786 MEMOIRS OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



to accept the bequest would not be removed by striking out 

 the observatory; that Mr. Calhoun and his coadjutors had 

 urged it from the beginning, and it had been time after 

 time settled against them ; that any application of the fund 

 to the purposes of the testator would be resisted by them, 

 and if anything was to be done it must be carried against 

 their stubborn opposition. Adjourned to Monday morning 

 at ten. 



MARCH 21, 1842. 



Meeting of the Committee on the Smithsonian bequest, 

 at ten a. m. I was punctual to the minute, but waited 

 more than half an hour for a quorum. Present, Adams, 

 Underwood, Truman Smith, Habersham, R. Randall, and 

 C. J. Ingersoll ; absent, Bowne, Houston, and Hunter. \\V 

 discussed the remainder of the old bill, from the sixth sec- 

 tion through. Every one had amendments to propose, and 

 the bill was thoroughly riddled. Many amendments were 

 adopted, and I was directed to prepare an amended bill for 

 the consideration of the committee at the adjournment, 

 Wednesday morning. 



MARCH 23, 1842. 



I reached the committee room at ten o'clock. Present, 

 Adams, Randall, Habersham, T. Smith, Underwood, and, 

 just as the committee were adjourning, Ingersoll. The 

 remainder of the old bill was throughly debated, and addi- 

 tional amendments were proposed. I was finally directed 

 to prepare a bill and then call a meeting of the committee. 



APRIL 2, 1842. 



I made the experiment of doing something else while the 

 routine of private legislation was dragging through. I ac- 

 cordingly continued the draft of a bill for the Smithsonian 

 bequest Committee, with a hope to finish it on Monday, and 

 I ascertained that I might, with suitable industry, perform 

 the work of two hours' writing in my seat, upon business 

 other than that before the House, every day upon which I 

 take no part in the debate, and yet give all necessary atten- 

 tion to the current business. 



APRIL 4, 1842. 



I finished my draft of the bill for the Smithsonian bequest 

 Committee, and added five new sections for their considera- 

 tion. 



