Cornell University Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924098810835 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 098 810 835 In compliance with current copyright law, Cornell University Library produced this replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. 2004 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF XS91 .A..^..11J^A./ ^^.//£JS1.. THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JARED SPARKS . { ■ I l^ I '4 "X \ •r \ X JARED SPARKS 1857 -I'om a bust bv Hikam Powers THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JARED SPARKS COMPRISING SELECTIONS FROM HIS JOURNALS AND CORRESPONDENCE BY HERBERT B. ADAMS PROFESSOR IN THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY STJje KibEretle PrciSB, Cain6rtlig;c '893 Copyright, 1893, By FLOEENCE S. MOORE AND L. S. PICKERING. All rights reserved. The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., O. S. A. Printed by H. 0. HougMon & Company. CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. CHAPTER XV. The Washington Manuscripts and the Diplomatic Correspondence. Call upon President Jolm Quincy Adams Interview with Calhoun and Judge Washington . Researches in Washington Interview with John Eager Howard Daniel Webster and the Diplomatic Correspondence Sparks to Judge Washington Sparks to Chief Justice Marshall Sparks to Judge Washington Sparks to Chief Justice Marshall Sparks to Judge Washington Sparks to A. H. Everett . Researches at Mount Vernon Georg« Washington's Mother . Visit to Monticello Interview with James Madison . Marshall's " Life of Washington "... Interview with Robert Lewis, Nephew of Washington Original Journals of Washington . Interview with Henry Clay Contract for Publishing Diplomatic Correspondence Removal of Washington's Papers to Boston Plan of arranging Diplomatic Correspondence Interview with President J. Q. Adams Interviews with Judges Marshall and Washington Inquiries for Washington's Letters .... Lieber's Project for an American Encyclopaedia . Count de Menou on French Archives PAGE 1 2 3 6 10 H 13 14 23 24 25 26 28 30 31 36 38 39 42 43 44 44 45 46 47 48 49 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVI. Researches in Europe (1828-1829). First European Tour, 1828 .... Call upon Mr. Roscoe near Liverpool Sir James Mackintosh and Mr. Brougham At the Colonial Office Interview with the Marquis of Lansdowne Dinner at Lord Holland's .... Sydney Smith and the " Edinburgh Review " Breakfast with Mr. Brougham .... Sydney Smith's Call upon Jared Sparks The London University ..... Jeremy Bentham's Garden .... The Athenaeum Club ..... John Murray and Irving's " Columbus " Colonel Aspinwall's " Library of Americana " . Rev. Joseph Hunter and Washington's Pedigree Interview with Cooper, the Novelist Calls upon Lucy Aikin and Mr. Belsham Letter from Lord Holland .... Interview with Wordsworth .... Stratford Canning and Sir James Mackintosh . Mrs. Somerville and La Place Southey's Advice regarding State Papers Interview with John Murray Southey's Letter lo Sparks .... Visit to the House of Commons Permission to work in the State Paper Office . Lord Holland's Library .... To Rotterdam and Brussels .... Interview with Schlegel at Bonn . A Visit to Gottingen ...... Comparison of Germany with the Carolinas and Georgia Brockhaus, the Publisher. — Leipsic Gardens . Contract with Professor Saalfeld to translate Washington Meeting with Lafayette in Paris .... Dinner with Marquis de Marbois ..... Interview with Baron Hyde de Neuville . A Meeting of the Institute in the Mazarin Library Ii;terview with Botta, the Historian .... 