Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2
1788-07-05
We called this morning at Dr. Welch's, and at Mr. Guild's; but left town at about ten o'clock: It was almost one when we got to Braintree. I amused myself as I could in the afternoon: Mrs. Warren,1 with her son Harry stop'd here this night on their way to Plymouth; to which place General Warren has removed back, after living about eight years at Milton. He was formerly a very popular man, but of late years he has thought himself neglected by the People; his mind has been soured, and he became discontented, and querulous: he has been charged with using his influence in favour of Tender acts and paper money; and it has even been very confidently asserted, that he secretly favoured the insurrections and rebellion of the winter before last. Whether his conduct has been misrepresented or not, is a point that must for the present remain undetermined. But he has certainly given some reason for suspicion by his imprudence; and when in a time of rebellion a man openly censures the conduct in general, and almost every individual act of an administration, an impar-426tial public will always judge, that such a man cannot be greatly opposed to a party who are attacking the same measures.
Mrs. Warren however positively declared there was no truth in those allegations, and was very confident, that they were nothing more than the suggestions of the general's enemies, whose malignity, was unaccountable, but whose utmost spite and envy could not disturb his happiness
Mercy Otis Warren, historian and dramatist, wife of James Warren. The Adamses and Warrens had maintained a close friendship for many years.
1788-07-06
The weather was rather disagreeable in the morning, and Mrs. Warren was disposed to stay and pass the Sunday with us. But her Son was so anxious to get home, that she finally determined to go; and they went away at about nine. I attended at meeting, and heard Parson Wibird dose over a couple of Sermons. There is none of my time that I regret more than that I spend in hearing him: were it not for the propriety of attending public worship abstracted from all considerations of improvement or entertainment, I should seldom enter within the walls of that house while he continues to slumber there.
1788-07-07
W. Cranch went to Boston this morning; and I suppose, I shall have but very little of his company for the Future, as he is to be fixed henceforth for some time to his office. I amused myself as I have done for several days past, in diverse manners. In the evening my two brothers arrived from Cambridge; having obtained leave to be absent till friday when the scholars will all be dismiss'd.
1788-07-08
I past the greater part of the day in gunning,1 with my brothers. The weather was as it has been for several days past extremely warm; and the fruits of the earth at present greatly require heat.
“Shooting robins” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).