Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 2
Doctor Leonard1 came here in the morning: this gentleman came as a passenger with Callahan. He underwent a violent prosecution two or three years ago in England, for endeavouring to come to America with some models of manufacturing machines. But after being two years in prison he was released and immediately resumed his original intentions; but he is now come over without his models; and he rather purposes at present to practice in his original profession as a physician and surgeon.
I bath'd in the Sea, this afternoon; the first time I have done so this Summer; indeed it is rather troublesome here, on account of insects which are almost innumerable.2
William Leonard practiced medicine in Newburyport and later in Ohio (S. P. Hildreth, “Biographical Sketches of the Early Physicians of Marietta, Ohio,”
NEHGR
, 3:137–138 [April 1849]; same, 5:357 [July 1851]).
In his line-a-day entry JQA adds, between notes on Leonard and bathing, that he “Read a little” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).
George Warren came over from Milton this forenoon, and paid us a visit. He opened an office in Milton last winter, and has done as much business, as a lawyer generally does for the first six months after he begins; but the prospects are far from being encouraging. When I am in spirits this circumstance strikes me only as an incentive to more strenuous exertions: and at such times I feel such a resolution to overcome difficulties, that I seem already in a fair way of acquiring reputation and property. My father says, that when he was a student, he heard, an old lawyer tell the present Judge Sewall, who was then a student likewise, “that he never knew a lawyer that studied, who did not grow rich.” The observation made an impression, and his own experience has confirmed it.1
JQA adds, in his line-a-day entry: “Rather idle. Time lost” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).
This day completes my twenty first year; It emancipates me from the yoke of paternal authority which I never felt, and places me upon my own feet, which have not strength enough to support me. I continue therefore still in a state of dependence. 428One third of the period of my professional studies has also now elapsed; and two years more will settle me, should life and health continue; in a situation where all my expectations are to center. I feel sometimes a strong desire to know what my circumstances will be in seven years from this: but I must acknowledge, I believe my happiness would rather be injured than improved by the information.1
In his line-a-day entry, JQA adds: “Mr. Cranch. Shooting” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).