52 53 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 66 67 69 70 71 73 74 75 76 77 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 CONTENTS. Vll Interview with Lafayette .... The Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres M. Buchon and the " Revue Trimestrielle Lafayette's Opinion of Guizot . An Anecdote concerning Jefferson Mr. Sparks' Call upon M. Guizot Interview with M. d'Hauterive Mr. Sparks' Call upon Count Segur . Work in the French Archives Lafayette's Reminiscences The Letters of Vergennes Work in the Archives arrested Mr. Sparks' Life in Paris Papers in the Depot de la Guerre A Visit to Lagrange ....... Arrangement with M. Guizot to translate Washington The Book Trade of Paris ...... Interview with M. Caille, the African Explorer Renewed Application for Access to English Archives . Sir James Mackintosh on Schlegel and Madame de Stael Permission to work in the English Archives Sir James Mackintosh and Sir Francis Palgrave Results of Researches in British OiBces Congratulations from George Bancroft 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 102 105 108 111 113 114 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 126 130 CHAPTER XVII. The Diplomatic Correspondence. Sparks' Letter to President J. Q. Adams Letter to Henry Clay ..... Plan of Publication, with Estimates Sparks to Daniel Webster .... Memoranda sent to Henry Clay John Quincy Adams to Jared Sparks Mr. Sparks to M. Guizot .... Report to Martin Van Buren, Secretary of State Proposal of a New Series from 1783 to 1789 Sparks' Letter to Verplanck, of New York Matthew St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force . Sparks' Opinion of a Rival Enterprise Verplanck's Letter to Sparks 133 134 135 138 139 141 142 143 145 148 150 151 152 VIU CONTENTS. Capture of Sparks' Project by Washington Printers Wharton's Edition of the Diplomatic Correspondence Sparks' Defence of his own Work .... Dr. Wharton's Tribute to Jared Sparks The Limitations under which Mr. Sparks labored 153 154 157 159 160 CHAPTER XVIII. Life op Gouverneub Morris. Mr. Sparks' Visit to Morrisania ...... Advice from Dr. Hosack and Charles King Sparks to Dr. Hosack Contract between Mr. Sparks and Mrs. Morris . Sources of Information regarding Morris .... Sparks to James Madison ...... Mr. Sparks to Mrs. Morris on Editorial Duty- Completion and Reviews of Sparks' " Morris " . Views of the Morris Family ....... French Translation of Sparks' "Morris " used by Taine . Lafayette to Sparks on Gouverneur Morris .... Letter to Mr Sparks from M. Gandais, the French Translator Mr. Sparks to M. Gandais ....... Theodore Roosevelt and Jared Sparks .... 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 169 170 171 172 176 177 179 CHAPTER XIX. 'The American Almanac" and the "Library of American Biography." The American Almanac ..... Sparks' Plan for the Work Survival of his Interest in Astronomy . Lieber's Idea of a Government Bureau of Statistics . The Library of American Biography Biographical Forerunners of Jared Sparks First Mention of his Project ..... Mr. Bancroft's Suggestions. — Spring in Northampton Edward Everett's Opinion of the Project Letter from John Quincy Adams .... Sparks' Plan for the "Library of American Biography" Contract with Publisher. — Bancroft's Queries Subjects and Authors of First Series .... 181 182 184 185 186 187 188 189 191 192 193 195 196 CONTENTS. ix Sparks' Views upon the Writing of Biography . . . .199 Correspondence with Harper & Brothers . . . . 201 Subjects and Authors of Second Series ..... 203 Sparks' Contributions to the Two Series . . . . 207 CHAPTER XX. Correspondence with James Madison. Sparks to James Madison on Washington's Writings . . 208 Madison to Sparks . . . . . . . . 212 Sparks to Madison. — Plans of Publication and Travel . . 214 Madison to Sparks concerning Washington's Letter . . 218 Sparks to Madison. — Washington's Papers and Foreign Ar- chives 220 Sparks to Madison. — Washington's Farewell Address . 222 Madison to Sparks. — Washington's Letters .... 224 Sparks to Madison. — Pinckney's Draft of the Constitution . 225 Results of Sparks' Foreign Researches ..... 232 Jay's Negotiations for Peace with England .... 235 CHAPTER XXL Letters to Judge Stort on Washington's Papers. Washington's Copies of Letters Journal of his Tour to the West Early Correspondence with Virginians .... Washington's Revolutionary Papers .... His Life and Correspondence after the Revolution . Public and Private Correspondence during his Presidency Sparks' Plan for a Selection of Washington's Papers Notes and Historical Illustrations .... Part I. Early Military Career . . . . Part II. The American Revolution Part HI. Private Correspondence on Public Affairs . Part IV. Messages and Addresses .... Part V. Miscellaneous Private Letters Part VI. Agricultural Papers .... Letters received by Washington . . . . . 