John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

22. III:30. Dr Thornton called upon me this morning at my house, to enquire if there was any prospect of his obtaining a mission to South-America; as, if there was, he was desirous of perfecting himself in the Spanish Language. The Doctor is a native of the Island of Tortola; a Man of learning, ingenuity, wit and humour; well meaning, good-natured, and mainly honest, but without judgment or discretion. I told him there would probably not be an early appointment of a Minister at Rio Janeiro— The President left the City this morning. I began anew a draft of Instructions to A. Gallatin, but was much engaged with a book sent me by J. Vaughan from Philadelphia— W. Clarke upon Saxon and English Coins, Weights and Money; I found it contained much information tending to confirm some of my opinions, as well as to shake others— Journalized and read the Papers in the Evening.