1756March. 1756. 1 Monday.Wrote out Bolingbrokes reflections on Exile. ... 2 March 17562 Tuesday.A snow fall last night, half leg deep. Began this afternoon, my 3rd. quarter. The great and almighty Author of nature, who at first established those ... 3 March 17563 Wednesday.Fair Weather. Natural Phylosophy is the Art of deducing the generall laws and properties of material substances, from a series of analogous observatio... 4 March 17564 Thurdsday.A fine morn. ... 5 March 17565 Fryday.Dined at home, Mr. Barnes dined here, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Coll. Chandlers. ... 6 March 17566 Saturday.Rose 1/2 after 4. A clowdy morn. Wrote Bolinbrokes letter on retirement and study. ... 7 March 17567 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty all day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Greenes, with Thayer. Honesty, Sincerity and openness, I esteem essential marks of a g... 8 March 17568 Monday.Spent the Evening at Major Chandlers. Fair Weather. ... 9 March 17569 Tuesday.A charming Day. Spent the evening up Chamber. ... 10 March 175610 Wednesday.A misty morning. Sun brake out about noon. Spent Evening at Gardiners. ... 11 March 175611 Thurdsday.Dined at the Colonels. Drank Tea at Mr. Paines with a number of Ladies, and spent the Evening at Major Chandlers, with Thayer. ... 12 March 175612 Fryday.Clowdy. Laid a pair of Gloves with Mrs. Willard that she would not see me chew tobacco this month. ... 13 March 175613 Saturday.Some Snow last night, a clowdy, raw morning. ... 14 March 175614 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty all Day upon Abrahams Faith, in offering up Isaac. Spent the Evening, very Sociably at Mr. Putnams. Several observations concerning... 15 March 175615 Monday.I sometimes, in my sprightly moments, consider my self, in my great Chair at School, as some Dictator at the head of a commonwealth. In this little St... 16 March 175616 Tuesday.Sat out for Uxbridge, arrived about 12, dined. Rode to Aldridges after Mr. Webb, and brought him with me to my Uncles. Spent the Evening there. Lodged... 17 March 175617 Wednesday.A fine morning. Proceeded on my Journey towards Braintree. Stop’ed at Josiah Adams’s. Baited at Clarks of Medway. Dined at Clarks of Medfield. Stopd t... 18 March 175618 Thurdsday.A cloudy morning. Spent the afternoon at my Uncles, and part of the Evening at the Doctor’s. ... 19 March 175619 Fryday.A rainy morning. Went down in the afternoon, to the Point. Spent the afternoon and Evening and lodged with my dear Friend Cranch, in the usuall social... 20 March 175620 Saturday.After breakfast, rode to my Uncle Hunts, dined there, came Home, went to see my Aunt Owen, drank Tea at Deacon Webbs with Mrs. Nabby Webb. Came home. ... 21 March 175621 Sunday.Vernal Equinox. Heard Mr. Wibird preach two excellent Discourses from Eccles. 9.12. Spent the Evening at Mr. Wibirds with Messrs. Quincy, Cranch, Save... 22 March 175622 Monday.A fair but cool morn. Mounted for Boston, arrived about 11 o’clock, went to friend Wm. Belchers, drank a bowl of punch, dined at my Uncle Sympsons, ro... 23 March 175623 Tuesday.A fine morn. Breakfasted with Slewman at Prentices, mounted for Braintree, arrived about 1, dined, went to Dr. Millers, to see friend Sam. Drank Tea t... 24 March 175624 Wednesday.Sat out for Worcester. Dined at Dedham and rode from thence in the rain to Mendon, supped and lodged at Josiah Adamses. ... 25 March 175625 Thurdsday.Rode to Uxbridge. Tarried at my Uncle Webbs and lodged with Mr. Nathan Webb. ... 26 March 175626 Fryday.A delightful morning. Rode to Grafton, dined at Josiah Rawsons. He exerted his rawsonian Talents concerning the felicity of Heaven. I sat and heard fo... 27 March 175627 Saturday.The Stream of Life sometimes glides smoothly on, through flowry meadows and enamell’d planes. At other times it draggs a winding reluctant Course thro... 28 March 175628 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty, spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers, in Conversation concerning Lands and Farms &c. ... 29 March 175629 Monday.A little hail and rain fell to Day. We find our Selves capable of comprehending many Things, of acquiring considerable Degrees of Knowledge by our sle... 30 March 175630 Tuesday.A fair day. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, with Mr. Maccarty, very Sociably. ... 31 March 175631 Wednesday.A cool morning. Drank Tea with the Ladies at the Judges. Spent the Evening at Gardiners with the Coll., Mr. Putnam and Thayer. ... April 1756 1 April 1756April 1756. 1 Thurdsday.A very rainy Day. A little Snow. ... 2 April 17562. Fryday.Cool and very windy. Drank Tea, and Spent the Evening at Coll. Chandlers. ... 3 April 17563 Saturday.Dined, Spent the afternoon and drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers. ... 4 April 17564 Sunday.Heard Mr. Davis of Holden all Day. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. ... 5 April 17565 Monday.A warm pleasant Day. Drank Tea at Mrs. Paines, came home, lodged with Dr. Upham. ... 6 April 17566 Tuesday.A fair Day. Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, and fixt a Letter for Cushing, Wentworth, Dalton, Lock Locke, my Father, and Dr. Savel. ... 7 April 17567 Wednesday.A fair Morning. Mr. Thayer set out for Coll. Harvard College. ... 8 April 17568 Thurdsday.Heard Mr. Maccarty preach the Lecture, drank Tea with him, and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. ... 9 April 17569 Fryday.Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, spent the Evening at home with My Friend Eliot, lodged with him. ... 10 April 175610 Saturday.A raw cold day. The man to whom Nature has given a great and Surprizing Genius, will perform Great and Surprizing Atchievments, but a Soul originally ... 11 April 175611 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty preach all Day. Spent the Evening at Mr. Paines, and supped upon fresh Fish with the Coll., Mr. Putnam, Major Gardiner and his Lady... 12 April 175612 Monday.Signs of Rain. Cleard off about 10. A most beautiful Day. Drank Tea with Coll. Chandler, and spent the Evening, at Major Gardiners, with the Coll., Me... 13 April 175612 i.e. 13 Tuesday.A fine morning. A Charming warm Day. Every thing looks gay and lively. The Grass begins to spring, and the sprightly sunbeams gleam upon the houses. T... 14 April 175613 i.e. 14 Wednesday.A pleasant morning. Wheeler drank Tea here. I went with him in the Evening, to Capt. Stearns. ... 15 April 175614 i.e. 15 Thurdsday.Wheeler and I breakfasted at Mr. Maccarty’s. Went to Mr. Dyers. Very warm. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, in conversation concerning ... 16 April 175615 i.e. 16 Fryday.A Stormy Day. ... 17 April 175616 i.e. 17 Saturday.A Stormy Day. ... 18 April 175617 i.e. 18 Sunday.A Stormy Day. For these 3 days past there has been a severe N.E. Storm. Heard Mr. Maccarty. Spent the Evening at Major Gardiners. ... 19 April 175618 i.e. 19 Monday.The Storm continues. ... 20 April 175619 i.e. 20 Tuesday.A lovely Day after the Storm. Drank Tea at Major Chandlers. Walked with the Coll. to his Saw-mill Farm. ... 21 April 175620 i.e. 21 Wednesday.Charming Weather. The Fields begin to look verdant. The leaves begin to shew themselves on the apple Trees, and Blossoms on the peach Trees. Drank Tea... 22 April 175621 i.e. 22 Thurdsday. Cloudy, black morning. Cleared away very pleasant about 9. Dined at Capt. Stearns’s, with the Officers of the Militia in this Place. Spent the Evening... 23 April 175622 i.e. 23 Fryday.A pleasant Day. I can as easily still the fierce Tempests or Stop the rapid Thunderbolt, as command the motions and operations of my own mind. I am du... 24 April 175623 i.e. 24 Saturday.A cloudy morn. All my Time seems to roll away unnoticed. I long to study sometimes, but have no opportunity. I long to be a master of Greek and Latin.... 25 April 175624 i.e. 25 Sunday.Astronomers tell us, with good Reason, that not only all the Planets and Satellites in our Solar System, but all the unnumbered Worlds that revolve ro... 26 April 175625 i.e. 26 Monday.The Reflection that I penned Yesterday, appears upon the review to be weak enough. For 1st. we know not that the Inhabitants of other Globes have sinn... 27 April 175626 i.e. 27 Tuesday.We had a few soft, vernal Showers to Day. ... 28 April 175627 i.e. 28 Wednesday.A cool but pleasant morning. Dined at Mr. Paines. Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Walked with him to his Farm. Talked about all Nature. ... 29 April 175628 i.e. 29 Thurdsday.Fast day. Heard Mr. Maccarty. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. Our proper Business in this Life is, not to accumulate large Fortunes, not to gain hig... 30 April 175629 i.e. 30 Fryday.A hazy, dull Day. Reading Milton. That mans Soul, it seems to me, was distended as wide as Creation. His Powr over the human mind was absolute and unl... May 1756 1 May 175630 April, i.e. 1 May Saturday.A rainy Day. If we consider a little of this our Globe we find an endless Variety of Substances, mutually connected with and dependent on Each other. ... 