237 238 239 241 243 246 249 250 251 253 256 257 259 260 262 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXII. Publication of Sparks' Washington. Judge Story to Sparks on Plan of Publication . . . 265 Judge Washington to Jared Sparks ...... 266 Relation of Samuel A. Eliot to the Enterprise . . . 267 Question of Editorial Duty 268 John Quincy Adams' Advice to Jared Sparks . . . 269 Sparks to W. B. Lawrence on Editorial Duty .... 270 Necessity of Selection and Condensation .... 271 Editorial Standards in the Time of Mr. Sparks . . . 272 Sparks' Statement of the Functions of an Editor . . . 273 Editorial Work in Boston 274 Index to Washington's Papers . . . . . . 275 Sparks' Letter to the New York " Evening Post " . . . 276 Removal to the Craigie House in Cambridge . . . 277 Arrangements with Publishers and Charles Folsom . . . 277 Mode of Publication 278 Review of the Work ......... 280 Judge Story's View of Sparks' " Washington "... 282 Chief Justice Marshall's Opinion 285 Edward Everett's Notice of the Work 286 Everett's Letter of Congratulation to Sparks .... 289 George Bancroft's Review of Sparks' Work .... 291 W. H. Prescott on George Bancroft ...... 292 Gratitude of the Washington Family 295 George Bancroft to Jared Sparks 298 Lord Holland's Letter to Jared Sparks 300 Government Purchase of AVashington's Papers . . . 302 Publication of Letters to Washington 306 " London AthenJEum " and George Bancroft on Sparks' Work 309 CHAPTER XXIH. European Editions of Sparks' Washington. Bancroft and Lieber suggest a German Edition . . . 3ii George Ticknor interests Von Raumer in the Work . . .312 Tieknor's Letter to Sparks ....... 313 Ticknor's Letter to Von Raumer 314 Von Raumer to Ticknor . . . . . . . 315 CONTENTS. XI Ticknor to Sparks concerning Miss Tieck Sparks to Von Raumer Henry Wheaton on the German Edition . An English Edition pirated by Colburn Sparks' Letter to Guizot ..... Sparks' Correspondence with Ticknor . Tioknor's Letter to Guizot .... Guizot to Ticknor Sparks to Ticknor and Guizot. — Autographs . Ticknor to Sparks on French Publishers Guizot to Ticknor on the French Translation . Guizol's Introduction to the Work Sumner's Letter on Guizot to Sparks Sparks' Cordial Letter to Guizot . Sparks to Daniel Webster on Healy's Portrait of Guizot Cornells de Witt's " Histoire de Washington " 316 317 318 318 320 321 322 323 324 32.5 326 329 329 330 332 333 CHAPTER XXIV. Sparks' Edition of Franklin. Letter of Inquiry to Benjamin Vaughan . Plan explained to Edward Everett Sparks to Franklin Bache .... " Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Dr. Sparks to Lafayette on the " Familiar Letters " Benjamin Waterhouse on Editorial Fidelity . Contract with Publishers for an Edition of Franklin Benjamin Vaughan to Jared Sparks Jared Sparks to Petty Vaughan Sparks to J. Q. Adams on Franklin's Papers Sparks to Henry Wheaton .... Sparks to William Vaughan ..... Charles Sumner to Jared Sparks Completion of the Edition of " Franklin " Work reviewed by Francis Bowen Lord Holland's Acknowledgments to Jared Sparks President Lord to his former Pupil . Lord Lansdowne to Mr. Sparks .... Views of Franklin held by Bancroft and Sparks Edward Everett Hale on the Treaty of 1783 Sparks to Dr. John C. Warren on Franklin's Diplomacy Franklin ' 334 336 337 338 339 339 340 340 343 344 346 347 348 348 349 361 351 352 353 355 355 xu CONTENTS. Parton's Tribute to Sparks' "Franklin" .... 357 Sparks' Interest in Franklin's Statue and Portrait . . . 357 John Bigelow and Justin Winsor on Sparks' " Franklin " . 358 Paul Leicester Ford on Sparks' Work ..... 359 CHAPTER XXV. Professor of History at Harvard College (1838-1849). Sparks' Phi Beta Kappa Oration on History . . . 360 Plan for an Historical Professorship in New York University . 361 Letter to Ticknor. — Historical Teaching in Europe . . 362 Ticknor to Sparks upon Historical Instruction abroad . . 363 "Remarks on the Study of History in American Colleges " . 