Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1833-10-22
Rain continues. This will be of great service this day in replenishing the Wells. We have not had so much at a time since the month of April I think. I went to the office and was engaged in business and in writing. I have effected a sale of a considerable quantity of Stock in the Massachusetts Fire and Marine Insurance Co. for my father and propose with it and the proceeds of Merchants’ Bank Stock as well as the Bank Deposit to make up a sum sufficient to redeem his Note at the American Ins. Office, on the 21st. of December next. This off his 199shoulders and perhaps I. Hull’s payment in the Spring will materially relieve his affairs.1 Hallet publishes my first number today. I made a sketch of another.
No walk, and consequent head ach, or nearly. Afternoon hard at work, Bacon’s Character of Elizabeth and beginning of a history of England. O, the evidence of the servility of a noble mind, and the imperfection of human nature. Copied a letter for my father and wrote No. 2 of Proscription. My style improves by practice. This exercise of it will polish the periods and push out the sense. Read two hundred lines of the first book of the Aeneid. Lounger.
CFA’s efforts had long been directed toward the reduction of JQA’s interest payments through the sale of securities and consequent reduction of JQA’s heavy bank loans and through outright payment of his obligations to JA’s heirs as those obligations became due. See vol. 4:259, 425. One such legacy of $3,000 would become due in May 1834 to Isaac Hull Adams, son of TBA, when he reached twenty-one; see Adams Genealogy.
1833-10-23
Fine clear day. I was very much occupied most of my time in executing a business operation. Having gathered together all the sums I could well spare, I have been negotiating to put them all on interest so as to be payable on the precise day on which the Note to the American Insurance Office becomes due. I applied to the Cashier of the Tremont Bank but he was not disposed to accommodate, nor very civil in his manner about it. I therefore consulted with Mr. Degrand and made an arrangement as advantageous as I could wish. I deposited the whole Sum together with 6 per cent Interest received in Advance, in the Commercial Bank, withdrawable on the 21 of December, with the exception of $400 which I retain on Interest myself.
I paid a visit to Mrs. Clay, as I felt bound to, particularly as he had the magnanimity to go out yesterday and see my father. She looks much as ever.1
In the Afternoon, I rode to Quincy. I forgot to mention that I went to Faneuil Hall to hear Mr. Clay speak to the people.2 The crowd was great and he said a few words of no material consequence. The feeling in his favor is considerable. Conversation with my father—Political. He disclosed to me his intention respecting the election, to be kept a profound secret for the present.
Took tea and returned late. Found my Wife and children comfortable, but I was so fatigued that I did not work very actively the remainder of the time.
CFA attended Mrs. Clay’s parties in Washington while her husband was Secretary of State in the Adams Administration (vol. 2:92). Of Clay’s visit during his swing through the Northeast preparatory to another Presidential campaign, JQA wrote: “This fashion of peddling for popularity by travelling round the Country; gathering crowds together; hawking for public dinners, and spouting empty speeches, is growing into high fashion.... Mr. Clay has mounted that hobby often, and rides him very hard.... Mr. Clay had two deputations sent to him from Boston, at Providence — One, of the tough Seignors to invite him to a Public Dinner, and one of the tender Juveniles to escort him into the City” (Diary, 22 Oct.).
Meaning is clear but overwriting in MS has made the reading of “to the” uncertain.