Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1835-10-26
Morning fine. I went down to the Office and passed my time in writing. I see the Globe has at last republished the whole of the Appeal with a commentary. This merely repeats and affirms the various positions. This will give the Appeal a more extensive circulation than I had any idea of.1 We shall see what the Whig presses will have now to say. Will they persevere in their effort to push it out of sight. I think not, or if they do, it will hardly help them.
My time today was somewhat taken up by money affairs. My note at the State Bank came due today. I paid off one third part of it and had the remainder renewed for sixty days more. There was no objection to the renewal. I had my Boylston Market Shares transferred back to me and thus got rid of that subject. My Bank Shares might have been bought for less money if I had waited a month but I could not foresee that. And now they are worth more than I gave for them. I drew the remainder of my Dividends and went over my Accounts which took much time.
Home, found there Mrs. John Adams and Elizabeth C. Adams. Mrs. Angier also came in from Medford and dined. Nothing of any consequence. Afternoon cut up. My Wife writing notes for an evening party which she is to give—A tax paid to Society for the favour of being bored at other people’s houses. Finished an Article on the state of the Nation which I propose this week to substitute for the Massachusetts Voter. Evening quietly at home. I began Adam Smith’s History of Astronomy.2
CFA’s pamphlet, An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs, was reprinted in full in successive issues of the Washington Globe (23, 24 Oct., p. 2, cols. 1–7). For an account of its earlier newspaper publication in eight numbers, see note to entry of 23 June, above.
The Globe, in an accompanying editorial called “The Senate’s Usurpations,” commented: “The Constitution... secured to the
“The Constitutional questions involved in these attempts of the Senate, are so ably discussed in the ‘Appeal,’ which we publish, that we can add nothing to its convincing argument.... Nothing could give greater proof of this body’s willingness to exert whatever influence and power it can acquire to the worst of purposes ... than the instance which the Appeal given below makes the subject of its commentary” (23 Oct., p. 3, cols. 1–2).
Smith’s Essays on Philosophical Subjects contains “Principles which lead and direct philosophical enquiries, illustrated by the history of astronomy,... ancient physics,... ancient logic and metaphysics.” At MQA is a copy of the Essays, Basle, 1799, with JQA’s bookplate, as well as a copy of The Whole Works of Smith, 5 vols. in 4, London, 1822.
1835-10-27
A pleasant cool day. I went to the Office as usual. Mr. Davis came in and shortly after Mr. Adan, the Judges of the Bowdoin Prize dissertation and after a short conference we agreed upon awarding one prize, to the writer upon the effect of the Christian religion in raising the character of man. I myself inclined to award only a second prize but as the other gentlemen seemed disposed to do more, I gave in.
Accounts and Diary which I hardly manage to keep within bounds. I had agreed to go to Quincy, with my Wife this morning and was therefore obliged to go up to my house at an early hour.
Mr. Webster’s Speech at the Odeon is in the morning’s papers. It is not characterized by much strength. On the subject of the Executive Patronage bill it is very modest, hardly attempting any thing beyond a plea for holding his own opinions.1 Shall I pursue him or let him alone? I am now in doubt. The rest of my Appeal was in the Globe of this mail.
Rode to Quincy. Found the family as usual. Miss Dewint there, Elizabeth C. Adams also. My father seemed dull, probably affected by the Vermont Resolutions which he has received.2 I think Slade has acted hastily and from temper. We returned home shortly after dinner bringing with us my little girl Louisa who did not appear con-253tented in staying there although the benefit to her health is certainly manifest. Quiet evening at home. I copied Jefferson’s opinion for my father.
See above, entry for 13 Oct., note.
“The state of my mind is deeply agitated, and I know not what to do, by reason of darkness. Would that a ray of light might flash upon my eyes to discern how I may best discharge my duties to my country and to mankind” (JQA, Diary, 26 Oct.).