2 May 1756May. 1756. 1 i.e. 2 Sunday.Last night we had rain all night accompanied with a very high Wind, and the storm continues. Heard Mr. Camel Campbell of Oxford. About noon cleard awa... 3 May 17563 Monday.I was mistaken one Day in my reckoning. A pleasant Day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Maccartys. The Love of Fame naturally betrays a man into s... 4 May 17564 Tuesday.Let any man, suppose of the most improved understanding, look upon a watch, when the Parts of it are separated. Let him examine every Wheel and spring... 5 May 17565 Wednesday.A very cold Day. Drank Tea at the Colonels. Spent the Evening at the Majors. ... 6 May 17566 Thurdsday.A cold day. Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Putnams. ... 7 May 17567 Fryday.Spent the Evening and supped at Mr. Maccartys. A mans observing the Flux of the Tide to Day, renders it credible that the same Phenomenon may be obser... 8 May 17568 Saturday.Went a Shooting with Mr. Putnam. Drank Tea with him and his Lady. ... 9 May 17569 Sunday.Since last Sunday I have wrote a few Papers of the Spectators, read the last Part of Butlers Analogy, wrote out the Tract upon personal Identity, and ... 10 May 175610 Monday.A pleasant Day. ... 11 May 175611 Tuesday.A pleasant day. The first Day of Court. Nature and Truth or rather Truth and right are invariably the same in all Times and in all Places. And Reason,... 12 May 175612 Wednesday.Rambled about all Day, gaping and gazing. ... 13 May 175612 i.e. 13 Thurdsday.Spent the Evening with Mr. Swan at home. ... 14 May 175613 i.e. 14. Friday.Drank Tea at the Colonels.—Not one new Idea this Week. ... 15 May 175614 i.e. 15. Saturday.A lovely Day. Soft vernal Showers. Exercise invigorates, and enlivens all the Faculties of Body and of mind. It arouses our Animal Spirits, it dispers... 16 May 175615 i.e. 16. Sunday.A pleasant morning. The Week past was Court week. I was interrupted by Company, and the noisy Bustle of the publick Occasion, so that I have neither r... 17 May 175616 i.e. 17 Monday.The Elephant and the Lion, when their Strength is directed and applyd by Man, can exert a prodigious Force. But their Strength, great and surprizing a... 18 May 175617 i.e. 18 Tuesday. ... 19 May 175618 i.e. 19 Wednesday. ... 20 May 175619 i.e. 20 Thurdsday.Spent the Evening at Gardiners. ... 21 May 175620 i.e. 21 Fryday.After School, rode to Shrewsbury, went to Capt. Hows, to see Dr. Flynt, spent an Hour, and then rode to Mr. Howards, talked a little with him, and ret... 22 May 175621 i.e. 22 Saturday.Dined at Judge Chandlers. ... 23 May 175622 i.e. 23 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty. He is particularly fond of the following Expressions. Carnal, ungodly Persons. Sensuality and voluptuousness. Walking with God. Un... 24 May 175623 i.e. 24 Monday.A pleasant morning. Drank Tea at the Colonells.—Had the projectile Force in the Planets been greater than it is, they would not describe Circles but v... 25 May 175624 i.e. 25 Tuesday.A cool, but pleasant Day. ... 26 May 175625 i.e. 26 Wednesday.Election Day. I have spent all this Day at Home reading a little and eating a little Election Cake. ... 27 May 175626 i.e. 27 Thurdsday.Drank Tea at the Colonels with a Number of Ladies. Spent the Evening partly at Putnams and partly at Gardiners. ... 28 May 175627 i.e. 28 Fryday.Dined at the Majors. A pleasant Day.—If we examine critically the little Prospect that lies around us at one view we behold an almost infinite Variety... 29 May 175628 i.e. 29 Saturday.Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams.—What is the proper Business of Mankind in this Life? We come into the World naked and destitute of all the Conveniences and ... 30 May 175629 i.e. 30 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty. “You who are sinners, are in continual Danger of being swallowed up quick and born away by the mighty Torrent of Gods wrath and Ju... 31 May 175630 i.e. 31 Monday.When we see or feel any Body, we discern nothing but Bulk and Extention. We can change this Extention into a great Variety of Shapes and Figures, and ... June 1756 1 June 1756June 1756. 1 Tuesday.Drank Tea at the Majors. The Reasoning of Mathematicians is founded on certain and infallible Principles. Every Word they Use, conveys a determinate I... 2 June 17562 Wednesday.Went to Spencer in the afternoon.—When we come into the World, our minds are destitute of all Sorts of Ideas. Our senses inform us of various Qualitie... 3 June 17563 Thurdsday.Heard Mr. Maccarty preach the Lecture, drank Tea with him, and spent the Evening at the Majors. ... 4 June 17564 Friday. ... 5 June 17565 Saturday.Dreamed away the afternoon. ... 6 June 17566 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty all Day. Drank Tea at home with Crawford. Spent the Evening at home with Mr. Maccarty and Capt. Doolittle. A great deal of Thunder ... 7 June 175613 June 17567–13 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurdsday, Fryday, Saturday, Sunday. ... 14 June 175614 Monday.Drank Tea at Mr. Putnams. Spent the Evening at the Majors, with Esqrs. Chandler of Woodstock and Brewer of Worcester.—He is not a wise man and is unfi... 15 June 175615 Tuesday.Consider, for one minute, the Changes produced in this Country, within the Space of 200 years. Then, the whole Continent was one continued dismall Wil... 20 June 175620 Sunday.Supped and spent the Evening at the Majors. ... 21 June 175621 Monday.A cool Day. ... 22 June 175622 Tuesday.A rainy Day. Drank Tea and spent Evening at Putnam’s. ... 23 June 175623 Wednesday.Went with Mr. Thayer and Mrs. Willard, to Mr. Richardsons of Sutton. ... 24 June 175627 June 175624 –27 Thurdsday. Fryday. Saturday. Sunday.Spent the Evening at the Colonels. ... 28 June 175628 Monday. ... July 1756 19 July 1756July. 1756. 19. Monday.Sat out for Boston. Borrowed the Idea of a Patriot King of Ned. Quincy. Rode to Cambridge. Lodgd. Rode the next morning to Worcester. ... 20 July 175620 Tuesday.Eliot and Trumble lodged here with me. ... 21 July 175621 Wednesday.Kept School.—I am now entering on another Year, and I am resolved not to neglect my Time as I did last Year. I am resolved to rise with the Sun and to... 22 July 175622 Thurdsday.Fast day. Rose not till 7 o clock. This is the usual Fate of my Resolutions! Wrote the 3 first Chapters of St. James. Wrote in Bolinbroke pretty indus... 23 July 175623 Friday.Rose at 7. Wrote the 2 last Chapters of St. James. Spent the Evening at the Majors and drank Tea at Putnams. ... 24 July 175624 Saturday.Rose at 7. Wrote a little in Greek. Afternoon wrote Bolinbroke. ... 25 July 175625 Sunday.Rose 1/2 after 6.—Good Sense, some say, is enough to regulate our Conduct, to dictate Thoughts and Actions which are proper upon certain Occasions. Th... 26 July 175626 Monday.Rose at 7. Read carefully 30 lines in Virgil. ... 27 July 175627 Tuesday.Rose at 7. Read carefully 30 lines, in Virgil. Wrote a little in Bolingbroke at noon and a little at night. Spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams. ... 28 July 175628 Wednesday.Read about 40 lines in Virgil, and wrote a little at noon. Nothing more. ... 29 July 175629 Thurdsday.Rose half after 6. Read a little Greek. ... 30 July 175630 Fryday.A very rainy Day. Dreamed away the Time. ... 31 July 175631 Saturday.A rainy forenoon. Dined at Mr. Paines. A fair afternoon. The Nature and Essence of the material World is not less conceal’d from our knowledge than th... August 1756 1 August 1756August. 1756. 1 Sunday.Heard Mr. Maccarty all Day. Spent the Evening at the Collonels.— The Event Shews that my Resolutions are of a very thin and vapory Consistence. Almost... 2 August 17562 Monday.Agreably to the Design laid last night, I arose this Morning before the sun. Dined at Pains. Lodgd at Putnams. ... 3 August 17563 Tuesday.Dind at the Colonels. Lodged at Putnam’s. ... 4 August 17564 Wednesday.Breakfasted at Putnam’s. ... 7 August 17567 Saturday.All this past Week my designs have been interrupted, by the Troubles and Confusion of the House. I shall be able to resume the Thread of my Studies I ... 12 August 175613 August 175612 –13 Thurdsday. Fryday.I know not what became of these days. ... 14 August 175614 Saturday.I seem to have lost sight of the Object that I resolved to pursue. Dreams and slumbers, sloth and negligence, will be the ruin of my schemes. However ... 15 August 175615 Sunday.If one Man or Being, out of pure Generosity, and without any Expectation of Returns, is about to confer any Favour or Emolument upon Another, he has a... 22 August 175622 Sunday.Yesterday I compleated a Contract with Mr. Putnam, to study Law under his Inspection for two years. I ought to begin with a Resolution to oblige and p... 23 August 175623 Monday.Came to Mr. Putnams and began Law. And studied not very closely this Week. ... 29 August 175629 Sunday. ... 1758 October 1758 5 October 1758Braintree Octr. 5th. 1758.Yesterday arrived here from Worcester. I am this Day about beginning Justinians Institutions with Arnold Vinnius’s Notes. I took it out of the Library... 