Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 7

62 Monday August 1. CFA

1836-08-01

Monday August 1. CFA
Monday August 1.

Morning pleasant. My horse has come in, but as I suspected something has happened to him which takes off materially from my convenience. His leg has got in very bad condition partly I suppose from neglected diet and partly from carelessness. I went to the Office. My Wife however appears to gain strength so fast that we shall be able to get into the Country in a day or two, perhaps tomorrow. My time taken up in matters of business, examining accounts and calculating for future payments. The Quincy Stone Bank has called very unexpectedly for the remainder of it’s capital. This renders it necessary for me to make some arrangement. Most fortunately a rise in the value of the State Bank Stock in consequence of their sale of the building they have occupied, has enabled me to see a way clear without the to me disagreeable resort of borrowing. Afternoon at home busy upon Diary. Evening, sat with my Wife. As yet I have resumed none of my usual occupations, feeling rather unsettled. But I hope to do so at least in part after I shall have established myself at Quincy.

Tuesday 2d. CFA

1836-08-02

Tuesday 2d. CFA
Tuesday 2d.
Quincy

Fine day. I went to the Office and was busy there for an hour or two. As Abby seemed strong enough we concluded to get to Quincy today. For this decision I went up to the House twice and my horse not being fit to use, I agreed to accompany her in the carriage. Mr. Wilson came in at the time appointed and we all went out. My Mother had on Sunday taken with her Louisa and John so that my Wife with Catherine who is to be nurse and the baby were with myself all.1 We reached Quincy in safety and I placed my Wife in her quarters where I hope she will be much benefitted. The Journey does not seem to have been a very successful experiment. I hope now the quiet of Country Life with a number in the house and no household anxieties will do better.

I passed much of the afternoon in conversation with my father upon my proposed building plan, and I also called upon Mrs. T. B. Adams to make some settlement with her as usual in the Quarter.2 She carried me into a private room and talked with me respecting her son Hull who has been obliged to resign his Commission to avoid dismission from West Point. This could not have been many days after his fine professions to us at that place. My mother had told me of this the 63other day. I was so much provoked that I expressed myself very plainly. Mrs. Adams appears to be worried and yet she has to appearance as little consciousness of Hull’s position as ever. What is a young man brought up as he has been fit for? He is now four and twenty and does not yet know how to take care of himself. I told Mrs. A. at the same time that I should say nothing to Hull though I trusted she would let him know, if he desired it, the substance of my thoughts.

On my return, met Deacon Savil3 and talked with him about a road to pass along over the hill upon which my proposed house is to stand, and to come out through his land. He seemed very eager to accept the proposal. I walked home over the hill and re-examined the ground. Evening at home. Nothing of consequence.

1.

Of the three children of ABA and CFA, Louisa Catherine was five, John Quincy 2d was three, and Charles Francis 2d was one year old.

2.

CFA, as his father’s agent, made quarterly payments to those entitled to receive them under the terms of JA’s will.

3.

Deacon Samuel Savil of Quincy apparently was not judged unqualified for his post despite the disrepute to which his forebear, an earlier deacon, had brought the name; see JA, Diary and Autobiography , 1:183; Pattee, Old Braintree and Quincy , p. 238.