Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1

Friday June the 22d 1781. JQA Friday June the 22d 1781. Adams, John Quincy
Friday June the 22d 1781.

This morning I went to Mr. De la Lande and Fynje's;1 din'd at home. Mr. Guild din'd Here. After dinner I went to Madam Cha-83banel's with the coach; she went to take a ride; we went through a village call'd Diemen, and went to Mr. Hartsinck's country seat. We stay'd there a little while and then return'd in to town to Madam Chabanel's, Mr. Brailsford came there soon after; and brother Charles and I went with him to the coffy House where we found Mr. Greaves and Mr. Brush, from thence we went to Mr. Brailsford's lodgings, and return'd home at about 10 o'clock.

From Guthrie's Grammar (continued from yesterday) Chap 4th §. 15th.2

1.

Jacobus de la Lande and Hendrik Fynje, merchant bankers of Amsterdam, who, with the Willinks and Van Staphorsts, raised the first Dutch loan to the United States in 1782 (Chr. Kroes-Ligtenberg, “Een Vriend van Aagje Deken,” De Gids, Amsterdam, pt. I [1942]: 96; JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:451).

2.

Here follows, on two pages in the Diary, the concluding section on Dutch commerce and manufacturers (p. 401–402).

Saturday June the 23d 1781. JQA Saturday June the 23d 1781. Adams, John Quincy
Saturday June the 23d 1781.

This morning I went with Mr. Dana to the old Man House to buy a few things. We hear that a courier is arriv'd at the Hague from Madrid who was only eleven days upon the Journey, he brings news that two Dutch fregates commanded by the Captains Oorthius and Melvill had been out to meet the Dutch East India Ships which were coming home; and had done it accordingly, and were returning to Cadix with them when they fell in with two English 74 Gun Ships and after a Smart battle Melvill was taken and one of the E. I. M. Sunk but Oorthius carry'd into Cadix the five others.

Mr. Guild and Mr. Jones din'd here. Nothing remarkable in the afternoon.

From Guthrie's grammar. (continued from yesterday) Chapter 4th §. 16th.1

1.

On the next one and one-half pages of the Diary, JQA has transcribed the section on Dutch public trading companies (p. 405).

Sunday June the 24th 1781. JQA Sunday June the 24th 1781. Adams, John Quincy
Sunday June the 24th 1781.

Nothing remarkable in the forenoon, Mr. Thaxter din'd at Mr. Sigourney's; I din'd at home, after dinner I went to take a walk with Mr. Dana; we walk'd someways out of town, in the evening I went to Madam Chabanel's where I supp'd; got home at about 10 1/2 o'clock.

84

(Continuation from yesterday) From Guthrie's grammar. Chapter 4th §: 17th.1

1.

Here follows, on about one page in the Diary, the first paragraph of the section on the Dutch constitution and government (p. 405). JQA did not resume his copying from this section until 7 July.