Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 3
1831-02-21
Morning almost as cold as ever. I went to the Office as usual and passed some time in examining the Newspapers which came to me in abundance. One, The Globe, from Washington, for what reason, I can not easily guess, for after looking it all over, I saw nothing excepting 427Mr. Cambreleng’s poor Speech.1 The Intelligencer contained Mr. Calhoun’s Preface which is a singular production.2 I wasted the morning over these Papers and in getting rid of two or three interruptions.
Returned home and after dinner sat down to read the Oration against Verres which I accomplished. It has been rather superficially gone over but I design to review the whole Series after I have finished it. This one upon the grain is rather dry. Purchased a Landscape Annual with the Roman views for my Wife.3 Took a walk.
Evening, I was at home alone with my Wife as Miss Adams went out to pay a visit to some of her friends. I rather wasted the time. Afterwards, I was busy in studying, the Port Royal Greek Grammar, and in continuing my regular reading of the Tatler.
C. C. Cambreleng of New York spoke at length in the House of Representatives on 7 Feb. on the motion to strike from the Appropriations Bill for 1831 “so much as relates to an appropriation for the salary of the Minister to Russia” (National Intelligencer, 8 Feb., p. 3, col. 4).
See the following entry.
[Robert Jennings,]The Landscape Annual, London. Though a small section of vol. 1 for 1830 is devoted to Rome (p. 261–278, with 2 plates), the major treatment of Rome appears in vol. 2 for 1831, p. 130–220, with 10 engravings from drawings by S. Prout. The Adams copy has not been found.
1831-02-22
Morning mild and tolerably pleasant. I went to the Office as usual and was engaged in my avocations, writing and reading all the morning. Nothing of any particular importance occurred, and after sending out some accounts which are due to the Estate of my Father here, I sat down to reflect upon what I might be called to say at the Meeting of the Debating Society this week, as I had in some measure pledged myself to reply. I proceeded not far when I was reminded to take a walk. But this was half prevented by meeting with the publication of Mr. Calhoun’s Pamphlet—Where I read several of the letters with some interest. It is however a poor concern on the whole.1 A short walk and return home.
Afternoon, Began the next Oration against Verres and accomplished thirty Sections. It is easier and much more pleasant than the preceding though still nothing but an account of Robbery and Rapine. Such a Scoundrel never was seen on the face of the Earth. The Account must be exaggerated.
Evening quiet at home. Mr. Edmund Quincy came in and passed a couple of hours after which I continued with the Greek Grammar and the Tatler.
428In the preceding week Vice-President Calhoun had caused to be published a pamphlet containing Correspondence between Gen. Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun “on the subject of the course of the latter in the deliberations of the cabinet of Mr. Monroe, on the occurrences in the Seminole War.” In addition to a prefatory letter to the People of the United States by Calhoun and supporting letters to and from a number of persons, including JQA, the pamphlet’s core consisted of Calhoun’s letter to President Jackson of 29 May 1830 in which he set forth his position. On the background of the controversy see entry for 22 Jan., above.
Upon the appearance of the pamphlet, newspaper publication of its contents, in whole or in part, followed at once. The National Intelligencer printed Calhoun’s preface in the issue for 17 Feb., p. 3, cols. 3–4, and in its next issue printed all the correspondence, including JQA’s letter to Calhoun of 14 Jan. (19 Feb., p. 1–4). The documents as published by Calhoun are in Calhoun, Works, ed. Crallé, 6:349–445.