110115th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went to see Mr. Parsons, and inform’d him that I should probably attend at his office in about three weeks: Stedman and Thomson are there now, but the former of these will leave the office, by the latter end of next month. My classmate Putnam has applied for admission, and intends, I am told to enter the office in November. Two at once would be full sufficient, but if there...
110216th. (Adams Papers)
I went again this forenoon to see Miss Jones, and offered to call in the afternoon and take a letter for Miss Wigglesworth, but when we set out I entirely forgot my promise, and did not recollect it till I had got some way out of town. Mr. Thaxter arrived in town this morning, and dined at Mr. Tufts’s. In the forenoon I engaged a place where I am to board; which is at a Mrs. Leathers’s. It is...
110317th. (Adams Papers)
At home all the forenoon, reading Tom Jones, one of the best novels in the language. The scenes are not only such as may have taken place, but they are similar to such as almost every person may have witnessed. This book cannot lead a person to form too favorable an opinion of human nature, but neither will it give a false one. Pass’d the afternoon and part of the evening at Mr. White’s. The...
110418th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I took a ride, with White, to see our class mate Eaton. We spent about an hour with him and return’d before dinner. Dined at Mr. White’s, and the afternoon went to see his pearl ash works: the sight of these and the account of all the process in making pot and pearl ash, was pleasing because it was new. Leonard complains very much of the stagnation of business; and indeed...
110519th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Kimball preach’d a couple of practical discourses, the subjects of which I liked better than those of Mr. Tappan, last Sunday: his manner of treating his subjects though good was not I think equal to that of the other gentleman. After meeting I convers’d with him, chiefly upon political topics. He has a most tremendous frown and appears upon so short an acquaintance, to be possess’d rather...
110620th. (Adams Papers)
I had some thoughts of leaving Haverhill this morning; but it rain’d all the forenoon; and as I am not in any particular haste, and my friends here are still willing I should remain with them: I determined to defer my departure a day or two longer. I staid at home the whole day. Mr. Thaxter spent the evening with us. He finally declared that he intended if no unforeseen event should take...
110721st. (Adams Papers)
Hazy weather again all the forenoon. I went and pass’d an hour with my friend White before dinner. Spent the afternoon with Mr. Thaxter at his office. Mr. Dodge was there, a great part of the Time. We conversed upon various subjects. Mr. Thaxter whose feelings are very warm, express’d his sentiments quite openly with respect to a gentleman, whose political conduct has been of late somewhat...
110822d. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Judge Sargeant’s, with Mr. and Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Porter and his lady are there upon a visit from Rye: with a child about six weeks old, which forsooth immediately after dinner must be produced, and was handed about from one to another; and very shrewd discoveries were made of its resemblance to all the family by turns, whereas in fact it did resemble nothing but chaos. How much is the...
110923d. (Adams Papers)
I left Haverhill this morning at about 9 o’clock; and at 12 arrived at the tavern in Wilmington, where I dined. At about 2 I again set off, and got to Cambridge a little before six. I came through Mystic and called at Mrs. Tufts’s, to see my friend Freeman, but he was gone to Boston. When I got to Cambridge I found great alterations had taken place since I left College, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Burr...
111024th. (Adams Papers)
I lodg’d last night with Lincoln, the senior, whose chum was out of town. Breakfasted this morning with Mr. Andrews, who returned from Hingham last evening. I visited Mr. James and Doctor Jennison: both were very polite. The Doctor informs me, that several material alterations are about to take place, with respect to the plan of studies pursued here. Doddridge, is to be put entirely into the...
111125th. (Adams Papers)
In the forenoon I went to Weymouth, to return Dr. Tufts’s horse. Dined at the Doctor’s, and pass’d the afternoon there. Walk’d leisurely home, and arrived at about Sun-set. This morning Mrs. Cranch and her son, went to Boston. My Cousin intends to read law with Mr. Dawes, and will enter his office next monday. Very damp, sultry weather.
111226th. (Adams Papers)
I did not attend meeting this day—Employ’d myself chiefly in reading and writing. Mr. Weld preach’d for Mr. Wibird, and dined here. Miss Street and one of Captn. Beale’s sons, with Mr. J. Warren dined with us likewise. In the evening Mrs. Cranch and Dr. Tufts return’d from Boston. My uncle Smith has been for some time very ill of a complication of disorders. The Doctor thinks he is at present...
