Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-09-02
Day clear and cool. Passed as usual. Attendance upon divine service and reading. Evening spent at the Mansion.
Read today my father’s speech upon the question of Texas. It displays great acuteness and comprehensiveness of mind with less of declamation than has been usual with him. The tone is also more goodnatured and adapted to the temper of the house. It’s defect is that of Repetition consequent upon the fragmentary mode of it’s delivery and of a rather too desultory and immethodical manner. On the whole, it will form one of the most important of all the acts of his life, and will have a great influence upon the future condition of the country, either fortunate or otherwise.1
Heard Mr. Robbins of Boston preach from 2. Peter. 3. 11.12. and 13. The text too long to insert but the substance is the promise of a future state. He discussed this with spirit and explained his own views which leaned to a resurrection of the body. But this is too great a mystery for mortal brain. Afternoon Luke 8. 17. “For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”
Read a discourse by Dr. Batty in the English Preacher. Proverbs 1. 9. “They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” The effect of Religion upon human nature through its action upon honour, good nature and civility. The views very sensible but common. Read also Grimm. Mr. and Mrs. T. Greenleaf called in the evening for a short time and we went down as usual to the Mansion.
Speech of John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, upon the right of the people, men and women, to petition; on the freedom of speech and of debate in the House of representatives of the United States; on the resolutions of seven state legislatures, and the petitions of more than one hundred thousand petitioners, relating to the annexation of Texas to this Union. Delivered in the House of representatives of the United States, in fragments of the morning hour, from the 16th of June to the 7th of July, 1838, inclusive, Washington, 1838.
1838-09-03
Cold and clear. Morning spent almost entirely in working at the garden with Kirk, superintending the various little improvements I wished to be made. This is after all the only way of gaining satisfaction with us. For directions are rarely executed in full.
But an hour of reading Afterwards. Afternoon devoted to riding, ac-104companied by my boy John. Evening Tea at my Mother’s and walk to Mrs. T. B. Adams’ to see her and the family. Thus I have no very material account of progress in study to give.
My reading of Lessing was interrupted as I found that the second part of the Laocoon was never completed and what remains of it is in small fragments, hardly to be retained in the memory if read. The ride was cold and so was the evening. Mrs. Angier and Mr. E. P. Greenleaf were at Mrs. Adams’ besides the two families.