364 Harvard Professorship of Philosophy offered to Sparks . . 365 Member of the Massachusetts Board of Education . 366 Notes on " Town Government " for De Tocqueville . . . 367 Jared Sparks elected Professor of History .... 368 First Academic Recognition of Historical Science . . . 369 Name proposed for Member of Congress . . . . 3 70 Conditional Acceptance of Professoi-ship 372 Personal Independence of Mr. Sparks 374 Historical Lectures at Harvard 375 Letter to President Lord, of Dartmouth College . . . 375 Professor Sparks sails for England 376 CHAPTER XXVI. Second Visit to Europe (1840) Proposed History of the American Revolution Another Visit to Lord Holland Louis Napoleon's Descent upon Boulogne Call at Lansdowne House. — Boundary Question Prorogation of Parliament Chalmers' " History of the Colonies " Examination of State Papers The Boundary Question ..... Death of Lord Holland The Library of Sir Thomas Phillipps Notes for W. H. Prescott on Spanish Manuscripts Library of the Royal Institution Again in Paris. — Napoleon Bonaparte . 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 CONTENTS. xui De Tocqueville, Mignet, and Guizot . Discovery of the Red- Line Map . 391 392 CHAPTER XX Vn. The Boundary Question and the Red-Line Map (1841- 1842). The Northeastern Boundary Question 393 Sparks to Edward Everett on the Oswald Letters . . 394 Sparks to Daniel Webster on the Red-Line Map . . . 395 Terms of the Treaty of 1783 396 Sparks' Mission to Augusta, Maine 400 Webster's Letter to Governor Fairfield ..... 401 Webster to Sparks on the Conduct of Negotiations . . .403 The Red-Line Map in Congress 403 Webster's Final Judgment of the Treaty of Washington . . 404 George Gibbs to Sparks on the Legal Aspect of Maps . . 405 Correspondence with Edward Everett 405 Sparks' View of the Red-Line Map 409 Sparks to George Folsom in Gallatin's Pamphlet . . . 410 Justin Winsor's Explanation of the Red-Line Map . . 410 Sparks' Article on the Treaty of Washington . . . .412 Webster to Sparks on Rouse's Point 413 Henry Wheaton and the Right of Search .... 415 Wheaton to Sparks 415 CHAPTER XXVra. Lyceum and College Lectures (1838-1849) Lyceum Lectures in Boston on the American Revolution Course repeated in New York City .... Remarkable Success as a Public Lecturer . College Lectures at Harvard .... Original Character of Mr. Sparks' Instruction W. H. Prescott on the Plan of George Bancroft's Work Sparks' "Historical Notes and Memoranda" Sparks to Lieber on Historical Text-Books . Smyth's "Lectures on Modern History " . History, Politics, and Economics . Sparks to G. A. Ward on History at Harvard Jared Sparks the First Professor of American History . 419 420 422 424 425 425 426 427 429 430 433 434 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIX. Readins; President of Harvard University (1849-1853). Mr. Sparks mentioned as Successor of Dr. Kirkland (1828) Wm. H. Eliot to Jared Sparks on Josiah Quincy First Overture to Mr. Sparks in 1848 Answer to the Corporation .... Mr. Sparks' Plan for a " Regent " or Dean Mr. Sparks to Josiah Quincy Nomination confirmed by Board of Overseers . A Harvard Inauguration .... Address of Governor Briggs .... President Sparks' Inaugural Address Attack on the Elective System Mr. Sparks' Fondness for Mathematics and Private Report of Progress for the Year 1850 Constitutional Rights of Harvard College Condition of the Elective System Report of Progress for 1852. — The Elective System Professor Goodwin's Phi Beta Kappa Address Professor Royce on Present Academic Ideals President Sparks' Inquiries concerning London University Question of Admitting Women to Harvard . Progress of the College under President Sparks His Continued Interest in Astronomy .... System of Teaching by Lectures .... New Courses of College Instruction .... Condition of Historical Studies ..... Letter from Henry C. Carey on History and Economics President Sparks to Henry C. Carey Serious Accident to President Sparks . Edward Everett Hale on Modern Languages at Harvard President Sparks on Scientific and English Electives Marking System at Harvard Degree of Doctor of Laws to