Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2
1788-03-19
The weather was dull, gloomy, and part of the day rainy. Amory invited me to dine with him and Stacey and Azor Orne at Davenport's, but I did not feel inclined that way. I call'd at Mrs. 377Hooper's in the evening and spent a couple of hours with Townsend. The lads who dined at Davenport's warm'd themselves so well with Madeira, that at about seven o'clock this evening, they all set out upon an expedition to Cape-Ann, to attend a ball there this night. Twenty seven miles in such weather and such roads after seven o'clock at night, to attend a ball, would look extravagant in a common person; but it is quite characteristic of Amory.
1788-03-20
We met this evening at Thompson's. Pickman came; but rather late in the evening. Young Sawyer was there likewise: he spends the present quarter at home, by order of the college government.1 I have not a very high opinion of his abilities; still less of his improvements, and least of all of his moral character. One thing however may be said in his favour. He is handsome in his person. His father is a very respectable, worthy man, and the family to which he belongs is very agreeable.2
Sawyer had been rusticated since December for disorderly behavior at the college, but was restored in May (MH-Ar: Faculty Records, 5:289–290, 302).
On the top of the following page in the Diary, JQA has written: “N B. this opinion of Sawyer did him great injustice. April 1790.”
1788-03-21
I can read tolerably well when I am alone in the office, and make as much progress in one day, as I can sometimes in a week, when all the other gentlemen are here. I have read through the first volume, and have made some progress in the second of Blackstone...1 And I read it I think with more advantage, than I did the first time; but my progress is slow; too slow.2
JQA's ellipses.
In his line-a-day entry, JQA mentions “Mrs. Hooper's. Evening” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).
1788-03-22
Amory and Stacey, return'd from their expedition: They got to Cape-Ann at about twelve on Wednesday night, and were about two hours at the ball. On Thursday they proceeded to Marblehead, and attended at the assembly which was held there: Last Night they patrol'd the streets of Salem, serenading the houses, and came home this afternoon compleately fatigued. 378Mr. Parsons arrived in town too this morning from Boston, and held a court, for taking cognizance of Mr. Atkins's actions.
Pickman, pass'd the evening with us at Mrs. Hooper's. Mr. Cutler was likewise there.