6 October 1758Fryday. Oct. 6.Rose about sun rise. Unpitched a Load of Hay. Translated 2 Leaves more of Justinian, and in the afternoon walked to Deacon Webbs, then round by the Mi... 7 October 1758Saturday 7 October.Read in Gilbert. Rode with Webb to Mr. Cranche’s. Dined and drank Tea with him, and then home. Saturday night. ... 8 October 1758Sunday 8 October.Read a few Leaves in Baxters Enquiry into the Nature of the human Soul. He has explaind with great Exactness, the Resistance, which Matter makes to an... 9 October 1758Monday Octr. 9.Read in Gilberts Tenures. I must and will make that Book familiar to me. ... 10 October 1758Tuesday 10 October.Read in Gilbert. I read him slowly, but I gain Ideas and Knowledge as I go along, which I dont always, when I read. ... 11 October 1758Wednesday 11 October.Rode to Boston. Conversed with Ned Quincy and Saml., Peter Chardon &c. By the Way Peter Chardon is a promising Youth. He aspires, and will reach to a ... 12 October 1758Thurdsday 12 October.Examined the Laws of this Province concerning Pads, Cattle, fences &c. and read in Gilbert. This small volume will take me a fortnight, but I will be ... 13 October 1758Fryday 13 October.Read Gilbert. Went in the Evening to Coll. Quincys. Heard a Tryal before him, as a Justice between Jos. Field and Luke Lambert. The Case was this. Lam... 16 October 1758Monday 16 October.Read a few Pages in Gilbert. I proceed very slowly. ... 17 October 1758Tuesday 17 October.Read in Gilbert. Went to Monatiquot to see the Raising of the new Meeting House. No Observations worth noting. I have not Spirits, and Presence of min... 18 October 1758Wednesday 18 October.Went to Boston. Bob Paine. I have ruined myself, by a too eager Pursuit of Wisdom. I have now neither Health enough for an active Life, nor Knowledge ... 19 October 1758Thurdsday 19 October.I borrowed yesterday of Quincy, the 1st Volume of Batista Angeloni’s Letters, and a general Treatise of naval Trade and Commerce as founded on the Law... 21 October 1758Saturday 21 October.Rose with the sun. Brot up the Horse and took a Ride over Penns Hill, as far as John Haywards in a cold, keen, blustering N. Wester. Returned and brea... 22 October 1758Sunday 22 October.Conversed with Capt. Thatcher about commercial affairs.—When he receives a freight of Goods on board his Vessell, he signs 3 Bills of Lading (a Bill o... 23 October 1758Monday 23 October. ... 24 October 1758Tuesday 24 October.Rode to Boston. Arrived about 1/2 after 10. Went into the Court House, and sett down by Mr. Paine att the Lawyers Table. I felt Shy, under Awe and con... 25 October 1758Wednesday 25 October.Went in the morning to Mr. Gridleys, and asked the favour of his Advice what Steps to take for an Introduction to the Practice of Law in this County. ... 26 October 1758Thurdsday 26 October.Went in the morning to wait on Mr. Prat. He inquired if I had been sworn at Worcester? No. Have you a Letter from Mr. Putnam to the Court? No. It woul... 27 October 175830 October 1758Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 27–30 October.All Spent in absolute Idleness, or what is worse, gallanting the Girls. ... 31 October 1758Tuesday 31 October.Set down, and recollected my self, and read a little in Van Muyden, a little in naval Trade and Commerce. ... November 1758 1 November 1758Wednesday 1 November.Read a little in Van Muyden, and a little in naval Trade and Commerce. ... 2 November 1758Thurdsday 2 November.Rode as far as Smelt Brook. Breakfasted, made my fire and am now set down to Van Muyden in Earnest. His latin is easy, his definitions are pretty clea... 5 November 1758Sunday 5? November.Drank Tea at Coll. Quincy’s. He read to me a Letter Coll. Gouch wrote him in answer to his Questions, whether a Justices Court was a Court of Record? ... 6 November 1758Monday 6? November.Went to Town. Went to Mr. Gridleys office, but he had not returned to Town from Brookline. Went again. Not returned. Attended Court till after 12 and ... December 1758 5 December 1758Tuesday. December 3 or 4 i.e. 5.Bob Paine is conceited and pretends to more Knowledge and Genius than he has. I have heard him say that he took more Pleasure in solving a Problem in ... 1 December 175831 December 1758Marginalia in Winthrop’s Lecture on Earthquakes, December 1758?“O! there is no getting out of the mighty hand of GOD!” This Exclamation was very popular, for the Audience in general like the rest of the Province, ... 18 December 1758Monday. December 18th. 1758I this Evening delivered to Mr. Field, a Declaration in Trespass for a Rescue. I was obliged to finish it, without sufficient examination. If it shoul... 20 December 1758Wednesday 20 December.I am this forenoon, resuming the Study of Van Muyden. I begin at the 99th Page. ... 21 December 1758Thurdsday 21 December.Yesterday and to day I have read loud, Tullius 4 Orations against Cataline. The Sweetness and Grandeur of his sounds, and the Harmony of his Numbers g... 26 December 1758Tuesday, 26 of December.Being the Evening after Christmas, the Dr. and I spent the Evening with Mr. Cleverly and Major Miller. Mr. Cleverly was chearful, alert, sociable and ... 29 December 1758Friday 29 December.Let me see, if Bob Paine dont pick up this Story to laugh at. Lambert will laugh no doubt, and will tell the story to every man he sees, and will squi... 30 December 1758Saturday 30 December.How a whole Family is put into a Broil sometimes by a Trifle. My P. and M. disagreed in Opinion about boarding Judah, that Difference occasioned passi... 1759 January 1759 1 January 175931 January 1759Wednesday January 1759.Drank Tea at Coll. Quincies. Spent the Evening there, and the next morning. In the afternoon, rode out to German Town. Hannah Quincy or O. Suppose you... 1 January 175931 January 1759Tuesday January 1759.Took a ride after Dinner to Gullivers Brook in Milton, returned home. Went over to Deacon Belchers and drank Tea, and in the Evening walked home with ... February 1759 1 February 1759Feb. 1.I intend a Journey to Worcester to morrow. How many observations shall I make on the People at West Town, and Worcester, and how many new Ideas, Hints... 2 February 1759Feb. 2. 1759.At Westtown, in Dr. Webbs Chamber at Hammonds. His landlady is an odd Woman. She seems good Natured, and obliging too, but she has so many shruggs, gr... 11 February 1759Worcester Feb. 11. 1759.I have been in this Town a Week this night. How much have I improved my Health by Exercise, or my mind by Study or Conversation, in this Space? I have... March 1759 14 March 1759March 14. 1759.Reputation ought to be the perpetual subject of my Thoughts, and Aim of my Behaviour. How shall I gain a Reputation! How shall I Spread an Opinion of ... 19 March 1759March 18 i.e. 19. MondayThis whole Day is dedicated to walking, riding, talk, &c. No Reading to day. Twas Avarice, not Compassion that induced to pass the last Court. He was... April 1759 8 April 1759Sunday. April 8th. 1759.Spent the Evening at Captain Bracketts. A Case was proposed and my Opinion asked, which gave me Opportunity to display some Knowledge of Law but betra... 1 April 175930 June 1759Spring 1759.The Road is walled on each side with a Grove of Trees. The stillness, silence, and the uniformity of the Prospect puts the Mind into a stirring, thoug... June 1759 29 June 1759June 29. 1759.Have this moment finished Woods new Institute of the Imperial or civil Law. It is a great Help in the study of Van Muyden and Justinian. I understand ... 30 June 175931 August 1759Summer 1759.Mr. Wibirt. Ld. Chancellor Hardwick used at night to take off the Robes of his office and lay them aside. “There Ld. Chancellor lie there till morning... October 1759 1 October 175931 October 1759Extract of a Letter to Jona. Sewall, Octr. 1759The true End, which we ought to have in View, is that praeclarum ac Singulare quiddam, which follows here. Tis impossible to employ with full Advantag... 1 January 175931 December 17591759.Began Octr. 12th, in Pursuance of the foregoing Plan to transcribe from Brightlands english Grammar, Answer’s to Mr. Gridleys Questions for that Gramm... 1760 May 1760 26 May 1760Monday May 26th 1760.Spent the Evening at Mr. Edd. Quincy’s, with Mr. Wibird, and my Cozen Zab. Mr. Quincy told a remarkable Instance of Mr. Ben. Franklin’s Activity, and ... 27 May 1760Tuesday 27 May.At home. Read, in Naval Trade and Commerce. ... 28 May 1760Wednesday 28 May.Loitered the forenoon away upon this Question in Arithmetic. 3 men give 20 shillings for a Bushell of Corn. A pays in the Proportion of one half, B in... 29 May 17601760. May 29. Thurdsday.Rose and breakfasted. Have done nothing yet to day, and God only knows what I shall do. The Question of the Pipe. A Pipe of Wine has 3 Cocks, one of w... 30 May 1760May 30 1760. Friday.Rose early. Several Country Towns, within my observation, have at least a Dozen Taverns and Retailers. Here The Time, the Money, the Health and the Mo... 31 May 17601760 May 31th. SaturdayRead in naval Trade and Commerce, concerning Factors, Consuls, Embassadors, &c., and the South Sea Company, &c. Went into Water. Talked with Wm. Vease... June 1760 1 June 1760June 1st. Sunday.Read 2 Odes in Horace. Spent the Evening at the Coll’s. While we were at supper, the Coll. received Letters from Mr. Turner of London, with a Bill of ... 