Morning at the Office, engaged writing my Journal &ca. But I. H. and J. H. Adams called in soon from Quincy and prevented my paying any farther attention to my Article as I contemplated. The latter had just received Orders from the Navy Department to join the Peacock and to report himself therefor to Com. Morris at Charlestown. In consequence of this Mrs. Adams wrote me in a letter about the want of funds necessary to equip the youth to sea, and more than half intimating an unwillingness that he should accept.1 I saw that decision on my part would be the only thing to save him so I determined upon advancing him a small sum of money, just enough to take away the excuse, and upon taking at once all the measures which should engage him irrevocably almost to the Service. I accordingly declined the 201Company of I. Hull, and went with Joseph myself to Charlestown. We did not find Com. Morris, so that we were obliged to return home with the object unaccomplished. I did not feel like giving Joseph a chance to see his Mother again, so I kept him at my House this night. My morning was thus pretty much consumed.

Afternoon, read Cicero de Divinatione Book 2d. containing a refutation of the Stoic Argument. Evening, Gibbon and the Spectator. My Wife came downstairs to dine.

Morning cool but clear. After going through my regular labours I started off again with Joseph and this morning we were successful. I had some conversation with him i.e. Commodore Morris about the outfit necessary and found it was by no means so great as I anticipated. That his Joseph’s principal expense of uniform might be dispensed with and that he might wear whatever he had already, on board the ship. If Mrs. A. had any Judgment, this would be the easiest matter in the world but the misfortune seems to be every thing must be done in spite of her. My principal object however was accomplished and on our return Joseph went immediately to Quincy. I passed the rest of the morning at the Office. Deacon Spear called and consumed half an hour and some time passed in writing my Journal.

Afternoon, busy in reading Cicero. Forwarded an answer to my Father’s letter received this morning which sent me an inaccurate Note. His Congressional Affairs now turn his head as much as others formerly did. He runs into every thing headlong.1

Evening finished the sixteenth Chapter of Gibbon, which is indeed a curious specimen of insidious warfare. Read my two Spectators.