August 2 We last night paid our intended visit to the Masonic Hall and were received by the Grand Master with great politeness—We found the gas lights burning which I am informed was a special favour—The Grand Lodge is very handsome, the decorations showy and the Seat of the Grand Master placed on a sort of throne supported by pillowsand an arched dome—Having had the honour of being seated in...
August 3 After despatching my Letters we received Georges N. 10 with one from Mrs. Porter in London in which she is desirous that you should dispose of 20 copies of some work written by her father which she has just published, the first Vol of which she has sent to Mr. Gracie with an order to send them to you, and she has fixed the price in England at half a pou 18S. 6d a Vol. The poor old...
August 4 Your N. 10 was brought me this morning containing the order upon the Bank for which I thank you—I am more uneasy than I can express at the part of your Letter concerning Kitty and cannot possibly guess what it can mean—Surely there are persons in the world so singularly constructed that their minds are utterly incapable of improvement from experience which generally teaches the most...
August 6th. It is very cold here to day so much so that we can sit comfortably with the windows shut—My Brother suffers very much from this change his nails are quite blue— Miss Hamilton and Mrs. Fisher called on us this morning—Mr. Harrisson is still very sick and I think Mrs F. appears to have some fears concerning his recovery, which from all I can gather, will be very doubtful—I really was...
August 7 After closing my journal I received your very affectionate Letter N 11 containing another order on the Bank. I cannot express the feelings of gratitude which swell my heart with unutterable thankfulness for your kindness to my Brother; who went through a slight operation without any great appearance of suffering—The worst part of the business is that it must be repeated four or five...
August 8 Towards evening my brother became much better. To keep his thoughts from his immediate sufferings and to amuse him with conversation is the best remedy, and produces the most wonderful change both in his spirits and countenance; and the most difficult part of the business will be to wean him from the isolated habits he has acquired by his unfortunate mode of living; which made him...
August 9 The Boston papers announce the death of one of our Grandees James Perkins—I think I recollect him many years ago; but I am not sure that I was acquainted with him. Was he not brother to S. H. Perkins? They tell a ridiculous story here about Mrs. S. Perkins She came to consult Dr Physick concerning a desease to which she is subject in her throat, and which will finally destroy her—When...
August 10. Mr. Joanoff and Baron Maltitz and Mr & Mrs. Pederson and Mrs. Markoe called—I had gone out to visit Mrs. Lowndes who I understood had arrived; but I found that Mr. Lowndes had come alone to consult Physicians—He came down to see me, and I was shocked at his appearance—if the Doctors even set him on his legs again, they will have performed a miracle—I also called on General Brown who...
I enclose the Letter just received I cannot guess why it was written to me— MHi : Adams Papers.
The last budget from Europe was indeed a fruitful one according to Walsh’s paper—They appear to suffer every horror beginning with Fires, Plagues, Pestilence, Famine, Massacre’s, civil War, and tremendous Storms—All these are to be found in the different news—We have also a slight share of calamity, as the Country fever is said to rage again, and New York is violently afflicted by the Yellow...
I forgot when I closed my last to answer your question concerning my brothers baggage—He wishes it to be put into some safe place until it can be reshiped to New Orleans; to which place he intends returning as soon as his health is reestablished, unless he could exchange the situation he holds there for something which would be an occupation, one an equivalent in point of pecuniary matters...
August 17 Mr. Cook called to inform me he intended to return to Washington tomorrow; and while he was sitting with me the Doctor again went through the operation on my brother again which was as in the former case attended with complete success. For two hours after he suffered great anguish, but I gave him a small dose of laudanum which soothed the irritation of his nerves; and he was much...
By some thoughtlessness I dated my journal wrong the last time I wrote, and only anticipated my congratulations on the anniversary of Charles’s birth—My Brother is not so well to day, and suffers much from the heat. Indeed the changes are so frequent, and so great, in his complaint, that I vibrate incessantly between hope and despair—The Doctor is thought infallible and when his opinion is...
August 19 Notwithstand the budget just sent, there is still some thing left to be said in answer to some observations of yours concerning place hunters—As you say they certainly do wish to live in your thoughts ; but their pride is hurt when you suffer this to appear in your manner —Men often do things which however they feel ashamed of doing; or in other words they cannot bear to be made...
22 It every hour threatens rain but no rain falls. Mr H— says his Corn Crops will be very fine but it is only a small part of New Jersey that has not suffered—It is three weeks since my brother has been out of the House, and I cannot prevail on him to stir abroad—Indeed it requires no trifling exertion to get him out of his room—The novelty of seeing his friends has worn off, and he is again...
August 24 As there has not been one incident which could induce me to write I have omitted my journal altogether. We had a visit yesterday from Mr. Saul and I determined to send Coachman home with the Carriage and Horses as we had made no use of it for three weeks; and it is no longer safe to ride in the environs of Philadelphia—When he arrives I beg you will desire him to see after Ben, who...
