Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-03-15
Fine mild day. I went to the Office as usual and was occupied in Accounts &c. Received letters from Washington which made necessary the writing of some Notes &c. A long one from my father about the events of Washington, particularly the duel.1 Home early as my Wife had fixed the dinner hour a little earlier to accommodate herself. I therefore read Sophocles in the afternoon, and began Adam Ferguson’s Essay on Civil Society with which I was pleased.2 I took a day of vacation from my coins today, and enjoyed it. Evening sat some time with Abby after which I wrote quite a long letter to my Mother.3
The letter from JQA referred to is apparently that dated 27 Feb. (Adams Papers) but which, on internal evidence, was not completed and dispatched until 10 March; see also the note to the entry for 28 Feb., above.
A copy of Adam Ferguson, Essay on the History of Civil Society, 8th edn., Phila., 1819, is in MQA.
Adams Papers. On the letter see