Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1834-11-25
My morning was passed at the Office, principally in writing and copying a letter to my father. He gave me upon my leaving Washington a paper of instructions which I have pursued this morning.1 I have seen Brown into whose hands I put the New England Office Shares and Degrand called upon me so that I gave him the Estate in Tremont Street to sell. Thus far my course was clear. I wrote back as plain and direct an answer as I could stating explicitly and for the last time my opinions.2 I propose in future to act entirely by instructions.
My time slips away so fast that I am entirely unable to take hold of my Diary with the energy which the fortnight’s absence requires. At dinner today Miss Henrietta Gray who came in from Medford with the intention of leaving this place under the care of Mr. Brooks tomorrow morning. They are going to Baltimore to see Gorham Brooks and his wife and to Washington just to peep at things there. The house was of course not in much order, and I felt severely the want of a private room. I have delayed making any arrangements respecting it until this departure took place when I might do so more at my own ease. I went out in the evening and amused myself finishing Captain 24Marryatt’s singular story of Jacob Faithful. On my return I found Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham, with a Miss Etheridge who had come over to spend the night being also to go in the morning, and Mr. Edward Everett who is Pilot of the whole concern.
JQA’s instructions to CFA, contained in his letter of the 18th
CFA to JQA, 25 Nov. (LbC, Adams Papers). The New England Insurance stock he had directed to be sold at three points above par to net about $11,000. “I still persevere in the opinion that it will be better for you to sell than to borrow.... I am willing to be considered as advising you on this.” The Tremont Street property, CFA found, was being considered for a hotel for the Providence Railroad; he therefore put a price of $30,000 on it. However, he wrote, “It should be understood between us that this particular measure is not my advice. My advice is simply this, that provision be made as speedily as circumstances will admit for all of your outstanding debts, that your own debts should be cancelled, that a sum of money equal to the Notes given to your Nephew and Niece be deposited in Mr. Bowditch’s Trust company.... You was offended by this advice because you misunderstood me. My wish was that your mind should be put at ease at once from the anxiety which I know has been preying upon it for years and which will continue to do so as long as the system of debt is persevered in.”
1834-11-26
The party in the house did as people proposing to travel always do, kept almost every body awake all night. My belief is that it is always wise to go from a hotel where people are regularly employed for the business. But that is not the general sentiment. I did not get up to see the party off. They had a fine day and I wished them success.
My first business after going out was to go round to the various workpeople for the purpose of setting my temporary study a going. I have selected the small room over the entry and next to the parlors. It is very small but will answer my purpose for the winter. It is singular to remark how many things even so small a room requires. My Chests which contain my winter’s work came in from Quincy yesterday. I have now only to get shades, chair, table, grate &ca. &ca. and I shall get on. What I could spare from these commissions was time devoted to my diary.
Afternoon at home. Read Mackintosh, and Mr. Sedgwick whose book does not appear to me to perform what it promises. I see nothing but rather old generalities, which are no doubt good but hardly require another variation of dress.