Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1835-08-13
My little girl is four years old this morning, and she received little presents from all her friends at home. How much I have to be grateful to God for. The day was excessively warm. I was principally engaged in assorting the whole Pamphlet Department of my father and selecting such as the Athenaeum had not probably got. This is a business very much needed. Read the remainder of the fifth Satire of Juvenal, which has some touches. The Mail brought this morning my answer to the Telegraph with only two misprints in it.1 Quite wonderful. Thus it is we carry on the war.
I went with my father and took a bath at the usual place. Evening, took up a German book, Theodore, one of the novels of Auguste Lafontaine with whom I was so much pleased last year, but I found it wanted interest. I have finished Madame du Deffand’s letters to Horace Walpole and do not intend to read those to Voltaire which finish the work until I get home. Nothing of consequence. The Newspapers give a fearful account of the effects of a mob at Baltimore. What are we coming to, in this Country of laws?2
The United States Telegraph, a Calhoun organ in Washington, on 24 July, p. 2, cols. 4–5, in commenting on No. 5 of “An Appeal,” agreed with CFA’s judgment that Webster in supporting the Executive Patronage Bill had abandoned his anti-states-rights position and principles, although, quite contrary to CFA, it applauded Webster for doing so (the article is reprinted in the Daily Advocate, 19 Aug., p. 2, col. 2). On 29 July, the Telegraph, p. 2, col. 4, reprinted the comment of the Columbian Centinel which had accompanied its printing of the same part of “An Appeal” and welcomed the Centinel’s support of Webster’s position as further evidence of a Whig shift to states-rightism: “This 196argues favorably for the preservation of the Union.” CFA’s reply to the Telegraph was in two parts, in both of which under the signature “A Whig of the Old School” he reasserted that Webster had earned for himself the praise of the states-righters, offering the views of the Telegraph as proof, and at the same time CFA sought to make clear that his own views were far from those of Webster and the “nullifying” Telegraph. (Daily Advocate, 13 Aug., p. 2, col. 1; 19 Aug., p. 2, cols. 3–4)
In Baltimore the Bank of Maryland had failed under circumstances that provoked widespread public anger, particularly directed against Reverdy Johnson and other officers of the bank. Beginning on 5 August, continuing after a public meeting on the 8th, and renewed on the 9th, there were bloody riots in which the homes of the principals were destroyed, the jail broken open, and a number of lives lost (Columbian Centinel, 11 Aug., p. 2, col. 1; 12 Aug., p. 2, col. 3; 13 Aug., p. 2, col. 2).
1835-08-14
Morning quite warm. I went to town although our late hours make it almost noon before I get to work at any thing useful. I had so many places to visit and things to do that I found myself cut short of the time necessary to finish my Diary, which runs into Arrears. Saw Mr. Brooks and consulted him about a letter received from Mr. Johnson at Washington, who wishes to know the most advisable means of investment in this quarter. I have already written to him in answer one letter and I now send another,1 confirming by Mr. Brooks’ opinion. Home to Quincy rather late. Afternoon idle. I assorted the remainder of the Pamphlets.
Our war in Boston goes on bravely. This day was republished the Article from the Richmond Whig with my comment.2 The Atlas refuses to answer Mr. Everett, for the simple reason that it cannot. I hope we may be able fully to establish ourselves. But the Jackson party look on with wonder and dismay. They seem afraid to say a syllable that shall commit them. And the Whigs shun all contact. Their position must be forced at all hazards. Evening at home with the family. Mr. Beale and his daughter were in.
The letters from and to Thomas Baker Johnson are missing.
At CFA’s suggestion (entry for 10 Aug., above) the Advocate reprinted an article, “Mr. Webster,” from the Richmond Whig in which it was asserted that the Whigs of other states did not share the enthusiasm for Webster manifest in Massachusetts. To it, the Advocate appended as editorial comment, CFA’s jibe: “Our readers may ... gather ... something of the feeling among the whigs of other States towards Mr. Webster. They will not be likely to get any idea of the truth from the whig press of Boston.... Circumstances appear to authorise the belief that Mr. Webster will respond before long ... by a voluntary withdrawal of his pretensions” (Daily Advocate, 14 Aug., p. 2, cols. 1–2).
1835-08-15
Cooler day with an East wind. I remained at home all day. Read the sixth Satire of Juvenal in Gifford’s translation. It is the longest and 197he says the most perfect of all, but it’s subject the vices of Women is not a favourite with me. Wrote the answer to Mr. Johnson referred to yesterday. The Morning Mail gives some further fearful details of the proceedings of the Baltimore mob. They have destroyed the houses of Mess. Johnson, Glenn, Morris, Ellicott and the furniture of the Mayor. He has played a miserable part in this business.
Afternoon, read parts of the Memoirs of the Duc de St. Simon,1 a severe old satirist of the days of Louis 14 and the Regency. What an animal of corruption man is. What a miserable spectacle does he present in his best estate. Also, some of the odes of Peter Pindar, coarse and disagreeable, but rather pointed.
Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Barrel with Miss Keating were here in the afternoon on a visit, and President Quincy came in afterwards. My father was not at home which I regretted. The news from Baltimore is that the violence has ceased.
On the two copies of St. Simon’s Mémoires ... sur le règne de Louis XIV at MQA, see vol. 4:310.