August 25 Went to the Presbyterian Church with Miss Pardon ; and heard a tolerable discourse from 12 Chapter of Paul to the Romans. Mr. Arbuckle is a very inanimate cold Preacher, and his style remarkably plain, and his language almost coarse considering the general refinement of modern language—He told us that Satan was the master of all knowledge; but that he knew nothing of love! That was a...
August 27. I see by the papers that Mr. Harrisson has lost his daughter Mrs. Mason—This is a severe stroke, but I believe it has been anticipated for some months by her friends—was it in child birth? and did the child live? She was too delicate a Blossom to live through the trials attached to married life, there was no stamina to enable her to support suffering—Mr. Douroughty is likewise...
August 28. One of the companies having turned out in the State House Gardens, makes the view from our house quite picturesque, and the scene very animated, as they are all in fine Uniforms Drums Fifes &c &c—There is something so gaudy, and imposing in the display of Military pomp, even under its worst aspect, that it is not surprising that the people under Military despotisms should be so...
50From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 August 1822 to 31 August 1822 (Adams Papers)
August 30 It is worth while to be absent a short time from home for the sake of receiving such delightful Letters as yours and Georges of to day, not to mention Mr. Smiths; when you condescend to trifle you trifle so prettily it were almost to be wished that your gaiété de cœur could be more frequently called pretty—Georges short trip to the Clouds was likewise of infinite service, and he...
After closing my Letter yesterday Mr G. Harrison called on us and sat with us near an hour—He is a singular being and has a very energetic style of conversation thickly beset with ornaments now nearly exploded—There is however something odd in his manner—Speaking of the Post Master here—He said that he was a defaulter to a large amount and that he believed it was only for the sake of his Wife...
Sept 1 My first visitor this day was the General who looks much better than he did and is I think in a fair way of doing well: though he will probably never entirely recover his pristine strength or firmness—He was inclined to be very communicative, and had entered upon political subjects pretty seriously, when young Mr. Paul came in and stopped the conversation—He said he hoped that you and...
Sept 3. The Evening closed with a very heavy thundergust After which we had a most delicious evening—During the last Night there was an alarm of Fire, and for two hours the City was in an uproar—I do not know to what extent the damage amounted, and have only heard that it began in a Blacksmith’s shop and had been smothering throughout the day of Sunday—King Joseph and Mr. Anduago met it seems...
Mr. J. Hopkinson; Miss Dale, Mr Ewing; Miss Meredith, Miss Frazier, Mr Connell, and Mr N. Biddle, and Mary Mr. Knight, all called and delayed our dinner until three o clock—We had of course the greatest variety of conversation on almost all subjects excepting politicks; of which to my great satisfaction we had not a word—The Sketch of Old England is quite the rage but Ewing says Paulding is...
Another attack of St Anthony confines me to my chamber since I wrote last and as it has been attended by head ache &c. with considerable fever I put myself into the hands of the Doctor; who is in hopes of eradicating the complaint altogether, though it is so stubborn it will require time, patience, and some confinement to my chamber—You have been too long accustomed to see me suffer in this...
Mr & Mrs. Bache Mrs. Dallas, and Mr U S. Capt Biddle called but I did not see them—Your letter was brought me, and you need not fear my leaving it about; as I am in the habit of filing and locking up my letters immediately after reading them—it is true that there are great machinations against you at this time going forward; and that they must and will continue as the time draws nearer which...
Yesterday passed without any material change—Mrs. Harrison called and Major Jackson and in the afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Walsh but I did not see them—They have just returned from Baltimore—Doctor Physick informed me that he hoped my brothers health would be firmly re-established in the course of a short time—I think it probable however he will operate once more— This morning I ventured down stairs...
Nothing worthy of Notice occurred yesterday, excepting a visit from Mrs. Hopkinson; and a Letter from Hariet Welsh brought by Miss H. Otis, who is come to this place to Nurse Mrs. Delavand whose recovery is deemed impossible—Miss Welsh informs me in her Letter, that John is gaining in standing at Cambridge: but I do not know what sources of information she has , although she states it to be...
16 Sept Finding myself very weak after my tedious confinement to my chamber I determined to accept the invitation of Mrs. Hopkinson, and took my passage in the Steam Boat accompanied by Mary—The day was fine but contrary to our usual good fortune, we found no one with whom to have a chat, excepting an old Quaker Lady; who was on her travels for the first time in her life; and full of terrors,...
19 Sept My last I believe closed on this day; I will therefore continue the account of our proceedings—While we were at Table the Count and his daughter paid us a visit and left Cards—and in the Evening we received an invitation to a water party at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon; and to spend the Evening which we graciously accepted. After which we strolled to the burying ground, where Miss...