Guizot Records of Harvard College ..... Correspondence with Old Friends .... Resignation of the Presidency ..... Letters from the Corporation, Overseers, and Faculty Relations with Students ...... Hiram Powers' Bust of Ex- President Sparks 435 43S 437 438 440 441 441 442 443 444 445 447 448 448 449 451 451 453 454 455 456 456 457 458 459 460 463 464 465 465 466 467 468 470 472 474 476 477 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XXX. Lord Mahon and the Reed Letters The Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed . " Friar Lubin " and the " Evening Post " Publication of Lord Mahon's Charges Relation of Sparks to Southey and Lord Mahon . Sparks' " Reply to the Strictures of Lord Mahon " Francis Lieber's Advice to Jared Sparks Sparks' Magnanimity to his Critics . William B. Reed's Confession of his Error . Henry Stevens on Lord Mahon .... Lord Mahon's " Rejoinder " to Sparks " Reply " . Sparks' " Answer " to Lord Mahon . Washington's Style of Letter- Writing . Sparks' alleged Motives for Omissions His Self-Restraint and Forbearance in Controversy Professor Andrews Norton on Sparks' Defense Francis Parkman and Charles Summer . Peter Force and Horace Binney Reprint of the Reed Letters .... Sparks' Remarks on this " Reprint " Judge Marshall's Editorial Methods W. H. Prescott on the Reed Letters . Sparks' Views of the Controversy . Letter to Charles F. Mercer on the Use of Italics Peace between Mr. Sparks and Lord Mahon . 479 479 480 480 482 482 484 485 485 486 487 489 490 492 492 493 494 495 496 498 499 500 503 504 CHAPTER XXXI. Relations with Irving and Everett. John Murray and Washington Irving Sparks on Irving's " Life of Washington " Irving's Letter to R. C. Winthrop .... Sparks to Irving on the Mahon Controversy . Edward Everett's " Life of Washington " Sparks and Sumner on the Washington Family Everett to Sparks on the Independence of the United The Trent Affair and the Case of Mr. Laurens Everett's Inquiry concerning Weems' " Washington " Sparks' Reply to Everett .... 507 510 511 511 513 514 States 515 516 517 517 XVI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXII. Discovery of Franklin's Papers. Sparks' Dissatisfaction with his Edition of " Franklin ' ' Discovery of Franklin's Papers in London Sparks' Encouragement of Henry Stevens Stevens' Letters to Mr. Sparks ... Sparks offers to edit the Franklin Papers . Stevens deposits the Papers with George Peabody J. G. Palfrey's Inquiries in England Sparks' Correspondence with Palfrey . Correspondence with George Peabody Sparks examines the Papers in London George William Childs and Jared Sparks . Purchase of the Franklin Papers .... 520 521 522 523 525 527 528 529 530 531 532 532 CHAPTER XXXIIL 1830) Private Life of Jared Sparks Bachelor Lodgings and Life in Boston Sparks' Personal Appearance. — Friendly Relations Marries Frances Anne Allen (October 16, 1832) Birth of a Daughter, Maria Verplanck . Life in the Craigie House at Cambridge . Death of Mrs. Sparks (July 12, 1835) . Julia M. Allen marries Rev. W. H. Channing . Sparks marries Mary Crowninshield Silsbee (May 2: Letters to Mrs. Sparks from London and Paris Sparks' Letters to his Mother Death of Maria Verplanck Sparks (February 3, 1846) New Residence on Quincy Street . William Eliot Sparks .... The Sparks Family in Europe Sparks meets the African Explorers, Livingstone and Barth Visits to Holland, Germany, and Italy . Observations in Paris .... Social Life in England .... 534 535 537 538 539 539 540 542 543 545 546 547 547 548 549 550 551 553 CONTENTS. xvu CHAPTER XXXIV. Last Years. Burdened with Literai'v Correspondence . Historical Services to Contemporaries . Correspondence witli W. H. Trescot Jared Sparks and Cliarles Deane . Inquiries from Francis Lieber . New England Women in War-Time Joshua I. Cohen and Haym Salomon Correspondence with Brantz Mayer Mr. Sparks' Unitarian Faith Unitarians in Baltimore and Washington Dr. Peabody's Reminiscences of Mr. Sparks Firmness of Character Personal Appearance and Social Qualities Illness and Death (March 14, 1866) Resolutions of the Harvard Corporation . Final Honors to President Sparks . Mary Crowninshield Sparks Mrs. Sparks' Children . 