111327th. (Adams Papers)
I employ’d myself in the forenoon with making some necessary preparations before my final departure for Newbury-port. In the afternoon I accompanied the ladies to Mrs. Quincy’s. Miss Nancy has been very ill, and is much thinner than when I saw her last. She is however recovering. Pass’d an agreeable afternoon, and return’d home just after dark.
111428th. (Adams Papers)
Rode out in the morning with Mrs. Cranch. It rain’d hard all the afternoon—chilly north-east wind. The fruits of the earth are at this time extremely backward, on account of the little heat, and the great rains that have prevailed this summer. The productions of our lands require frequent, rather than plentiful rains, and great heat, as the summers are so short.
111529th. (Adams Papers)
Rain’d in the fore part of the day but cleared up in the afternoon: I went with my gun down upon the marshes; but had no sport. Game laws are said to be directly opposed to the liberties of the subject: I am well perswaded that they may be carried too far, and that they really are in most parts of Europe. But it is equally certain that when there are none, there never is any game: so that the...
111630th. (Adams Papers)
Staid at home the whole day. Doctor Tufts was here in the morning, on his road to Boston, and in the evening on his return. I took a nap in the afternoon, and had a strange dream. I cannot conceive where my imagination ransack’d the ideas, which prevailed at that time in my mind. This part of the action of the human soul, is yet to be accounted for: and perhaps has not been scrutinized with so...
111731st. (Adams Papers)
A very warm day. Rambling all the morning; I met a couple of french officers gunning on my uncle’s farm. In the afternoon I went with the ladies, to see my Grand-mamma: return’d at about dusk; and closed the last day, which I proposed to spend in Braintree for some time.
1118[September 1787] (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 o’clock this morning I departed from Braintree with Mrs. Cranch: we got to Mr. Foster’s at about 12. I went to Mr. Dawes’s office, where I found Cranch and Forbes. Dined with the former at Mr. Foster’s. Stroll’d about town all the afternoon and just before Sun-set: I took a walk to Cambridge: where I arrived at about 8 o’clock. Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d;...
1119Saturday September 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
Between 9 and 10 o’clock this morning I departed from Braintree with Mrs. Cranch: we got to Mr. Foster’s at about 12. I went to Mr. Dawes’s office, where I found Cranch and Forbes. Dined with the former at Mr. Foster’s. Stroll’d about town all the afternoon and just before Sun-set: I took a walk to Cambridge: where I arrived at about 8 o’clock.
11202d. (Adams Papers)
Attended meeting all day. Mr. Hilliard preach’d; much in the old way. The meeting house however did not look as it was wont. The same deficiency I found there, that I had perceiv’d, in the colleges, and every where in this Town. All my classmates gone. I dined at Mr. Wigglesworth’s with Packard. Peggy appears as amiable as ever. I pass’d the evening with my brothers, and lodg’d with Tom.
11213d. (Adams Papers)
I pass’d about an hour, before dinner with Mr. Winthrop, the late librarian. He is much of a politician; his opinion with respect to the situation of the country is always favorable. Dined with Mr. Andrews. Lincoln, the senior was there; a young lad of good abilities, and of great application: In the afternoon I met a couple of french officers in the College yard; who wish’d to see the library...
11224th. (Adams Papers)
After breakfast I return’d to College, and on the way stopp’d at the President’s. He was not at home, but Mrs. Willard desired me to take a letter for Sophy, who is now on a visit at Newbury-Port. At about 10 o’clock I went with a number of scholars in the stage carriage, for Boston: just as we were going off we met Cranch who had walk’d up from Boston expecting there would be a meeting of the...
11235th. (Adams Papers)
Took an early breakfast, and walk’d with Cranch to Cambridge. We got to Packard’s chamber, just after 9 o’clock. There was a meeting of the ΦBK. The president and vice-president being both absent, Mr. Andrews presided for the meeting: a number of new regulations were introduced; the resignation of the president was read and accepted. Just before 12 The officers for the ensuing year were...
11246th. (Adams Papers)
This morning after breakfasting with Mr. Andrews I walk’d leisurely to Boston. Just before I left Cambridge the parts for exhibition were distributed: Charles has a dialogue with Emerson: the circumstance gave me more pleasure than any allotment that I ever had, myself. As soon as I arrived in Boston, I immediately went to Court, and found them engaged upon the trial of one John Shehane for...