2 June 1760June 2d. Monday.Wasted the Day, with a Magazine in my Hand. As it was Artillery Election, it seemed absurd to study, and I had no Conveniencies, or Companions for Ple... 3 June 1760June 3rd. Tuesday.This Day has been lost in much the same, Spiritless manner. ... 4 June 1760June 4th. Wednesday.Read nothing but Magazines as indeed an indisposition rendered me unfit for any Application. Discharged my Venom to Billy Veasey, against the Multitud... 5 June 1760June 5th. Thurdsday.Arose late. Feel disordered. 8 o’Clock, 3 1/2 Hours after Sun rise, is a sluggard’s rising Time. Tis a stupid Waste of so much Time. Tis getting an Ha... 6 June 1760June 1760. Friday 6th. June.Arose very late. A cold, rainy northeasterly storm, of several Days continuance. I have an ugly Cold, a phlegmatic stomach and a Cholicky Pain in my B... 7 June 1760Saturday. 7th.Arose late, again. When shall I shake off the shackells of morning slumbers, and arise with the sun? Between sun rise, and Breackfast, I might write, ... 8 June 1760Sunday, 8th.Spent the Evening and Night at the Coll’s. in ill natured, invidious, Remarks upon Eb. Thayer, and Morals and General Court &c. ... 9 June 1760Monday. 9th.Attended Major Crosbeys Court. Where Capts. Thayer and Hollis made their Appearance. Thayer had taken 2 Accounts of Nathan Spear, in his own Hand Writ... 10 June 1760Tuesday 10 June.Altho my Spirits were wasted Yesterday, by sitting so late the Night before, (till one o’Clock I believe) and rising so early Yesterday morning, (by s... 14 June 1760Saturday 14 June.This Week has been spent in Business, i.e. filling Writts, and Journeys to Boston, Scadding, Weighmouth, Abington. The other Night Cranch explained, t... 15 June 17601760. June 15th. Sunday.Rose early, 5 o clock. A pleasant Morning. The more I write the better. Writing is a most useful improving Exercise. Yesterday morning before Break fa... 16 June 1760Monday. June 16th.Arose before the sun. Now I am ignorant of my Future Fortune, what Business, what Reputation, I may get, which is now far from my Expectations. How ma... 17 June 1760Tuesday. June 17th.Arose before the sun again. This is the last day. What, and who to day? Ebenezer Hayden was altogether new and unexpected. Hollis him self was altoget... 18 June 17601760 June 18th.Read but little, thought but little, for the N.E. storm unstrung me. ... 19 June 1760Thurdsday June 19.I have been the longer in the Argument of this Cause not for the Importance of the Cause itself, for in itself it is infinitely little and contemptibl... 20 June 1760Friday June 20th.I must not say so much about my self, nor so much about Hollis and Thayer by Name. I may declaim against Strife, and a litigious Spirit, and about the... 21 June 1760June 21st. 1760. Saturday. ... 23 June 1760June 23rd. 1760. Monday.A long obstinate Tryal, before Majr. Crosby, of the most litigious, vexatious suit, I think that ever I heard. Such Disputes begin with ill humour and... 24 June 1760Tuesday. 24th. June.Arose early, a very beautiful Morning. Zab. seems to make insufficient Distinctions between the Vowells. He seems to swallow his own Voice. He neither... 25 June 1760Wednesday 25 June.Went out with the Coll., in his Canoe, after Tom Codd. Rowed down, in a still calm, and smooth Water, to Rainsford Island, round which we fished in se... 26 June 17601760. June 26. Thurdsday.Feel indifferently well after my yesterdays walk and sail. I have begun to read the Spirit of Laws, and have resolved to read that Work, thro, in orde... 27 June 1760June 27th. Friday.Read 100 Pages in the Spirit of Laws. Rambled away to a fine Spring in my Cozen Adam’s Land, which gushes thro a Crack in a large flat Rock and gurgle... July 1760 1 July 1760Tuesday. July 1st. 1760.Went to Town. Mr. Thatcher. You have read a great deal, Mr. Adams, in the Roman History, concerning the Modesty of Youth, and their Veneration of the ... 3 July 1760Thurdsday July 3rd. 1760.Read pretty diligently in the Spirit of Laws.—Hayden’s Consultation suggested the following Questions. Q. Is there any Method of compelling a Grantor ... 5 July 17601760. Saturday July 5th.Last Night Cranch explained to me, the Water Works in the River Thames which convey water, all round the City of London. There is first, a long water ... 6 July 1760July 6th. Sunday.Heard Mr. Mayhew of Martha’s Vineyard. ... 9 July 1760July 9th. Wednesday.Gould has got the story of White and Bowditch. ... 12 July 176019 July 1760Saturday 12 or 19 July.I find upon Examination, that a Warrant of Attorney given by an Infant is void; so that, if you intend during your Apprentices Absence, to put the Not... 13 July 176020 July 1760Sunday Morning 13 or 20 July 1760.The week before last Salome Pope appeared before Coll. Quincy, to confess herself with Child, by Jos. Ryford. Her Intention was to complain against Jo... 25 July 1760Fryday July 25th.We contend that the Plaintiffs ought to recover nothing on this Bond, because according to the original Agreement it is paid. The Case was this. The P... 26 July 17601760. July 26.This Bond has been at least once and an half, if not twice, paid. The Case is this. About 15 Years ago, the Plaintiffs sold a tract of Land, containin... August 1760 3 August 1760August 3d. 1760.Hollis has appealed. If he prosecutes his Appeal, he shall be paid. I believe there never was an Action in this Court where more Instances of Ignoranc... 9 August 17601760. Aug. 9th.Drank Tea at Coll. Quincys, with Coll. Gooch and Dr. Gardiner. I see Gooch’s fiery Spirit, his unguarded Temper. He Swears freely, boldly. He is a Wid... 12 August 17601760. Aug. 12th.Remonstrated at the sessions vers. Licensing Lambard, because the select Men had refused to approbate him, because he never was approbated by the sele... 19 August 17601760 Aug. 19th.I began Popes Homer, last Saturday Night was a Week, and last Night, which was Monday night I finished it. Thus I found that in seven days I could hav... September 1760 24 September 17601760. Septr. 24th.Ephraim Jones, being a Widower and having two Children by a former Wife marries another, and soon after dies, leaving a Widow, and the two Children, m... 24 September 1760Septr. 24th. 1760.If I am the Proprietor of an House, and I lease it to any Man, and bind my self to keep it in Repair, it is reasonable and it is Law, that I should ha... October 1760 7 October 1760Octr. 7th. 1760.Waited on Mr. Gridley for his Opinion of my Declaration Lambard v. Tirrell, and for his Advice, whether to enter the Action or not. He says the Declar... 9 October 17601760. Oct. 9th.In Support of Complaint in Case Neal’s Action is not entered. I do not know, nor is it possible for your Honours to determine, what Reason induced the... 11 October 17601760. Oct. 11th.Neals Action is entered so that I have two Actions to defend by Pleas in Bar and three of the Actions I entered, are to be defended, Clark is to Plead... 13 October 17601760. Octr. 13th. Monday.Attended Mr. Niles’s Court this morning for John Holbrook Junior in an Action of his against Benja. Thayer Junior. Holbrook agreed with Thayer, to sub... 17 October 17601760. Octr. 17th.What are the Questions, on which Mrs. Bracketts Bars to Danas Actions turn?—The first Question is, whether any Action at all can be maintained vs. the... 17 October 17601760. Oct. 17.In the Beginning of May 58 Mr. Lambard, the Plantiff, gave a Lease of a House and Barn and Land in Germantown mentioned in the Writ to the Defendant M... November 1760 3 November 17603 Novr. 1760. Monday.Dana says the Administrator ought not to regard the Disgrace or Trouble or Expence of a Commission of Insolvency, but if it is in the least degree sus... 5 November 1760Nov. 5th. 1760.Messrs. I presume upon the common sense of the World that no offence will be taken at the Freedom of the following Sentiments while the utmost Defere... 14 November 1760Novr. 14th. 1760.Another Year is now gone and upon Recollection, I find I have executed none of my Plans of study. I cannot Satisfy my self that I am much more knowing... 14 November 17601760. Novr. 14th. Friday.I am just entered on the 26th Year of my Life, and on the fifth Year of my studies in Law, and I think it is high Time for a Reformation both in the M... 14 November 17601760. Novr. 14. Friday.The Title is “The History of the Common Law of England.” The Frontispiece, I cannot comprehend. It is this. His great Distribution of the La... 15 November 17601760. Novr. 15th. Sat.Spent last Evening at Coll. Quincys, with Coll. Lincoln. Several Instances were mentioned, when the Independency and Superiority of the Law in general... 