555 556 558 560 561 563 564 565 566 667 569 571 572 573 573 574 574 575 CHAPTER XXXV. Tributes to the Memory of Jared Sparks. Dr. Andrew P. Peabody . .... .577 Rev. William Newell . 679 " Christian Register " . . . . 581 American Antiquarian Society .... 583 Dr. Samuel F. Haven . . . . .584 Rev. Dr. Alonzo Hill .... . . 584 Professor Theophilus Parsons . . ... 585 Hon. Robert C. Winthrop .585 Massachusetts Historical Society ...... 588 Dr. George E. Ellis . . ' 588 American Academy of Arts and Sciences ..... 590 Maryland Historical Society 591 Colonel Brantz Mayer ... .... 592 xvm CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVI. Academic and Literary Honors .... 594 CHAPTER XXXVII. Bibliography of the Writings of Jared Sparks . 596 INDEX . . . . 619 ILLUSTRATIONS. Jared Sparks, from a bust by Hiram Powers (1857) ....... Frontispiece Frances Ank"e Sparks (1807-1835), from a miniature ....... Opposite page 5Z1 Mary Crowxinshield Silsbee (1809-1887), from a painting by Alexander . . Opposite page 5iZ Mary Ceowninshield Sparks, from a crayon by Kowse (1875) Opposite page 515 THE LIFE AND WRITINGS 01' JARED SPARKS CHAPTER XV. THE WASHINGTON MANUSCRIPTS AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE. On the 19tli of December, 1826, Mr. Sparks left Bos- ton for New York and Washington, on his third historical journey, whicli is chiefly interesting because of his work in our national archives and among Washington's papers at Mount Vernon. Selections from Mr. Sparks' correspon- dence with Judge Washington and Chief Justice Marshall, at this period, are interwoven with selections from his journal, for the sake of unity of subject-matter, which largely concerns Mr. Sparks' relation to the writings of Washington. 1827. January \bt7i, Tuesday. — Wrote Judge Washington that I am ready to call upon him and close the business respecting General Washington's papers. . . . Called on the President of the United States [John Quincy Adams]. . . . The President conversed with me on the materials for history in the ofSces, and said there were many in the State Department, to all of which he presumed I could have access ; although he hinted something about 2 THE WASHINGTON MANUSCRIPTS. secret papers of early date. I wonder what there is about the Revolution which it is now necessary to keep secret. A fig for such secrets ! . . . January 16d, Friday. — Before I left London, the Mar- quis of Lansdowne promised to put into my hands such papers as he has respecting American affairs, and particu- larly those of his father. Lord Shelburne, relative to the peace of 1782. He is now absent, but has left the papers RESEARCHES IN EUROPE, 1828-1829. 121 with his secretary, whom he directed to give them to me when I returned. To-day I have received them, and find them exceedingly important. . . . January 5tk. — Three days ago I wrote a letter to Mr. Hay, secretary in the Colonial Department, informing him of my return, and of my desire to commence immediately the examination of the papers in the Colonial Office, ac- cording to the permission granted by Sir George Murray before I went to the continent. I have called on Mr. Hay to-day, and had a conversation with him on the subject. He now tells me that he cannot, in the Colonial Office, show me any other papers than such as pertain especially to that office, that is, the military papers, and that it will be neces- sary to apply to the Earl of Aberdeen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for access to the diplomatic papers. This intelli- gence was new to me, as I had, before I went to the con- tinent, made particular inquiries of Mr. Hay as to this point, and was led to understand that all the papers which I enumerated were at the disposal of the Colonial Office, and were embraced in the permission granted me for in- spection. But it seems there was a mistake, and now I am obliged to make the application anew to another depart- ment. Mr. Hay also tells me that he does not feel at liberty to let me proceed till he again converses with Sir George Murray on the subject ; and as Sir George is now absent from town, Mr. Hay desires me to wait till his return, which will be in the course of a week. I confess these obstacles are a little vexatious to me, after the de- lays and trouble with which I met in my former applica- tions ; and since a specific and written permission had been granted, it seems a little strange that new embarrass- ments should now be thrown in the way. Visited Mr. Barbour in the evening, who says he will apply to the Earl of Aberdeen for the permission de- sired. I am to send him a written statement of the kind of papers. 