Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 2
1827-11-03
I awoke very early in the morning quite sick in consequence of some irregularity in my diet of yesterday, and it was not until late in the day that I recovered. Morning was passed at Mrs. Frothingham’s with Abby and at one o’clock I took her up and we rode over to Winter Hill and dined with Mr. and Mrs. Everett. She is pregnant and going 180to Medford to be confined during his absence at Washington. We left them early and passed the evening at Medford.
1827-11-04
This day passed with very little to make it remarkable as indeed all happy days do. And I could not but think that my love was delicious and even if all futurity was pain, it could not at least deprive me of the recollection that I had also enjoyed its equivalent in happiness.
1827-11-05
I came into Boston bringing Abby to Boston with me. Morning at the Office reading law. Afternoon also. In the evening I went to the Moot Court but on account of the absence of members it did not sit. Evening quietly at home in consequence.
1827-11-06
My time is at last pretty much at my own disposal and I am progressing in the study of my Profession. This morning before breakfast was devoted to writing a letter to my Father upon the subject of my expenses which are likely to be greater than I had apprehended.1 I then called at Miss Welsh’s by request who wished to consult me about my Mother’s picture, wherein I am in favour of alteration. The remainder of the day was devoted to the Office, Selwyn and Cruise. And the evening was occupied in the same manner at home.
JQA had planned to give Charles an allowance of $800 a year, payable quarterly. CFA, denying that he had ever “been unwarrantably extravagant,” declared that his engagement to Abigail imposed heavy expenses upon him; when she was in Boston, he had to bear “the whole care of her in going to evening parties,” and when she was in Medford, he was obliged to rent a horse and gig in order to make his frequent visits. “Under these circumstances,” he wrote his father, “I must candidly state that the sum you mentioned for my support, although . . . ample for me individually, . . . cannot cover the expenses of the nature alluded to” (CFA to JQA, 6 Nov. 1827, Adams Papers).
1827-11-07
Arose this morning to see the fall of snow which had taken place in the night, and was now changed into drenching rain. Morning at the Office. The day was passed in close attention to my studies, but the afternoon was mostly spent at home. The rain again changed to snow. Evening busy at home. Nothing new or remarkable.