Sunday August 27th 1780.
JQA
1780-08-27
Sunday August 27th 1780.
Adams, John Quincy
This morning at about half after seven o clock Mr. Le Roi came to our lodgings and at
about eight o clock he went with My Pappa, brother Charles, Stevens, and myself down to a
boat where we found two Gentlemen and two ladies. We set away and went out of the port on
board the1 South Carolina for Captn. Joyner we
did not go on board. We then went to Surdam
Zaandam which is a Village in North Holland. We took a walk there and we
went into the church where there is the picture of something which happen'd here some Years
agone, A Wild Bull having got loose he run to a Woman took her upon his horns and threw her
at an immense Height, while she was up in the air she was delivered of a Child which fell
down and was kill'd. The bull then run and kill'd a Man and when the Woman fell she was
kill'd also, this picture is represented in the Church. After having walk'd a mile or two we
came back to the boat and set sail. We pass'd by Amsterdam again and went down to another
place the name of which I don't know. We went and took a walk and then came back and dined
on board the boat. After dinner Mr. Le Roi a nother Gentleman Stephens, my brother Charles
and myself went to see if we could not find a place to go into water. We walked some ways
and at last found a good place to go into. We went in and found the Water very deep. We swam
a little while and then came back on board the boat and we then set sail and went again on
board the South Carolina where we drank tea and stay'd some time, after tea we set away from
on board the ship and sail'd to Amsterdam. The Gentlemen and ladies came with us as far as
our lodgings and then left us.
61
1.
At this point JQA makes the marginal note, “see Volume 1st of my Journal
Page 43d.,” which refers to his entry of 14
Aug. (above), describing his first visit on board the South
Carolina. As Joyner was captain of the South Carolina,
the meaning of the remainder of this sentence remains obscure.