122 RESEARCHES IN EUROPE, 1828-1829. January &th, Tuesday. — Rode out to Clapham Com- mon, four miles and a half from London, to call on Sir James Mackintosh, who lives there. Found him in his study. We conversed on the subject of procuring access to the foreign papers. He advised me to consult Lord Holland on the subject, as he is acquainted with the Earl of Aberdeen, and said he would himself speak to him. Sir James' conversation was unusually interesting. He talked to me much about the scenery of the Rhine and different parts of Germany which he had visited. He inquired particularly of Schlegel, and said his knowledge of English was remarkably accurate. He and Madame de Stael were in London together, and went to the theatre with Sir James Mackintosh to hear Hamlet. " Madame de Stael," said Sir James, " although one of the most agreeable persons that ever lived, was rather a troublesome neighbor on this occasion, for she could not be at ease without being informed at almost every sentence of Shake- speare's meaning, and her questions were incessant. Schlegel was prompt and quick to answer them all with much more facility than was in my power, and there have been few Englishmen, I believe, who could have done it so well. This was after Schlegel had translated Shake- speare." At the Journal Office of the House of Commons to-day I was informed by the clerks that the Speaker had given permission for me to take copies of such papers as I chose, on the usual terms, that is, on paying the common fees of oiSce for all the papers I take. This is attended with an extravagant expense, but the papers are so important that I shall have copies taken of several. . . . January 8th, Thursday. — Employed in examining papers in the Journal Office of the House of Commons. Conversation with Lord Holland. He says he will speak with the Earl of Aberdeen respecting permission to consult RESEARCHES IN EUROPE, 1828-1829. 123 the papers in the Foreign Offices, and desires me to send him a memorandum of the kind of papers wanted. He praised very highly the " Life of Ledyard," which he says he has read with great interest. . . . January 9th, Friday. — Received a letter from Mr. Hay,^ stating that he has consulted Sir George Murray, who has renewed his permission for me to examine the papers heretofore mentioned, and I am glad to find that ^ The f ollowiug is the text of Mr. Hay's letter : — Downing Street, London, January 9, 1829. I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th inst., with the manuscript sheets which you transmitted as specimens of your labors in Paris, and which I lost no time in submitting to the Secre- tary of State on his return to his official duties this morning. Sir George Murray has desired me to assure you of his inclination to afford you such facilities as he can with propriety grant in fur- therance of the object which you have in view, and he has accord- ingly consented to the adoption of a similar plan to that which was prescribed to you in France as the regulation which he would wish should be adhered to in regard to the state- papers which may be put into your hands here. Sir George Murray is at the same time persuaded that it cannot have escaped you that there is a wide difference in the nature of the papers to which you may have access here from those which you may have consulted at Paris, inasmuch as France was a friendly power, whilst Great Britain was engaged in hostilities with America ; and the revival of those angry feelings which is so much to be deprecated, and which would alone render it necessary to be