11257th. (Adams Papers)
At three in the morning I was roused, and got into the carriage in company with, a merchant of Portsmouth, and a Sea captain of Newbury-Port; lately arrived from South Carolina. Nothing very interesting occurred in the course of our Journey. We dined at Ipswich and reach’d Newbury-Port, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. After taking possession of my room, at Mrs. Leath ers’s; I went to Mr....
11268th. (Adams Papers)
I arose in the morning quite refresh’d, and immediately after breakfast went and took my station in the office. I began upon the first volume of Robertson’s history of Charles the V. which Mr. Parsons recommended as containing an account of the feudal institutions, from which were derived many of the laws which are now established in different parts of Europe. I have already read the book; but...
11279th. (Adams Papers)
I did not attend meeting this day for several reasons. At home the whole day; it was extremely long and tedious. I amused myself with reading in the first volume of Blair’s lectures: I have already perused the work; but I think it deserves a second reading. Retir’d early to bed, merely from ennui.
112810th. (Adams Papers)
Attended at the office the whole day. Continued Robertson. Thomson engaged this morning to take the charge of one of the town schools, for a year. It will interfere very much with his attendance at the office. His father, who is very rigid in his religious opinions, and probably entertains an unfavourable idea of the profession of the law, is very averse to his son’s engaging in it; and takes...
112911th. (Adams Papers)
Thomson began his attendance upon the school this morning, and attended at the office, all the leisure time he had: if he should make a practice of this it must necessarily be essentially injurious to his health. I Dined this day with Townsend and pass’d the evening at home in reading and writing.
113012th. (Adams Papers)
Training day for the alarm list. From 16 to 60 years the inhabitants of this Common-wealth, are subjected to the duties of militia-men: As a student of Harvard University, I shall be exempted for three years: for all the sons of Harvard are considered as students at that seminary untill they commence masters of arts. This forenoon I finish’d the first volume of Robertson’s Charles V. and as I...
113113th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Dr. Kilham at Mr. Carter’s. This is a very friendly, obliging old gentleman, about 73 years of age, as I collected from his conversation: he is very sociable, and is a great genealogist. He gave me a much more circumstantial account of my ancestry, for four or five generations back, than I had ever known before, and I am told he can give the same kind of information to almost any...
113214th. (Adams Papers)
The weather for this week past has been from day to day alternately very warm and very cold. These sudden transitions, which in this Country are very common, are almost too powerful for our constitutions: to foreigners they are almost intolerable, and I believe even the inhabitants, who from their birth have been used to them, suffer more from them than they are aware. This forenoon I received...
113315th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Townsend and Thomson at Mr. Parsons’s. I finished this day the first volume of Vattel. The first book treats of the duties of a nation with respect to itself: the second of its obligations towards others. His sentiments and principles appear to be dictated by good sense and real virtue. They appear all to derive from that law of nature, which every person of common sense and common...
113416th. (Adams Papers)
I took a walk this morning as far as Dr. Tucker’s meeting house; but it was to little purpose, unless the exercice of the walk was sufficiently beneficial to me to compensate my trouble: for Mr. Kimball happened to preach; and delivered the same sermon, which I heard him read at Haverhill four weeks ago. As I did not incline to hear the afternoon sermon twice, I attended at Mr. Carey’s: this...
113517th. (Adams Papers)
Three of us in the office were employ’d the whole day, in taking copies of the writs which are to be entered at the next Court; which will sit in this town next week. General Freeman pass’d through Town this day, and came to visit Mr. Parsons. In the afternoon I took a walk with Little. At home all the evening. Weather very cold.
113618th. (Adams Papers)
We had some more writing to do this forenoon. Mr. Parsons, went to Exeter, where the supreme court for the State of NewHampshire are now sitting. At 12 o’clock, I attended Townsend before Mr. Justice Tracy. One M’Intier had prosecuted a Sarah Bayley for defamation in saying that he was a thief. The parties could not agree: they had not their evidence ready, and the court was adjourned till...
113719th. (Adams Papers)
The equinoctial storm, which has been gathering in the heavens for a week past, has now appeared, with all its violence and rage. Stedman arrived in town last evening, and has attended in the office this day. He brought me no letters from Cambridge, but left all friends well: we had a violent debate in the office, between Stedman and Townsend upon a point of law. The contest began by a...
113820th. (Adams Papers)
I expected this morning when I waked up, to hear the winds whistle and the tempests roar: but all was still and calm: the storm was violent but short. We were pretty still this day at the office; but four at a time, is certainly too many. Some one or other of us, is talking almost all the time, and consequently, reading does not proceed rapidly. Little came and pass’d half an hour with me in...
