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1811

This webpage reproduces a section of
The Journal

of
John Sevier

published in Vols. V and VI
of the Tennessee Historical Magazine,
1919‑1920

The text is in the public domain.

This page has been carefully proofread
and I believe it to be free of errors.
If you find a mistake though, please let me know!

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1813
This site is not affiliated with the US Military Academy.

John Sevier's Journal

Vol. VI
p42
January, 1812.

Wed. 1 This day I went to the Presidents Levee — purchased a pair of pumps for two dollars and a half

. . . . . .

Fry. 3 Went to the House — dined in Geo. town & stayed all night with Maj. Russell.

Sat. 4 Settled with Mr. Calder the tailor & paid him 10 dollars the ballance of my account with him — He is to lend me a pair of small cloths which I shall be indebted for — paid to Mr. Rhodes 100 dollars as per receipt — this sum is for board & accommodation &c.

Sun. 5 Fine day — Visited by Mr. Nichols, Adjutant General of the Army is near this place.

Memo. Oil of turpentine taken in small doses have recently been discovered to destroy the tape worm.

Visited by Lieut. Jessup, late of General Wilkinsons aids — is at Madame Bodines (?) Wrote letters to Jas Sevier, Rob Williams, Waightstill Avery, Judge Cocke, Jenkin Whiteside & D. Briggs, & sent a package of the Presidents message to J. Whiteside. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 8 Dined with the minister of France.

. . . . . .

[memoranda]

Memo. A Mr. Sage has stated to the National Institute of France the efficiency of the flower volatile alkali in cases of severe apoplexy witness for forty years — on the first appearance of the disease, 25 or 30 drops of flower alkali in a spoonful of water poured down the throat and two slips of paper the edges weted with volatile alkali introduced into the nostrils — after a short period give another dose. Speech & recollection generally return in one hour. If the alkali should occasion a vomiting — give 20 drops of the volatile alkali more in half a glass of wine — a certain Cure —

 p43  Mr. McCea (?) of Richmond informed me that he see Aron Burr in Paris (France). Burr went first from the U. States to England who under a sham ordered him to leave that place — he went to Denmark and perhaps Sweden and after some time returned to France & became acquainted with Fouchee, the French minister, who gives him a salary of 2000 dollars per annum: Mr. McCea see Burr, in a prison where James Swan, the American was confined; they both hapened to visit Swan at the same time. — a proposition fromº an unofficial character was made to the British government, for France & England to make peace & divide the United States of America — both nations were afraid to stand first committed, being jealous of each other, & neither would officially commit the project to writing for fear the other would take the advantage & expose the other to the resentment of the United States. Burr arrested in the downs (?) last fall immediately went to a Mr. Reeves the inspector of aliens & obtained permission to go immediately to London although every other American had to stay two weeks. It is understood that Burr acted in France as a British spy & was the projector of the project to divide America, & no doubt when in England served as a spy to the French.

Bonaparte contenanced Burr, & it is supposed ordered him off merely to gratify the Americans . . .

Sun, 12 Very fine day. Mrs. Sevier, Archa Rhea, B. P. Gains and James Sevier — wrote yesterday to General Blackburn & sent him document some days since. — Wrote today farther to William McClellun & P. M. Miller, John McClellen, David Campbell, Judge Roane.

. . . . . .

Wed. 15 . . . In the evening attended Mrs. Madisons levee . . . invited to dine on Saturday with the Secretary of the Navy (P. Hamilton).

. . . . . .

Satterday 18 . . . Dined with P. Hamilton, Sec. of the Navy.

. . . . . .

Wed. 22 . . . Wrote letters to R. Peacock, & John Stewart. Wrote letters to General Overton & Joshuº Williams.

Thurs. 23. . . . Wrote letter to Arch Rutherford, William Panderson & Judge White — a slight shock of an earthquake at four this morning & one in the night half after nine — very cold

. . . . . .

Sat. 25. Dined with Mr. Grundy at Mr. Claxtons. paid to Joseph Willson father of G. Willson by direction of Georgeº $25 & took Joseph Willsons receipt &c. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 29 . . . Clerks in the office of the Department of State

per an.

