gmertca, , ?|emp, an& JUapoleon - Vote Hemp

America, Russia, Hemp, and Napoleonmixed with any Americans except those who voluntarily cameto see him, and depended on Levett Harris for most of hisinformation on the commercial life of Russia's ports helps toexplain Adams ' uncharacteristic obtuseness.Dreadful hints came to Adams, but he did not give them theobvious interpretation. H e never investigated Levett Harrisand studiously avoided any interference in the consular dutiesof examining and pronouncing on the authenticity of the papersof arriving Americans unless Harris requested his assistance.The only criticism of his consul that he ever made inhis diary in 1811 was the mild "I hope Harris will not forgetthat he is an American consul as well as a commission merchant."**Adams' sojourn in Russia was probably the only time in hislife whe n he thought better of his colleagues than his colleaguesdeserved.There was an additional factor that ma y have cloudedAdams' mind in the critical months of the summer and fall of1811. On the evening of Monday, 12 August 1811, "I had adaughter born, thefirst example I believe of an American anative of Russia." 45 Mrs . Adams ' pregnancy and labor hadboth been difficult, and she emerged from the ordeal in adangerously exhausted condition. The child was weak andsickly. Th e tremendous act of becoming had been nearlyenough to bring it to death withoutfirstpassing through life.The child was baptized Louisa Catherine Adams. Amongher sponsors at the baptism were Harris, a Quaker, and thewife of the Portuguese minister, a Roman Catholic. 'That aQuaker," wrote Adams happily to his own mother, "and aPortuguese Roma n Catholic should join a church clergyman to214