The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-22
The Early Love of John Quincy Adams.

there q student ut law in the Office of Judge
Parsons. His fellow students were Rufus King,
Robert Treat Paine and Thomas Thomas. or
course these were valued acquisitions to New
burypcrt society, and were 30 specially regard
cd. Among the young men Of that day were
Stephen Hooper, who at o subsequent period
married Miss Susan Marquand, Samuel L.
Knapp. Dr.. John Sprague, Edmund Bartlett.
George Otis, Samuel A. Otis, Jr., sc. Among
the young ladies who led of in society were the
daughter Of VIM. Coombs, Moses Frazier, the
Tracys, Cazncau, Roberts.
There were those among them to whom Mr..
Adams was more than ordinarily attentive; but
to one in particular he was specially earnest
and tender in his approaches. To those Of the
circle composing his most intimate acquaint-
ance he gave tho benefit of his muse, and thus,
in private circles, they won an ephemeral noto-
riety. as the poem in which their virtues and
pecularities were sung never appeared in print
until comparatively recent date. II was then
only in manuscript. and not many copies were
ever made of the poetic vision Of Mr.. Adams
loves. A copy fell into my hands, and In Jan.
uary, 1910, took the liberty of giving II to
the world through the weekly issue of the Daily
Tattler, then published in the city of New York.
have now in my possession the original copy
of adams Visions from which the publica-
ton was then made. Through the kindness of
some benevolently disposed borrowing friend,
my printed copy has disappeared. My next
number will simply be the contribution OF this
poem, with statement of certain circumstances
and incidents attending its publication. I feel
no doubt of its acceptability by the reader, as
the edition of twenty four years ago must have
long since been absorbed.
During many and frequent interviews with
the late venerable Ex-P President, he impaired to
me not only much valuable historical nforma-
ton, but confdentaly rcposed in me interest,"
ing items pertaining to his carly personal
experience. One Of these was located at
Ncwburyport, and, therefore appropriate to
these contributions. 1t was allied to the ont
pouring of his "Vision," and is now, for the
first time, publicly stated. This may now be
done without improperly as he, and all the
parties directly infested, or in any way to DO
affected by 1t, are no more.
1t was the habit of Mr.. Adams to remain at
his desk in the House Of Representatives, ut
Washington, often times after the adjournment
of that body, particularly Il 1t took place, as 1t
often did, at rather an early hour. On one of
these occasions. now wildly distinct to my
mind. approached him, and VIC entered
into free and pleasant conversation. Nearly
IL not quite all the members had left the floor.
and the pages were occupied in collecting tho
stationery and documents, and preparing the
hall for the ensuing days session.
Our conversation soon ,partook Of a personal
and very absorbently interesting character.
Mr.. Adams spoke earnestly of his delightful
experience at Newburyport, while preparing
for the legal profession under the guidance of
Theophilus Parsons. Thesubje,t fairly opened,
he entered upon the theme with deep feeling.
The eyes of the cold man eloquent" became
moro than unusually moistened with tears,
which he vainly strovo to keep down, and his
voice trembled in tender sympathy with the
crowding rccollections. He spoke with animal.
ing fervor, of the Traoys, ,Daltons, Jacksons,
Parsons, Bradburys and others, and the charm
ing halo, by which one was ever surrounded
when in their society. II was with deep earn
estncss that he sought to know Of the existence
and welfare Of their descendants.
But when no spoke of the young ladies Of
that day, he seemed electrified by the subject.
appeared to unlock his long pent tender SEN
sibilities, and he sat before me in his now reju
vcnated aud impassioned youth, oil heart,
affection and love, his face radiant with smiles,
and the vigor Of youth beaming forth in every
feature. The namc which thus electrified his
being, was that of Miss Mary Frazier, the
'lovely Clara" Of his "Vision."
It may bc difficult for one who has only seen,
or known Mr.. Adams through occasional calls
of respect or official intercourse. to realize the
fact that the apparently cold and phlegmatic
old man was not only susceptible Of tho keen
est and most tender emotions, but that they
were actually demonstrable as powerful clc-
ments In his nature.
Mr.. Adams drew comparison between Miss
Frazier and other ladies of American and Euro.
pean society so remarkable and 30 energetic
that his very language aud manner became In
delibly impressed upon my mind. "Why, my
dear sir" said he, with emphasis and beautiful
ly tender pathos, "I have seen In my day much
OF the world, have held social and familiar In
tcrcoursc with the best and most polished soci.
ETY. in our land. have had unchecked freedom Of
the best and most cultivated European society,
have freely visited the most noted and bril-
liant Courts Of the Old World, have seen and
held communion with the most attractive and
recognized beautiful among the female sex Of
Europe and America. but let Inc say to you,
what I have never before uttered within the
sound Of human ears, that In all which consti-
tutes genuine beauty, loycliness. personal ac-
complishments, intellectual endowments, and
perfect purity of lifo and heart, Miss Mary Fra
.ier ercslied them all! Ilopsd her hea,' and,
rising from his chair. he raised his right arm
and bringing his hand with emphasis upon his
heart. "IIore her memory noD''
When no had closed this rhapsody, I hardly
knew where or how to resume the thread Of our
discourse, SO insignihoally tritc and groveling
Il seemed after the animated ccstacics into which
his old ether:alized heart had thrown him. He
having been led into this confession OF love
which before was known to have no recognised
admission beyond tho "lovcly Clara OF his
"vision," asked him II there had been any