Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 7
1836-12-22
Much colder than it has been but clear. I went to the Office and idled my time away a good deal. Mr. Walsh came in and talked over the matter of Davis’s paper and I told him my conclusion that I could have nothing to do with it. This is partly to save my own feelings for I 151know that he is so connected, my opinion can be but a stumbling block in his way.1 But I intimated to Walsh that I would write for it.
He had hardly gone when A. H. Everett came in and his conversation turned entirely in the same direction. We discussed the prospect of the Advocate and the Post. He is in favour of establishing a paper something like the Evening Post of New York. I told him I thought it would be a good plan but candidly confessed my opinion that it was not practicable.
Home. Livy. Afternoon, reading Tailor’s Statesman, and assorting Warren’s Letters. Evening at home. Conversation with my Wife about my depression of spirits. It was very great today. This is miserable weakness and I will set about repairing it. Wrote to my Mother.2
T. K. Davis’ connections were with Boston’s leading families. His mother, Susan Jackson Davis, was of the influential and widely connected Jackson clan; his father, Isaac P. Davis, though a longtime friend of JQA, was a wealthy Boston merchant. On neither side would CFA’s recent political alliance with the Antimasons and Democrats have been approved (vol. 3:146, 223–224; 5:25; 6:99–100, 370). Although the younger Davis and CFA each found much that was congenial in the thinking of the other, there is no indication in the Diary or elsewhere that Davis had joined CFA in his political activities of 1835 and 1836.
To LCA, 22 Dec., Adams Papers.
1836-12-23
Morning cold and cloudy but it moderated afterwards. I went to the office. Not much employed. I am trying to find some topic to which to turn my attention. And I incline to something like my book which now interests me, Tailors Statesman.
Called to see T. K. Davis. Talk with him about his project of a Newspaper. I told him the reasons why I thought I could not conduct such a thing, and I also told him that I had nearly made up my mind respecting my future course. The opposition to Mr. Van Buren already announced left me little alternative but to support him provided he put no bar in the way. He said he had not yet thought very seriously of the matter but he urged me not to decide absolutely. I told him I thought he was well calculated to conduct a press and that I would do my best to aid him if he commenced one.
Home after a walk with Mr. Walsh. Livy. Afternoon, MS. Finished Tailor’s Statesman, a book containing many excellent remarks but not fully reflected out if I may so speak. I will try to throw together some thoughts on the same subject for future use. This will be an exercise and an occupation. Evening, reading to my Wife, and then writing, but my ideas though they flow fast are ill methodized.