19 November 17601760. Novr. 19th.Parson Smith says the Art of Printing like most other Arts, and Instruments, was discovered by Accident. Somebody, at an idle Hour, had whitled his Na... 19 November 1760Wednesday 19 November.Dined at Badcocks, with McKenzie. He pretends to Mechanicks, and Manufactures. He owns the snuff Mill, and he is about setting up some Machine to hull... 21 November 17601760. Novr. 21st. Friday.This day has been spent to little Purpose. I must confine my Body, or I never shall confine my Tho’ts. Running to Drs., cutting Wood, blowing fires, c... 21 November 17601760. Novr. 21st. Friday.Finished the History of the Common Law, the second Time. The Dissertation on hereditary Descents, and that on Tryals by Juries, are really, very excel... 22 November 176024 November 1760November 1760.Pater was in a very sociable Mood this Evening. He told 3 or 4 merry stories of old Horn. Old Horn, a little crooked old Lawyer in my fathers Youth, w... 25 November 1760Novr. 25th. 1760.Rode to the Iron Works Landing to see a Vessell launched. And after Launching went to smoke a Pipe, at Ben. Thayers, where the Rabble filled the House... 26 November 17601760. Novr. 26th. Wednesday.Ten days are now elapsed, since I began Hale the 2d time, and all the Law I have read, for 10 days, is that Book once thro. I read Woods Institute thr... 26 November 17601760. Novr. 26th Wednesday.Night before Thanksgiving.—I have read a Multitude of Law Books—mastered but few. Wood. Coke. 2 Vols. Lillies Abridgment. 2 Vols. Salkeld’s Reports. S... 28 November 17601760 Novr. 28th. Friday.I have not read one Word of Law, this Day. But several Points, and Queries have been suggested to me, by the Consultors.—In whom is the Fee, and Freeh... 29 November 17601760. Novr. 29th. Saturday.Read no Law.—An exclusive Property is certainly claimed and enjoyed, by private Persons, in Tombs and Monuments, as well as in Pews. Inhabitants of ot... 30 November 1760Novr. 30th. Sunday.Read no Law. Read Bolinbroke. ... December 1760 1 December 17601760. Decr. 1st. Monday.I am beginning a Week and a month, and I arose by the Dawning of the Day. And by sun rise had made my fire and read a number of Pages in Bolinbroke. T... 2 December 17601760. Decr. 2d.Spent the Evening at Coll. Q.’s with Captn. Freeman. About the middle of the Evening Dr. Lincoln and his Lady came in. The Dr. gave us an ample Confir... 6 December 1760Decr. 6th. 1760.Talked with Zab about Newton, Bacon, Lock, Martin, Chambers, Rowning, Desaguliers, S’Gravesende &c. I told him I had a low Opinion of the Compilers, A... 8 December 17601760. Decr. 8. ... 14 December 1760Decr. 14th. 1760.Hunt v. White. Complaint to Coll. Quincy—of a scandalous Lye, made and published to Hunts Damage. We appear before your Honour to complain of a very s... 16 December 17601760. Decr. 16th. Tuesday.Attended the Tryal all day, between Hunt and White before Coll. Quincy, at James Bracketts. What will be the Consequence of this Tryal? to me, to Hunt... 18 December 17601760 Decr. 18th. Thurdsday.Yesterday spent in Weymouth, in settling the Disputes between old Thos. White and young Isaac French. White has the Remainders of his habitual Trickis... 18 December 17601760. Decr. 18.Justice Dyer says there is more Occasion for Justices than for Lawyers. Lawyers live upon the sins of the People. If all Men were just, and honest, an... 19 December 17601760. Decr. 18th i.e. 19th Fryday.Sir , &c. ... 22 December 17601760. Decr. 22nd. Monday.This day and Tomorrow are the last. I have but one Blank left that I can use. ... 27 December 17601760. Decr. 27th. Saturday.Governor Bernards Speech to the two Houses, at the opening of the present sessions, has several Inaccuracies in it. “The glorious Conclusion of the N... 1761 January 1761 2 January 1761Jany. 2nd. 1760 i.e. 1761. Fryday.The Representatives in their Address to the Governor, have told him that “Great Britain is the leading and most respectable Power in the whole World.”... 2 January 17611760 i.e. 1761. Jany. 2nd. Friday.Nathl. Bayley Administrator v. Nathll. Niles.—Plea in Abatement. Defendant lives on the Castle, within the Town of Boston but is called of Braintree. ... 8 January 1761Jany. 8th. 1761.Last Monday, had a passionate Wrangle, with Eb. Thayer, before Major Crosby. He called me, a petty Lawyer. This I resented. The Defendant Niles appear... 1 January 17618 February 1761January? 1761.I was too incautious, and unartful in my Proceeding, but Practice makes perfect. I should have first taken all the summonses, into my own Hand, or Pow... 27 January 17611761. Tuesday Jany. 27th.Last Fryday I borrowed of Mr. Gridley, the second Volume of the Corpus Iuris Canonici Notis illustratum. Gregorii 13 Iussi editum.— complectens Decret... February 1761 6 February 17611761. Friday 6 Feby.I have now almost finished the first book of Peter Lancelotts Institute, which first Book is taken up De Jure Personarum, and is well analized in the ... 9 February 17611761 Monday. Feby. 9th.This morning, as I lay abed, I recollected my last Weeks Work. I find I was extreamly diligent, constantly in my Chamber, Spent no Evenings abroad, no... 9 February 17611761. Feb. 9th.His Majesty has declared him self, by his Speech to his Parliament to be a Man of Piety, and Candor in Religion, a friend of Liberty, and Property in ... March 1761 3 March 1761March 3d. 1761.Mem. To enquire of Tufts, Gould, Whitmarsh, Hunts, Whites, &c. about their Method of mending High Ways by a Rate. And to enquire at Worcester, wheneve... 12 March 1761Marginal Note in Winthrop’s Lecture on Earthquakes.March 12th. 1761. Another Earthquake happened which may perhaps enable us to determine, whereabouts these Earthquakes originate, and what Course they... 1 March 176131 March 1761March? 1761.Parson Smith’s Parsonage. Vid. 6th. Wm. & M. C. 5. Page 60.—Charter Page 6th &c. from Index to Index. All Lands &c. which any Body politick, or Corpor... 21 March 1761March 21st. 1761.Memorandum. To enquire more particularly into the Practice in Weymouth—how they estimate a Days Work for a Man, Horse, Yoke of oxen, Carts, Tools, Pic... April 1761 3 April 1761April 3d. 1761.Z. tells me, that Jona. Rawson is malicious and cruel as well as conceited. He spights Edd. Quincy and his whole Family. He says that the whole family... May 1761 1 May 176131 May 1761Draft of a Letter to the Boston Gazette, May 1761.I am myself an Inhabitant of Boston, and have I think an honest affection for the Town, and a sincere Concern for its Honour: for which Reason I canno... June 1761 11 June 1761June 11th. 1761.I have been for a Week or fortnight engaged in a Project. Have remarkably succeeded hitherto. Mr. Niles approved in all Things. Major Crosbey approved... 20 June 1761June 20th. 1761.I have latterly arose much earlyer than Usual. Arose at five and at 6 O’clock, instead of 8 and 9. The Mornings are very long, and fine opportunities ... 20 June 1761Saturday June 20th. 1761.I have been interrupted from Reading this Institute ever since Feby. Amidst the Dissipations of Business, Pleasure, Conversation, Intrigue, Party &c. ... July 1761 7 July 1761July 7th. 1761.Dined at Deacon Hills, with Sam Quincy and his Bride, and with Mr. Cushing a Representative of Salisbury. Cushing seems a fair minded Countryman. Some... August 1761 1 August 1761Augt. 1st.I am creating Enemies in every Quarter of the Town. The Clarks hate. Mother Hubbard, Thayer, Lamb, Tirrell, J. Brackett. This is multiplying and propa... September 1761 10 September 1761Septr. 10th. 1761.Spent Evening at Zabs with the Parson. Wibirt. I have seen a Picture of Oliver Cromwell, with this Motto under it— I pray that he may want success, w... October 1761 17 October 1761Octr. 17th. 1761.Read in Justinian and Lancelot. ... 17 October 1761Octr. 17th. 1761.I began Lancelotts Institute last Jany., and have read no farther than Liber 3. Titulus 8. De Exceptionibus et Replicationibus. ... 18 October 1761Octr. 18th. 1761. Sunday.Arose at 6. Read in Popes Satyrs. Nil Admirari &c. I last night read thro, both of Dr. Donnes Satyrs versifyed by Pope. Was most struck with these Lin... November 1761 10 November 1761Novr. 10th. 1761.Another Year is come round, and I can recollect still less Reading, than I could last Novr. The Increase of my Business, within 12ve months, has been ... 14 November 1761Novr. 14th. 1761.Brother Quincy and I were Sworn, before the Superiour Court. It is now more than five Years since I began the study of the Law. And it is about three ... 20 November 1761Novr. 20th. 1761. Monday.This day removed to my Chamber, and made a Fire. The Forenoon was Spent in Conversation with Zab, in walking to Dr. Turners, and up Pens Hill, and thi... 1762 June 1762 5 June 1762June 5th. 1762.Rode from Bass’s to Secretary Olivers, in Company with Judge Oliver. The Judge soon opened upon Politicks. Says he, Major Stock-bridge informs me, tha... 8 June 1762June 8th. 1762.Went to Taunton Court. To the Land of Leonards. Three Judges of the Common Pleas of that Name, each of whom has a Son, who was bred at a Colledge. The... August 1762 15 August 1762Aug. 15th. 1762.Reading, Thinking, Writing—have I totally renounced all three? Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. Yesterday I found in some of Crafts Books of... October 1762 22 October 1762October 22nd. 1762.Spent last Monday in taking Pleasure, with Mr. Wibird. Met him in the Morning at Mr. Borlands, rode with him, to Squantum, to the very lowest Point of... 23 October 1762Octr. 23rd. 1762.At my Swamp. Saw several Ginger Bushes. They Grow in Bunches like Willows and Alders, in low Grounds, between Upland and Meadows. They grow Eight feet... 24 October 1762Octr. 24th. 1762.Before sunrise. My Thoughts have taken a sudden Turn to Husbandry. Have contracted with Jo. Tirrell to clear my swamp and to build me a long string of... May 1762 5 November 1762November 5th. 1762.The Cause of Jeffries Town Treasurer of Boston and Sewal and Edwards and several others being suits for the Penalties arising by the Law of the Provin... 30 November 1762Novr. 30th. 1762.Last Thurdsday Night, at Cranch’s Wedding, Dr. Tufts, in the Room where the Gentlemen were, said We used to have on these Occasions, some good Matrimo... December 1762 28 December 1762Decr. 28th. 1762.Mr. Cranch last fryday night discovered some Instances of his skill at a Bargain. He agreed to give Greenleaf £120 old Tenor for his Chaise. The Chais... 30 December 1762Boston. Decr. 30th.At Goldthwaits office, spent 1/4 of an Hour with Lt. Govr. Hutchinson. The first thing he said was a Question to Goldthwait, what was the Date of the... 1763 February 1763 1 February 1763Braintree Feby. 1st. 1763. Tuesday.Last Thurdsday afternoon, rode to Germantown, and there stayed at my friend Cs. till the last Night. Four Nights, and four days. Those 2 families well... 5 February 1763Feb. 5th. 1763.Memorabilia of this Week. The Bar agreed upon these 4 Rules. 1st. That the Clerk call the Plain tiff, and if any Body answer, except the Plaintiff or ... 10 February 1763Feby. 10th. 1763.Belcher v. Hunt. This is an Action of Trover, for converting shingles to Hunts Use. The shingles were cutt upon Land which Jonathan White claims and h... 11 February 1763Feby. 11th. 1763.Probate of Mr. Edwards’s Will, Coram Governor and Council. John Edwards, one of the Heirs at Law of Samuel Edwards, appealed from the Decree of the Ju... 1 February 176328 February 1763Boston Feby. 1763.This day learned that the Caucas Clubb meets at certain Times in the Garret of Tom Daws, the Adjutant of the Boston Regiment. He has a large House, an... 1 February 176328 February 1763Feb.This Action of Trover is an Innovation, one of the new and subtle Inventions in Derogation of the Common Law, that my Lord Coke has treated with so mu... July 1763 18 July 1763Draft of an Essay on Agriculture in the Boston Gazette, 18 July 1763.Among the Votaries of Science, and the numerous Competitors for Fame and Estimation, Utility seems to have been remarkably neglected. The Utmost subtl... 1765 24 January 17651765. Jany. 24th. Thurdsday.Soon after I got to Boston, at Jany. Court Mr. Fitch came to me upon Change, and told me, that Mr. Gridley and he had something to communicate to me, ... 24 January 1765Thurdsday January 24th. 1765.I rode to Boston on Purpose to meet at Fitchs. Gridley came. We read the 3 first Titles of the feudal Law, and We read Gothofreds Notes and We looked ... 31 January 1765Thurdsday. Jany. 31st.The snowy Weather prevented me from going to Dudleys. The Sodality however met and read the two Titles assigned, and assigned the three next vizt. the... 21 February 1765Thurdsday. February 21st. 1765.At Boston, entertained the Sodality at Blodgets. We were never in better Spirits, or more Social. We began the 13th. Title of the feudal Law De Aliena... February 1765 1 February 176528 February 1765Fragmentary Draft of a Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law, February 1765.This Sodality has given rise to the following Speculation of my own, which I commit to writing, as Hints for future Enquiries rather than as a satisfa... June 1765 7 June 176512 June 1765Accounts on the Eastern Circuit, 7–12 June 1765.£sd June 7th.1765. Paid at Goodwins for Dinners0:10:0 Paid at Lovejoys for Lodging Suppers &c0:8:0 June 8th.Paid at Springers for Horse keeping 2s:8d,... August 1765 15 August 1765August 15th. 1765.I hope it will give no offence, to enquire into the Grounds and Reasons of the strange Conduct of Yesterday and last Night, at Boston. Is there any Ev... 1 August 176531 August 1765August 1765Hannah Place vs. Atwood. Introduced into the family at 13. Constant Understanding that she should be paid. A Pittance left to ’em by their Uncle. He c... December 1765 18 December 1765Braintree Decr. 18th. 1765. Wednesday.How great is my Loss, in neglecting to keep a regular Journal, through the last Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the Course of my Business, as a Surveyor ... 19 December 1765Decr. 19th. 1765.A fair Morning after a severe Storm of 3 days and 4 Nights. A vast Quantity of rain fell. About 12. O Clock came in Messrs. Crafts and Chase and gave ... 20 December 1765Fryday. Decr. 20th. 1765Went to Boston. Dined with Mr. Rowe, in Company with Messrs. Gridley, Otis, Kent, and Dudley. After Dinner, went to the Town House, and Attended with ... 21 December 1765Saturday Decr. 21st. 1765.Spent the Morning in sauntering about, and chatting with one and another—The Sherriff, Mr. Goldthwait, Brother Sewal &c—upon the Times. Dined with Bro... 22 December 1765Sunday 22 December.At Home, with my family. Thinking. ... 23 December 17651765. December. 23d. MondayWent to Boston. After Dinner rambled after Messrs. Gridley and Otis but could find neither. Went into Mr. Dudleys, Mr. Dana’s, Mr. Otis’s office, and ... 24 December 1765Decr. 24th. 1765.Returned from Boston. Spent the afternoon and Evening at Home. ... 25 December 1765Decr. 25th. 1765. Christmas.At Home. Thinking, reading, searching, concerning Taxation without Consent, concerning the great Pause and Rest in Business. By the Laws of England Ju... 26 December 1765Decr. 26th. 1765 Thursday.At Home by the Fireside viewing with Pleasure, the falling Snow and the Prospect of a large one. The gallant Struggle in America, is founded in Princi... 27 December 1765Decr. 27th. 1765. Fryday.In unforeseen Cases, i.e. when the State of things is found such as the Author of the Disposition has not foreseen, and could not have thought of, we ... 28 December 1765Decr. 28th. 1765. Saturday.Went to Weymouth with my Wife. Dined at Father Smiths. Heard much of the Uneasiness among the People of Hingham, at a sermon preached by Mr. Gay, on t... 29 December 1765Decr. 29th. 1765. Sunday.Heard Parson Wibird. Hear O Heavens and give Ear O Earth, “I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me.”—I began to sus... 30 December 17651765. Decr. 30th. Monday.We are now concluding the Year 1765, tomorrow is the last day, of a Year in which America has shewn such Magnanimity and Spirit, as never before appea... 31 December 17651765. Tuesday. Decr. 31st.Went to Mr. Jo. Bass’s and there read Yesterdays Paper. Walked in the Afternoon into the Common and quite thro my Hemlock Swamp. I find many fine Bunc... 1766 January 1766 1 January 1766Anno Domini 17661766. January 1st. Wednesday.Severe cold, and a Prospect of Snow. We are now upon the Beginning of a Year of greater Expectation than any, that has passed before it. This Year bri... 2 January 17661766. Jany. 2d. Thurdsday.A great Storm of Snow last night. Weather tempestuous all Day. Waddled thro the Snow, driving my Cattle to water at Dr. Savils. A fine Piece of glowin... 3 January 17661766. Jany. 3d. Fryday.Fair Weather and Snow enough. Major Miller, Dr. Savil and Mr. Joseph Penniman spent the Evening, with me. Agriculture, Commerce, Fishery, Arts, Manufa... 4 January 17661766. Jany. 4. Saturday.Edes & Gill’s Gazette brought in. I find that Somebody has published the very scene in Shakespears Henry 8, which I have put into Ld. Clarendons Lette... 5 January 1766Sunday. Jany. 5th. 1766.Heard Mr. Wibird all Day. A Sacramental Sermon on “It is finished.—” ... 6 January 1766Monday 6 January.At Home. Mr. Smith and Mr. Penniman dined here. ... 7 January 1766Tuesday 7 January.At Boston. Hampden has given us in Yesterdays Gazette, a long Letter to Pym upon shutting up the Courts, in which he proves from Holts and Pollexfens ... 8 January 1766Wednesday Jany. 8th. 1766.At Home. Wrote &c. ... 9 January 1766Thurdsday Jany. 9th. 1765 i.e. 1766.At Home. Must such a Number of new Crimes be committed, to decide which of these two, Caesar or Pompey, shall be master in Rome? One would hardly purc... 9 January 1766Thurdsday. Jany. 9th. 1766.At Home all day. Mr. Smith, Dr. Tufts, Dr. Savil, Mr. Bass &c. here. ... 10 January 1766Fryday. Jany. 10th. 1766.Humphry Ploughjogger received a Letter from a Friend, thanking him for his good Advice and presenting him with a Crimson, Homespun Cap to wear with hi... 11 January 1766Saturday Jany. 11th. 1766.A Rain. In one particular, I must confess the Americans have not acted with their usual Acuteness of Understanding, and Firmness of Spirit. I mean in ... 12 January 1766Sunday Jany. 12th. 1766.Heard Mr. Wibird all day, at Evening Mr. Etter, here. ... 13 January 1766Monday Jany. 13th. 1766At Boston, the Inferiour Court of Common Pleas opened. Present Mr. Wells, Mr. Watts and Mr. Foster Hutchinson. More than 100 new Entries. The Actions ... 