John Graham chief clerk

2000

Stephen Pleasantson Clk

1500

Daniel Brent Clk

1350

Richard Forrest Clk

1150
John B. Calvin Clk 1150
Tho. LL Brent Clk 1150
William Thormon (?) of the Patent office 1400

Thurs. 30 wrote to Robert Williams enclosing him a 5 dollar note on the Columbian bank (Georgetown) No. 77 dated 25 March 1809, signed V. Hinton Presdt., William Whann Cashr. The same being for fee occasioned for getting 2 copies of grants from the secretary of State of North Carolina, one for 25060 & the other 32000 acres of land — the fees as per letter amounted to 3 dollars. But I have sent 5 . . .

 p44  Fry. 1 attended the House — dined at Genl. Bailys & stayed all night . . .

February, 1812.

Sat. 1 . . . Dined at Mr. Clays (Speaker)

Isha the washer woman produced her account being 2 dollars 31 cents pd. her 2 dollars — 31 cents yet due. . . .

. . . . . .

Fry. 7. . . . Genl. Tho. Blount departed this life at night.

Sat 8 . . . Wrote to Judge White informing of the death of Gen. Blount . . .

Sun. 9 Gen. Thomas Blount interred. Myself, Gov. Wright of Maryland, Genl. Brown of Pennsylvania, and Genl. Gormaneº of New York rode in same carriage & were four out of six of the Pall bearers. Were draped with white muslin sashes and black crape round the arm & hatt. The day clear & thin air — about 200 carriages besides great bodies of horse & foot together with the marine coar attended the funeral with music & fireing &c &c.

. . . . . .

Tues. 11. . . . Went to the House Recd from the sergeant at arms 340 dollars as per check of this day paid to William Rhodes as per receipt 50 dollars towards accommodations.

Wed. 12 Cold day wt to the Presidents Levee

Thurs. 13. . . . Memo. George Millagan bookseller high street G. town Book store & lottery office has marking ink, & Washington monument tickets & tickets in second class of vaccine (?) lottery for sale (Bridge Street) Also, at his book store.

Fry. 14 . . . Memo. I went to the Washington bank, & took up a draft on me for two hundred dollars drawn by Robert Farguerson of Knoxville in favor of Robert Miller of Baltimore & by him assigned to ––––– Wharnn a receipt on the bank by R. Smith agt.

. . . . . .

Thu. 20. . . . Unwell with Rheumatic pain in Back.

Fry. 21. . . . Paid Peter Willson for James Calder 13 dollars and 32 cents as per receipt for a pair of silk britches.

memo. I paid pr advice of William Williams of Strawberry Plains 5 dollars as per recpt to Gails the Editor for his paper for Beasly (?) and Wilkerson, near Magby's Ferry — the paper is to be sent them for one year commencing from the 20th inst.

Sat. 22. . . . Took tea at Secretary Monroes in Co. with Colo. Smith of the army. . . .

Sun. 23. . . . Yesterday I paid Mr. John Rhea 5 dollars which he has advanced theº Smith the editor of the National Intelligencer. Wrote Mrs. Sevier, Gov. Blount, John Armstrong, Thomas Blacstone, John N. Carrick, John Hayes, James Armstrong (Free) (?), and John Kain.

. . . . . .

Tues. 25 Went to ball at Davis' Hotel. . . .

[memoranda]

Bohea Tea

Recipe for cure of the Dropsy — about two large cupfuls of the tea  p45 is to be infused in a quart of water, & during the day the decoction is to be drank, & the leaves eaten at short intervals — a speedy & quick cure.

. . . . . .

March, 1812.

. . . . . .

Mon. 2 . . . This day I took the National Intelligencer for James Dardis of Knoxville for one year from this date, & paid five dollars & took receipt from Gails the editor &c. — Went in the evening to Tomlinsons to Duffys concert. . . .

Fry. 6. . . . Dined with the President.

Sat. 7. . . . Stayed all night at General Bailys. . . .

. . . . . .

Tues. 10. . . . Went to General Bailys in evening & stayed all night.

Wed. 11 . . . Wt. to the Presdts Levee. . . .

Sun. 22 . . . Wrote to Mrs. Sevier China water & powder to blacken hair at John Scots (Pha) (hair dresser & perfumer).

