'Sir,' said he, 'I am looking for that place in the matting that last night tripped me.

If it be not fastened down, it may kill some one.' And then he continued his search for the trick-string matting." Mr.Adams after this accident did not enjoy as sound health as in previous years, yet was more active and vigorous than the majority of those who attain to his age.

But on the 20th of November, 1846, he experienced the first blow of the fatal disease which eventually terminated his existence.
On the morning of that day, while sojourning at the residence of his son, in Boston, preparing to depart for Washington, he was walking out with a friend to visit a new Medical College, and was struck with paralysis by the way.

This affliction confined him several weeks, when he obtained sufficient strength to proceed to Washington, and enter upon his duties in the House of Representatives.

He viewed this attack as the touch of death.
An interregnum of nearly four months occurs in his journal.