Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1

Sunday August 27th 1780. JQA Sunday August 27th 1780. Adams, John Quincy
Sunday August 27th 1780.

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.

Monday August 28th 1780. JQA Monday August 28th 1780. Adams, John Quincy
Monday August 28th 1780.

This morning Pappa went out to take a walk and did not get back till about half after one o clock. At about two o clock Pappa went out to dine at Mr. Staphorst where I dined Some Time agone.1 At about half after four o clock Mr. McCrery2 came here with another Gentleman to see Pappa but not finding him they went away again. At about Six o clock Pappa got back to our lodgings. I received three Letters from Paris from my Schoolmates3 which Mr. McCrery brought with him.

1.

JQA's marginal note here, “Vide Volume 1st page 42 of my Journal,” refers to his entry of 14 Aug. (above).

2.

William McCreery, an American merchant at Bordeaux (JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:294, 450).

3.

Letters not found.

Tuesday August 29th 1780. JQA Tuesday August 29th 1780. Adams, John Quincy
Tuesday August 29th 1780.

This morning Mr. Le Roi came here and also Mr. Guild. Mr. Guild dined here and drank tea here. At about tea time Mr. LeRoi came here. He has recieved a letter from Bruxelles in which there is some good news and an Extract of which I will now take.

Extract of a Letter from Bruxelles August 27th. 1780.

The English Post due three days ago is not yet arrived but by a private Conveyance we learn that the English Admiralty have received certain advice that their fleet bound to the West Indias consisting of fifty four Sail with a regiment of Soldiers on board convoy'd by a Ship of the line and a frigate and accompanied by five East India Ships had, on the 8th Instant in Lat. 36:40 and Long 15 West fallen into the combined French and Spanish fleet from Cadiz, and that almost the whole convoy was taken.1

After tea Pappa went out with Mr. Le Roi and Mr. Guile and got back at about 8 o clock.

1.

For a more detailed account of the losses suffered by the British convoy, see The Annual Register . . . for the Year 1781, London, 1782, p. 2–3; and DNB, under John Moutray.

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