. . . . . .

Fry. 27 Visited in the evening in Co. with Colo. Smythe the Secretary of the Navy (Mr. Hamilton). . . .

. . . . . .

Sun. 29. . . . Wrote to Mrs. Sevier Wt. to Catholic meeting

. . . . . .

Cure for cancer. Boil west Turkey figs in new milk which will thicken in boiling, — apply them broken or whole to the effected part which must be washed every time dressed with some milk. Use a fresh poultice nixt & morning & oncst in the middle of the day, & drink one gill of the milk the figs are boiled in twice in 24 hours.

. . . . . .

April, 1812.

. . . . . .

Sat. 4 Dined at Mr. Monroes . . .

Mon. 6 . . . Memo. I paid for Mister (?) Chambers to Jo Gales 5 dollars for his paper the National Intelligencer to commence from the second April, 1812 and end second April, 1813. I have taken Gails receipt. . . .

. . . . . .

Sat. 11 . . . Visited the Secretary of War in the evening in Co. with Colo. Smythe of the army. . . . Bought in the store of a German, one pair white silk stockings at 4 dollars & 25 cents — a pair of razors & strops at 3 dollars, a shaving box & two brushes at 75 cents.

. . . . . .

Mon. 13 . . . Went to ball in evening at Tomlinsons pd. 2 dollars & half.

Tues. 14 . . . Went to navy yard. . . .

. . . . . .

Sat. 18 Went to Geo.town stayed all night at Major Baileys won about 24 dollars.

Sun. 19 . . . Recd. Eliza C. McClellans with a lock of her mothers hair Wrote her an answer.

Memo. I left Mrs. Sparks likeness in Georgetown to have it set in gold with a Mr. Burnette who was recommended to me by Mr. Crawford of the same place.

 p46  Mon. 20 . . . George Clinton Vice President died this morning.

Tues. 21 Went to the House. Adjourned immediately to attend the funeral. The Hearse — pall bearers — Messr. Tallmage, Sammons, Butler, M. Clay, Macon, Brown, self & governor Wright — left the capitol at four o'clock.

. . . . . .

Thurs. 23 . . . Went to George town & returned.

. . . . . .

Sat. 25 . . . Went in the evening to Geo.town . . . Rode with Cap. Matthews to the Geo. town ferry & returned.

May, 1812.

Fry. 1 day . . . I lodged last night in Geo.town with Genl. Saml. Ringold of Maryland. Paid Ross the merchant in Geo.town 2 dollars & a half for two Gallatins of Shery wine. . . .

Sat. 2 . . . Went to Geo. Town & Stayed all night Paid expenses 2 dollars.

. . . . . .

Tues. 5 Went to the House recd. a check on the bank of Washington for 200 dollars paid to Rhodes tavern keeper 143 dollars in full for my board and barr account to the 6th inst.

. . . . . .

Sat. 9 . . . Dined at the Presidents. . . .

. . . . . .

Tues. 12 Went to Geo.town in evening, paid Burnette (silver smith) 13 dollars for setting in gold R. S. minature & furnishing morocco case, the case was one dollar. . . .

. . . . . .

Thurs. 14 Went to Geo.town in evening & stayed at Crawfords.

. . .

Fry. 15 . . . Paid Mrs. Clark 3 dollars for 2 weeks rent of room.

Sat. 16 Went to Geo. town stayed all night at Major Bailys — suped & braked with Genl. Saml. Ringold.

. . . . . .

Tues. 19 the Speaker unwell occasioned by a fall from his horse. No House. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 20 . . . Went to the cattle show. . . . Stayed all night in Geo.town.

. . . . . .

Sat. 23 Went to Geotown all night at Bailys. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 27 . . . Wt. to the House & in evening to the Presidents levee.

May 28 Wt to the House in the morning. Went to Gtown & stayed all night.

Fry. 29 Paid Mrs. Clark 2 weeks room rent which will not expire until Thursday next. . . .

Sat. 30 . . . Forwared the communications from Barlow minister to France to G. W. Sevier, Gov. Blount, Genl. J. Cocke, Gen. L. Doherty, Colo. Harrill, Colo. of Claiborne, Colo. of Campbell, Colo. Wm. Lillard, Colo. of Anderson, Col. John Brown, Col. Saml. Wier,  p47 James Scott, Colonels of Rhea, of Bledsoe, Geo. Willson printer, William Eliott of Blount county, Genl. Coulter & Judge White.

