Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1830-11-01
It rained this morning but the weather was very mild and pleasant. I went to the Office and regulated my Accounts for last Month, bringing up my Bank balances. Mr. Ayer my Carpenter called upon me to see about my instructions respecting the Tenements. I told him to repair as well as he could, but not do more than was absolutely necessary. This was the day for the election of a member of Congress in 353this District and throughout the State. I went and gave my solitary suffrage for Mr. Appleton.1 Not that I admire the Candidate but in a choice between two lines of policy and principle there can be no hesitation. Mr. Tenney called and paid me a Quarter’s rent about which he is always punctual. My Tenants are on the whole very excellent.
My father sent me my Article with a Letter speaking well of it. I sat about to correct it and alter exceptionable passages for Mr. Everett.2 On the whole if he will take it, I can do nothing better. I was about it all the Afternoon.
Dr. Stevenson called at my request and I conversed with him about my Wife’s state of health. She suffers so much that something must be done for her. He talked very openly with me. But he evidently appeared puzzled. Evening, Corinne, and writing with two Numbers of the Tatler. I was today under the operation of Medicine.
Election returns began to appear in newspapers on the 4th, but it was not until 8 Nov. that the winners in each of the thirteen districts were listed. Appleton was the winner in the Suffolk district.
JQA’s election in the Plymouth district was one of the first announced as certain (Boston Daily Advertiser, 4 Nov., p. 2, col. 1). When the count was complete, he had received 1,817 votes out of 2,565 cast (JQA, Diary, 6 Nov.). After an evening spent in reflecting on the event and its significance, JQA concluded “My Election as President of the United States was not half so gratifying to my inmost Soul. No election or appointment conferred upon me ever gave me so much pleasure. I say this to record my Sentiments, but no Stranger intermeddleth with my Joys, and the dearest of my friends have no sympathy with my Sensations” (same, 7 Nov.).
In his letter accompanying CFA’s MS, JQA wrote: “It is not only well written, but well composed. The opinions and Sentiments contained in it, differ in some respects from mine, but ... a young man ... should think for himself.” He advised that sarcastic reflections upon “4th of July Orations” be eliminated and that some comment be added upon those sections of Grahame’s book which treat of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York (31 Oct., Adams Papers).
1830-11-02
Morning clear and mild. After writing a little while I went to the Office as usual and was busy in writing and correcting my Article. But my father’s Servant man Kirke came in from Quincy with a request that I should execute some Commissions, and the performance of them took up some time. I also called to see Mr. Everett and talk with him about my Article. He said he should like to have it and I concluded on the whole to send it to him. We talked of politics and of speaking after which I paid a short visit to his brother Mr. Peabody and Mrs. Everett.1 This over, I thought it a favourable season to drop a Card for Mr. Blake, and one also for my old acquaintance Mrs. 354Tarbell,2 which is all the visiting I propose for the present. Returned home and passed the afternoon in writing over my Article with which I am again becoming disgusted. The ideas seem trite and the language diffuse. But I am resolved to try at all events, and see what practice may do.
Evening, Corinne with my Wife. Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham came in to tell us of an accident which had happened to Horatio Brooks at Fresh Pond. The particulars were not stated but from what could be gathered, it was ascertained that he had broken his Leg. This is an accident extremely unfortunate at this particular season. It is one of those troubles that will happen to disturb and confound all one’s equanimity.3 John Gorham also called in for half an hour.
In the
North American Review
office.
George Blake, who was replaced as United States district attorney for Massachusetts at the beginning of the Jackson administration, lived at 34 Summer Street quite close by the Thomas Tarbell residence on Avon Place (vol. 1:317;
Boston Directory, 1828–1829, 1830–1831).
Horatio Brooks’ injury, a broken thigh, resulted from a fall from a building. He was confined at Fresh Pond until 8 Jan. 1831. When the screw was removed on 21 Dec. he was unable to bend his knee. He was still unable to walk without crutches when he returned home, but whether the condition was permanent is not known (Brooks, Waste Book, 31 Dec. 1830; Farm Journal, 29 Dec. 1830, 8 Jan. 1831).