14 January 1766Tuesday Jany. 14th. 1766.Dined at Mr. William Coopers with Messrs. Cushing, Story, and John Boylstone. Cushing, silent and sly as usual. Story I dont know what. Cooper and Boy... 15 January 1766Wednesday. Jany. 15th. 1766.Dined at Mr. Isaac Smiths. No Company, no Conversation. Spent the Evening with the Sons of Liberty, at their own Apartment in Hanover Square, near the... 16 January 1766Thurdsday. Jany. 16th. 1766.Dined at Mr. Nick Boylstones, with the two Mr. Boylstones, two Mr. Smiths, Mr. Hallowel and the Ladies. An elegant Dinner indeed! Went over the House ... 17 January 1766Fryday 17 January.Came home, and dined, and there stayed. ... 18 January 1766Saturday. Jany. 18th. 1766.At Home. The Dr. dined here. There has been a great Inquiry, in some Parts of America, after a Diffinition of the british Constitution. Some have defi... 19 January 1766Sunday. Jany. 19th. 1766.Heard Mr. Robbins of Milton. ... 20 January 1766Monday. Jany 20th. 1766.Leonard gave me an Account of a Clubb that he belongs to, in Boston. It consists of John Lowell, Elisha Hutchinson, Frank Dana, Josiah Quincy, and two... March 1766 1 March 17661766 March 1st. SaturdaySpent a Part of last Evening with Mr. Jo. Cleverly. He is a Tiptoe for Town Meeting. He has many Schemes and Improvements in his Head—vizt. for sepera... 2 March 1766Sunday 2 March.Heard Mr. Wibirt. ... 3 March 1766Monday. March 3. 1766.My Brother Peter, Mr. Etter and Mr. Field, having a Number of Votes prepared for Mr. Quincy and me, set themselves to scatter them in Town Meeting. Th... 4 March 17669 March 1766Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurdsday, Fryday, Saturday, Sunday 4–9 March. ... 10 March 1766Monday. 10th. 1766.Last Week went to Boston, and to Weymouth, &c. I hear that Mr. Benjamin Cleverly has already bespoke Mr. John Ruggles Jur., against May Meeting. Promi... 11 March 1766Tuesday 11th.Went to Boston. The Chief Justice not there. A Piece of political Finess, to make the People believe he was under a Necessity of going a Journey this ... 12 March 1766Wednesday. 12th.Returned to Braintree. ... 13 March 1766Thurdsday 13th.At home. ... 14 March 1766Fryday 14th.Yesterday and to day the severest Storm of Snow, we have had this Year. ... 15 March 1766Saturday 15th. March 1766.The Snow is as deep and in as mountainous Banks, as it has been at any Time this Winter.—The unanimous Agreement of the Court and Bar, was, to try a f... 16 March 1766Sunday 16th. 1766.Heard Mr. Wibirt all day. ... 17 March 1766Monday March 17th. 1766.Rain. A Piece in Evening Post March 10th. Remarks and Observations on Hutchinson’s History. The Writer seems concerned least his Country men should in... 18 March 1766Tuesday. 18th.Went to Weymouth, found the Family mourning the Loss, and preparing for the Funeral of old Tom.—After my Return, rode to Mr. Halls, and in my Return s... 19 March 1766Wednesday. March 19th. 1766.At Home. ... 20 March 1766Thursday March 20th.At Mrs. Baxters Funeral. ... 21 March 1766Fryday March 21st.A fine Spring like Morning. The Birds of many Sorts, as sprightly and musical. ... 28 March 1766Fryday, March 28th. 1766.I have omitted writing a Week. Dr. Tufts lodged here last Night with Yesterdays Paper. The Jany. Packet, arrived at N. York, has brought the King’s Sp... April 1766 10 April 1766Fryday April 10th. 1766.At Plymouth. Court open and Business proceeding. ... 15 April 1766Tuesday April 15th. 1766.Went to Boston. The Superior Court adjourned again, for a fortnight. Hutchinson, Cushing and Oliver, present. What Insolence And Impudence, and Chicka... 26 April 1766Saturday April 26th. 1766.The last Thurdsdays Paper is full. The Resolves of the House of Commons, are the most interesting. The Bill which is to be brought in upon the first R... 27 April 1766Sunday April 27th. 1766.Heard Mr. Smith. In the Evening, I had a great deal of Conversation with Ezekiel Price, Yesterday about Politicks, &c. I provoked him to speak freely ... 28 April 1766Monday April 28th. 1766.At Home. ... 29 April 1766Tuesday April 29th. 1766.At Boston. To this day the Superiour Court was adjourned: Hutchinson, Lynde and Cushing were present. Two of the Bar, agreed to continue an Action. Hu... May 1766 4 May 1766Sunday. May 4th. 1766.Returning from Meeting this Morning I saw for the first Time, a likely young Button Wood Tree, lately planted, on the Triangle made by the Three Roads... 18 May 1766Sunday. May 18th. 1766.Mem. to write some Speculations, upon the Union of Legislative and Executive Powers—and upon the Knot, the Junto, the Combination. ... 26 May 1766Monday May 26th. 1766.I have been very unfortunate, in running the Gauntlet, thro all the Rejoicings, for the Repeal of the Stamp-Act. Monday last at 2 O Clock, was our Tow... 28 May 1766Wednesday. May 28th.General Election. At Boston. After Lecture, dined at Mr. Austins, the Wine Cooper, with the Revd. Messrs. Prentice of Charlestown and Amos Adams of Ro... 29 May 1766Thurdsday, May 29th.The Governor negatived Otis, Sparhawk, Dexter, Saunders, Gerrish and Bowers, and made the two Houses a most nitrous, sulphureous Speech. What will be ... June 1766 20 June 1766June 20th. 1766.Mem. to search the Books, with the Regard to the following Clause in the late Mr. Borlands Will, vizt. “Item, to my Son Francis Lindall Borland, who h... July 1766 21 July 176621 July 1766.Monday after Commencement. Last Saturday, I accidentally found a curious Volume, which Oaks Angier found in a Chest of Books be longing to an Uncle of... 24 July 1766July 24th. 1766.Thanksgiving for the Repeal of the Stamp-Act. Mr. Smiths Text was “The Lord reigneth, let the Earth rejoice, and the Multitude of the Isles be glad th... 28 July 1766Monday July 28th. 1766.At Boston. A Meeting of the Bar at the Coffee House, for the Admission of Three young Gentlemen, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Quincy and Mr. Blowers, and another M... 29 July 1766Tuesday July 29th. 1766.At Boston—bought Gilberts Law of Evidence. Heard some Cases of Bastardy in the Sessions. William Douglass was charged by a Dutch Girl with being the f... 30 July 1766Wednesday 30 July.At Boston. The Weather cloudy. Going to the Common Pleas to day. Let me take Minutes. Let me remark the Speakers, their Action, their Pronunciation, t... 1 July 176631 July 1766Suffolk Sessions July 1766.Dominus Rex vs. Francis Keen, for stealing Cask Molosses. Dus. Rex vs. Mary Gardiner, for a common Scold, Quarreller and Disturber of the Peace. Sewal... August 1766 5 August 176612 August 1766Tuesday Aug. 5 or 12 1766.Satt out with my Wife for Salem—dined at Boston—drank Tea at Dr. Simons Tufts’s at Medford —lodg’d at Mr. Bishops. ... 6 August 176613 August 1766Wednesday Aug. 6 or 13 1766.Satt out from Mr. Bishops, oated, at Norwoods alias Martins, and reached Brother Cranches at 12 o Clock —dined and drank Tea, and then rode down to th... 7 August 176614 August 1766Thurdsday Aug. 7 or 14 1766.In the Morning rode a single Horse, in Company with Mrs. Cranch and Mrs. Adams in a Chaise, to Marblehead. The Road from Salem to Marblehead, 4 miles,... 18 August 1766Monday Aug. 18th.Went to Taunton. Lodged at McWhorters. ... 19 August 1766Tuesday 19 August.Dined at Captn. Cobbs with Coll. G. Leonard, Paine, Leonard, young Cobb &C. ... 20 August 1766Wednesday 20 August.Spent Evening at Lodgings with Charles Cushing, and Daniel Oliver of Middleborough, Paine and Leonard—socially. ... 21 August 1766Thurdsday Morning 21 August.Fine Weather—feel well. ... November 1766 3 November 17661766 Novr. 3d. Monday.Sett off, with my Wife for Salem. Stopped 1/2 Hour att Boston, cross’d the Ferry, and at 3 O Clock arrived at Hill’s the Tavern in Malden, the Sign of... 4 November 1766Tuesday Novr. 4th.A fine Morning. Attended Court all Day, heard the Charge to Grand Jury, and a Prayer by Mr. Barnard. Deacon Pickering was Foreman of one of the Juries... 5 November 1766Wednesday Novr. 5th.Attended Court, heard the Tryal of an Action of Trespass brought by a Molatto Woman, for Damages, for restraining her of her Liberty. This is call’d s... 6 November 1766Novr. 6th. Thurdsday.A fine Morn. Oated at Martins where we saw 5 Boxes of Dollars containing as we were told about 18,000 of them, going in an Horse Cart from Salem Custo... 7 November 1766Novr. 7th.Went up to my common Pasture, to give Directions about Trimming the Trees, i.e. lopping and Trimming the Walnuts and Oaks and felling the Pines and Sa... 8 November 17661766. Novr. 8th. Saturday.Fine Weather still.—Yesterday Clement Hayden came in to Major Crosbeys. He seem’d to hope, he said, that the Court would not vote to make up the Losse... 9 November 17661766. Novr. 9. Sunday.Fine Weather Yet. Heard Mr. Penniman all Day. Spent Evening with Dr. Savil. ... 10 November 1766Monday 10 November.Rain. Kill’d Cow. Read chiefly in the American Gazeteers, which are a very valuable Magazine of american Knowledge. ... 11 November 1766Tuesday Novr. 11th.Rain. Deacon Webb here at Tea, and put this strange Question to me, what do you think of the Lieutenant Governor, sir? I told him, what I once thought... December 1766 8 December 17661766 Decr. 8th. Monday.Dined at Dr. Tufts’s. Drank Tea at Dr. Halls Pembroke. Lodged at Captn. Littles Kingston.