. . . . . .

June, 1812.

Yesterday at dinner Mrs. Suiters JR (Tº said we ought to encourage the Cherokees to do mischief & pay them for each scalp as did the British. This was said in the presence of Genl. Wathingtonº (?) of Ohio, Colo. Gregg of Pennsylvania, & Mr. Cutts of N. Hampshire & reprobated by the whole together with myself.

. . . . . .

Thurs. 4 Pleasant day wt to the House passed the declaration of war against G. Britain &c &c. . . .

. . . . . .

Sat. 6 Went to Geo.town stayed all night at Crawfords.

Sun. 7 . . . Went to the Capitol & heard a Mr. Clark preach — in the evening heard another in the seceedors meeting house.

Mon. 8 . . . Went in evening into the Senate Chamber — agreed to nominate Mr. El. Gerry for vice president.

. . . . . .

Fry. 12 Went to Geo.town stayed all night at Crawfords.

. . . .

Sun. 14 Went to the Catho. church. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 17 went to house in evening to Theater act the Honeymoon. — B. Williams.

Thur. 18 Went to the circus in GTown. in evening stayed all night at Crawfords — wt. to the house in morning. . . .

. . . . . .

Tues. 23 went to house cool day in evening to Theatree.º

Wed. 24 ditto ditto.

Thurs. 25 went to the House — in evng Theater.

Fry. 26 went to GeoTown in morning went to the house.

. . . . . .

Tues. 30 . . . Spent the evening at the Theatreeº (act 40 Thieves).

July, 1812.

Wed. 1 day of July. went to the house. Went to the levee in eveng.

. . . . . .

Fry. 3 Went to the house, spent the evening with Minister of France.

Sat. 4 Celebrated this day, dined at Ringolds & Co. Ropewalk, in Co. with all the heads of the departments the President excepted — pd. 3 dollars.

. . . . . .

Tues. 7 . . . Left in the care of Mrs. Clark one white skinned trunk, containing one blue Breasted cloth coat, one pr. black corduroy overhauls, one red flannel Jacket with sleeves, one black pr. Casimere small cloths, 2 large sticks sealing wax — seven quires of writing paper — one of which is large — a pr. of new boots, 1 pr. cotton slips — 1 pair flanel ditto — two bound books — a number of pamphlets — a snuf box, a wafer box, ink stand, and ink bottle. Give the key of my Desk in Capitol to Charles to give Mr. Claxton.

Wed. 8 left Washington in Co. with Judge Anderson & his nephew  p48 Thomas — rode 15 miles to Fairfax C. H. Fed & dined — pd. 4/6 each. (rained).

. . . . . .

September, 1812.

. . . . . .

Sat. 5 Paid Richard Beardon by Bennett his barr keeper 20 dollars, it being in part of my note of 30 odd dollars, the Ballance due yet to Beardon.

. . . . . .

Mon. 21 Self, Mrs. Sevier Mrs Sparks & Mrs. May went to hear Mr. Crawford preach at Mr. Reagons (A Methodist minister).

. . . . . .

October, 1812.

. . . . . .

Fry. 9 set out for Washington rode 30 miles to Dandridge Stayed all night at Fants.

Sat. 10 Rode 22 miles to Warrensburg. . . .

Sun. 11 Rode 17 miles to Greenville. . . .

Mon. 12 Stayed in Greenville — some rain.

Tues. 13 Set out in Co. with Mr. Dixon and Williams. Rode 30 miles to Barnstabers.

Wed. 14 rode 35 miles to Abingdon.

Thurs. 15 rode 38 miles to Adkins, Senr.

Fry. 16 rode 39 miles to Feelys.

Sat. 17 rode 38 miles to Dr. Randolphs. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 21 stayed in Staunton & dined with the officers of the county pr. invitation. . . .

. . . . . .

Wed. 28 rode 33 miles to the city. . . .

Thur. 29 went to see the Races back of the city. . . .

