Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 5
1834-10-29
I went to town with the design of doing a great deal. But I was so much deranged by the process of moving from my old Office to my new one that I could accomplish very little. I wrote a short letter to my father and that was all.1 His scheme is a plain one and if carried through will answer, but I distrust his perseverance.2 Returned to Quincy. My Mother appears inclined now to make the Journey. But I much fear her ability. She does not get up as she used to do.
Conversation with Mrs. Smith. Not the most discreet person to confide in but my Mother with her intimates never had secrets. My father wishes me to go on, attending to the House for the whole Winter. This is changing my object entirely and making me serve a purpose which I certainly do not intend. I offer to go, to put his affairs on a footing so that they may go on for the winter, and then to go again if necessary in the Spring and attend to the breaking up of the Establishment and its removal to Quincy. In this I can be useful but not in any other capacity. After that we are again independent and I imagine from that time permanently, for with this new arrangement, my family is excluded from the mansion, and this I do not for my own sake regret. Ovid in the evening.
Letter missing.
JQA’s intent was to install Mrs. JA2 and her children in the Old House at Quincy as soon as possible, to remain himself at Washington through a last winter in the Capital, to be joined there by CFA who, with him, would undertake to sell all the Washington holdings prior to final removal of family and possessions to Quincy. JQA to CFA, 24 Oct. (Adams Papers).
1834-10-30
Nothing but the power of habit keeps up my fancy for Journalizing. For I have now little worth recording. Even my reading is disappearing and I am becoming the common place animal like all the others, in the world. It rained in the morning but I went to town notwithstanding. Time taken up at the Office in writing Diary and a letter to my father1 in which I spoke plainly my opinions for the last time. Things after this must take their course. I then went to Medford with Mr. Brooks to spend the night. Disagreeably surprised by company. Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Harrison from Baltimore, Mr. Stetson, Jonathan Brooks, Edward and Chardon were here, some to dine and the remainder afterwards. This spoiled my day which I wished to devote to quiet and my children. I did nothing and felt very much 413depressed. My anxieties are now particularly numerous. I must hope and trust for the best.
Letter missing.