John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

478

24. V:30. Monday— Walk round Capitol Square— Sun rise.

Pleasonton— Stephen Bailey— John Dwight. Henry W Red Jacket Jemmy Johnson Harry Johnson Barbour— James Thompson Smith Wirt— William Guillet— Isidore junr

Mr Pleasonton, 5th. Auditor of the Treasury, called with some further papers relating Myndert M. Dox, Collector at Buffalo Creek New-York— He had already sent me several Letters and Depositions complaining of him as fallen into habits of intemperance which disqualify him for his Office— But he has received 4000 dollars, as Agent for building a Light-House, and has neglected or evaded paying over great part of the money, to the contractor entitled to it. There is reason to fear he has embezzled it— Mr Pleasonton proposed that measures the most efficient should first be taken to recover the money; to which I assented, and requested him to take them— After which it would be

479 Tyler— Benjamin O Mease. James Roberdeau. Isaac Everett. Edward Felton

expedient to give him his dismission— I gave Mr Pleasonton the papers relating to the keeper of the floating light at Ocracoke, and to another Light-house— Mr Bailey came to recommend N. F. Williams, as an Appraiser at the Port of Baltimore; in the event of a vacancy, expected by the death of a Mr Haslett who is ill— Coll. Dwight, member from Massachusetts, was also here— He is a member of the Committee of ways and means; the Chairman of which G. M’Duffie last week made a Report to the House, which is a manifesto against the Administration, and especially against the last annual Report of the Secretary of the Treasury— Dwight says M’Duffie made this Report without so much as ever reading it to the Committee— That he, Dwight disapproved of it in toto; and had expostulated with M’Duffie for his course of proceeding in this manner, but to no purpose— The three Seneca Indians, came to take leave, and Governor Barbour came in while they were here— Red Jacket, delivered a long talk, which was interpreted by Henry Johnson— The purport of it was to renew the solicitation that the Lands reserved to the Seneca Indians in New-York may not be taken away from them; nor they compelled to remove to Green Bay— With this was united a supplication, that another Agent may be sent to them, than Jasper Parish, against whom they complained bitterly— They charged him with having defrauded them of great part of their annuity—of receiving money from their adversaries; and generally disregarding the interest of those whom he was bound to protect— They intreated that persons might be appointed to investigate these charges, which they said could easily be proved— I told them I would cause an enquiry, into them to be made; and would do what ever might be in my power for their relief— The Senate have declined advising the ratification of the last Treaty of cession, in consequence of which I told them that I should not ratify it— Governor Barbour spoke to me of the vacant mission to Great-Britain, as one which his friends thought suitable for him; and which he said would be desirable to him, as he had a curiosity to visit Europe— But he said if I had any other arrangement in view, he would not have his pretensions interpose for an instant to embarrass me; and he had a very sincere distrust of his own qualifications for the service— He thought a Citizen of New-York might be desirable; but in the Chaos of their Politics, it would scarcely be possible to fix upon any one who would give satisfaction— Mr Rush might perhaps be willing to return to London—but how would this operate upon his nomination as Vice-President? Mr Webster perhaps the ablest man in the United States, for the performance of the duties of the Station—but what the political effect the appointment would have, might deserve consideration— I told the Governor I should not make the appointment till towards the close of the Session of Congress— The Governor wished to have notice some time before hand, in the event of his being nominated; that he might have the opportunities to settle his private affairs— I told him he should have seasonable notice of my conclusion— Judge Thompson of the U. S. Supreme Court called to take leave, being about to returning to New-York. The Supreme Courte adjourned their Session last Monday— They have been in Session from the 14th of January— Mr Wirt the Attorney General introduced a young Frenchman by the name of Isidore Guillet, son of a Gentleman of that name who was here with W. W. Seaton the 24th. of May— This young man told me he had been lately married to an American Lady, and they were now going shortly to Europe— Mr Tyler brought me a Letter from a friend of his to him—written by a friend of his and soliciting the appointment of keeper of the Penitentiary, in the Event of its establishment— Dr. Mease and Coll. Roberdeau called to pay visits. Mr. Mease’s book upon Silk and Silkwork is in progress— Coll. Roberdeau, mentioned that Mr W Elliot had written to Mr Pond the Astronomer Royal at Greenwich requesting him to make corresponding observations next Summer, with observations to be made here to determine the Longitude of this place— Mr Everett in the Evening introduced Mr Felton, who is keeping with others a High School in the Western part of New-York—