Fry. 30 my expenses from home to this day here in 26 dollars. . . . went to see the President. Stayed at Geo.town.

[memoranda]

O hour of bliss

to equal this

Olympus strives in vain

O happy pair

A happy fair

O happy happy swain.

go number the stars in the heavens

Count how many sands on the shore

When so many kisses youve given

I still shall be craving for more.

November, 1812.

Sunday 1st day . . . Received yesterday from Andrew Ross Mecht. 3 Jugs containing 2 gallons of sherry and 2 gallons of Madeara wine — & 2 gallons whiskee, also half an ounce of nut-meg & one loave sugar wt. to see the rope dancer perform last evening.

Mon. 2 the House of Congress met — about 90 members present. A very fine day. Purchased a hatt 7 dollars.

 p49  Tues. 3 waited on the secretaries of Navy and War, purchased of Weightmanº 1 Hand & pd. 6/. Went to the House which soon adjourned. I went to GeoTown in evening and returned. . . .

. . . . . .

Thurs. 5 went in evening to see rope dancer. . . .

Fry. 6 purchased from Weikhmanº mercht. 1 pr. Black silk stockings at 4 dollars 1 white ditto 3 dollars & a half. Rained in the evening & Cool — House adj. to Mon. The white is numbered 32.

. . . . . .

Mon. 9 . . . Purchased from John Weightman mercht. 1 pr. worsted ribbed stockgs. 1.50 1 plain pr ditto $1.37 1‑2 cents.

Tues. 10 Went to Geo.Town — Won from Joseph Gale Editor of the intelligencer 80 dollars Betting on Mr. Stewart of that place, playing with Mr. Gale at Cards — the money is yet due.

Wed. 11 went in evening to Mrs. Madisons drawing room. Bought a pair of shoes $21/4.º . . .

Thurs. 12 Bought of John Weightman mercht. 3 yards B. Greene cloth a 10 dollars & half pr yd. 3 yds coarse Linen. 14 yellow Buttons for coat. Buttons for sm. Cloths. 6 skins of silk. 2 sticks of twist & & 

. . . . . .

Sat. 14. . . . Borrowed from the Washington Bank pr. Captain Birch $200, which I am to replace with a check from the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

. . . . . .

Tues. 17 Drew a check from the Speaker for $250 and sent the same to the bank of Washington pr. Mr. Byrd who repaid $200 I had borrowed and brought me $50 in bills which settled by Bank account. dined with the President.

Wed. 18 . . . Recd. from the Bank of Washington $57.50 on a draft from the postmaster General given in favor of a draft on him from Geo. Oury, who owed it to Geo. Washington Sevier in part pay of a horse.

. . . . . .

[memoranda]

Sun. 22 . . . Memo. A cure for the slobers in horses, occasioned by clover — rub underneath the tongue the under Jaw well with mention salt onst or twice the disorder is in the tongue in the under jaw.

. . . . . .

Wed. 25 went to George town and paid the Editor of the Federal Republican, $5 being the money forwarded me from the Revd. Frances Willson of Staunton, Va., requesting by letter I would pay it to Hanson & Wagoner &c. . . . Purchased a pr. of set knee buckles $2.50. Went to Mrs. Madisons Levee in the evening.

Thurs. 26 dined on board the frigate Constitution with the President & all the heads of departments, the greater part of the members of the two houses of Congress and many of the officers of the army and navy &c. Cap. Stewart is the office commanding this vessel at whose invitation we went on board and dined. . . .

December, 1812.

. . . . . .

Mon. 14 . . . Purchased 2 handkfs. (Bandonia) from John Weightman 13/6. 1 yd. Cambrick 6/9.

 p50  Thurs. 17 . . . Spent the evening at Colo. Dawsons Won of the Colonel $5.

. . . . . .

Mon. 21 . . . Drew a draft from the speaker for two hundred dollars and received the money out of the Washington Bank. Paid to Mrs. Suitor towards my accommodation $50. Give the money to Miss Harriottº Smith, her sister to hand to Mrs. Sutor is very much indisposed.

. . . . . .

Wed. 23 Paid the washerwoman in full $5. Paid shoemaker for mending & new tops to my boots $2.50. Set out for Fredericksburg. . . .

. . . . . .


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