Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1

20th. JQA

1783-01-20

20th. Adams, John Quincy

20th.

This morning we went to see the falls which did not answer my expectations, but this place is still more famous for the expence the Sweeds have been at to cut a canal from hence to the sea so that Swedish vessels might come from the Atlantic, without being obliged to pass the Sound:1 but after all they have not been able to succeed in their enterprize.2 After having seen everything remarkable here, we return'd in Slays to the first Post and then we took our carriage; but could not get further on than Wennersborg Vänersborg, which is the first Station. The road we took could have taken to return is not the same as the 166one we went. And there has fallen more Snow here than on the other road. Here the Count left us at about 10 o'clock in the evening and set out to return to Gottenburg in A Slay; as he is obliged to continue his journey.

That is, Öresund (the Sound), the strait between Sjælland Island, Denmark (on which Copenhagen is located), and southwest Sweden, connecting the Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea, with the Baltic. At its narrowest point the strait is two and one-half miles wide.

The Göta Canal, a waterway of canals, lakes, and rivers which passes around the Trollhättan Falls and connects Göteborg with Stockholm, was not completed until 1832.

21st. JQA

1783-01-21

21st. Adams, John Quincy

21st.

This morning we left our carriage at Wennersborg, and took slays, for Udevalla where we arrived at about 5. o'clock P. M. This is the town to which Mr. Gadelius belongs.

22d. JQA

1783-01-22

22d. Adams, John Quincy

22d.

This day we dined and supped at Mr. Gadelius's mother's, in company with several Gentlemen of this town.

23d. JQA

1783-01-23

23d. Adams, John Quincy

23d.

We dined at Mr. Williamson's; a merchant of this place; in the evening we went to the assembly where we stay'd till about 1 o'clock in the morning, very stormy windy weather the greatest part of the day.

24th. JQA

1783-01-24

24th. Adams, John Quincy

24th.

This morning at about 10 o'clock I set out from Udevalla all alone in a Slay for Gottenburgh. When I came to the third station I was obliged to Stop on account of the Storm, at the end of a couple of hours the Snow abated and I continued My Journey till about midnight when I arrived at the last Post where I shall be obliged to Stay untill the morning as the gates of Gottenburg are not opened before 7. o'clock. Very stormy weather.

25th. JQA

1783-01-25

25th. Adams, John Quincy

25th.

This morning I arrived at Gottenburg at about 9 o'clock in the morning. Went to Change; found the Count left Gottenburg the day before yesterday. Mr. Lars Kåhre presented me to the 167French Consul here Mr. De L'isle who appears to be a clever sort of a gentleman. I dined with him at a tavern in the town and in the evening I went to the Coffee House.