—I find a general Opposition in the County of Plymouth, to Co... 23 December 1766Tuesday Decr. 23d. 1766.I heard Yesterday, for the first Time, that young Jonathan Hayward, the Son of Lt. Joseph Hayward of the South Precinct, had got a Deputation from the... 24 December 1766Decr. 24th.Who are to be understood by the better Sort of People? There is in the Sight of God and indeed in the Consideration of a sincere Xtian or even of a go... 31 December 1766Decr. 31st. 1766.“Whatever tends to create in the Minds of the People, a Contempt of the Persons of those who hold the highest Offices in the State, tends to a Belief ... 1 January 176631 December 17661766Query. The Service done by Tommy Hutchinson, for the Province, for which he had a Grant of 40£. and his fathers application for Pay, for the same Serv... 1767 March 1767 1 March 176731 March 1767Saturday March 1767.Went with Captn. Thayer to visit Robert Peacock and his poor distressed Family. We found them, in one Chamber, which serves them for Kitchen, Cellar, ... April 1767 4 April 1767April 4th. 1767.Suits generally Spring from Passion. Jones vs. Bigelow, Cotton and Nye arose from Ambition. Jones and Bigelow were Competitors for Elections in the To... 8 April 17671767 April 8th. Wednesday.Mounted my Horse in a very Rainy Morning for Barnstable leaving my Dear Brother Cranch and his family at my House where they arrived last Night, and m... May 1767 16 May 1767May 16, 1767. Saturday Night.At Howlands in Plymouth. Returned this day from Barnstable. The Case of Cotton and Nye at Sandwich is remarkable. Cotton has been driving his Interest... 17 May 17671767 May 17 Sunday.At Plymouth, went to Mr. Robbins’s Meeting in the Morning, and sat with Mr. Hovey. Dined with Coll. Warren. Went to Mr. Bacons Meeting in the Afternoo... 18 May 1767Monday Morning 18 MayA fine Sun and Air. Cushing at Barnstable said to me—happy is he whom other Mens Errors, render wise.—Otis by getting into the general Court, has lost... 1768 January 1768 30 January 17681768. January 30th. Saturday Night.To what Object, are my Views directed? What is the End and Purpose of my Studies, Journeys, Labours of all Kinds of Body and Mind, of Tongue and Pen? ... 1769 August 1769 10 August 1769Boston August 10. 1769.John Tudor Esq. came to me, and for the third Time repeated his Request that I would take his Son William into my Office. I was not fond of the Propos... 11 August 1769Aug. 11th. 1769. Fryday.Mr. Tudor came, for the first Time and attended the Office, all Day, and paid me £10 St.—In the Morning I went to take View of Mr. Copelys Copley’s Pi... 12 August 17691769. Aug. 12. Saturday.Dined at Mr. Isaac Smiths and in the Evening went to Braintree. ... 13 August 1769Aug. 13. Sunday.At Mr. Quincys. Here is Solitude and Retirement. Still, calm, and serene, cool, tranquil, and peaceful. The Cell of the Hermit. Out at one Window, you... 14 August 1769Monday August 14.Dined with 350 Sons of Liberty at Robinsons, the Sign of Liberty Tree in Dorchester. We had two Tables laid in the open Field by the Barn, with betwee... 15 August 1769Tuesday. Aug. 15.Rode to Taunton, 16 miles before 9 O Clock, tho I stopped and breakfasted at Haywards in Easton 9 miles from Taunton. Spent all the Leisure moments I ... September 1769 2 September 17691769. Septr. 2. Saturday Night.Tho this Book has been in my Pocket, this fortnight, I have been too slothfull, to make Use of it. Dined at Mr. Smiths. Heard that Messrs. Otis and Ad... 3 September 1769Sept. 3d. Sunday.Heard Dr. Cooper in the forenoon, Mr. Champion of Connecticutt in the Afternoon and Mr. Pemberton in the Evening at the Charity Lecture. Spent the Rem... 4 September 1769Monday 4 September.Spent the Evening at Dr. Peckers, with the Clubb. Mr. Otis introduced a Stranger, a Gentleman from Georgia, recommended to him by the late Speaker of ... 6 September 1769Wednesday. Septr. 6. 1769.Mr. Cudworth told me on the Town house Steps, that Mr. Charles Paxton, the Commissioner, told him this day, that it was possible, he might be sent wit... October 1769 19 October 17691769. Octr. 19th. Thurdsday.Last night I spent the Evening, at the House of John Williams Esqr. the Revenue officer, in Company with Mr. Otis, Jona. Williams Esqr. and Mr. McDani... 24 October 17691769. Octr. 24th.Sunday last I rode to Braintree in the Morning, and heard Mr. Gay, of Hingham forenoon and afternoon, upon those Words in the Proverbs “The hoary Head... November 1769 1 November 176930 November 1769November 1769.Saturday after attending Court in the Morning, I dined by particular Invitation at Mr. Winthrops the Clerk of the Superior Court with all the Bar, Mes... December 1769 23 December 17691769. Decr. 23. Saturday Night.At my Office reading Sidney. I have been musing this evening upon a Report of the Case of the 4. Sailors, who were tryed last June, before the Special... 1770 January 1770 16 January 17701770 January 16.At my Office all Day. Last Evening at Dr. Peckers with the Clubb.—Otis is in Confusion yet. He looses himself. He rambles and wanders like a Ship with... 1 January 177031 January 1770Draft of a Newspaper Communication, January? 1770.My dear Children— You may well imagine, that no Lapse of Time, nor any Change whatever can render me totally inattentive or indifferent to your Intere... February 1770 26 February 17701770. Monday Feby. 26. or Thereabouts.Rode from Weymouth. Stoppd at my House, Veseys Blacksmith shop, my Brothers, my Mothers, and Robinsons. These 5 Stops took up the day. When I came int... June 1770 19 June 1770Ipswich June 19. 1770. Tuesday Morning.Rambled with Kent, round Landlord Treadwells Pastures, to see how our Horses fared. We found them in Grass, up to their Eyes. Excellent Pastures. This... 25 June 1770June 25. 1770. Boston.Blowers. In the Reign of Richard the 2d. or Henry 6th. you may find Precedents for any Thing. This Observation was echoed from some Tory, who applyed ... 26 June 1770June 26.Last of Service; very little Business this Court. The Bar and the Clerks universally complain of the Scarcity of Business. So little was perhaps never... 27 June 1770June 27. Wednesday Morn.Very fine—likely to be hot—at my Office early. The only Way to compose myself and collect my Thoughts is to set down at my Table, place my Diary befor... 28 June 1770June 28. Thursday.Mr. Goldthwait. Do you call tomorrow and dine with Us at flax Pond near Salem. Rowe, Davis, Brattle and half a dozen, as clever fellows as ever were b... 29 June 1770June 29. 1770. Fryday.Began my Journey to Falmouth in Casco Bay. Baited my Horse at Martins in Lynn, where I saw T. Fletcher and his Wife, Mr. French &c. Dined at Goodhues ... 30 June 1770June 30th. 1770. Saturday.Arose not very early and drank a Pint of new Milk and set off. Oated my Horse at Newbury. Rode to Clarks at Greenland Meeting house, where I gave him ... July 1770 1 July 1770July 1st. 1770. Sunday.Arose early at Paul Dudley Woodbridge’s. A cloudy morning. Took a Walk to the Pasture, to see how my Horse fared. Saw my old Friend and Classmate Davi... 2 July 1770July 2. 1770.Monday morning, in my Sulky before 5 o clock, Mr. Winthrop, Farnum and D. Sewall, with me on Horse back. Rode thro the Woods the Tide being too high t... 3 July 1770July 3. 1770. Tuesday.Rose in comfortable Health. ... 8 July 1770July 8. 1770 Sunday.This Week has been taken up in the Hurry of the Court, and I have not been able to snatch a Moment to put down any Thing. The softly People where I lo... 12 July 1770Thursday Afternoon 12 July.3 O Clock, got into my Desobligeant to go home. 2 or 3 miles out of Town I overtook 2 Men on horseback. They rode sometimes before me, then would fall... 13 July 1770Fryday July 13. 1770.Arose and walked with Patten to see the neighbouring Fields of English Grass and Grain and Indian Corn, consuming before the Worms. A long black Worm ... 14 July 1770Saturday July 14. 1770.Arose at 4. Got ready as soon as I could and rode out of Town a few Miles to Breakfast. Breakfasted at Lovatts in Hampton, 10 miles from Portsmouth an... August 1770 9 August 17701770. August. 9th. Thursday.Madam I received from Mr. Gill an Intimation, that a Letter from me would not be disagreable to you, and have been emboldened, by that Means, to run ... 19 August 17701770. August 19. Sunday.Last Fryday went to the Light House with the Committee of both Houses. Mr. Royal Tyler began to pick chat with me. Mr. Adams, have you ever read Dr. S... 20 August 17701770 Aug. 20. Monday.The first Maxim of worldly Wisdom, constant Dissimulation, may be good or evil as it is interpreted. If it means only a constant Concealment from othe... 22 August 17701770. August 22. Wednesday.Rode to Cambridge in Company with Coll. Severn Ayers Eyre and Mr. Hewitt from Virginia, Mr. Bull and Mr. Trapier from South Carolina, Messrs. Cushing,... 1 August 177031 August 1770Draft of a Newspaper Communication, August? 1770.The Good of the governed is the End, and Rewards and Punishments are the Means of all Government. The Government of the Supream and alperfect Mind, ov...