113921st. (Adams Papers)
Quite still in the office this day. I read a good deal. This afternoon Amory arrived; and thus we are all five here. I called at Mr. Carter’s and desired him to take charge of a letter to W. Cranch. I pass’d an hour or two with Mr. Tufts. A very beautiful evening. William Amory, who briefly practiced law in Boston and Salem after leaving Parsons’ office the following spring ( Fleet’s Pocket...
114022d. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I finish’d Vattel. The third book treats of War, and the fourth of Peace; much in the same manner as he treats the other parts of his subject. “Honesty is the best policy,” says nature; and so says Vattel. Mr. Parsons returned from Exeter before dinner. I intended to have gone to Haverhill this afternoon, to spend the Sunday there: but the weather was such as threatened a storm;...
114123d. (Adams Papers)
Attended upon Mr. Carey the whole day. His manner is not very agreeable; but his stile is much better than common. Townsend called here in the evening. Amory set off this morning for Boston. They say it is impossible for him to stay three days at a time in one place. He has been absent 6 or 8 months, and promised Mr. Parsons some time ago that he would come, and be very steady all through the...
114224th. (Adams Papers)
Townsend went to Topsfield to hear a cause tried before a justice. Stedman has been hunting all over the neighbourhood for his horse, who disappeared on Saturday. Thomson has an whole week respite from his school; but did not come to the office in the afternoon: I was there alone: Amory return’d from Boston between 4 and 5, and at about 6 set off for Exeter. Tomorrow he goes to Portsmouth and...
114325th (Adams Papers)
I have given up all pretences to study any more this week. The Court of Common-pleas sits here; and I shall attend that. It was near one o’clock this day before they met and then they immediately adjourn’d till the afternoon. I was there after dinner. Nothing was done but calling over the actions. Judge Greenleaf gave a very short charge to the grand Jury, in which he observed to them, that...
114426th. (Adams Papers)
Attended court the whole day. Little was done in the forenoon except calling over the cases. But in the afternoon, a cause was tried by Jury, between one Smith and James Brown. Smith had attached certain lands as the estate of Brown’s father, to satisfy a debt due to him: Brown claim’d those lands, as his property, and produced in court two deeds, by which his father had made over the lands to...
114527th. (Adams Papers)
The jury upon the case of Smith and Brown, gave their Verdict in favour of the Plaintiff, and declared the deeds fraudulent. The next Jury case which came on, was between William Bartlett and Daniel Dodge both of this Town. Dodge who is a Mason, engaged to build and plaister a brick house for Bartlett at a certain price, in the year 1778. In the course of his doing the work, the paper...
114628th. (Adams Papers)
I learnt this day that the bar determined last evening to abide by the rule, which they had adopted some years ago, which was that there should not be more than three students in an office at once. Putnam therefore cannot be received by Mr. Parsons. I understand he has this day applied to Mr. Bradbury, who will receive him immediately. Court sat all day, but finally adjourn’d this afternoon,...
114729th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at the office the whole day, and resumed Blackstone, whom for three or four days, I had laid aside. I did not however read a great deal. In the evening I took something of a long walk with Townsend; and as I return’d stopp’d to sup; upon the birds, which Amory and Stacey, had been hunting for in the course of the day. There were three other gentlemen there, Mr. Coffin, Mr. Winslow,...
114830th. (Adams Papers)
Although I had not last night, been guilty of an excess so far as to be intoxicated, yet I had not sufficiently consulted what my feelings would be this day, to be entirely prudent. I therefore arose this morning, with a very disagreeable head-ache, which continued the whole day. I could neither attend meeting nor read, nor write; and pass’d the day with much tediousness. In the evening...
1149[October 1787] (Adams Papers)
I have not yet got over the consequences of our frolick on Saturday evening. Three whole evenings I have by this means entirely lost, for I cannot yet write with any comfort. How inseparably in all cases of intemperance, is the punishment allied to the fault! Stedman went this day for Portsmouth, will return here to-morrow, and take his final leave on Wednesday. He is going to open an office...
1150Monday October 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
I have not yet got over the consequences of our frolick on Saturday evening. Three whole evenings I have by this means entirely lost, for I cannot yet write with any comfort. How inseparably in all cases of intemperance, is the punishment allied to the fault! Stedman went this day for Portsmouth, will return here to-morrow, and take his final leave on Wednesday. He is going to open an office...