Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1834-01-02
The New Year brings with it several duties among which the most important is in a social point of view to redeem one’s engagements. I was busy much of my time in settling accounts and in bringing up my books. Received the dividends upon my stock in the Manufacturing 240Co. which was considerable and also the Atlas Insurance. It rained and I was hurried, but I got through with Mr. Foster’s payment notwithstanding a long visit from my new Tenant opposite, Mr. Walsh. He got upon Masonry, the Grand Lodge having this day surrendered their civil charter.1 He is a Mason. Fortunately, I asked him the question before I began—So that I was enabled prudently to regulate my conversation. He declined signing the famous Declaration, so he says, he is between fires, so are all men who halt between right and wrong. His defence of Masonry was curious. Afternoon I was very busy writing to my father. Finished and copied a long letter, but did not have time to send it.2 Miss Edgworth’s Harrington aloud to my Wife.
The Massachusetts Grand Lodge, upon building its new Masonic Temple, had asked the Legislature to amend its corporate charter to permit it to own real estate to the value of $60,000, but the petition had been denied. Through the surrender of its charter as a corporation the Lodge would be enabled to retain title to its building. Taking this course did not affect Masonic activities and prerogatives (Columbian Centinel, 3 Jan., p. 2, cols. 2—3).
To JQA, 1—3 Jan. (Adams Papers). CFA reports the effect of JQA’s withdrawal as insuring the election of John Davis. He makes explicit his own opinion, contrary to that of JQA, that, despite his Jacksonism, Marcus Morton was to be preferred to Davis as governor.
1834-01-03
Morning colder. Office. Time as much taken up in business affairs as ever. I brought up my private Accounts. From some cause or other, I feel this year unaccountably hurried. I would read my Article in the North American Review however.1 It disappoints me on publication. I must strive to do better.
Walk. Nothing of great interest excepting that the National Republicans have carried all the Senate. This was not quite expected. A paragraph appeared in the Daily Advocate, stating the fact of the existence of a letter similar in purport to my father’s, from Mr. Davis.2 I called to find Mr. Hallett and tell him I should retain the Address a day longer in my hands in order to wait for alterations in the Address contingent upon such a course—One or two passages in it being likely to become inappropriate by means of it.
Afternoon after despatching my letter and waiting for the Mail which as my man said brought me nothing, concluding from the present state of things that if Mr. Davis had written such a letter, it would be suppressed, I sent the Address.
Evening, a visit from Mr. T. W. Cross about my brother’s Note. 241At such an unseasonable hour, it put me very much out of temper. This I record for my future amendment. I paid him however. Quiet evening. Finished Harrington.
CFA’s review of the third volume of Thomas Hutchinson’s History of the Province of Massachusetts Bay appeared in the January issue (38:134—158). There are two drafts in CFA’s hand in the Adams Papers (M/CFA/23, Microfilms, Reel No. 317).
The Advocate alleged in addition that Davis’ friends were holding the letter back until the Senate membership had been determined (3 Jan., p. 2, col. 3).