Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-01-21
The morning was bright and clear but tolerably cold. After breakfasting we came into Boston with Mrs. Everett and Mr. Brooks in his Carriage. I went to the Office and during the whole morning was busy with my affairs. Many persons came in to talk and more to bring bills all which I paid off as fast as I was able and relieved myself from a very considerable load. Mr. Sharpe came and received his Money at last, which makes the last debt contracted before I was married. My different suits were settled and I paid Mr. Tarbell the balance due upon Mr. Gilman’s Collecting efforts after paying myself for my Costs.1 This is the best business I have done in the Law, excepting Mr. Boylston’s and my Administration, which indeed embraces every thing.
My Tenant came to tell me he could not swallow so strong a Lease. But he seemed anxious to take it and I felt rather doubtful of the representations of Hollis. Indeed from all the information I could gather, I was inclined to think that he was a good man. He said he would call again. I am still in hopes I shall be able to settle with him, and get the load off my Shoulders. Mr. Leighton came to tell me he was about to settle for the hire of the room opposite for which I rejoiced. But no signs were there of Money. He promised tomorrow. The key was given up, and I went in to look at the rooms. They are in better condition than I anticipated. And I feel pretty nearly confirmed in my resolution to attempt to let mine, and occupy these. Thus passed the morning.
I went to dine with Chardon Brooks by agreement. Abby is out all her time.2 My head did not feel very well owing to a slight indigestion. 139I got through Dinner and went home to my study, but owing to my head did not enjoy my reading as much as I might have done. I merely finished Brumoy’s Dissertation without having read it very carefully. This over, I went to a Meeting which was called in favour of the Cherokee and Creek Indians in the question with Georgia. It was very full. I never had seen a thing of the kind before. But it was not very famous for its soundness or its deliberation. The Speakers were men of no character and the resolutions were foolishly violent.3 I could not get out until they adjourned when I went again to Chardon’s and after a Supper and Glass of Whiskey Punch returned home feeling a severe headach.
CFA’s accounts provide no information on what his fee was for legal work done for Thomas Tarbell nor on the identity of Gilman.
That is, at Medford with her mother.
The Jackson administration’s policy on Indian removal is detailed above, entry for 26 Dec. 1829, note. The statewide meeting in the Representatives Hall of the State House was called in protest against that policy and against the actions taken by the state of Georgia to remove the Indians. At the meeting’s conclusion, resolutions were adopted unanimously holding that removal would be a violation of solemn pledges and treaties by the Government of the United States which “would probably bring upon us the reproaches of mankind, and would certainly expose us to the judgments of Heaven” (Columbian Centinel, 23 Jan., p. 3, col. 1). In reporting the tenor of the meeting to his father, CFA wrote: “There was a man there talked of sending a thousand regulars into Georgia with as much coolness as if he was going to take a breakfast and was thought sensible too” (24 Jan., Adams Papers). JQA, interested, suggested that CFA should have taken the opportunity presented to gain experience in speaking to a large audience (to CFA, 5 Feb., Adams Papers). To this, CFA replied that he had expressed his opinions on the subject earlier (see above, entry for 2 Jan.) but had not spoken on this occasion because he would have begun “in opposition to the whole current of the Community. And had I failed the effect upon me would have been permanent.” He stated for his father his own conviction, arrived at after endeavoring “to examine that subject in its practical bearings without reference to the abstract and impracticable views of moralists,” that “the Indians must submit or remove,” adding his hope that all could be managed peaceably and voluntarily (CFA to JQA, 14 Feb., Adams Papers). In measured response, JQA wrote:
“You took a very judicious course, in refraining from the debate at the meeting about the Indians. It would not have been prudent to make your first Essay at public speaking on the unpopular side of a great question of national policy—and perhaps you was not so well prepared upon that subject as you may be hereafter. You have not investigated it as a question of Justice—of Morals—of Politics—of Natural—Conventional—Constitutional, and federal Law—of Natural History and of Political Economy. It is all this and more.”
(21 Feb., Adams Papers)
For an account of the policies on the Indian question followed by JQA during his administration, see Bemis, JQA
, 2:79–87.
1830-01-22
Morning mild and pleasant. Went to the Office as usual—My time as much occupied in affairs of business. My tenant called upon me to talk over the matter and from what he said I feel disposed to close the 140agreement with him. It is not worthwhile to listen to the conversation of such a man as Hollis whom I do not entirely think well of, when after inquiring of the Officers in town who would be very likely to know, I find they have no acquaintance whatever with the man. This would prevent the supposition that he is notorious which was Hollis’ assertion. On the whole I begin to think Hollis is a poor fellow—This being the second time he has put me in fear of Tenants without good apparent reason. I had an applicant also for the House in Tremont Street, and took it upon me to offer the House upon my own responsibility for three hundred and seventy five dollars. This is a great diminution but it cannot be helped. I lose more by letting the House stay empty. Mr. Leighton called and paid me the rent for the room opposite which winds up that business. I now think of fitting up and advertising them both and moving myself upstairs—Which would put the Building again upon its proper footing. But all these things involve expense which ought to be considered. But if the benefits anticipated were sure they would overbalance them in a very few months. If I get my Houses off, perhaps I may try it. Thus went the morning. I passed the afternoon reading Mitchell’s Aristophanes, The Comedy of the Knights, after which I tried to think over something to say upon the Militia Question tomorrow night, but could hit upon nothing.
Mr. Brooks intimated to me that his Wife was very ill today. I am very fearful her disorder is rapidly approaching to it’s termination, and poor Abby is in tears about it. But I apprehend she has much more to suffer yet. We went out this evening to a little party at Mrs. Dehon’s which was pleasanter than usual and I thought it was ten when the hour of eleven frightened us home.