cautious in allowing the official documents of that period to be laid before the public, need not of course be apprehended in one case, although it may reasonably be so in the other. Having made this observation, I am sure you will not attribute it to any desire to restrict you too narrowly in your researches, if I in- timate a wish, on the part of the Secretary of State, that you should confine yourself to short extracts and abridgments, in transferring to your pages the materials for history which you may glean from our public documents. P. S. I return the manuscript sheets which you were so obliging as to send. 124 KESE ARCHES IN EUROPE, 1828-1829. this application, which has caused me so much trouble, is at last brought to a close. . . . January Vlth, Monday. — In the Journal Office. Dine with Sir James Mackintosh ^ at Clapham Common. Met 1 In 1832 Mr. Sparks endeavored to collect materials for a sketch of Sir James Mackintosh, and consulted upon this sabject the Rev. Sydney Smith and Sir Francis Palgrave, the historian. Sydney Smith wrote the following from Combe Hay, Taunton, Somer- setshire, October 13, 1832 : " I should be very happy to comply with your request were it in my power, but I really know little or nothing about Mackintosh's writings except what are known to the public. They were chiefly anonymous, admired at the time but now forgotten, and scarcely any one can turn to them. He vrrote a good deal in the Edinburgli Review, but I could not enumerate a single article. His son, B. Mackintosh, Esq., is of New College, Oxford, and will, I dare say, gladly answer any questions you may put to him. Perhaps he himself may be engaged on a similar under- taking, and you might make some arrangement with him. I have ad- \-ised your correspondent, Mr. O. Rich, to send you all he can gather of what is printed in London respecting him. I am sorry I can do so little, or rather do nothing for you, but so the fact is." Sir Francis Palgrave wrote from; Yarmouth, Norfolk, October 6, 1832 : " Your letter of the 28th August has just reached me, and I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your favor, though until I re- turn to town I can do little beyond an assurance that I shall be most happy to render you any assistance in my power. It is reported that Mackintosh had completed the delineation of the characters of the latter portions of his intended history ; but that the connecting narra- tive is extremely imperfect. It is also said that Messrs. Longman have a lien upon all his manuscripts in the possession of his family ; therefore I apprehend that there is little chance of obtaining any mat- ters of value from them. Mrs. Wedgwood acted as the amanuensis of her father during many years. I know her intimately, and I will endeavor to gain further information from her." After giving Mr. Sparks various references to individuals in Eng- land (among others. Sir Robert Inglis and his family) who might afEord him material information regarding Mackintosh, Sir Francis Palgrave concludes with this tribute to America and Americans : " After the silly vituperations and abuse of Mrs. Trollope, the follow- ing observations may be pleasing to you. If the prejudices of any RESEARCHES IN EUROPE, 1828-1829. 125 there Mr. Palgrave, the antiquarian. Sir James' conver- sation, as usual, was rich and varied. His mind is stored with a prodigious mass of elegant and entertaining knowledge. Lady Mackintosh complimented me on my " Life of Ledyard," which she said she had read during my absence. I learn that Lockhart has got into some difficulty about a review of Hallam's last work, which he has printed in the " Quarterly," and which was written by Southey. It seems that the article is unreasonably severe, whereas Lockhart had given Hallam to under- stand that he intended to have a favorable one. Southey has written to a friend that the most objectionable part has been added since it left his hands, and this appears to be the work of Edwards. Lockhart is censured in the matter. Thus it seems that the troubles of editors and reviewers are not confined to the other side of the At- lantic. January 13