Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-08-18
This is my Birthday Anniversary. And it has been usual with me to take the occasion to reflect upon the past and the future. A very important change has taken place in my prospects since the last year. I am now married, with many added pleasures as well as cares. Time passes with me swiftly, yet I feel dissatisfied with the progress which I make in keeping up with it. My ambition is extensive but not of an extravagant kind. It is rather a desire of distinction from reputation than from place. My hopes of popularity have always been so limited as to check any feeling which might arise in that direction, and to lead me to indulge rather in those over which I may be able to have some personal control. My own labour and personal character, on the whole I believe I can say that during the past year I have not gone backward in these respects though I have not done far enough towards advancing.
Rode to town as usual. Morning occupied, first in walking to the House for some little things, then at the Office where I finished Hutchinson’s first Volume, the last Chapters of which are interesting as they give a very good account of the condition of the Colony in it’s early times. Returned to Quincy, and spent the Afternoon in continuing the Catalogue. But I did not resume it in the evening as I got hold of the trial for the murder of Mr. White at Salem which is now producing such an excitement, and could not leave it quickly.1
The trial of Frank Knapp as principal in the murder of Capt. Joseph White began in Salem on 3 Aug. and was concluded on 13 Aug. in a mistrial. Pamphlet publications reporting the trial appeared at once. Much the fullest account was contained in a pamphlet entitled Trial of George Crowninshield, J. J. Knapp, Jun. and John Francis Knapp, for the Murder of Capt. Joseph White ..., Reported by John W. Whitman, Esq., Boston, 1830. This pamphlet actually contained the first trial of Frank Knapp and no other; it was published before the other trials began, as is made clear by a concluding note explaining the publishers’ change of intention. Other pamphlets included Re-304port on the Evidence and Points of Law, Arising on the Trial of John Francis Knapp ..., Salem, 1830; Trial of John Francis Knapp ..., Boston, 1830; The Trial in the Case of the Commonwealth, versus John Francis Knapp ..., [Salem?, 1830]. The second trial of Knapp was begun on 14 Aug. and detailed accounts began to appear in the newspapers (Boston Patriot, 17 Aug., p. 1, col. 5). The trial was concluded on 20 Aug. with the conviction of Knapp.
1830-08-19
The Morning was extremely beautiful, and as my father was desirous of going to town to a Meeting of the Overseers of Harvard University, He, and John, Robert and I went together in the Barouche. The ride was extremely pleasant and we reached town in very good season. I went to the Office as usual, and read a little of Hutchinson. But my hours were interrupted by my brother and others. Besides, I walked down to Long Wharf to see about a case of Port Wine which had come for my father from Washington, and thence to several other places to get some little Articles on Commission. We waited much beyond my usual hour for my father and got to Quincy only before four o’clock.1 The afternoon and part of the evening I spent in my Catalogue which progresses gradually. I am nearly through one half of it. But that not the most difficult half. Evening, conversation with the family quite amusing.
The meeting of Overseers was convened at 12:30 and adjourned before 2 o’clock; it was held in the Council chamber of the State House with the lieutenant governor presiding (JQA, Diary, 19 Aug.).
1830-08-20
Morning delightful. Our weather now is extremely agreeable, being neither too warm nor too cold. Rode into town with Abby, and left her at the Bathing house,1 from whence I went as usual to the Office. After finishing several little Commissions which as usual take up a large part of my time, I read Hutchinson’s Account of the Witch excitement at Salem which on the whole appeared to me fair enough, although I do not exactly see through his statement of fraud. It is true much deception was used, but the great evidence of voluntary confession in some cases of the crime, goes far to prove disordered imaginations.
Rode out to dine, and in the afternoon went on with my Catalogue with only a single interruption in a visit from Mrs. Tufts, her daughter2 and Miss L. C. Smith. The work is great, and I am apprehensive my time will not hold out very well to complete it. Worked also in the Evening.
305A “Bathing Establishment” was located near the Charlestown bridges but “below the bridges ... [to] possess all the advantages of having the water perfectly pure and clean.” Both warm and cold baths were offered, the cold bath “built in such a manner as to be free and secure from any danger.” The patronage of ladies was particularly sought, “a female attendant [being] in constant readiness to wait on” them (Boston Patriot, 29 May, p. 3, col. 3). This was but one of several bathhouses erected in Boston beginning as early as 1805. A wood block of Braman’s Baths, said to have been the largest of these, is reproduced in the present volume. See above, p. xv.
That is, Mrs. Cotton Tufts Jr. of Weymouth (1763–1849, Mercy Brooks, first cousin of Peter C. Brooks, married to AA’s cousin) and her daughter, Mercy Tufts, on both of whom see Adams Genealogy.