The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]

06 September 1853

Tues. (Tuesday) 6th . Sweltering weather—Reading writing & walking A.M. P.M. at meeting of the A.D.F.A. (American Dramatic Fund Association) Andrew Jackson Allen presented his claim for annuity on the ground of incapacity from age—the claim was allowed, and thus the first person to receive benefit or assistance from the association was an American. According to the removerules regulaions rules and regulations of the Association Allen could have removeclaimed drawnexpand_less the first quarterly payment of his annuity in advance had he expressed a desire to do so, but not

having made the request removeat simultaneoremoveously withremovee the presentation of his claim it gave rise to considerable angry discussion as to whether Allen was, or was not, entilted [sic entitled] to the money until the end of the quarter. I contended that he was not but, removeas it removewas beingexpand_less the first case of the kind, thought that some allowance should be made, and, therefore, moved that the Secretary be empowered to pay the money when called upon; this was opposed by C W Clarke N. B. Clarke &expand_less J Hadaway, who deemed it time enough to give the order when the advance was asked for. This opposition seemed to me to be more for the purpose of opposing removeWeymess Wemyssexpand_less, who strongly advocated my motion, than because they thought my motion wrong—the passage of which would have saved the expense of a special meeting But Actors, as a general thing, are the worst business men [sic businessmen] in the world. After supper took walk with George